ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS INC
For the period ended Sep 30, 2024. Filed Oct 31, 2024.
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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.
Sep 30, 2024 · Filed Oct 31, 2024
What changed in Risk Factors?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-06-30; filed 2024-08-01.
0001178670-24-000041
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORSCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-09-30; filed 2024-10-31.
0001178670-24-000053
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 398 current paragraphs.
379 unchanged; 17 reworded; 0 added; 0 removed; 1 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.
Reworded paragraphs (17)
Previous wording
We have experienced significant operating losses since our inception. As of June 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $7.09 billion. Although to date we have launched four products in the U.S., EU and various other countries globally, and expect to launch our commercially approved products in additional countries during 2024 and beyond, we may never attain profitability or positive cash flow from operations. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, we recognized $410.1 million and $775.3 million, respectively, in net product revenues from sales of ONPATTRO, AMVUTTRA, GIVLAARI and OXLUMO. We may continue to incur annual operating losses, and will require substantial resources over the next several years as we expand our efforts to discover, develop and commercialize RNAi therapeutics, and aim to achieve financial self-sustainability by the end of 2025. While we believe our current cash, cash equivalents and marketable equity and debt securities, as well as the revenue we expect to generate from product sales and under our existing collaborations, including milestones and royalties on Leqvio sales, should enable us to achieve a self-sustainable profile without the need for future equity financing, we will depend on our ability to generate product, collaboration and royalty revenues to achieve this goal. In addition to revenues derived from sales of our current and future, if any, commercially approved products, we anticipate that a portion of any revenues we generate over the next several years will continue to be from collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including Roche, Regeneron, Sanofi and Novartis. We cannot be certain that we will be able to maintain our existing collaborations, secure and maintain new collaborations, meet our obligations under collaboration agreements, or achieve any milestones that we may be required to meet or achieve to receive payments under our existing or new collaborations. Moreover, we cannot be certain that our collaborators, including Novartis, will continue to successfully execute their obligations under our collaboration agreements and generate collaboration and royalty revenues for us.
Current wording
We have experienced significant operating losses since our inception. As of September 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $7.20 billion. Although to date we have launched four products in the U.S., EU and various other countries globally, and expect to launch our commercially approved products in additional countries during 2024 and beyond, we may never attain profitability or positive cash flow from operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recognized $420.1 million and $1.20 billion, respectively, in net product revenues from sales of ONPATTRO, AMVUTTRA, GIVLAARI and OXLUMO. We may continue to incur annual operating losses, and will require substantial resources over the next several years as we expand our efforts to discover, develop and commercialize RNAi therapeutics, and aim to achieve financial self-sustainability by the end of 2025. While we believe our current cash, cash equivalents and marketable equity and debt securities, as well as the revenue we expect to generate from product sales and under our existing collaborations, including milestones and royalties on Leqvio sales, should enable us to achieve a self-sustainable profile without the need for future equity financing, we will depend on our ability to generate product, collaboration and royalty revenues to achieve this goal. In addition to revenues derived from sales of our current and future, if any, commercially approved products, we anticipate that a portion of any revenues we generate over the next several years will continue to be from collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including Roche, Regeneron, Sanofi and Novartis. We cannot be certain that we will be able to maintain our existing collaborations, secure and maintain new collaborations, meet our obligations under collaboration agreements, or achieve any milestones that we may be required to meet or achieve to receive payments under our existing or new collaborations. Moreover, we cannot be certain that our collaborators, including Roche and Novartis, will continue to successfully execute their obligations under our collaboration agreements and generate collaboration and royalty revenues for us.
Previous wording
As of June 30, 2024, we had $2.62 billion in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. We historically have invested these amounts in high–grade corporate notes, commercial paper, securities issued or sponsored by the U.S. government, certificates of deposit and money market funds meeting the criteria of our investment policy, which is focused on the preservation of our capital. Corporate notes may also include foreign bonds denominated in U.S. dollars. These investments are subject to general credit, liquidity, market and interest rate risks. We may realize losses in the fair value of these investments or a complete loss of these investments, which would have a negative effect on our financial condition. In addition, should our investments cease paying or reduce the amount of interest paid to us, our interest income would decline. The market risks associated with our investment portfolio may have an adverse effect on our operating results, liquidity and financial condition.
Current wording
As of September 30, 2024, we had $2.78 billion in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. We historically have invested these amounts in high–grade corporate notes, commercial paper, securities issued or sponsored by the U.S. government, certificates of deposit and money market funds meeting the criteria of our investment policy, which is focused on the preservation of our capital. Corporate notes may also include foreign bonds denominated in U.S. dollars. These investments are subject to general credit, liquidity, market and interest rate risks. We may realize losses in the fair value of these investments or a complete loss of these investments, which would have a negative effect on our financial condition. In addition, should our investments cease paying or reduce the amount of interest paid to us, our interest income would decline. The market risks associated with our investment portfolio may have an adverse effect on our operating results, liquidity and financial condition.
Previous wording
Additionally, in January 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the BIOSECURE ACT (H.R. 7085), which was subsequently amended on May 15, 2024, and the Senate advanced a substantially similar bill (S.3558), both of which would prohibit U.S. federal executive agencies from contracting with any entity where the biotechnology equipment or services of a “biotechnology company of concern” would be used in the performance of that contract. Generally, a “biotechnology company of concern” is a biotechnology company that is subject to the jurisdiction, direction, control, or operates on behalf of a foreign adversary’s government and poses a risk to the national security of the U.S. The final language, pathway and timing for either of these bills or their provisions to become law remain uncertain. Nonetheless, if these bills became law, or similar laws are passed, they would have the potential to severely restrict our ability to purchase services or products from, or otherwise collaborate with, certain Chinese “biotechnology companies of concern” without losing the ability to contract with, or otherwise receive reimbursement from, the U.S. government. We do business with companies in China and it is possible some of our contractual counterparties could be impacted by the legislation described above and alternative arrangements may need to be made.
Current wording
Additionally, in January 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the BIOSECURE ACT (H.R. 7085), which was subsequently amended on May 15, 2024 and passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on September 9, 2024, and the Senate advanced a substantially similar bill (S.3558), both of which would prohibit U.S. federal executive agencies from contracting with any entity where the biotechnology equipment or services of a “biotechnology company of concern” would be used in the performance of that contract. Generally, a “biotechnology company of concern” is a biotechnology company that is subject to the jurisdiction, direction, control, or operates on behalf of a foreign adversary’s government and poses a risk to the national security of the U.S. The final language, pathway and timing for either of these bills or their provisions to become law remain uncertain. Nonetheless, if these bills became law, or similar laws are passed, they would have the potential to severely restrict our ability to purchase services or products from, or otherwise collaborate with, certain Chinese “biotechnology companies of concern” without losing the ability to contract with, or otherwise receive reimbursement from, the U.S. government. We do business with companies in China and it is possible some of our contractual counterparties could be impacted by the legislation described above and alternative arrangements may need to be made.
Previous wording
We use social media to communicate about our clinical development programs and the diseases our investigational RNAi therapeutics are being developed to treat, including in connection with our commercialization efforts for our approved products. We intend to do the same for our future products, if approved. While we believe our social media use is appropriate under current regulatory guidance, social media practices in the biopharmaceutical industry continue to evolve and regulations and regulatory guidance relating to such use are evolving and not always clear. This evolution creates uncertainty and risk of noncompliance with regulations applicable to our business, resulting in potential regulatory actions against us, along with the potential for litigation related to off-label marketing or other prohibited activities. For example, for our clinical-stage candidates, patients may use social media channels to comment on their experience in an ongoing blinded clinical trial or to report an alleged adverse event, or AE. When such disclosures occur, there is a risk that trial enrollment may be adversely impacted, we fail to monitor and comply with applicable AE reporting obligations or that we may not be able to defend our business in the face of the political and market pressures generated by social media due to restrictions on what we may say about our investigational products. There is also a risk of inappropriate disclosure of sensitive information or negative or inaccurate posts or comments about us on any online platform, including a blog on the internet, or a post on a website, that can be distributed rapidly and could negatively harm our reputation. If any of these events were to occur or we otherwise fail to comply with applicable regulations, we could incur liability, face regulatory actions or incur other harm to our business.
Current wording
We use social media to communicate about our clinical development programs and the diseases our investigational RNAi therapeutics are being developed to treat, including in connection with our commercialization efforts for our approved products. We intend to do the same for our future products, if approved. While we believe our social media use is appropriate under current regulatory guidance, social media practices in the biopharmaceutical industry continue to evolve and regulations and regulatory guidance relating to such use are evolving and not always clear. This evolution creates uncertainty and risk of noncompliance with regulations applicable to our business, resulting in potential regulatory actions against us, along with the potential for litigation related to off-label marketing or other prohibited activities. For example, for our clinical-stage candidates, patients may use social media channels to comment on their experience in an ongoing blinded clinical trial or to report an alleged adverse event, or AE. When such disclosures occur, there is a risk that trial enrollment may be adversely impacted, that we may fail to monitor and comply with applicable AE reporting obligations or that we may not be able to defend our business in the face of the political and market pressures generated by social media due to restrictions on what we may say about our investigational products. There is also a risk of inappropriate disclosure of sensitive information or negative or inaccurate posts or comments about us on any online platform, including a blog on the internet, or a post on a website, that can be distributed rapidly and could negatively harm our reputation. If any of these events were to occur or we otherwise fail to comply with applicable regulations, we could incur liability, face regulatory actions or incur other harm to our business.
Previous wording
If we enter into clinical trials, the results from nonclinical testing or early or late-stage clinical trials of a product candidate may not predict the results that will be obtained in subsequent subjects or in subsequent human clinical trials of that product candidate or any other product candidate. For example, we recently reported positive topline results from the HELIOS-B Phase 3 clinical trial of vutrisiran for the treatment of patients with ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy. While vutrisiran demonstrated positive topline results in the clinical trial, we cannot be certain that the results from HELIOS-B will support approval of vutrisiran for the treatment of patients with ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy. There is a high failure rate for drugs proceeding through clinical trials. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered significant setbacks in clinical development even after achieving promising results in earlier studies, and any such setbacks in our clinical development, including with respect to vutrisiran, could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition. Moreover, our approved products and our current product candidates, employ novel delivery technologies that, with the exception of inclisiran, have yet to be extensively evaluated in human clinical trials and proven safe and effective.
Current wording
If we enter into clinical trials, the results from nonclinical testing or early or late-stage clinical trials of a product candidate may not predict the results that will be obtained in subsequent subjects or in subsequent human clinical trials of that product candidate or any other product candidate. For example, we recently reported positive results from the HELIOS-B Phase 3 clinical trial of vutrisiran for the treatment of patients with ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy. While vutrisiran demonstrated positive results in the clinical trial, we cannot be certain that the results from HELIOS-B will support approval of vutrisiran for the treatment of patients with ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy. There is a high failure rate for drugs proceeding through clinical trials. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered significant setbacks in clinical development even after achieving promising results in earlier studies, and any such setbacks in our clinical development, including with respect to vutrisiran, could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition. Moreover, certain of our product candidates employ novel delivery technologies that have yet to be extensively evaluated in human clinical trials and proven safe and effective.
Previous wording
Our and our collaborated product candidates are subject to extensive governmental regulations relating to, among other things, research, testing, development, manufacturing, safety, efficacy, approval, recordkeeping, reporting, labeling, storage, pricing, marketing and distribution of drugs. Rigorous nonclinical testing and clinical trials and an extensive regulatory approval process are required to be successfully completed in the U.S. and in many foreign jurisdictions before a new drug can be marketed. Satisfaction of these and other regulatory requirements is costly, time consuming, uncertain and subject to unanticipated delays. It is possible that the product candidates we and our collaborators are developing will not obtain the regulatory approvals necessary for us or our collaborators to begin selling them, or, in the case of vutrisiran, will not obtain regulatory approval to be sold for an additional, broader indication than the indication for which it is currently approved. It is also possible that the FDA or other regulatory authorities may determine that the data generated in clinical trials for a product candidate is not sufficient to support the approval of an application for regulatory approval. For example, although we reported positive results from the APOLLO-B Phase 3 clinical trial of patisiran in patients with ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, and received a 9:3 vote from the FDA’s CRDAC that patisiran’s benefits outweighed its risks for the treatment of ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, in October 2023, the FDA issued a CRL in response to our sNDA for patisiran, indicating the sNDA could not be approved in its present form.
Current wording
Our and our collaborated product candidates are subject to extensive governmental regulations relating to, among other things, research, testing, development, manufacturing, safety, efficacy, approval, recordkeeping, reporting, labeling, storage, pricing, marketing and distribution of drugs. Rigorous nonclinical testing and clinical trials and an extensive regulatory approval process are required to be successfully completed in the U.S. and in many foreign jurisdictions before a new drug can be marketed. Satisfaction of these and other regulatory requirements is costly, time consuming, uncertain and subject to unanticipated delays. It is possible that the product candidates we and our collaborators are developing will not obtain the regulatory approvals necessary for us or our collaborators to begin selling them, or, in the case of vutrisiran, will not obtain regulatory approval to be sold for an additional, broader indication than the indication for which it is currently approved. It is also possible that the FDA or other regulatory authorities may determine that the data generated in clinical trials for a product candidate is not sufficient to support the approval of an application for regulatory approval. For example, although we reported positive results from the APOLLO-B Phase 3 clinical trial of patisiran in patients with ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, in October 2023, the FDA issued a CRL in response to our sNDA for patisiran, indicating the sNDA could not be approved in its present form.
Previous wording
In addition, during the COVID-19 public health emergency, a number of companies announced receipt of complete response letters due to the FDA’s inability to complete required inspections for their applications. In December 2020, the FDA issued a CRL regarding Novartis’ NDA for inclisiran, stating that the agency could not approve the NDA by the PDUFA action date due to unresolved facility inspection-related conditions. In July 2021, Novartis announced that the resubmission to the FDA of the inclisiran NDA to address the complete response letter was filed, and the FDA approved Leqvio (the trade name under which inclisiran is marketed in the U.S.) in December 2021. This delay in the approval of Leqvio resulted in delayed milestone and royalty revenue to us. Any similar interruption or delay by the FDA, EMA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities could have a material adverse effect on our or our collaborators’ efforts to obtain regulatory approval for our or our collaborators’ product candidates, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, operating results or financial condition. For instance, the FDA may request additional clinical or other data or information in connection with the regulatory review of our or our collaborators’ product candidates, including by issuing a complete response letter that may require that we or our collaborators submit additional clinical or other data or impose other conditions that must be met in order to secure final approval of our or our collaborators’ NDA applications, including potentially requiring a facility inspection. Even if such data and information are submitted, or any such inspection is completed, the FDA may ultimately decide that the NDA does not satisfy the criteria for approval.
Current wording
Because the product candidates we or our collaborators are developing represent a new class of drug, the FDA and its foreign counterparts have not yet established any definitive policies, practices or guidelines in relation to these drugs. The lack of policies, practices or guidelines may hinder or slow review by the FDA of any regulatory filings that we or our collaborators may submit. Moreover, the FDA may respond to these submissions by defining requirements we or our collaborators may not have anticipated. Such responses could lead to significant delays and increased costs in the development of our or our collaborated product candidates. In addition, because there may be approved treatments for some of the diseases for which we or our collaborators may seek approval, including vutrisiran for the treatment of ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, or treatments in development which are approved by the time we or our collaborators file for approval, in order to receive regulatory approval, we or they may need to demonstrate through clinical trials that the product candidates we develop to treat these diseases are not only safe and effective, but safer and/or more effective than existing approved products. Interruption or delays in the operations of the FDA, EMA and comparable foreign regulatory agencies may impact the review, inspection and approval timelines for our or our collaborated product candidates. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the FDA worked to ensure timely reviews of applications for medical products in line with its user fee performance goals and conducted mission critical domestic and foreign inspections to ensure compliance of manufacturing facilities with FDA quality standards. In addition, during the COVID-19 public health emergency, a number of companies announced receipt of complete response letters due to the FDA’s inability to complete required inspections for their applications. In December 2020, the FDA issued a CRL regarding Novartis’ NDA for inclisiran, stating that the agency could not approve the NDA by the PDUFA action date due to unresolved facility inspection-related conditions. In July 2021, Novartis announced that the resubmission to the FDA of the inclisiran NDA to address the complete response letter was filed, and the FDA approved Leqvio (the trade name under which inclisiran is marketed in the U.S.) in December 2021. This delay in the approval of Leqvio resulted in delayed milestone and royalty revenue to us. Any similar interruption or delay by the FDA, EMA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities could have a material adverse effect on our or our collaborators’ efforts to obtain regulatory approval for our or our collaborators’ product candidates, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, operating results or financial condition. For instance, the FDA may request additional clinical or other data or information in connection with the regulatory review of our or …
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Previous wording
The patient populations suffering from hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy, AHP and PH1 are small and have not been established with precision. If the actual number of patients suffering from these diseases is smaller than we estimate, or if we fail to raise awareness of these diseases and diagnosis is not improved, our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected.
Current wording
The patient populations suffering from hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy, ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, AHP and PH1 have not been established with precision. If the actual number of patients suffering from these diseases is smaller than we estimate, or if we fail to raise awareness of these diseases and diagnosis is not improved, our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected.
Previous wording
Our estimates regarding the potential market size for ONPATTRO, AMVUTTRA, GIVLAARI, OXLUMO or any future products at the time we commence commercialization, may be materially different from the actual market size, including as a result of the indication approved by regulatory authorities, which could result in significant changes in our business plan and may have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition. As is the case with most orphan diseases, if we are unable to successfully raise awareness of these diseases and improve diagnosis, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, operating results or financial condition, and it will be more difficult or impossible to achieve profitability.
Current wording
Our estimates regarding the potential market size for ONPATTRO, AMVUTTRA, GIVLAARI, OXLUMO or any future products at the time we commence commercialization, may be materially different from the actual market size, including as a result of the indication approved by regulatory authorities, which could result in significant changes in our business plan and may have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition. If we are unable to successfully raise awareness of these diseases and improve diagnosis, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, operating results or financial condition, and it will be more difficult or impossible to achieve profitability.
Previous wording
We remain focused on these laws and the activities they regulate and, as detailed below, maintain a global compliance program designed to empower our business to operate in compliance with their requirements.
Current wording
We remain focused on these laws and the activities they regulate and maintain a global compliance program designed to empower our business to operate in compliance with their requirements.
Previous wording
As the field of RNAi therapeutics is maturing, patent applications are being fully processed by national patent offices around the world. There is uncertainty about which patents will issue, and, if they do, as to when, to whom, and with what claims. It is likely that there will be significant litigation and other proceedings, such as interference, re-examination and opposition proceedings, as well as pre- and post-grant review proceedings in various patent offices relating to patent rights in the RNAi field. In addition, third parties may challenge the validity of our patents. For example, a third party has filed an opposition in the European Patent Office, or EPO, against our owned patent EP 2723758, with claims directed to RNAi compositions and methods for silencing ANGPTL3, arguing that the granted claims are invalid. Following an oral hearing in February 2021, the patent was revoked. A notice of appeal of the EPO’s decision was filed in June 2021 and following an oral hearing in November 2023, the appeal was dismissed resulting in the patent remaining revoked. In March 2022, a third party filed an opposition with the EPO against our owned patent EP3105332, which is directed to RNAi compositions and methods for silencing ketohexokinase, seeking to revoke the patent. In addition, in February 2023, a third party filed an opposition with the EPO against our owned patent EP 3366775, titled “Modified RNA Agents” seeking to revoke the patent. Oral hearings are anticipated in these proceedings at times to be determined by the EPO. Additionally, the validity of two Chinese patents (ZL201380063930.5 and ZL201810143112.0) relating to inclisiran were challenged by a third party in China. The China National Intellectual Property Administration recently issued decisions confirming that patent No. ZL201380063930.5 remained valid as a whole, and patent No. ZL201810143112.0 remained valid based on the amended version of the claims we submitted. We expect that additional oppositions will be filed in the EPO and elsewhere, and other challenges will be raised relating to other patents and patent applications in our portfolio. In many cases, the possibility of appeal exists for either us or our opponents, and it may be years before final, unappealable rulings are made with respect to these patents in certain jurisdictions. The timing and outcome of these and other proceedings is uncertain and may adversely affect our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition if we are not successful in defending the patentability and scope of our pending and issued patent claims. Even if our rights are not directly challenged, disputes could lead to the weakening of our intellectual property rights. Our defense against any attempt by third parties to circumvent or invalidate our intellectual property rights could be costly to us, could require significant time and attention of our management and could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects…
Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.
Current wording
As the field of RNAi therapeutics is maturing, patent applications are being fully processed by national patent offices around the world. There is uncertainty about which patents will issue, and, if they do, as to when, to whom, and with what claims. It is likely that there will be significant litigation and other proceedings, such as interference, re-examination and opposition proceedings, as well as pre- and post-grant review proceedings in various patent offices relating to patent rights in the RNAi field. In addition, third parties may challenge the validity of our patents. For example, a third party has filed an opposition in the European Patent Office, or EPO, against our owned patent EP 2723758, with claims directed to RNAi compositions and methods for silencing ANGPTL3, arguing that the granted claims are invalid. Following an oral hearing in February 2021, the patent was revoked. A notice of appeal of the EPO’s decision was filed in June 2021 and following an oral hearing in November 2023, the appeal was dismissed resulting in the patent remaining revoked. In March 2022, a third party filed an opposition with the EPO against our owned patent EP3105331, which is directed to RNAi compositions and methods for silencing ketohexokinase, seeking to revoke the patent. An oral hearing has not yet been scheduled by the EPO. In addition, in February 2023, a third party filed an opposition with the EPO against our owned patent EP 3366775, titled “Modified RNA Agents” seeking to revoke the patent. An oral hearing has been scheduled for November 21 and 22, 2024. Additionally, the validity of two Chinese patents (ZL201380063930.5 and ZL201810143112.0) relating to inclisiran were challenged by a third party in China. The China National Intellectual Property Administration recently issued decisions confirming that patent No. ZL201380063930.5 remained valid as a whole, and patent No. ZL201810143112.0 remained valid based on the amended version of the claims we submitted. We expect that additional oppositions will be filed in the EPO and elsewhere, and other challenges will be raised relating to other patents and patent applications in our portfolio. In many cases, the possibility of appeal exists for either us or our opponents, and it may be years before final, unappealable rulings are made with respect to these patents in certain jurisdictions. The timing and outcome of these and other proceedings is uncertain and may adversely affect our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition if we are not successful in defending the patentability and scope of our pending and issued patent claims. Even if our rights are not directly challenged, disputes could lead to the weakening of our intellectual property rights. Our defense against any attempt by third parties to circumvent or invalidate our intellectual property rights could be costly to us, could require significant time and attention of our management and could have a material adverse ef…
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Previous wording
’979 patent. The court combined the two patents in a single suit for each of Pfizer/BioNTech, or the 2022 Lawsuit, and Moderna with trial dates set for each in November 2024. On May 26, 2023, we filed additional lawsuits against Pfizer and Moderna in Delaware seeking damages for infringing U.S. Patent No. 11,590,229 in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. In addition to this patent, we added U.S. Patent Nos. 11,633,479 and 11,633,480 in the more recently filed suits against both Pfizer and Moderna and also U.S. Patent No. 11,612,657 against Pfizer only. On August 9, 2023, a Markman hearing was held in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware to consider the meaning of three disputed terms as used in the ’933 and ’979 patents, and on August 21, 2023, the court issued an order construing two of the three terms, and deferred a ruling on the third term pending an evidentiary hearing, which was held on January 4, 2024 with the final ruling deferred pending the outcome of an additional hearing, which was held on July 12, 2024. Following the August 21, 2023 order, we and Moderna jointly agreed to final judgment of non-infringement of two of our patents, and that judgment was entered by the court on August 30, 2023, and on September 7, 2023, we appealed the claim construction ruling to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in the 2022 lawsuit against Moderna. The claim construction ruling did not affect one of the patents in the lawsuit filed against Moderna on May 26, 2023, and that case is going forward on a schedule with an anticipated trial date in the latter half of 2025. In September 2023, we and Pfizer/BioNTech agreed to consolidate the 2022 Lawsuit and 2023 lawsuits into one case, which will require moving the trial date from November 2024 to the first half of 2025, with the final schedule to be determined by the court. On January 4, 2024 a hearing was held in the consolidated Pfizer/BioNTech case to construe a final claim term with the final ruling pending. On July 12, 2024, Acuitas Therapeutics filed a declaratory judgment action against us in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, seeking a judgment adding certain Acuitas employees as co-inventors on the patents we have asserted against Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna in our lawsuits. The aforementioned patents relate to our biodegradable cationic lipids that are foundational to the success of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
Current wording
’979 patent. The court combined the two patents in a single suit for each of Pfizer/BioNTech, or the 2022 Lawsuit, and Moderna with trial dates set for each in November 2024. On May 26, 2023, we filed additional lawsuits against Pfizer and Moderna in Delaware seeking damages for infringing U.S. Patent No. 11,590,229 in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. In addition to this patent, we added U.S. Patent Nos. 11,633,479 and 11,633,480 in the more recently filed suits against both Pfizer and Moderna and also U.S. Patent No. 11,612,657 against Pfizer only. On August 9, 2023, a Markman hearing was held in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware to consider the meaning of three disputed terms as used in the ’933 and ’979 patents, and on August 21, 2023, the court issued an order construing two of the three terms, and deferred a ruling on the third term pending an evidentiary hearing, which was held on January 4, 2024 with the final ruling deferred pending the outcome of an additional hearing, which was held on July 12, 2024. Following the August 21, 2023 order, we and Moderna jointly agreed to final judgment of non-infringement of two of our patents, and that judgment was entered by the court on August 30, 2023, and on September 7, 2023, we appealed the claim construction ruling to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in the 2022 lawsuit against Moderna. The claim construction ruling initially did not affect one of the patents in the lawsuit filed against Moderna on May 26, 2023, but following a Markman hearing held on August 15, 2024, the court entered a ruling on September 10, 2024, in the same manner as in the earlier case. On October 2, 2024, we and Moderna jointly agreed to final judgment of non-infringement. On October 16, 2024, Moderna filed a motion seeking recovery of fees incurred by them from the time we agreed to a judgment of non-infringement in the first case until the time we agreed to a judgment of non-infringement in the second case, which period runs from approximately September 2023 to October 2024. Our reply is due November 6, 2024. In September 2023, we and Pfizer/BioNTech agreed to consolidate the 2022 Lawsuit and 2023 lawsuits into one case. On January 4, 2024, a hearing was held in the consolidated Pfizer/BioNTech case to construe a final claim, which was subject to an additional evidentiary hearing held on July 12, 2024 with the court issuing its order on August 12, 2024. The trial date for the consolidated Pfizer/BioNTech case is scheduled for July 7, 2025. On July 12, 2024, Acuitas Therapeutics Inc., or Acuitas, filed a declaratory judgment action against us in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, seeking a judgment adding certain Acuitas employees as co-inventors on the patents we have asserted against Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna in our lawsuits. On September 19, 2024, we filed a motion to dismiss which has not yet been ruled upon. The aforementioned patents re…
Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.
Previous wording
For example, assuming regulatory approval, vutrisiran, our RNAi therapeutic in development for treatment of ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, would compete with VYNDAQEL/VYNDAMAX (tafamidis), marketed by Pfizer, which is currently approved to treat this disease. In addition, BridgeBio announced positive results from its Phase 3 clinical trial of acoramidis, a TTR stabilizer, in ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy in July 2023, and announced in February 2024 that the FDA accepted its NDA for filing with a PDUFA action date of November 29, 2024. BridgeBio also announced that the EMA accepted its marketing authorization application with a decision expected in 2025, and that it anticipates additional global regulatory submissions. We are also aware of other product candidates in clinical development for the treatment of ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, including NTLA-2001, which is being developed by Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. and Regeneron and is in Phase 3 clinical development; NNC-6019, which is being developed by Novo Nordisk and is in Phase 2 clinical development; and NI006, which is being developed by Neurimmune AG and AstraZeneca plc and is in Phase 3 clinical development. We expect to face competition from any of these and potentially other additional new drugs that enter the market to treat patients with ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy.
Current wording
EMA accepted its marketing authorization application with a decision expected in 2025, and that it anticipates additional global regulatory submissions. We are also aware of other product candidates in clinical development for the treatment of ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, including WAINUA (eplontersen), a drug being developed by Ionis and AstraZeneca plc, or AstraZeneca, and is in Phase 3 clinical development; NTLA-2001, which is being developed by Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. and Regeneron and is in Phase 3 clinical development; NNC-6019, which is being developed by Novo Nordisk and is in Phase 2 clinical development; and NI006, which is being developed by Neurimmune AG and AstraZeneca plc and is in Phase 3 clinical development. We expect to face competition from any of these and potentially other additional new drugs that enter the market to treat patients with ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy.
Previous wording
ONPATTRO and AMVUTTRA are approved in certain jurisdictions for the treatment of certain patients with hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. We are aware of other approved products used to treat this disease, including WAINUA (eplontersen), a drug developed by Ionis in partnership with AstraZeneca plc, VYNDAQEL/VYNDAMAX (tafamidis), and TEGSEDI (inotersen), which is developed and marketed by Ionis. There are also product candidates in various stages of clinical development for the treatment of hATTR amyloidosis patients with polyneuropathy. While we believe that ONPATTRO and AMVUTTRA have and will continue to have a competitive product profile for the treatment of patients with hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy, it is possible that ONPATTRO and/or AMVUTTRA may not compete favorably with these products and product candidates, or others, and, as a result, may not achieve commercial success.
Current wording
ONPATTRO and AMVUTTRA are approved in certain jurisdictions for the treatment of certain patients with hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. We are aware of other approved products used to treat this disease, including WAINUA (eplontersen), a drug developed by Ionis in partnership with AstraZeneca, VYNDAQEL/VYNDAMAX (tafamidis), and TEGSEDI (inotersen), which is developed and marketed by Ionis. There are also product candidates in various stages of clinical development for the treatment of hATTR amyloidosis patients with polyneuropathy. While we believe that ONPATTRO and AMVUTTRA have and will continue to have a competitive product profile for the treatment of patients with hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy, it is possible that ONPATTRO and/or AMVUTTRA may not compete favorably with these products and product candidates, or others, and, as a result, may not achieve commercial success.
Previous wording
We are aware of product candidates in various stages of clinical development for the treatment of PH1 which would compete with OXLUMO, our RNAi therapeutic approved in the U.S. and EU for the treatment of this disease, including Novo Nordisk’s product RIVFLOZA (nedosiran), which was approved for the treatment of PH1 in September 2023 and is expected to launch in 2024. RIVFLOZA is a once-monthly subcutaneous RNAi therapy that was developed by Dicerna. In April 2020, we and Dicerna granted each other a non-exclusive cross-license to our respective intellectual property related to lumasiran and Dicerna’s nedosiran. In addition, several companies have investigational drugs in clinical development for the treatment of PH1, including BridgeBio, Chinook Therapeutics, Inc., and BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Current wording
We are aware of product candidates in various stages of clinical development for the treatment of PH1 which would compete with OXLUMO, our RNAi therapeutic approved in the U.S. and EU for the treatment of this disease, including Novo Nordisk’s product RIVFLOZA (nedosiran), which was approved for the treatment of PH1 in September 2023 and launched in the U.S. in early 2024. RIVFLOZA is a once-monthly subcutaneous RNAi therapy that was developed by Dicerna. In April 2020, we and Dicerna granted each other a non-exclusive cross-license to our respective intellectual property related to lumasiran and Dicerna’s nedosiran. In addition, several companies have investigational drugs in clinical development for the treatment of PH1, including BridgeBio, Chinook Therapeutics, Inc., and BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Previous wording
In addition to the competition we face from competing drugs in general, we and our collaborators also face competition from other companies working to develop novel drugs using technology that competes more directly with our own. We are aware of several other companies that are working to develop RNAi therapeutic products. Some of these companies are seeking, as we are, to develop chemically synthesized siRNAs as drugs. Others are following a gene therapy approach, with the goal of treating patients with synthetic, exogenously-introduced genes designed to produce siRNA-like molecules within cells. Companies working on chemically synthesized siRNAs include, but are not limited to, Arrowhead and its collaborators, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., Janssen Pharmaceutics, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, and Amgen Inc.; Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Roche; Silence Therapeutics plc and its collaborators, AstraZeneca plc, Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceuticals Group Co., Ltd., and Mallinckrodt plc; Arbutus; Sylentis; and Novo Nordisk and its collaborators, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company. In addition, we granted licenses or options for licenses to Ionis, Benitec Biopharma Ltd., Arrowhead, Arbutus, Quark, Sylentis and other companies under which these companies may independently develop RNAi therapeutics against a limited number of targets. Any one of these companies may develop its RNAi technology more rapidly and more effectively than we do. In addition, as a result of agreements that we have entered into, Takeda has obtained a non-exclusive license, and Arrowhead, as the assignee of Novartis, has obtained specific exclusive licenses for 30 gene targets, that include access to certain aspects of our technology.
Current wording
Companies working on chemically synthesized siRNAs include, but are not limited to, Arrowhead and its collaborators, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., Janssen Pharmaceutics, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, and Amgen Inc.; Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Roche; Silence Therapeutics plc and its collaborators, AstraZeneca, Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceuticals Group Co., Ltd., and Mallinckrodt plc; Arbutus; Sylentis; and Novo Nordisk and its collaborators, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company. In addition, we granted licenses or options for licenses to Ionis, Benitec Biopharma Ltd., Arrowhead, Arbutus, Quark, Sylentis and other companies under which these companies may independently develop RNAi therapeutics against a limited number of targets. Any one of these companies may develop its RNAi technology more rapidly and more effectively than we do. In addition, as a result of agreements that we have entered into, Takeda has obtained a non-exclusive license, and Arrowhead, as the assignee of Novartis, has obtained specific exclusive licenses for 30 gene targets, that include access to certain aspects of our technology.
Previous wording
As of June 30, 2024, we had $1.04 billion in total aggregate principal amount of Notes issued and outstanding. The interest rate for the Notes is fixed at 1% per annum and is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on March 15, 2023. Our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance our indebtedness, including the Notes, or to make cash payments in connection with any conversions of Notes, depends on our future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. Our business may not generate cash flow from operations in the future sufficient to service our debt and make necessary capital expenditures. If we are unable to generate such cash flow, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional debt financing or equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. Our ability to refinance any future indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. We may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on our debt obligations.
Current wording
As of September 30, 2024, we had $1.04 billion in total aggregate principal amount of Notes issued and outstanding. The interest rate for the Notes is fixed at 1.00% per annum and is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on March 15, 2023. Our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance our indebtedness, including the Notes, or to make cash payments in connection with any conversions of Notes, depends on our future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. Our business may not generate cash flow from operations in the future sufficient to service our debt and make necessary capital expenditures. If we are unable to generate such cash flow, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional debt financing or equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. Our ability to refinance any future indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. We may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on our debt obligations.
Rearranged current paragraphs (2)
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
For example, assuming regulatory approval, vutrisiran, our RNAi therapeutic in development for treatment of ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, would compete with VYNDAQEL/VYNDAMAX (tafamidis), marketed by Pfizer, which is currently approved to treat this disease. In addition, BridgeBio announced positive results from its Phase 3 clinical trial of acoramidis, a TTR stabilizer, in ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy in July 2023, and announced in February 2024 that the FDA accepted its NDA for filing with a PDUFA action date of November 29, 2024. BridgeBio also announced that the
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
In addition to the competition we face from competing drugs in general, we and our collaborators also face competition from other companies working to develop novel drugs using technology that competes more directly with our own. We are aware of several other companies that are working to develop RNAi therapeutic products. Some of these companies are seeking, as we are, to develop chemically synthesized siRNAs as drugs. Others are following a gene therapy approach, with the goal of treating patients with synthetic, exogenously-introduced genes designed to produce siRNA-like molecules within cells.
Rearranged previous paragraphs (1)
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Because the product candidates we or our collaborators are developing represent a new class of drug, the FDA and its foreign counterparts have not yet established any definitive policies, practices or guidelines in relation to these drugs. The lack of policies, practices or guidelines may hinder or slow review by the FDA of any regulatory filings that we or our collaborators may submit. Moreover, the FDA may respond to these submissions by defining requirements we or our collaborators may not have anticipated. Such responses could lead to significant delays and increased costs in the development of our or our collaborated product candidates. In addition, because there may be approved treatments for some of the diseases for which we or our collaborators may seek approval, including vutrisiran for the treatment of ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, or treatments in development which are approved by the time we or our collaborators file for approval, in order to receive regulatory approval, we or they may need to demonstrate through clinical trials that the product candidates we develop to treat these diseases are not only safe and effective, but safer and/or more effective than existing approved products. Interruption or delays in the operations of the FDA, EMA and comparable foreign regulatory agencies may impact the review, inspection and approval timelines for our or our collaborated product candidates. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the FDA worked to ensure timely reviews of applications for medical products in line with its user fee performance goals and conducted mission critical domestic and foreign inspections to ensure compliance of manufacturing facilities with FDA quality standards.