Dare Bioscience, Inc.

Previous wording

•We have a limited operating history, have incurred significant losses since our inception and expect to continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future, which, together with our limited financial resources and substantial capital requirements, make it difficult to assess our prospects.

Current wording

•We have a limited operating history, a history of significant losses from operations, and expect significant losses from operations, net losses and negative cash flows from operations to continue for the foreseeable future, which, together with our limited financial resources, make it difficult to assess our prospects.

Previous wording

•Drug products and drug/device combination products are complex to manufacture and we face significant challenges in scaling up manufacturing of our product candidates for larger clinical trials and commercial production. Manufacturing and supply delays and disruptions could postpone the initiation of or interrupt our clinical studies, extend the timeframe and cost of development of our product candidates, delay potential regulatory approvals and adversely impact the commercialization of any approved products.

Current wording

•Delays and disruptions in the supply and manufacturing of our product candidates could postpone the initiation of or interrupt our clinical studies, extend the timeframe and cost of development of our product candidates, delay potential regulatory approvals and adversely impact the commercialization of any approved products.

Previous wording

•We have no manufacturing, sales, marketing or distribution infrastructure. We depend heavily on, and expect to continue to rely on, the performance of third parties, including our strategic collaborators, contract manufacturers and suppliers, CROs, medical institutions, and scientific, medical, regulatory and other consultants and advisors, to develop our product candidates and commercialize any approved products. Failure of these third parties to perform as expected could result in substantial delays, increased costs or failures of our product development programs, delayed or unsuccessful commercialization of any approved products, and the need for significant additional capital.

Current wording

•We have no manufacturing, sales, marketing or distribution infrastructure. We depend heavily on, and expect to continue to rely on, the performance of third parties, including our strategic collaborators, contract manufacturers and suppliers, CROs, medical institutions, and scientific, medical, regulatory and other consultants and advisors, to develop our product candidates and commercialize any approved products.

Previous wording

•The commercial success of XACIATO will depend on Organon’s efforts and capabilities and a variety of factors, many of which currently are unknown or uncertain, and if commercialization of XACIATO is not successful, our reputation, business and prospects may suffer.

Current wording

•The commercial success of XACIATO is outside of our control and will depend on Organon’s efforts and capabilities and a variety of factors, many of which currently are unknown or uncertain, and if commercialization of XACIATO is not successful, our reputation, business and prospects may suffer.

Previous wording

•XACIATO and any future products will face intense competition, including from generic products, and may fail to achieve the degree of market acceptance necessary for commercial success. Our business, operating results and financial condition will suffer if we, or our commercial collaborators, fail to compete effectively and fail to achieve market acceptance.

Current wording

•Our product candidates, if approved for commercial sale, will face intense competition and may fail to achieve the degree of market acceptance necessary for commercial success. Our business, operating results and financial condition will suffer if we, or our commercial collaborators, fail to compete effectively.

Previous wording

•We have a relatively small number of employees, and if we fail to attract and retain key personnel or effectively manage our personnel costs, our business may materially suffer.

Current wording

•We have a relatively small number of employees and if we fail to attract and retain key personnel our business may materially suffer.

Previous wording

•Volatility in the financial markets, geopolitical conflicts and events, public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic and other macroeconomic factors may negatively impact our business, financial condition and results and our stock price, including by increasing the cost and timelines for our clinical development programs or making it more difficult or costly to raise additional capital when needed.

Current wording

•Volatility in the financial markets, geopolitical conflicts and events, natural disasters, public health emergencies , international trade policies,and other macroeconomic factors may negatively impact our business, financial condition and results and our stock price, including by increasing the cost and timelines for our clinical development programs or making it more difficult or costly to raise additional capital when needed.

Previous wording

•Future dilution to our existing stockholders from sales and issuances of our common stock through at-the-market, or ATM, offerings, other types of public or private offerings of equity or equity-linked securities and upon the exercise of stock options, or the market's expectation that such sales could adversely affect our stock price, even if our business is doing well.

Current wording

•Future dilution to our existing stockholders from sales and issuances of our common stock to raise additional capital, or the market's expectation that such sales may occur, could adversely affect our stock price even if our business is doing well.

Previous wording

•We have been subject to a cyber-related crime and our controls and security measures may not be successful in preventing other cybersecurity incidents in the future. Cyber-attacks, security breaches, loss of data and other disruptions to our information technology systems or those of our strategic collaborators or third-party service providers could compromise sensitive information related to our business, delay or prevent us from accessing critical information, subject us to significant financial loss, or expose us to liability, any of which could adversely affect our business and our reputation.

Current wording

•We have been subject to a cyber-related crime and our controls and security measures may not be successful in preventing other cybersecurity incidents in the future. Cyber-attacks, security breaches, loss of data and other disruptions to our information technology systems or those of our strategic collaborators or third-party service providers could compromise sensitive or confidential information related to our business, delay or prevent us from accessing critical information, subject us to significant financial loss, or expose us to liability, any of which could adversely affect our business and our reputation.

Previous wording

We have a history of losses from operations, we expect negative cash flows from our operations to continue for the foreseeable future, and we expect that our net losses will continue for the foreseeable future as we develop and seek to bring to market our existing product candidates and as we seek to potentially acquire or license and develop additional product candidates. These circumstances raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our financial statements as of December 31, 2023 were prepared under the assumption that we will continue as a going concern and do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. At December 31, 2023, our accumulated deficit was approximately $171.2 million, our cash and cash equivalents were approximately $10.5 million, our deferred grant funding liability under our grant agreements related to DARE-LARC1 and DARE-LBT was approximately $13.7 million, and our working capital deficit was approximately $2.9 million. Our cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2023 represented funds received under such grant agreements and such funds may be applied solely toward direct costs for the development of DARE-LARC1 and DARE-LBT, other than approximately 10% of such funds, which may be applied toward general overhead and administration expenses that support our entire operations. We will require additional capital to fund our operating needs into the third quarter of 2024. and to meet our current obligations as they become due. Advancing our investigational women's health products through clinical development and pursuing regulatory approval and commercialization will require substantial additional investment. We will need to raise substantial additional capital to continue to fund our operations and execute our current business strategy. The amount and timing of our capital needs have and will continue to depend highly on many factors, as discussed further below as well as under "ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION OF AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Plan of Operations and Future Funding Requirements."

Current wording

We have a history of losses from operations, we expect significant losses from operations, net losses and negative cash flows from operations for at least the next several years as we develop and seek to bring to market our existing product candidates and as we seek to potentially acquire or license and develop additional product candidates. At December 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $175.3 million, cash and cash equivalents of approximately $15.7 million, and a working capital deficit of approximately $3.2 million. We will need additional capital to fund our operating needs into the third quarter of 2025 and to meet our current obligations as they become due. All of our cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2024 represented funds received under grant agreements that generally may be applied solely toward direct costs of carrying out the respective projects under those grant agreements. We have a history of losses from operations and we expect significant losses from operations, net losses, and negative cash flows from operations for at least the next several years as we continue to develop and seek to bring to market our product candidates. We are dependent on securing substantial additional capital from one or more third-party sources to satisfy our working capital needs and other liquidity requirements over at least the next 12 months from the date of issuance of the accompanying consolidated financial statements. These circumstances raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements included in this report were prepared under the assumption that we will continue as a going concern and do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Advancing our investigational products through clinical development and pursuing regulatory approval and commercialization will require substantial additional investment. We will need to raise substantial additional capital to continue to fund our operations and execute our current business strategy. The amount and timing of our capital needs have and will continue to depend highly on many factors, as discussed further below.

Previous wording

Our management may devote significant time and we may incur substantial costs in pursuing, evaluating and negotiating potential capital-raising transactions and those efforts may not prove successful on a timely basis, or at all. If we cannot raise adequate additional capital when needed, we may be forced to reduce, or even terminate our operations. We may delay, scale back or eliminate one or more of our product development programs; relinquish rights under our license agreements with third parties relating to our product candidates; forgo opportunities to expand our product portfolio; take other measures to reduce our expenses; reorganize or merge with another entity; or file for bankruptcy or cease operations. If we become unable to continue as a going concern, we may have to liquidate our assets, and might realize significantly less than the values at which they are carried on our financial statements, and our stockholders may lose all or part of their investment in our common stock.

Current wording

Our management may devote significant time and we may incur substantial costs in pursuing, evaluating and negotiating potential capital-raising transactions and those efforts may not prove successful on a timely basis, or at all. If we cannot raise adequate additional capital when needed, we may be forced to reduce, or even terminate our operations. We may delay, scale back or eliminate one or more of our product development programs; relinquish rights under our license agreements with third parties relating to our product candidates; forgo opportunities to expand our product portfolio; take other measures to reduce our expenses; reorganize or merge with another entity; or file for bankruptcy or cease operations. For example, in recent years, due to our limited capital resources, we have focused our resources primarily on the advancement of Ovaprene and Sildenafil Cream, unless a program has been supported by grant or other non-dilutive funding, and we have delayed R&D activities for other programs. If we become unable to continue as a going concern, we may have to liquidate our assets, and might realize significantly less than the values at which they are carried on our financial statements, and our stockholders may lose all or part of their investment in our common stock.

Previous wording

•the cost and timing of obtaining clinical supplies of product candidates;

Current wording

•the cost and timing of manufacturing for clinical supplies of product candidates and, if applicable, commercial product at sufficient scale;

Previous wording

•the cost and timing of regulatory submissions and decisions by the FDA and other regulatory authorities on our applications to commence and advance clinical development of and to market our product candidates;

Current wording

•the cost and timing of regulatory submissions to and the timing and outcome of decisions by the FDA and other regulatory authorities on our applications to commence and advance clinical development of and to market our product candidates;

Previous wording

•the cost and timing of commercialization activities we undertake or engage third parties to undertake for any approved product;

Current wording

•the cost and timing of commercialization activities we undertake or engage third parties to undertake for any product;

Previous wording

•the amount and timing of future royalty, milestone or other payments, if any, we receive under our commercial collaboration agreements for XACIATO and Ovaprene;

Current wording

•the amount and timing of future royalty, milestone or other payments, if any, we receive under our licensing agreement with Bayer, any future out-licensing agreement, or the Royalty Purchase Agreements;

Previous wording

•our ability to maintain, and establish new, strategic collaborations relating to the development and/or commercialization of our product and product candidates;

Current wording

•our ability to maintain, and establish new, strategic collaborations relating to the development and/or commercialization of our product and product candidates, and the terms and timing of such arrangements;

Previous wording

Should we add product candidates to our portfolio, should our existing product candidates require testing or other capital-intensive development activities that we do not anticipate, should the duration of our clinical trials be longer than anticipated, should manufacturing and supply be disrupted, or should regulatory approvals be delayed, our cash resources will be further strained. Should our product development efforts succeed, we will need to develop a commercialization plan for each product, which may also require significant resources to create and implement. In addition, the terms of any collaboration agreements for development and/or commercialization of our product and product candidates may significantly impact our need for additional capital. Because of these uncertainties and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in this “Risk Factors” section, we cannot reasonably estimate the amount funding necessary to successfully complete development of and seek regulatory approval for our product candidates or to commercialize any approved products. In addition, we may seek additional capital due to favorable market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our planned operations.

Current wording

Should we add product candidates to our portfolio, should our existing product candidates require testing or other capital-intensive development activities that we do not anticipate, should the duration of our clinical trials be longer than anticipated, should manufacturing and supply be disrupted, or should regulatory approvals be delayed, our cash resources will be further strained. Should our product development efforts succeed, we will need to develop and implement a commercialization plan for each product, which may also require significant resources to create and implement. In addition, the terms of any collaboration agreements for development and/or commercialization of our product and product candidates may significantly impact our need for additional capital. Because of these uncertainties and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in this Risk Factors section, we cannot reasonably estimate the amount funding necessary to successfully complete development of and seek regulatory approval for our product candidates or to commercialize any approved products. In addition, we may seek additional capital due to favorable market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our planned operations.

Previous wording

We may seek to raise additional capital through a variety of means, including equity, equity-linked or debt securities offerings, government or other grant funding, strategic collaborations or alliances, debt, royalty monetization or other structured financings, or other similar types of arrangements. Our past success in raising capital through equity offerings, grant funding, collaboration agreements, and a royalty monetization financing should not be viewed as an indication we will be successful in raising capital through those or any other means in the future. We expect that our ability to raise additional capital and the amount of capital available to us will depend not only on progress we and our collaborators make toward successfully developing, obtaining regulatory approval for and commercializing our product and product candidates, but also on factors outside of our control, such as macroeconomic and financial market conditions. To the extent we seek to obtain additional capital before achieving clinical, regulatory and/or sales milestones or when our stock price or trading volume or both are low, or when the general market for biopharmaceutical or women’s health companies is weak, additional capital may not be available to us on favorable terms, or at all.

Current wording

We may seek to raise additional capital through a variety of means, including equity, equity-linked or debt securities offerings, government or other grant funding, strategic collaborations or alliances, debt, royalty monetization or other structured financings, or other similar types of arrangements. Our past success in raising capital through equity offerings, grant funding, collaboration agreements, and royalty monetization transactions should not be viewed as any indication we will be successful in raising capital through those or any other means in the future. We expect that our ability to raise additional capital and the amount of capital available to us will depend not only on progress we and our collaborators make toward successfully developing, obtaining regulatory approval for and commercializing our product and product candidates, but also on factors outside of our control, such as macroeconomic and financial market conditions. To the extent we seek to obtain additional capital before achieving clinical, regulatory and/or sales milestones or when our stock price or trading volume or both are low, or when the general market for biopharmaceutical or women’s health companies is weak, additional capital may not be available to us on favorable terms, or at all.

Previous wording

Unstable and unfavorable market and economic conditions may harm our ability to raise additional capital. The occurrence or continued occurrence of macroeconomic factors or events similar to those experienced in recent years, such as a U.S. economic crisis or recession or recessionary concerns, inflation, public health emergencies (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), geopolitical conflict (such as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East), natural/environmental disasters, supply-chain disruptions, terrorist attacks, strained relations between the U.S. and a number of other countries, social and political discord and unrest in the U.S. and other countries, and government shutdowns, among others, increase market volatility and have long-term adverse effects on the U.S. and global economies and financial markets. Volatility and deterioration in the financial markets and liquidity constraints or other adverse developments affecting financial institutions may make equity or debt financings more difficult, more costly or more dilutive and may increase competition for, or limit the availability of, funding from other third-party sources, such as from strategic collaborations and government and other grants.

Current wording

Unstable and unfavorable market and economic conditions may harm our ability to raise additional capital. The occurrence or continued occurrence of macroeconomic factors or events similar to those experienced in recent years, such as a U.S. economic crisis or recession or recessionary concerns, inflation, rising interest rates, public health emergencies (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), geopolitical conflict (such as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East), natural/environmental disasters, supply-chain disruptions, terrorist attacks, strained trade and other relations between the U.S. and a number of other countries, social and political discord and unrest in the U.S. and other countries, and government shutdowns, among others, increase market volatility and have long-term adverse effects on the U.S. and global economies and financial markets. Volatility and deterioration in the financial markets and liquidity constraints or other adverse developments affecting financial institutions may make equity or debt financings more difficult, more costly or more dilutive and may increase competition for, or limit the availability of, funding from other third-party sources, such as from strategic collaborations and government and other grants.

Previous wording

As discussed above, we may seek to raise additional capital through a variety of means. Raising capital through the issuance of shares of our common stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for our common stock, may depress our stock price and substantially dilute our existing stockholders. The terms of securities issued may include liquidation or other preferences that may materially adversely affect the rights of our existing stockholders. Debt and other structured financings, if available, would increase our fixed payment obligations and may involve covenants requiring us to maintain specified financial ratios or a specified cash balance, or limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, acquiring, selling or licensing intellectual property rights, and making capital expenditures, or impose other operating restrictions that could adversely impact our ability to operate our business and pursue our strategic objectives. We could also be required to meet certain milestones in connection with a debt financing and the failure to achieve such milestones by certain dates may force us to relinquish rights to some of our technologies, product candidates or products, or otherwise agree to terms unfavorable to us. In addition, we may be required to relinquish valuable rights to future revenue streams, such as in the case of the royalty interest financing agreement we entered into in December 2023. Moreover, the lower our cash balance when we seek to raise additional capital, the more difficult, costly or dilutive to our existing stockholders it may be for us to raise additional capital.

Current wording

As discussed above, we may seek to raise additional capital through a variety of means. Raising capital through the issuance of shares of our common stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for our common stock, may depress our stock price and substantially dilute our existing stockholders. The terms of securities issued may include liquidation or other preferences that may materially adversely affect the rights of our existing stockholders. Debt and other structured financings, if available, would increase our fixed payment obligations and may involve covenants requiring us to maintain specified financial ratios or a specified cash balance, or limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, acquiring, selling or licensing intellectual property rights, and making capital expenditures, or impose other operating restrictions that could adversely impact our ability to operate our business and pursue our strategic objectives. We could also be required to meet certain milestones in connection with a debt financing and the failure to achieve such milestones by certain dates may force us to relinquish rights to some of our technologies, product candidates or products, or otherwise agree to terms unfavorable to us. In addition, we may forego part or all of potentially valuable streams of future payments (e.g., milestone and/or royalty revenue) to raise immediate capital to fund our operations and advance our development programs, such as in the case of our royalty interest financing agreement and the Royalty Purchase

Previous wording

We have a limited operating history, have incurred significant losses since our inception and expect to continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future, which, together with our limited financial resources and substantial capital requirements, make it difficult to assess our prospects.

Current wording

We have a limited operating history, a history of significant losses from operations, and expect significant losses from operations, net losses and negative cash flows from operations to continue for the foreseeable future, which, together with our limited financial resources, make it difficult to assess our prospects.

Previous wording

We have a limited operating history upon which to evaluate our business and prospects. The development of drug and drug/device combination products in order to obtain regulatory approval is a highly speculative, lengthy and expensive undertaking and involves substantial risk. We cannot accurately determine the duration and completion costs of our development programs, or if, when and to what extent we will generate revenue from the commercialization of any of our product candidates. Other than XACIATO, which was recently commercially launched by our collaborator Organon, we have not obtained any regulatory approvals for any of our product candidates, commercialized any of our product candidates or generated any product revenue. We do not expect the potential milestone and royalty payments to us under our exclusive license agreement for XACIATO will be sufficient to cover our operating expenses. We have not been profitable since we commenced operations and may never achieve profitability. We devote significant resources to licensing or otherwise acquiring the rights to our product candidates and to research and development, or R&D, activities for them. Since inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. As discussed above, we must raise additional capital to finance our operations and remain a going concern and adequate additional capital may not be available to us on a timely basis, or at all.

Current wording

We have a limited operating history upon which to evaluate our business and prospects. The development of drug and drug/device combination products in order to obtain regulatory approval is a highly speculative, lengthy and expensive undertaking and involves substantial risk. We cannot accurately determine the duration and completion costs of our development programs, or if, when and to what extent we will generate revenue from any products we develop. Other than XACIATO, we have not obtained any regulatory approvals for any of our product candidates, commercialized any of our product candidates or generated any product revenue. We have not been profitable since we commenced operations and may never achieve profitability. We devote significant resources to licensing or otherwise acquiring the rights to our product candidates and to research and development, or R&D, activities for them. We have a history of significant operating losses. As discussed above, we must raise additional capital to finance our operations and remain a going concern and adequate additional capital may not be available to us on a timely basis, or at all.

Previous wording

We expect XACIATO’s and Ovaprene’s value to us under our license agreements with Organon and Bayer, assuming the license grant to Bayer becomes effective, to be generated primarily through royalties and potential commercial milestone payments, in each case, based on net sales. The amount of net sales our products may generate, if any, is largely outside of our control because marketing and sales activities will be conducted by the licensee and the product pricing will be determined by the licensee. Gross sales can be greatly reduced by sales discounts and allowances, which will also be determined by the licensee (or mandated by governmental entities) and outside of our control. Sales discounts may be particularly substantial for new products compared to established products to incentivize purchases and promote customer loyalty. These factors would serve to reduce our royalties and delay potential achievement of commercial milestones. If a commercial collaborator has no or limited commercialization success, or net sales are otherwise minimal due to pricing and discount structures, our operating results would be negatively impacted and our need for additional capital could significantly increase or be accelerated.

Current wording

In a typical biopharmaceutical licensing or “partnering” deal, the biopharmaceutical company out-licenses technology and other assets to a third party in exchange for future payments, the bulk of which (e.g., royalties and milestones) are conditional on the licensee successfully developing and/or commercializing the licensed assets and determined based on net sales. To the extent we enter into such licensing agreements, the amount of net sales our products may generate, if approved for commercial sale, will be largely outside of our control because marketing and sales activities will be conducted by the licensee and product pricing and costs that impact net sales will be determined by the licensee. Gross sales can be greatly reduced by sales discounts and allowances, which will be determined by our licensee (or mandated by governmental entities). Sales discounts may be particularly substantial for new products compared to established products to incentivize purchases and promote customer loyalty. These factors would serve to reduce the royalties payable to us and delay potential achievement of commercial milestones and the corresponding milestone payments to us. If a licensee has no or limited commercialization success, or net sales are otherwise minimal due to pricing and discount structures, our financial condition and operating results could be negatively impacted and our need for additional capital could significantly increase or be accelerated. Due to our exclusive license agreements with Organon and Bayer, assuming the license grant to Bayer becomes effective, our royalty interest financing agreement, and the Royalty Purchase Agreements, XACIATO’s and Ovaprene’s value to us will be based primarily on net sales, as determined under those agreements.

Previous wording

•pursue raising additional funds through equity or debt financings that could be dilutive to our stockholders or involve restrictive covenants, operational restrictions and security interests in our assets;

Current wording

•pursue raising additional funds through equity, debt or other structured financings that could be dilutive to our stockholders or involve restrictive covenants, operational restrictions, security interests in our assets, and/or relinquishing part or all of our rights to potentially valuable future revenue streams;

Previous wording

We have entered into an exclusive license agreement with Organon for the commercialization of XACIATO and an exclusive license agreement with Bayer for the commercialization of Ovaprene, if approved. Each of these license agreements may be terminated by the licensee for convenience upon the completion of a specified notice period, subject to limited restrictions. Furthermore, under our agreement with Bayer, Bayer has no payment obligations to us, unless, after reviewing the results of our pivotal clinical trial of Ovaprene, it elects, in its sole discretion, to make the license grant under our agreement effective by making a $20.0 million payment to us. If we do not successfully complete a pivotal clinical trial of Ovaprene in a timely manner, the license grant may never become effective, and we may not receive any additional payments from Bayer. Bayer may elect not to make the license grant effective regardless of the outcome of the pivotal clinical trial. If an exclusive license agreement is terminated early, or in Ovaprene's case, does not become fully effective, we may realize only a small fraction of the potential value of the agreement to us, and we would need to raise significant additional capital to pursue further development and commercialization of XACIATO or Ovaprene, as applicable, or establish another commercial collaboration, which we may not be able to do on a timely basis, on favorable terms, or at all.

Current wording

We have entered into an exclusive license agreement with Organon for the commercialization of XACIATO and an exclusive license agreement with Bayer for the commercialization of Ovaprene, if approved for commercial sale. Each of these license agreements may be terminated by the licensee for convenience upon the completion of a specified notice period, subject to limited restrictions. Furthermore, under our agreement with Bayer, Bayer has no payment obligations to us, unless, after reviewing the results of our pivotal clinical trial of Ovaprene, it elects, in its sole discretion, to make the license grant under our agreement effective by making a $20.0 million payment to us. If we do not successfully complete a pivotal clinical trial of Ovaprene in a timely manner, the license grant may never become effective, and we may not receive any additional payments from Bayer. Bayer may elect not to make the license grant effective regardless of the outcome of the pivotal clinical trial. If an exclusive license agreement is terminated early, or in Ovaprene's case, does not become fully effective, we may realize only a small fraction of the potential value of the agreement to us, and we would need to raise significant additional capital to pursue further development and commercialization of XACIATO or Ovaprene, as applicable, or establish another commercial collaboration, which we may not be able to do on a timely basis, on favorable terms, or at all.

Previous wording

We have relied heavily on sales of our common stock to fund our operations, and our future ability to obtain additional capital through stock sales or other securities offerings may be more costly or dilutive to our stockholders than in the past, or may not be available to us at all. Our ability to raise additional capital may be limited by a low trading volume, stock price and market capitalization, as well as by laws, regulations and market conditions.

Current wording

We have relied heavily on sales of our common stock to fund our operations, and our ability to obtain additional capital through stock sales or other securities offerings may be more costly or dilutive to our stockholders than in the past, or may not be available to us at all. Our ability to raise additional capital may be limited by a low trading volume, stock price and market capitalization, as well as by laws, regulations and market conditions.

Previous wording

Using a shelf registration statement to conduct an equity offering to raise capital generally takes less time and is less expensive than other means, such as conducting an offering under a Form S-1 registration statement. We currently have a shelf registration statement effective, however, our ability to raise capital under a shelf registration statement is, and may continue to be, limited by, among other things, current and future SEC rules and regulations impacting the eligibility of smaller companies to use Form S-3 for primary offerings of securities. For example, we currently are subject to the "baby shelf rule" because the market value of our outstanding shares of common stock held by non-affiliates, or our public float, was less than $75.0 million at the time of filing this annual report on Form 10-K, calculated in accordance with SEC rules. This means that we may use our shelf registration statement to raise additional funds only to the extent that the aggregate market value of securities sold by us or on our behalf pursuant to Instruction I.B.6. of Form S-3 during the 12 calendar months immediately prior to, and including, the intended sale does not exceed one-third of the aggregate market value of our public float, calculated in accordance with the instructions to Form S-3. As an example, as of March 27, 2024, we could not offer or sell more than approximately $19.0 million of new securities under our shelf registration statement. If our ability to offer securities under an effective shelf registration statement is limited, including by the baby shelf rule, we may choose to conduct an offering of our securities under an exemption from registration under the Securities Act or under a Form S-1 registration statement.

Current wording

Using a shelf registration statement to conduct an equity offering to raise capital generally takes less time and is less expensive than other means, such as conducting an offering under a Form S-1 registration statement. We currently have a shelf registration statement effective, however, our ability to raise capital under a shelf registration statement is, and may continue to be, limited by, among other things, current and future SEC rules and regulations impacting the eligibility of smaller companies to use Form S-3 for primary offerings of securities. For example, we currently are subject to the "baby shelf rule" because the market value of our outstanding shares of common stock held by non-affiliates, or our public float, was less than $75.0 million at the time of filing this annual report on Form 10-K, calculated in accordance with SEC rules. This means that we may use our shelf registration statement to raise additional funds only to the extent that the aggregate market value of securities sold by us or on our behalf pursuant to Instruction I.B.6. of Form S-3 during the 12 calendar months immediately prior to, and including, the intended sale does not exceed one-third of the aggregate market value of our public float, calculated in accordance with the instructions to Form S-3. If our ability to offer securities under an effective shelf registration statement is limited, including by the baby shelf rule, we may choose to conduct an offering of our securities under an exemption from registration under the Securities Act or under a Form S-1 registration statement. We would expect either of these alternatives to take more time and be a more expensive method of raising additional capital relative to using our shelf registration statement.

Previous wording

In addition, under SEC rules and regulations, our common stock must be listed and registered on a national securities exchange in order to use a Form S-3 registration statement (1) for a primary offering, if our public float is not at least $75.0 million as of a date within 60 days prior to the date of filing the Form S-3 or a re-evaluation date, whichever is later, and (2) to register the resale of our securities by persons other than us (i.e., a resale offering). While our common stock is currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, there can be no assurance that we can maintain such listing. See, “Risks Related to Our Securities—If we fail to regain and maintain compliance with the continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market, our common stock could be suspended and delisted, which could, among other things, limit demand for our common stock, substantially impair our ability to raise additional capital and have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market for, our common stock,” below.

Current wording

In addition, under SEC rules and regulations, our common stock must be listed and registered on a national securities exchange in order to use a Form S-3 registration statement (1) for a primary offering, if our public float is not at least $75.0 million as of a date within 60 days prior to the date of filing the Form S-3 or a re-evaluation date, whichever is later, and (2) to register the resale of our securities by persons other than us (i.e., a resale offering). While our common stock is currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, there can be no assurance that we can maintain such listing. See, “Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock—If we fail to regain and maintain compliance with the continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market, our common stock could be suspended and delisted, which could, among other things, limit demand for our common stock, substantially impair our ability to raise additional capital and have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market for, our common stock,” below.

Previous wording

Our ability to raise capital on a timely basis through the issuance and sale of equity securities may also be limited by Nasdaq’s stockholder approval requirement for any transaction that is not a public offering (as defined in Nasdaq listing rules). For transactions other than public offerings, Nasdaq requires stockholder approval prior to the issuance or potential issuance of common stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock) at a price per share that is less than the "Minimum Price" if the issuance (together with sales by our officers, directors and substantial shareholders (as defined in Nasdaq listing rules)) would equal 20% or more of our common stock outstanding before the issuance. Under Nasdaq rules, the "Minimum Price" means a price that is the lower of (i) the Nasdaq official closing price immediately preceding the signing of the binding agreement; or (ii) the average Nasdaq official closing price of the common stock for the five trading days immediately preceding the signing of the binding agreement. In addition, certain prior sales of securities by us may be aggregated with any offering we may propose at a price that is less than the Minimum Price and which is not considered a public offering by Nasdaq, further limiting the amount we could raise in the offering. Under Nasdaq rules, stockholder approval is also required prior to the issuance of securities when the issuance or potential issuance will result in a change of control of our company. Even if a public offering under Nasdaq rules is not subject to the 20% limitation described above, it may involve publicly announcing the proposed transaction before it is completed, which often has the effect of depressing a company's stock price. Accordingly, our existing investors may suffer greater dilution if we seek to raise additional capital through such a public offering of our securities.

Current wording

Our ability to raise capital on a timely basis through the issuance and sale of equity securities may also be limited by Nasdaq’s stockholder approval requirement for any transaction that is not a public offering (as defined in Nasdaq listing rules). For transactions other than public offerings, Nasdaq requires stockholder approval prior to the issuance or potential issuance of common stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock) at a price per share that is less than the "Minimum Price" if the issuance (together with sales by our officers, directors and substantial shareholders (as defined in Nasdaq listing rules)) would equal 20% or more of our common stock outstanding before the issuance. Under Nasdaq rules, the "Minimum Price" means a price that is the lower of (i) the Nasdaq official closing price immediately preceding the signing of the binding agreement; or (ii) the average Nasdaq official closing price of the common stock for the five trading days immediately preceding the signing of the binding agreement. In addition, certain prior sales of securities by us may be aggregated with any offering we may propose at a price that is less than the Minimum Price and which is not considered a public offering by Nasdaq, further limiting the amount we could raise in the offering. Under Nasdaq rules, stockholder approval is also required prior to the issuance of securities when the issuance or potential issuance will result in a change of control of our company. Even if a public offering under Nasdaq rules is not subject to the 20% limitation described above, it may involve publicly announcing the proposed transaction, which often has the effect of depressing the market price of a company's stock and could result in a reduced offering price. Accordingly, our existing investors may suffer greater dilution if we seek to raise additional capital through such a public offering of our securities.

Previous wording

Our current financial and technical resources are limited and not sufficient to develop all of the product candidates to which we hold licenses or options to license. This may affect our efforts to develop and bring to market the product candidates currently in our portfolio and any candidates we may add to our portfolio in the future. Due to our limited resources, we have curtailed, and may be required to further curtail, our development programs and clinical and nonclinical development activities that might otherwise have led, or lead, to more rapid progress in the development of our product candidates, or product candidates that we may in the future choose to develop. We may make determinations with regard to the indications and clinical trials on which to focus our resources that result in our realization of less than the full potential value of a product candidate. The decisions to allocate our research, management, personnel and financial resources toward particular indications may not lead to positive clinical milestones or to the development of viable commercial products and may divert resources from better opportunities. Similarly, our decisions to delay or terminate development programs may also cause us to miss valuable opportunities, including the potential for some of our product candidates to be first-in-category products.

Current wording

Our current financial and other resources are limited and not sufficient to develop all of the product candidates to which we hold licenses or options to license. This may affect our efforts to develop and bring to market the product candidates currently in our portfolio and any candidates we may add to our portfolio in the future. Due to our limited resources, we have curtailed, and may be required to further curtail, certain of our development programs and clinical and nonclinical development activities that might otherwise have led, or lead, to more rapid progress in the development of our product candidates, or product candidates that we may in the future choose to develop. We may make determinations with regard to the indications and clinical trials on which to focus our resources that result in our realization of less than the full potential value of a product candidate. The decisions to allocate our research, management, personnel and financial resources toward particular indications may not lead to positive clinical milestones or to the development of viable commercial products and may divert resources from better opportunities. Similarly, our decisions to delay or terminate development programs may also cause us to miss valuable opportunities, including the potential for some of our product candidates to be first-in-category products.

Previous wording

As a result of financial and other resource constraints, we may be unable to commence or complete our planned clinical trials or prepare and submit applications for marketing approval of our product candidates in accordance with our currently anticipated timelines. See also “Risks Related to Product Research & Development, and Regulatory Approval – Delays in the commencement or completion of clinical testing of product candidates we are developing or may develop in the future may occur due to any of a number of factors and could result in significantly increased costs and longer timelines and could impact our ability to ever become profitable” below.

Current wording

As a result of financial and other resource constraints, we may be unable to commence or complete our planned clinical trials or prepare and submit applications for marketing approval of our product candidates in accordance with our currently anticipated timelines. See also “Risks Related to Product Research & Development and Regulatory Approval – Delays in the commencement or completion of clinical testing of our product candidates may occur due to any of a number of factors and could result in significantly increased costs and longer timelines and could impact our ability to ever become profitable” below.

Previous wording

Women’s health has historically been an underfunded sector. Recently, a number of public companies focused in women’s health have failed to achieve expected commercial success and struggled to access sufficient capital. We are solely focused in women’s health and may be unfavorably impacted by weak investor sentiment and a lack of interest in the category. Our ability to access capital and to advance our candidates could be adversely impacted.

Current wording

Women’s health has historically been an underfunded sector. In recent years, a number of public companies focused in women’s health failed to achieve expected commercial success and struggled to access sufficient capital. We are solely focused in women’s health and may be unfavorably impacted by weak investor sentiment and a lack of interest in the category. Our ability to access capital and to advance our candidates could be adversely impacted.

Previous wording

We are solely focused in women’s health, and primarily in the areas of contraception, vaginal health, reproductive health, menopause, sexual health and fertility. The sector has historically been underfunded, with only about one percent of healthcare research and innovation in the U.S. invested in female-specific conditions beyond oncology according to market research. The failure of the women’s health sector to receive consistent and committed investment fuels investor sentiment that market opportunities for new products in women’s health are limited. Our stock price and our ability to access additional capital on acceptable terms when needed may be adversely impacted by unfavorable investor perception of market opportunities for women’s health products, and our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects could suffer.

Current wording

We are solely focused in women’s health, and primarily in the areas of contraception, sexual health, pelvic pain, fertility, infectious disease and menopause. The sector has historically been underfunded, with only about one percent of healthcare research and innovation in the U.S. invested in female-specific conditions beyond oncology according to market research. Non-oncologic women's health therapeutics product launches in recent years have not been perceived as successful. Those perceived commercial failures and the failure of the women’s health sector to receive consistent and committed investment fuels investor sentiment that market opportunities for new products in women’s health are limited. While women's health recently has received more attention, and investment in the women's health sector has seen progress with new or increased funding programs from the federal government, it remains an underinvested sector. Further, there is a high level of uncertainty regarding whether the federal government under the new U.S. presidential administration will continue programs initiated by the prior presidential administration that led to increased funding for research and development in women’s health. Our stock price and our ability to access additional capital on acceptable terms when needed may be adversely impacted by unfavorable investor perception of market opportunities for women’s health products, and our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects could suffer.

Previous wording

XACIATO is our first and only FDA-approved product. The FDA’s approval of XACIATO does not provide any assurance or predict that we will be successful in developing or achieving regulatory approval of any other product candidate. If we are unable to successfully conduct and complete development of and obtain regulatory approvals for our investigational products, which may never occur, our business may fail and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Current wording

To date, XACIATO is the only FDA-approved product to emerge from our portfolio. The FDA’s approval of XACIATO does not provide any assurance or predict that we will be successful in developing or achieving regulatory approval to market any other product candidate. If we are unable to successfully conduct and complete development of and obtain regulatory approvals for our investigational products, which may never occur, our business may fail and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Previous wording

Our pipeline consists entirely of investigational products, which we also refer to as product candidates, which means that they must successfully complete one or more clinical studies to be considered for marketing approval and undergo a submission and review process with the FDA to obtain approval to be marketed in the U.S., or a similar process with comparable regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions to be marketed anywhere outside of the U.S. FDA or other regulatory authority approval may never be obtained. If we are unable to successfully complete development of and obtain regulatory approvals for our product candidates, our business may fail and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Current wording

Our current pipeline consists entirely of investigational products, which we also refer to as product candidates, which means that they must successfully complete one or more clinical studies to be considered for marketing approval and undergo a submission and review process with the FDA to obtain approval to be marketed in the U.S., or a similar process with comparable regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions to be marketed anywhere outside of the U.S. FDA or other regulatory authority approval may never be obtained. See also ITEM 1. “BUSINESS–Government Regulation–U.S. Government Regulation–FDA Review and Approval Process for Prescription Drugs, FDA Review and Approval of Medical Devices, and FDA Review and Approval Process for Combination Products” and “–Government Regulation Outside the U.S.” above. If we are unable to successfully complete development of and obtain regulatory approvals for our product candidates, our business may fail and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Previous wording

Our business depends on the successful clinical development and regulatory approval of our product candidates, and in particular, our lead product candidates, which may never occur. The product candidates we develop require substantial clinical testing to demonstrate that they are safe and effective for their proposed uses. Clinical testing is expensive, difficult to design and implement, can take many years to complete and its outcome is inherently uncertain. A failure of one or more clinical trials could occur at any stage of testing. The outcome of preclinical testing and early clinical trials may not be predictive of success of later clinical trials, and interim results of a particular clinical trial do not necessarily predict final results of that trial. Accordingly, while some of our product candidates have undergone clinical trials and demonstrated positive results, including Ovaprene and Sildenafil Cream, there is no guarantee of successful outcomes in current or future clinical studies of these product candidates or of obtaining marketing approval for any of them. For example, while PCT clinical trials have been used as a surrogate marker for contraceptive effectiveness and our PCT clinical trial of Ovaprene met its primary endpoint, there is no guarantee Ovaprene will demonstrate contraceptive effectiveness in its ongoing pivotal Phase 3 clinical study. As another example, while we believe the objectives of our exploratory Phase 2b RESPOND study of Sildenafil Cream were met and enabled successful completion of an end-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA and alignment on key elements of the Phase 3 program for Sildenafil Cream, the co-primary efficacy endpoints of the Phase 2b study were not met and there is no guarantee that Phase 3 clinical studies will be successful. The fact that the active pharmaceutical ingredients in certain of our product candidates, including Sildenafil Cream, received regulatory approval in other formulations and/or for other indications does not guarantee successful development of our product candidates for their proposed intended uses. Clinical trials may never demonstrate sufficient safety and effectiveness to obtain the requisite regulatory approvals for our product candidates.

Current wording

Our business depends on the successful clinical development and regulatory approval of our product candidates, and in particular, our lead product candidates, which may never occur. The product candidates we develop require substantial clinical testing to demonstrate that they are safe and effective for their proposed uses. Clinical testing is expensive, difficult to design and implement, can take many years to complete and its outcome is inherently uncertain. A failure of one or more clinical trials could occur at any stage of testing. The outcome of preclinical testing and early clinical trials may not be predictive of success of later clinical trials, and interim results of a particular clinical trial do not necessarily predict final results of that trial. Accordingly, while some of our product candidates have undergone clinical trials and demonstrated positive results, including Ovaprene and Sildenafil Cream, there is no guarantee of successful outcomes in current or future clinical studies of these product candidates or of obtaining marketing approval for any of them. For example, while PCT clinical trials have been used as a surrogate marker for contraceptive effectiveness and our PCT clinical trial of Ovaprene met its primary endpoint, there is no guarantee Ovaprene will demonstrate contraceptive effectiveness in its ongoing pivotal Phase 3 clinical study or demonstrate a level of contraceptive effectiveness that will enable it to compete effectively in the contraceptive market. As another example, while data from our exploratory Phase 2b RESPOND study of Sildenafil Cream allows us to advance Sildenafil Cream into Phase 3 development, the co-primary efficacy endpoints of the Phase 2b study were not met and there is no guarantee that our planned Phase 3 clinical studies, which will have the same co-primary efficacy endpoints used in the Phase 2b study, will be successful. The fact that the active pharmaceutical ingredients in certain of our product candidates, including Sildenafil Cream, received regulatory approval in other formulations and/or for other indications does not guarantee successful development of our product candidates for their proposed intended uses. Clinical trials may never demonstrate sufficient safety and effectiveness to obtain the requisite regulatory approvals for our product candidates.

Previous wording

Ovaprene is one of our lead product candidates. If the results of our pivotal Phase 3 clinical study of Ovaprene are not positive or are perceived by third parties, including financial market participants, as not positive, our business, prospects and stock price could suffer significantly. If Ovaprene fails to demonstrate adequate safety or contraceptive effectiveness in the Phase 3 study, we may determine to delay, scale back or terminate the program, and we may not realize any return on our investment in the program. In addition, if we, the investment community, potential collaborators or the FDA view the topline or complete results of the study as not positive, our stock price could decline significantly, our reputation may suffer, and our ability to raise additional capital to continue to operate as a going concern and execute our business strategy could be adversely impacted.

Current wording

Outcomes of our clinical trials, particularly later-stage clinical trials, including our ongoing Phase 3 study of Ovaprene, may significantly impact our stock price and our business prospects. If interim, preliminary or final results from our clinical studies are not positive, or are perceived by third parties, including the medical community, current and potential collaborators, and the investment community, as not positive, our stock price could decline significantly, our reputation may suffer, and our ability to raise additional capital to continue to operate as a going concern and execute our business strategy could be adversely impacted. If a product candidate fails to demonstrate adequate safety or effectiveness in a clinical study, we may determine to delay, scale back or terminate the program, and we may not realize any return on our investment in the program.

Previous wording

Clinical trials of our product candidates may not commence, progress or be completed as expected. Delays could significantly impact our product development costs and timelines, as well as a product candidate’s market potential, if ultimately approved. The timing of initiation, conduct and completion of clinical trials and other development activities for our product candidates may vary dramatically due to factors within and outside of our control and is difficult to predict accurately. We may make statements regarding anticipated timing for commencement, completion of enrollment, and/or availability of results from our clinical studies, but those statements are predictions based on significant assumptions and the actual timing of achievement of development milestones may differ materially from our predictions for a variety of reasons.

Current wording

Clinical trials of our product candidates may not commence, progress or be completed as expected. Delays could significantly impact our product development costs and timelines, as well as a product candidate’s market potential, if ultimately approved. The timing of initiation, conduct and completion of clinical trials and other development activities for our product candidates may vary dramatically due to factors within and outside of our control and is difficult to predict accurately. We may make statements regarding anticipated timing of clinical development milestones, such as commencement, completion of enrollment, and/or availability of results from our clinical studies, but those statements are predictions based on significant assumptions and the actual timing of achievement of development milestones may differ materially from our predictions for a variety of reasons.

Previous wording

•failure to conduct the clinical trial in accordance with regulatory or IRB requirements;

Current wording

•failure to conduct the clinical trial in accordance with its protocol or regulatory or IRB requirements;

Previous wording

•participants experiencing severe undesirable side effects or other unexpected adverse events related to the investigational product;

Current wording

•participants experiencing severe undesirable side effects or other unexpected adverse events;