SERA PROGNOSTICS, INC.
For the period ended Mar 31, 2025. Filed May 7, 2025.
View on SEC.govAbout this filing
A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Mar 31, 2025 · Filed May 7, 2025
SERA$2.19+5.3%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026
What changed in Risk Factors?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-09-30; filed 2024-11-06.
0000950170-24-122312
Item 1A. Risk FactorsCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-03-31; filed 2025-05-07.
0000950170-25-065667
Item 1A. Risk FactorsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 397 previous paragraphs and 400 current paragraphs.
321 unchanged; 68 reworded; 9 added; 8 removed; 0 previous and 2 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 0 previous and 0 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (9)
Current report
In addition, our Sera-branded specimen collection kits are produced by a third-party supplier. If demand for the kit increases significantly, we will need to either expand production capabilities through our existing third-party manufacturer or outsource to other manufacturers. If our third-party supplier fails to manufacture and deliver the collection kit in a timely manner for any reason, including as a result of supply chain failures, tariffs, or regulatory non-compliance or other quality-related issues, our future relationships with our customers could be seriously harmed. We cannot assure you that manufacturing or quality control problems will not arise as we attempt to increase the production of the recently developed collection kit or that we may be able to increase our manufacturing capabilities and maintain quality control in a timely manner or at commercially reasonable costs. If we cannot have the collection kit manufactured consistently on a timely basis because of these or other factors, it could have a significant negative impact on our ability to continue performing tests and generating revenues.
Current report
Risks associated with any operations outside of the United States and developments in international trade by the U.S. and foreign governments could adversely affect our business.
Current report
We may establish operations or develop material partnerships outside the United States, and such operations or partnerships may become material to our business. Therefore, we may become subject to risks related to operating in foreign countries, which include unfamiliar foreign laws or regulatory requirements or unexpected changes to those laws or requirements; other laws and regulatory requirements to which our business activities abroad may be subject, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act; changes in the political or economic condition of a specific country or region, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East, and the potential for a wider European or global conflict; fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies versus the U.S. dollar; volatility in inflation and interest rates; potential for local and/or global economic slowdown or recession; our ability to deploy overseas funds in an efficient manner; tariffs, trade protection measures, import or export licensing requirements, trade embargoes, and sanctions (including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury), and other trade barriers; global instability from an outbreak of pandemic or contagious disease; difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified personnel; and cultural differences in the conduct of business. For example, recent developments in U.S. trade policy, including the imposition of new tariffs on certain materials and components used in medical diagnostics, could adversely affect our cost of goods sold, supply chain reliability, and market access. Retaliatory trade measures by foreign governments could target U.S. healthcare or diagnostic products, increasing barriers to foreign sales of our product candidates. Changes impacting our ability to conduct business outside of the United States, or changes to the regulatory regime applicable to our operations in countries outside of the United States (such as with respect to the approval of our product candidates), may materially and adversely impact our business, prospects, operating results, and financial condition.
Current report
Changes in U.S. federal policy that affect the geopolitical landscape could give rise to circumstances outside our control that could have negative impacts on our business operations. For example, during the prior Trump administration, increased tariffs were implemented on goods imported into the U.S., particularly from China, Canada, and Mexico. In early 2025, the United States imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and increased tariffs on imports from China to 145%. On April 2, 2025, a universal 10% tariff on all U.S. imports was announced, with higher tariffs ranging from 11% to 50% on imports from 57 countries, effective April 9, 2025, which were subsequently suspended for 90 days for most countries, while the 10% universal tariff remains in effect. These measures have led to retaliatory tariffs from affected countries, including China and Canada, and have contributed to increased trade tensions and economic uncertainty. Political tensions as a result of such trade policies could reduce trade volume, investment, technological exchange and other economic activities between major international economies, resulting in a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets. Any changes in political, trade, regulatory, and economic conditions, including U.S. trade policies, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Current report
Inadequate funding for the SEC and other government agencies, or a work slowdown or stoppage at those agencies as part of a broader federal government shutdown or reduction in force, could hinder their ability to hire and retain key leadership and other personnel, prevent new products and services from being developed or commercialized in a timely manner, or otherwise prevent those agencies from performing normal business functions on which the operation of our business may rely, which could negatively impact our business.
Current report
The ability of governmental agencies to meet their mandates can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding levels, the ability to hire and retain key personnel, and statutory, regulatory, and policy changes. Government funding of the SEC and 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. For example, over the last several years, the U.S. government has shut down several times and certain regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and the SEC, have had to furlough critical employees and stop critical activities. In early 2025, following the inauguration of President Trump, the Trump Administration began implementing a large-scale reduction of the federal government workforce as well as major organizational changes and consolidating throughout the executive branch. The impact of mass layoffs at governmental offices with which we interact is unclear at this time, and organizational changes remain fluid. If a prolonged government shutdown or slowdown occurs, or a significant reduction in force makes it difficult for offices with which we interact to respond timely, it could have a material adverse effect on our business. Further, future government shutdowns could impact our ability to access the public markets and obtain necessary capital in order to properly capitalize and continue our operations.
Current report
If the recent court decision is appealed and the FDA’s LDT final rule is reinstated, we could become subject to increased regulatory burdens such as registration and listing requirements, adverse event reporting requirements, and quality control requirements with respect to our currently marketed PreTRM test. Further, any future version of the PreTRM test, as well as any other future LDTs we may develop, could become subject to more onerous regulation by the FDA, if and when the FDA begins to actively enforce premarket submission regulations with respect to LDTs, whether as a result of new legislative authority in the future or under the May 2024 LDT final rule. Depending upon the risk classification of each individual test, we may be required to obtain premarket clearance for future tests under Section 510(k) of the FDC Act or approval of a premarket approval application, or PMA. The process for submitting a 510(k) premarket notification and receiving FDA clearance usually takes from 3 to 12 months, but it can take significantly longer, and clearance is never guaranteed. The process for submitting and obtaining FDA approval of a PMA generally takes from 1 to 3 years or even longer, and approval is not guaranteed. PMA approval typically requires extensive clinical data and can be significantly longer, more expensive and more uncertain than the 510(k) clearance process.
Current report
Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia have proposed or enacted comprehensive privacy laws, and additional states are likely to follow.
Current report
Many physicians are exploring alternative ways to deliver care to their patients, including purchasing testing services from a laboratory and, in turn, selling these services directly to the patient. Such arrangements can be compliant, depending on the state in which the lab and physician are located and the specifics of the arrangement. At the same time, a shifting landscape in the health care laws discussed below may present unexpected challenges to some such arrangements.
Removed paragraphs (8)
Previous report
We have begun the process of evaluating the final rule’s potential impact on our PreTRM tests, our operations, and our business more generally and are preparing to be in compliance with the obligations of the final rule that comes into effect in May 2025, to the extent applicable.
Previous report
If there are changes in FDA regulations or legislative authorities such that the agency begins to exercise oversight over LDTs, as has now been initiated through the LDT final rule, or if the FDA disagrees that our marketed tests are within the scope of its criteria used for defining LDTs, we may become subject to extensive regulatory requirements and may be required to stop selling our existing test or launching any other tests we may develop and to conduct additional clinical trials or take other actions prior to continuing to market our tests. If the FDA allows our tests to remain on the market but there is uncertainty about our tests, if they are labeled investigational by the FDA or if labeling claims the FDA allows us to make are very limited, orders from health care providers or reimbursement for our tests may decline.
Previous report
In addition, as noted above, Congress has been working on legislation to create an LDT and In Vitro Diagnostic, or IVD, regulatory framework that would be separate and distinct from the existing medical device regulatory framework. For example, as drafted and re-introduced for consideration by the current Congress, reform legislation called the Verifying Accurate, Leading-edge IVCT Development (VALID) Act would codify the term “in vitro clinical test,” or IVCT, and create a new medical product category separate from medical devices to include products currently regulated as IVDs as well as LDTs, among other provisions. The VALID Act would also create a new system for laboratories to use to submit their tests electronically to the FDA for approval, which is aimed at reducing the amount of time it would take for the agency to approve such tests, and establish a new program to expedite the development of diagnostic tests that can be used to address a current unmet need for patients. On March 21, 2024, the House Energy and Commerce held a subcommittee hearing titled “Evaluating Approaches to Diagnostic Test Regulation and the Impact of the
Previous report
FDA’s Proposed Rule.” The private witnesses testifying at the hearing expressed broad support for the bipartisan VALID Act instead of the FDA’s plan to use its medical devices authorities. Further, following FDA’s release of the final rule, certain members of Congress have objected strenuously to the agency’s action. The FY2025 funding bill for FDA that was passed by the House Appropriations Committee on July 17, 2024 also recommended that the agency suspend its efforts to implement the rule and to instead partner with Congress on developing legislation for the field.
Previous report
If Congress were to pass the VALID Act or any other legislation applicable to the FDA’s regulation of LDTs, or if the FDA were to successfully implement new regulations for such products following resolution of the pending ACLA lawsuit or any other litigation challenging the agency’s underlying authority to issue the May 2024 LDT final rule, we will likely be subject to increased regulatory burdens such as registration and listing requirements, adverse event reporting requirements, and quality control requirements. Any legislation or formal FDA regulatory framework affecting LDTs is also likely to have premarket application requirements prohibiting commercialization without FDA authorization and controls regarding modification to the tests that may require further FDA submissions. Any such process would likely be costly and time-consuming.
Previous report
The recent IT outage experienced by CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (“CrowdStrike”) serves as a pertinent example of such vulnerabilities. This outage, caused by a defective update to CrowdStrike’s Falcon Sensor for Windows, led to widespread system crashes and “blue screen of death” errors. The incident was further complicated for devices with BitLocker disk encryption enabled, as recovery required keys stored on crashed servers. The faulty update was not subjected to the usual patch management procedures before its release, highlighting the risks associated with inadequate testing. The outage had a global impact, disrupting critical services across various sectors, including airlines, airports, banks, hospitals, and stock markets. Although CrowdStrike provided remediation steps and continuous support, the incident underscores the potential for significant operational disruptions and the extensive efforts required for recovery. Our operations could have been similarly affected by such an IT outage, resulting in disruptions to our services and significant recovery efforts.
Previous report
Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, are designed to prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. In addition, any testing by us conducted in connection with Section 404, or any subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm, may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retroactive changes to our financial statements or identify other areas for further attention or improvement.
Previous report
Inferior internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our stock.
Reworded paragraphs (68)
Previous wording
We rely on a limited number of suppliers or, in some cases, single suppliers, for some of our laboratory instruments and materials and may not be able to find replacements or immediately transition to alternative suppliers on a cost-effective basis, or at all.
Current wording
We rely on a limited number of suppliers or, in some cases, single suppliers, for some of our laboratory instruments and materials, as well as for our recently developed whole-blood collection kit, and may not be able to find replacements or immediately transition to alternative suppliers on a cost-effective basis, or at all.
Previous wording
If third-party payers do not adequately reimburse for the PreTRM test or any new products we may develop, such products may not be purchased or used, which may adversely affect our revenue and profits.
Current wording
If third-party payers do not adequately reimburse for the PreTRM test or any new products we may develop, such may not be purchased or used, which may adversely affect our revenue and profits.
Previous wording
We have incurred net losses each year since our inception in 2008. To date, we have financed our operations primarily through private placements of our equity and debt securities, bank loans and the sale and issuance of Class A common stock in our initial public offering (“IPO”), which was completed in July 2021. Our net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $24.3 million and $28.3 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $271.2 million. Our losses may continue to increase in the future as we continue to devote a substantial portion of our resources to efforts to increase the adoption of, and reimbursement for, the PreTRM test, make improvements to this product, and research, develop, and commercialize new products and services.
Current wording
We have incurred net losses each year since our inception in 2008. To date, we have financed our operations primarily through private placements of our equity and debt securities, bank loans, the sale and issuance of Class A common stock in our initial public offering, or the IPO, which was completed in July 2021, and the sale and issuance of Class A common stock and pre-funded warrants in the February 2025 Offering. Our net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was $8.2 million and $8.1 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2025, we had an accumulated deficit of $288.0 million. Our losses may continue to increase in the future as we continue to devote a substantial portion of our resources to efforts to increase the adoption of, and reimbursement for, the PreTRM test, make improvements to this product, and research, develop and commercialize new products and services.
Previous wording
Our quarterly and annual results of operations, including our revenues, gross margin, net loss, and cash flows, may vary from period to period as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control, including those listed elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section, and as a result, period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful. Our quarterly and annual results should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance. In addition, to the extent that we continue to spend considerably on our internal sales and marketing and research and development efforts, we expect to incur costs in advance of achieving the anticipated benefits of such efforts. We also face competitive pricing and reimbursement pressures, and we may not be able to maintain our premium pricing in the future, which would adversely affect our operating results. Fluctuations in quarterly and annual results and key metrics may cause our results to fall below our financial guidance, if any, or other projections or goals, or the expectations of analysts or investors, which could adversely affect the price of our Class A common stock.
Current wording
Our quarterly and annual results of operations, including our revenues, gross margin, net loss, and cash flows, may vary from period to period as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control, including those listed elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section, and as a result, period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful. Our quarterly and annual results should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance. In addition, to the extent that we continue to spend considerably on our internal sales and marketing and research and development efforts, we expect to incur costs in advance of achieving the anticipated benefits of such efforts. We also face competitive pricing and reimbursement pressures, and we may not be able to maintain our premium pricing in the future, which would adversely affect our operating results. Further, evolving trade policies, including recently imposed tariffs on imported materials and components used in medical diagnostics, could increase our costs for critical raw materials, laboratory reagents, and specialized equipment, disrupt our supply chain, or delay production timelines, all of which could contribute to fluctuations in our quarterly and annual results. Fluctuations in quarterly and annual results and key metrics may cause our results to fall below our financial guidance, if any, or other projections or goals, or the expectations of analysts or investors, which could adversely affect the price of our Class A common stock.
Previous wording
We currently receive and expect to continue to receive substantially all of our revenues from the sales of the PreTRM test in the near term. We intend to establish reimbursement for the PreTRM test by collaborating with payers to perform rigorous analysis to demonstrate the health and economic benefits of our biomarker tests within their own network using customized inputs based on the plan’s patient population. We plan to leverage early payer reimbursement decisions to obtain widespread commercial coverage of the PreTRM test from many regional and national plans and medical groups with doctors ordering the PreTRM test. If we are unable to execute on this commercial strategy and increase our revenues from the sale of the PreTRM test, our business may be materially adversely impacted. Our ability to increase sales of the PreTRM test and establish greater levels of adoption and reimbursement for the PreTRM test is uncertain for many reasons, including, among others:
Current wording
We currently receive and expect to continue to receive substantially all of our revenues from the sales of the PreTRM test in the near term. We intend to establish reimbursement for the PreTRM test by collaborating with payers to perform rigorous analysis to demonstrate the health and economic benefits of our biomarker tests within their own network using customized inputs based on the plan’s patient population. We plan to leverage early payer reimbursement decisions to obtain widespread commercial coverage of the PreTRM test from many regional and national plans and medical groups with doctors ordering the PreTRM test. We are also evaluating the expansion of our business internationally, with an initial focus on Europe. If we are unable to execute on this commercial strategy and increase our revenues from the sale of the PreTRM test, our business may be materially adversely impacted. Our ability to increase sales of the PreTRM test and establish greater levels of adoption and reimbursement for the PreTRM test is uncertain for many reasons, including, among others:
Previous wording
We have limited experience as a company in sales and marketing and our ability to achieve profitability depends on our being able to attract customers for the PreTRM test and our future products or services, once approved. Although members of our management team have considerable industry experience, successfully commercializing the PreTRM test will require adapting our sales, marketing, distribution, and customer service and support capabilities to current and ever-changing market conditions. To perform sales, marketing, distribution, and customer service and support successfully, we will face a number of risks, including:
Current wording
We have limited experience as a company in sales and marketing and our ability to achieve profitability depends on our being able to attract customers for the PreTRM test and our future products or services. Although members of our management team have considerable industry experience, successfully commercializing the PreTRM test will require adapting our sales, marketing, distribution, and customer service and support capabilities to current and ever-changing market conditions. To perform sales, marketing, distribution, and customer service and support successfully, we will face a number of risks, including:
Previous wording
We currently operate a CLIA-certified laboratory facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, which processes the PreTRM test and likely any other future test, if approved, that is or will be the source of substantially all of our revenues. Our facility could be harmed or rendered inoperable, or our supplies or other assets could be damaged or destroyed, by natural or man-made disasters, including earthquakes, severe weather, flooding, power outages, and contamination, including as a result of a public health threat, which may render it difficult or impossible for us to operate our business and/or perform our tests for some period of time. The inability to perform our tests or the backlog of tests that could develop if our facility is inoperable — for even a short period of time — may harm our reputation and result in a material adverse effect on our revenues.
Current wording
We currently operate a CLIA-certified laboratory facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, which processes the PreTRM test and likely any other future test that is or will be the source of substantially all of our revenues. Our facility could be harmed or rendered inoperable, or our supplies or other assets could be damaged or destroyed, by natural or man-made disasters, including earthquakes, severe weather, flooding, power outages, and contamination, including as a result of a public health threat, which may render it difficult or impossible for us to operate our business and/or perform our tests for some period of time. The inability to perform our tests or the backlog of tests that could develop if our facility is inoperable — for even a short period of time — may harm our reputation and result in a material adverse effect on our revenues.
Previous wording
The marketing, sale, and use of the PreTRM test and any other products that we develop in the future could result in substantial damages arising from product liability or professional liability claims, associated with product recalls or otherwise, that exceed our resources.
Current wording
The marketing, sale, and use of the PreTRM test and any other products that we develop in the future could result in substantial damages arising from product liability or professional liability claims that exceed our resources.
Previous wording
The marketing, sale, and use of the PreTRM test and any other products that we develop and commercialize in the future could lead to product liability claims against us if someone were to allege that the PreTRM test or any future product failed to perform as it was designed or as claimed in our promotional materials, was performed pursuant to incorrect or inadequate laboratory procedures, if we delivered incorrect or incomplete test results or if someone were to misinterpret test results. In addition, we may be subject to liability for errors in, a misunderstanding of, or inappropriate reliance upon, the information we provide, or for failure to provide such information, in connection with our marketing and promotional activities or as part of the results generated by the PreTRM test and other future products or services. Even though the PreTRM test is highly accurate, no test is 100% accurate, and we may report false results. In such a scenario, the patient or her family may file a lawsuit against us claiming product or professional liability. In addition, any manufacturing or design defects in our products could lead to product recalls, either voluntary or as required by government authorities, which could result in the removal of a product from the market.
Current wording
The marketing, sale, and use of the PreTRM test and any other products that we develop and commercialize in the future could lead to product liability claims against us if someone were to allege that the PreTRM test or any future product failed to perform as it was designed or as claimed in our promotional materials, was performed pursuant to incorrect or inadequate laboratory procedures, if we delivered incorrect or incomplete test results or if someone were to misinterpret test results. In addition, we may be subject to liability for errors in, a misunderstanding of, or inappropriate reliance upon, the information we provide, or for failure to provide such information, in connection with our marketing and promotional activities or as part of the results generated by the PreTRM test and other future products or services. Even though the PreTRM test is highly accurate, no test is 100% accurate, and we may report false results. In such a scenario, the patient or her family may file a lawsuit against us claiming product or professional liability. In addition, any design or performance defects in our products could lead to corrective actions and/or the discontinuation of a product from the market.
Previous wording
A product liability or professional liability claim could result in substantial damages and be costly and time-consuming for us to defend. Although we maintain product and professional liability insurance, our insurance may not fully protect us from the financial impact of defending against product liability or professional liability claims or any judgments, fines or settlement costs arising out of any such claims, or the financial and reputational consequences of a product recall. Any product liability or professional liability claim brought against us, with or without merit, could increase our insurance rates, cause our insurance coverage to be terminated or prevent us from securing insurance coverage in the future. As we attempt to bring new products to market, we may need to increase our product liability coverage, which would be a significant additional expense that we may not be able to afford. Additionally, any product liability or professional liability lawsuit could harm our reputation, result in a cessation of PreTRM testing or cause our partners to terminate our agreements with them, any of which could adversely impact our results of operations.
Current wording
A product liability or professional liability claim could result in substantial damages and be costly and time-consuming for us to defend. Although we maintain product and professional liability insurance, our insurance may not fully protect us from the financial impact of defending against product liability or professional liability claims or any judgments, fines or settlement costs arising out of any such claims, or the financial and reputational consequences of a product discontinuation or significant corrective action plan. Any product liability or professional liability claim brought against us, with or without merit, could increase our insurance rates, cause our insurance coverage to be terminated or prevent us from securing insurance coverage in the future. As we attempt to bring new products to market, we may need to increase our product liability coverage, which would be a significant additional expense that we may not be able to afford. Additionally, any product liability or professional liability lawsuit could harm our reputation, result in a cessation of PreTRM testing or cause our partners to terminate our agreements with them, any of which could adversely impact our results of operations.
Previous wording
Peer-reviewed publications regarding our products and product candidates may be limited by many factors, including delays in the completion of, poor design of, or lack of compelling data from clinical studies, as well as delays in the review, acceptance, and publication process. If our products or product candidates or the technology underlying our current or future products or product candidates do not receive sufficient favorable exposure in peer-reviewed publications, or are not published, the rate of health care provider adoption of our tests and positive reimbursement coverage decisions for our tests and other products could be negatively affected. The publication of clinical data in peer-reviewed journals can be a crucial step in commercializing and obtaining reimbursement for tests, and our inability to control when, if ever, results are published may delay or limit our ability to derive sufficient revenues from any test that is the subject of a study. The performance achieved in published studies may not be repeated in later studies that may be required to obtain FDA marketing authorizations should we decide to do so for business reasons, or should we be required to submit applications to the FDA or other health authorities seeking such authorizations.
Current wording
Peer-reviewed publications regarding our products and product candidates may be limited by many factors, including delays in the completion of, poor design of, or lack of compelling data from clinical studies, as well as delays in the review, acceptance, and publication process. If our products or product candidates or the technology underlying our current or future products or product candidates do not receive sufficient favorable exposure in peer-reviewed publications, or are not published, the rate of health care provider adoption of our tests and positive reimbursement coverage decisions for our tests and other products could be negatively affected. The publication of clinical data in peer-reviewed journals can be a crucial step in commercializing and obtaining reimbursement for clinical diagnostic tests, and our inability to control when, if ever, results are published may delay or limit our ability to derive sufficient revenues from any test that is the subject of a study. The performance achieved in published studies may not be repeated in later studies that may be required to obtain FDA marketing authorizations should we be required to submit applications to the FDA or other health authorities seeking such authorizations.
Previous wording
To the extent that we decide to market our products and services outside the United States, our business will be subject to the risks associated with doing business outside the United States, including an increase in our expenses and diversion of our management’s attention from the development of future products and services. Accordingly, our business and financial results in the future could be adversely affected due to a variety of factors, including:
Current wording
To the extent that we decide to market our products and services outside the United States, including but not limited to jurisdictions in the European Union, our business will be subject to the risks associated with doing business outside the United States, including an increase in our expenses and diversion of our management’s attention from the development of future products and services. Accordingly, our business and financial results in the future could be adversely affected due to a variety of factors, including:
Previous wording
multiple, conflicting and changing laws and regulations such as data privacy, information security, and data use regulations, tax laws, export and import restrictions, economic sanctions and embargoes, employment laws, anti-corruption laws, regulatory requirements, reimbursement or payer regimes and other governmental approvals, permits, and licenses;
Current wording
multiple, conflicting and changing laws and regulations such as data privacy, information security, and data use regulations, tax laws, export and import restrictions, economic sanctions and embargoes, employment laws, anti-corruption laws, regulatory requirements applicable to clinical laboratories and to IVD products, reimbursement or payer regimes and other governmental approvals, permits and licenses;
Previous wording
logistics and regulations associated with shipping specimens, including infrastructure conditions and transportation delays;
Current wording
logistics and regulations associated with the international shipment of patient specimens, including infrastructure conditions, licensure requirements and transportation delays;
Previous wording
We expect to depend on collaborators, partners, licensees, and other third parties to support our test development and validation efforts, to deliver needed supplies, and to transport specimens for testing, among other things. Any problems we experience with any of these third parties could delay the development, validation, commercialization, and performance of our testing, which could harm our results of operations.
Current wording
We expect to depend on collaborators, partners, licensees, and other third parties to support our test development and validation efforts, to deliver needed supplies, and to transport patient specimens both domestically and internationally, among other things. Any problems we experience with any of these third parties could delay the development, validation, commercialization, and performance of our testing, which could harm our results of operations.
Previous wording
We rely on a limited number of suppliers or, in some cases, single suppliers, for some of our laboratory instruments and materials and may not be able to find replacements or immediately transition to alternative suppliers on a cost-effective basis, or at all.
Current wording
We rely on a limited number of suppliers or, in some cases, single suppliers, for some of our laboratory instruments and materials, as well as for our recently developed whole-blood collection kit, and may not be able to find replacements or immediately transition to alternative suppliers on a cost-effective basis, or at all.
Previous wording
We source components of our technology from third parties and certain components are sole sourced. Obtaining substitute components may be difficult or require us to re-design our products. We expect to continue to depend on third-party contract suppliers for the foreseeable future. Any natural or other disasters, pandemics, acts of war or terrorism, shipping embargoes, labor unrest or political instability or similar events at our third-party suppliers’ facilities that cause a loss of manufacturing capacity or a reduction in the quality of the items manufactured would heighten the risks that we face. In addition, inflation and/or global supply chain disruptions may have a negative impact on our third-party contract suppliers’ ability to acquire the materials necessary for our business and we could incur higher costs for certain goods or services due to inflation or increased freight costs. Changes to, failure to renew or termination of our existing agreements or our inability to enter into new agreements with other suppliers could result in the loss of access to important components of our tests and could impair, delay or suspend our commercialization efforts. Our failure to maintain a continued and cost-effective supply of high-quality components could materially and adversely harm our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Current wording
We source components of our technology from third parties and certain components are sole sourced. Obtaining substitute components may be difficult or require us to re-design our products. We expect to continue to depend on third-party contract suppliers for the foreseeable future. Any natural or other disasters, pandemics, acts of war or terrorism, shipping embargoes, labor unrest or political instability or similar events at our third-party suppliers’ facilities that cause a loss of manufacturing capacity or a reduction in the quality of the items manufactured would heighten the risks that we face. In addition, inflation, global supply chain disruptions, and evolving trade policies, including recently imposed tariffs on certain raw materials, laboratory reagents, and specialized equipment used in diagnostics, may have a negative impact on our third-party contract suppliers’ ability to acquire the materials necessary for our business and we could incur higher costs for certain goods or services, face delays in manufacturing, or encounter supply shortages due to inflation or increased freight costs. Changes to, failure to renew or termination of our existing agreements or our inability to enter into new agreements with other suppliers could result in the loss of access to important components of our tests and could impair, delay or suspend our commercialization efforts. Our failure to maintain a continued and cost-effective supply of high-quality components could materially and adversely harm our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Previous wording
Public health threats, such as COVID-19, could materially affect our operations, as well as the business or operations of third parties with whom we conduct business. Our business could be adversely affected by the effects of other future public health threats in regions where we, or third parties on which we rely, have significant business operations.
Current wording
Public health threats, such as pandemics or epidemics, could materially affect our operations, as well as the business or operations of third parties with whom we conduct business. Our business could be adversely affected by the effects of other future public health threats in regions where we, or third parties on which we rely, have significant business operations.
Previous wording
Our business and operations, including, but not limited to, our laboratory operations, sales and marketing efforts, supply chain operations, research and development activities, and fundraising activities, could be adversely affected by public health disruptions in regions where we have business operations, and such health disruptions could cause significant disturbance in the operations of third parties upon whom we rely. As a recent example, in March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, and the U.S. government imposed restrictions on travel between the United States, Europe, and certain other countries. In the years following the initial outbreak, numerous state and local jurisdictions, including the jurisdictions where our headquarters and laboratory are located, imposed quarantines, shelter-in-place orders, executive orders, and similar government orders for their residents to control the spread of COVID-19. A new serious public health threat could result in similar restrictions being imposed. The future impact of a public health threat is highly uncertain and subject to change. We cannot predict the full extent of potential delays or impacts on our business, our clinical trials, health care systems or the global economy as a whole.
Current wording
Our business and operations, including, but not limited to, our laboratory operations, sales and marketing efforts, supply chain operations, research and development activities, and fundraising activities, could be adversely affected by public health disruptions in regions where we have business operations, and such health disruptions could cause significant disturbance in the operations of third parties upon whom we rely. For example, in March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, and the U.S. government imposed restrictions on travel between the United States, Europe, and certain other countries. In the years following the initial outbreak, numerous state and local jurisdictions, including the jurisdictions where our headquarters and laboratory are located, imposed quarantines, shelter-in-place orders, executive orders, and similar government orders for their residents to control the spread of COVID-19. A new serious public health threat could result in similar restrictions being imposed. The future impact of a public health threat is highly uncertain and subject to change. We cannot predict the full extent of potential delays or impacts on our business, our clinical trials, health care systems or the global economy as a whole.
Previous wording
We have a significant amount of net operating loss, or NOL, carryforwards that can be used to offset potential future taxable income and related income taxes. As of December 31, 2023, we had federal NOL carryforwards of approximately $211.6 million, of which, $70.3 million, if not utilized, begin to expire in 2028. Approximately $141.3 million of these federal NOLs can be carried forward indefinitely. Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change” (generally defined as a greater than 50% change, by value, in equity ownership over any three-year period), the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change NOL carryforwards and other pre-change tax attributes to offset its post-change income or taxes may be limited. We may experience ownership changes in the future as a result of shifts in our stock ownership, some of which may not be within our control. Our ability to use these carryforwards could be limited if we experience an “ownership change.”
Current wording
We have a significant amount of net operating loss, or NOL, carryforwards that can be used to offset potential future taxable income and related income taxes. As of December 31, 2024, we had federal NOL carryforwards of approximately $239.6 million, of which, $70.3 million, if not utilized, begin to expire in 2028. Approximately $169.3 million of these federal NOLs can be carried forward indefinitely. Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change” (generally defined as a greater than 50% change, by value, in equity ownership over any three-year period), the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change NOL carryforwards and other pre-change tax attributes to offset its post-change income or taxes may be limited. We may experience ownership changes in the future as a result of shifts in our stock ownership, some of which may not be within our control. Our ability to use these carryforwards could be limited if we experience an “ownership change.”
Previous wording
An inflationary environment could materially adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Current wording
An inflationary environment and unstable global economic and geopolitical conditions could materially adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Previous wording
If third-party payers do not adequately reimburse for the PreTRM test or any new products we may develop, such products may not be purchased or used, which may adversely affect our revenue and profits.
Current wording
If third-party payers do not adequately reimburse for the PreTRM test or any new tests we may develop, such tests may not be purchased or used, which may adversely affect our revenue and profits.
Previous wording
In the United States, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, an agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, and its Medicare Administrative Contractors make decisions regarding Medicare coverage for new tests. Other third-party payers, including commercial insurers, often follow Medicare coverage policy and payment limitations in setting their own reimbursement rates, and both CMS and certain commercial insurers may have sufficient market power to demand significant price reductions.
Current wording
In the United States, CMS, an agency within HHS, and its Medicare Administrative Contractors make decisions regarding Medicare coverage for new tests. Other third-party payers, including commercial insurers, often follow Medicare coverage policy and payment limitations in setting their own reimbursement rates, and both CMS and certain commercial insurers may have sufficient market power to demand significant price reductions.
Previous wording
New reimbursement methodologies applicable to the PreTRM test, and other future products, including new CPT codes, may decrease reimbursement rates from third-party payers.
Current wording
New reimbursement methodologies applicable to the PreTRM test, and other future tests, including new CPT codes, may decrease reimbursement rates from third-party payers.
Previous wording
We are subject to a variety of complex federal and state laws and regulations applicable to the submission of claims for payment for our services. If a third-party payer or a regulatory or enforcement agency, or, in some cases, aqui tam relator, believes or alleges that we engaged in improper billing practices—including, but not limited to, not adequately pursuing patient cost share responsibilities or submitting improper CPT codes, multipliers or modifiers on our claims—we may be subject to investigation and/or enforcement actions under federal and/or state law.
Current wording
We are subject to a variety of complex federal and state laws and regulations applicable to the submission of claims for payment for our testing services. If a third-party payer or a regulatory or enforcement agency, or, in some cases, aqui tam relator, believes or alleges that we engaged in improper billing practices—including, but not limited to, not adequately pursuing patient cost share responsibilities or submitting improper CPT codes, multipliers or modifiers on our claims—we may be subject to investigation and/or enforcement actions under federal and/or state law.
Previous wording
There have been multiple attempts to repeal the ACA or significantly scale back its applicability, as a result of which, certain sections of the ACA have not been fully implemented or were effectively repealed. This could negatively impact reimbursement for our testing, adversely affect our test volumes and adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition. However, following several years of litigation in the federal courts, in June 2021, the United States Supreme Court upheld the ACA when it dismissed a legal challenge to the Act’s constitutionality. Further legislative and regulatory changes to federal health care laws and policies remain possible. Future changes or additions to the ACA, the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and changes stemming from other health care reform measures, especially with regard to health care access, financing or other legislation in individual states, could have a material adverse effect on the health care industry in the U.S. The uncertainty around the future of the ACA and other health care legislation, and in particular the impact to reimbursement levels and the number of insured individuals, may lead to delay in the purchasing decisions of our customers.
Current wording
Under the Trump Administration and the 119 th Congress, there remains uncertainty around the future of the ACA and other health care legislation, and in particular the impact to reimbursement levels and the number of insured individuals. Future changes may lead to delay in the purchasing decisions of our customers.
Previous wording
The implementation of Medicare rates pursuant to PAMA has negatively impacted overall pricing and reimbursement for many clinical laboratory testing services and may do so in the future. Since January 1, 2018, the Medicare payment rate for each such test is equal to the weighted median private payer rate reported to CMS, which for many tests is lower than the previous CLFS payment rates due to the often lower negotiated commercial insurer rates applicable to large commercial laboratories that were required to report data to CMS. Likewise, because commercial insurers often base their pricing for laboratory testing on a percentage of the price set on the CLFS, PAMA has in turn affected rates paid by commercial insurers.
Current wording
The implementation of Medicare rates pursuant to PAMA has negatively impacted overall pricing and reimbursement for many clinical laboratory testing services and may do so in the future. Since January 1, 2018, the Medicare payment rate for such tests is equal to the weighted median private payer rate reported to CMS, which for many tests is lower than the previous CLFS payment rates due to the often lower negotiated commercial insurer rates applicable to large commercial laboratories that were required to report data to CMS. Likewise, because commercial insurers often base their pricing for laboratory testing on a percentage of the price set on the CLFS, PAMA has in turn affected rates paid by commercial insurers.
Previous wording
Furthermore, the industry is growing, and regulatory agencies such as HHS or the FDA may apply heightened scrutiny to new developments. While we have taken steps to ensure compliance with current regulatory frameworks in all material respects as historically enforced by the applicable regulatory agencies, given the highly complex and often unclear guidelines, there could be areas where we are unintentionally and unknowingly noncompliant. Any change in the federal or state laws or regulations relating to our business may require us to implement changes to our business or practices, and we may not be able to do so in a timely or cost-effective manner. Should we be found to be noncompliant with current or future regulatory requirements, we may be subject to sanctions that could include changes to our operations, adverse publicity, substantial financial penalties, exclusion from state and federal health care programs, and criminal proceedings, which may adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition by increasing our cost of compliance or limiting our ability to develop, market, and commercialize our products.
Current wording
Furthermore, the industry is growing, and regulatory agencies such as HHS, CMS, or the FDA may apply heightened scrutiny to new developments. While we have taken steps to ensure compliance with current regulatory frameworks in all material respects as historically enforced by the applicable regulatory agencies, given the highly complex and often unclear guidelines, there could be areas where we are unintentionally and unknowingly noncompliant. Any change in the federal or state laws or regulations relating to our business may require us to implement changes to our business or practices, and we may not be able to do so in a timely or cost-effective manner. Should we be found to be noncompliant with current or future regulatory requirements, we may be subject to sanctions that could include changes to our operations, adverse publicity, substantial financial penalties, exclusion from state and federal health care programs, and criminal proceedings, which may adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition by increasing our cost of compliance or limiting our ability to develop, market, and commercialize our products.
Previous wording
Many of the sequencing instruments, reagents, kits, and other consumable products used to perform our testing, as well as the instruments and other capital equipment that enable the testing, are offered for sale as analyte specific reagents, or ASRs, or for research use only, or RUO. ASRs are medical devices and must comply with FDA quality system requirements provisions and other device requirements, but most are exempt from premarket review by the FDA as anin vitro diagnostic product. Products that are intended for RUO and are labeled as RUO are exempt from compliance with most FDA requirements, including the approval or clearance and other product quality requirements for medical devices. A product labeled RUO but which is actually intended for clinical diagnostic use may be viewed by the FDA as adulterated and misbranded under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, or the FD&C Act, and subject to FDA enforcement action. The FDA has said that when determining the intended use of a product labeled RUO, it will consider the totality of the circumstances surrounding distribution and use of the product, including how the product is marketed and to whom. The FDA could disagree with a supplier’s assessment that the supplier’s products are RUOs, or could conclude that products labeled as RUO are actually intended for clinical diagnostic use, and could take enforcement action against the supplier, including requiring the supplier to cease offering the product while it seeks appropriate marketing authorization from FDA. Suppliers of ASRs and RUO products that we employ in our tests may cease selling their respective products, and we may be unable to obtain an acceptable substitute on commercially reasonable terms or at all, which could significantly and adversely affect our ability to provide timely testing results to our customers or could significantly increase our costs of conducting business.
Current wording
Many of the sequencing instruments, reagents, kits, and other consumable products used to collect samples or perform our testing, as well as the instruments and other capital equipment that enable the testing, are offered for sale as analyte specific reagents, or ASRs, or for research use only, or RUO. ASRs are medical devices and must comply with FDA quality system requirements provisions and other device requirements, but most are exempt from premarket review by the FDA as anin vitro diagnostic product. Products that are intended for RUO and are labeled as RUO are exempt from compliance with most FDA requirements, including the approval or clearance and other product quality requirements for medical devices. A product labeled RUO but which is actually intended for clinical diagnostic use, such as a test reagent or part of a blood collection kit, may be viewed by the FDA as adulterated and misbranded under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, or the FD&C Act, and subject to FDA enforcement action. The FDA has said that when determining the intended use of a product labeled RUO, it will consider the totality of the circumstances surrounding distribution and use of the product, including how the product is marketed and to whom. The FDA could disagree with a supplier’s or lab's assessment that the supplier’s products are RUOs, or could conclude that products labeled as RUO are actually intended for clinical diagnostic use, and could take enforcement action against the supplier or the lab, including requiring the supplier to cease offering the product to the lab, or requiring the lab to cease distributing the supplier's product, while it seeks appropriate marketing authorization from FDA. Suppliers of ASRs and RUO products that we employ in our tests may cease selling their respective products, or we may need to cease distributing them for use in our testing, and we may be unable to obtain an acceptable substitute on commercially reasonable terms or at all, which could significantly and adversely affect our ability to provide timely testing results to our customers or could significantly increase our costs of conducting business.
Previous wording
We have obtained licenses from states where we believe we are required to be licensed. From time to time, we may become aware of other states that require out-of-state laboratories to obtain licensure in order to accept specimens from those states, and it is possible that other states do have such requirements or will have such requirements in the future. If we identify any other state with such requirements or if we are contacted by any other state advising us of such requirements, we expect to seek to comply with such requirements. However, there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain any such required license for the particular state.
Current wording
We have obtained licenses from states where we believe we are required to be licensed. From time to time, we may become aware of other states that require out-of-state laboratories to obtain licensure in order to accept specimens from those states, and it is possible that other states do have such requirements or will have such requirements in the future. If we identify any other state with such requirements or if we are contacted by any other state advising us of such requirements, we expect to seek to comply with such requirements. However, there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain any such required license for the particular state. We also may become subject to regulation in foreign jurisdictions as we seek to expand international utilization of our PreTRM test if jurisdictions in which we pursue operations have licensure requirements for U.S.-based clinical laboratories offering and providing diagnostic testing services to professionals located in those jurisdictions. Foreign licensure requirements could require review and modification of our tests in order to offer them in certain jurisdictions or could impose other limitations that may limit our ability to make our tests more widely available outside the United States. Complying with licensure requirements, if applicable, in new jurisdictions may be expensive and time-consuming.
Previous wording
The FDA recently finalized its rulemaking to regulate Laboratory Developed Tests, and Congress continues to debate whether to take action to reform the current legal requirements applicable to LDTs. In either case we may become subject to extensive regulatory requirements and may be required to conduct additional clinical trials prior to continuing to sell our existing tests or launching any other tests we may develop, which may increase the cost of conducting, or otherwise harm, our business.
Current wording
We may become subject to extensive regulatory requirements and may be required to conduct additional clinical trials prior to continuing to sell our existing tests or launching any other tests we may develop, which may increase the cost of conducting, or otherwise harm, our business.
Previous wording
We currently market the PreTRM test as an LDT and may in the future market other tests as LDTs. Although historically the FDA applied a policy of enforcement discretion with respect to LDTs whereby the agency did not generally actively enforce its regulatory requirements for such tests, in May 2024, the FDA issued a final rule aimed at regulating LDTs under the current medical device framework and phasing out its current enforcement discretion policy over several years. This FDA rulemaking was initiated after years of failed congressional attempts to harmonize the regulatory paradigms applicable to LDTs and otherin vitro diagnostic tests, as discussed further below. The effective date of the agency’s final rule was July 5, 2024.
Current wording
We launched the PreTRM test as an LDT and may in the future develop other tests that would be considered to be LDTs. Although historically the FDA applied a policy of enforcement discretion with respect to LDTs whereby the agency did not generally actively enforce the IVD medical device regulatory requirements for such tests, in May 2024, the FDA issued a final rule aimed at regulating LDTs under the current medical device framework and phasing out its current enforcement discretion policy for this category of diagnostic tests over several years. This FDA rulemaking was initiated after years of failed congressional attempts to harmonize the regulatory paradigms applicable to LDTs and otherin vitro diagnostic tests.
Previous wording
FDA’s final rule provides that the LDT enforcement policy phase-out process will occur in gradual stages over a total period of four years, with premarket approval applications for high-risk tests to be submitted by the 3.5-year mark. Moderate-risk and low-risks tests are expected to be in compliance at the 4-year mark, although the FDA has stated that if premarket submissions are pending review it will continue to exercise enforcement discretion with respect to those tests. The FDA’s final rule is complex and, concurrently, the agency announced several exceptions from the requirement to comply with full medical device regulatory controls, depending upon the specific nature of the LDT and the clinical laboratory that is offering such LDT for use by health care providers. Of potential relevance is the agency’s position on LDTs that were marketed prior to the official publication date of the final rule. Such “currently marketed” tests are subject to many of the device regulatory controls but are exempted from the premarket review and FDA authorization requirements (unless or until significant modifications are made to such “currently marketed” tests). Similarly, FDA has created a partial enforcement discretion policy for tests approved by the NY DOH’s Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program whereby such tests also do not need to undergo FDA premarket review but must come into compliance with all other device general controls in a staggered fashion between 2025 and 2027.
Current wording
The FDA’s final rule provided that the LDT enforcement policy phase-out process would occur in gradual stages over a total period of four years, with premarket approval applications for high-risk tests to be submitted by the 3.5-year mark. Moderate-risk and low-risks tests were expected to be in compliance at the 4-year mark.
Previous wording
On May 29, 2024, the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) and one of its members filed a complaint against the FDA in the Eastern District of Texas, alleging that the agency does not have authority to promulgate the LDT final rule and seeking to vacate the FDA’s action. A second lawsuit was also filed against FDA by the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) on August 19, 2024 in the Southern District of Texas, and subsequently the two cases were consolidated into a single action pending in the Eastern District of Texas. Briefing is ongoing in the consolidated case, and the outcome of such litigation is uncertain. The litigation could potentially affect FDA’s plans to implement these new LDT requirements, making the potential implementation timeline somewhat uncertain, although no preliminary injunction has been issued to date. Accordingly the agency has continued its implementation efforts by actively providing guidance and training to clinical laboratories on how to comply with medical device general controls.
Current wording
On May 29, 2024, the American Clinical Laboratory Association and one of its members filed a complaint against the FDA in the Eastern District of Texas, alleging that the agency does not have authority to promulgate the LDT final rule and seeking to vacate the FDA’s action. A second lawsuit was also filed against the FDA by the Association for Molecular Pathology on August 19, 2024, in the Southern District of Texas, and subsequently the two cases were consolidated into a single action pending in the Eastern District of Texas. Arguments in the consolidated case took place on February 19, 2025, and on March 31, 2025, the district court judge issued a decision that vacated the FDA’s final rule on the grounds that the agency did not have authority under the FD&C Act to promulgate it. If the Trump Administration does not appeal this district court ruling and the FDA’s final rule is not implemented, we will not become subject to existing medical device regulatory requirements as was expected under the final rule prior to the court’s decision.
Previous wording
Affected stakeholders also continue to press for a comprehensive legislative solution to create a harmonized paradigm for oversight of LDTs by both the FDA and CMS, instead of administrative agency action via FDA’s final rule approach, which may be disruptive to the industry and to patient access to certain diagnostic tests. However, it is unclear whether any future legislative efforts would be successful.
Current wording
Stakeholders continue to press for a comprehensive legislative solution to create a harmonized paradigm for oversight of LDTs by both the FDA and CMS, although it is unclear whether any future legislative efforts towards such a goal would be successful.
Previous wording
As part of the medical device authorization process, to the extent we become subject to those requirements under FDA’s LDT final rule and new enforcement direction policies applicable to currently marketed tests, we may be required to conduct additional clinical testing before applying for commercial marketing authorization. Clinical trials must be conducted in compliance with FDA regulations in order to support a marketing submission to the agency for a regulated product, or the FDA may take certain enforcement actions or reject the data. Performing additional, new clinical studies and trials in order to obtain product approval from the FDA, if any were to become necessary, would take a significant amount of time and would substantially delay our ability to commercialize the PreTRM test, any or all of which would adversely impact our business. Any such clinical trial may need to comply with recent amendments to the FD&C Act requiring sponsors of most clinical studies of investigational devices to develop and submit a diversity action plan to the FDA. If we were to be required to develop a diversity action plan for any future clinical trial, such an obligation could result in further costs and potentially delay our ability to begin such a clinical trial.
Current wording
However, if the FDA were to disagree with our conclusion that the currently marketed PreTRM test meets the criteria to be considered an LDT, and the agency thus asserts that the existing PreTRM test is subject to the FDA’s medical device authorities and implementing regulations, the agency could require that we obtain premarket approval or another type of device premarket authorization in order for us to continue commercializing the PreTRM test. As part of such a process, we may be required to conduct additional clinical testing before applying for commercial marketing authorization. Clinical trials must be conducted in compliance with FDA regulations in order to support a marketing submission to the agency for a regulated product, or the FDA may take certain enforcement actions or reject the data. Performing additional, new clinical studies and trials in order to obtain product approval from the FDA, if any were to become necessary, would take a significant amount of time and would substantially delay our ability to commercialize the PreTRM test, any or all of which would adversely impact our business. Any such clinical trial may need to comply with recent amendments to the FD&C Act requiring sponsors of most clinical studies of investigational devices to develop and submit a diversity action plan to the FDA. If we were to be required to develop a diversity action plan for any future clinical trial, such an obligation could result in further costs and potentially delay our ability to begin such a clinical trial.
Previous wording
The outcome and ultimate impact on our business of changes to the federal government’s regulation of LDTs is difficult to predict. Increased regulation of our LDTs under the FDA’s final rule is expected to result in increased costs and administrative and legal actions for noncompliance, including warning letters, fines, penalties, product suspensions, product recalls, injunctions and other civil and criminal sanctions, which could have a material and adverse effect upon our business, operating results, and financial condition. In addition, at this time it is unclear what testing and data may be required to support any required FDA clearance or approval of our tests, should the final rule be fully implemented as envisioned by FDA and HHS following resolution of any pending or future litigation.
Current wording
The outcome and ultimate impact on our business of any future changes to the federal government’s regulation of LDTs is difficult to predict.
Previous wording
Furthermore, should it be required in the future, we cannot be sure that the PreTRM test, any new tests that we may develop, or new uses for our products that we may develop, will be reviewed and authorized for marketing by the FDA in a timely or cost-effective manner, if authorized at all. Even if such tests are authorized for marketing by the FDA, the agency could limit the test’s indications for use, which may significantly limit the market for that product and may adversely affect our business and financial condition. In addition, failure to comply with any applicable FDA requirements could trigger a range of governmental enforcement actions, including but not limited to warning letters, civil monetary penalties, injunctions, criminal prosecution, recall or seizure, operating restrictions, partial suspension or total shutdown of operations and denial of or challenges to applications for marketing authorization, as well as significant adverse publicity.
Current wording
Furthermore, should it be required in the future, we cannot be sure that premarket submissions for the PreTRM test, any new tests that we may develop, or new uses for our products that we may develop, will be reviewed and authorized for marketing by the FDA in a timely or cost-effective manner, if authorized at all. Even if such tests are authorized for marketing by the FDA, the agency could limit the test’s indications for use, which may significantly limit the market for that product and may adversely affect our business and financial condition. In addition, failure to comply with any applicable FDA requirements could trigger a range of governmental enforcement actions, including but not limited to warning letters, civil monetary penalties, injunctions, criminal prosecution, recall or seizure, operating restrictions, partial suspension or total shutdown of operations and denial of or challenges to applications for marketing authorization, as well as significant adverse publicity.
Previous wording
If the FDA decides to require that we obtain any form or type of premarket authorization in order for us to commercialize our current PreTRM test or any future tests developed as LDTs, whether as a result of new legislative authority or following implementation of the May 2024 final rule or based on its determination that the PreTRM test does not meet the definition of an LDT, we may be required to conduct additional clinical testing before submitting a regulatory submission for commercial marketing authorization. Clinical trials to support marketing authorization from the FDA must be conducted in compliance with various regulatory requirements, including investigational device exemption regulations and good clinical practices, or else the FDA may take certain enforcement actions or reject the data. Such clinical trials may take several years to design and conduct, and they are often expensive and resource-driven.
Current wording
If the FDA decides to require that we obtain any form or type of premarket authorization in order for us to commercialize our current PreTRM test or any future tests developed as LDTs, whether as a result of new legislative authority or based on its determination that the PreTRM test does not meet the definition of an LDT, we may be required to conduct additional clinical testing before submitting a regulatory submission for commercial marketing authorization. Clinical trials to support marketing authorization from the FDA must be conducted in compliance with various regulatory requirements, including investigational device exemption regulations and good clinical practices, or else the FDA may take certain enforcement actions or reject the data. Such clinical trials may take several years to design and conduct, and they are often expensive and resource-driven.
Previous wording
Further, even if clinical trials are completed as planned, we cannot be certain that their results would be able to support the PreTRM test’s claims or that the FDA will agree with our conclusions regarding the results of our clinical trials. If we are required to conduct clinical trials to support a premarket submission to the FDA, whether using prospectively acquired samples or archival samples, delays in the commencement or completion of clinical testing could significantly increase the development costs for the PreTRM test or any future tests and delay commercialization. Many of the factors that may cause or lead to a delay in the commencement or completion of clinical trials may also ultimately lead to delay or denial of regulatory authorization. See related risks described above at “The results of our clinical trials and studies may not support the use of our tests and other product candidates, or may not be replicated in later studies.”
Current wording
Further, even if clinical trials are completed as planned, we cannot be certain that their results would be able to support the PreTRM or future test’s claims or that the FDA will agree with our conclusions regarding the results of our clinical trials. If we are required to conduct clinical trials to support a premarket submission to the FDA, whether using prospectively acquired samples or archival samples, delays in the commencement or completion of clinical testing could significantly increase the development costs for the PreTRM test or any future tests and delay commercialization. Many of the factors that may cause or lead to a delay in the commencement or completion of clinical trials may also ultimately lead to delay or denial of regulatory authorization. See related risks described above at “The results of our clinical trials and studies may not support the use of our tests and other product candidates, or may not be replicated in later studies.”
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Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
The dual class structure of our common stock may limit your ability to influence corporate matters. Holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share, while holders of our Class B common stock are not entitled to any votes per share.
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
We have registered on Form S-8 all shares of common stock that are issuable under our existing equity compensation plan, including the 2011 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, or the 2011 Plan, which expired in 2021, the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2021 Plan, and the 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the 2021 ESPP, as well as the shares of common stock underlying option awards outstanding under the 2011 Plan. Additionally, the number of shares of our Class A common stock reserved for issuance under our 2021 Equity Plan automatically increases on January 1 of each year, beginning on