GENELUX Corp
For the period ended Sep 30, 2024. Filed Nov 14, 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 Nov 14, 2024
What changed in Risk Factors?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-06-30; filed 2024-08-14.
0001493152-24-032145
Item 1A. Risk FactorsUnregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of ProceedsCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-09-30; filed 2024-11-14.
0001493152-24-045790
Item 1A. Risk FactorsUnregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of ProceedsThe 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 318 previous paragraphs and 316 current paragraphs.
295 unchanged; 20 reworded; 1 added; 2 removed; 1 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 60 previous and 58 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (1)
Current report
These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. For example, our directors or executive officers could inadvertently fail to disclose a new relationship or arrangement causing us to fail to make a required related party transaction disclosure. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by an unauthorized override of the controls. Accordingly, because of the inherent limitations in our control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Any failure to maintain effective disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting could have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and could cause a decline in the trading price of our common stock.
Removed paragraphs (2)
Previous report
We are required to maintain internal controls over financial reporting. Commencing with our fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, we must perform system and process design evaluation and testing of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting in our Form 10-K filing for that year, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). This will require that we incur substantial additional professional fees and internal costs to expand our accounting and finance functions and that we expend significant management efforts. Prior to our initial public offering (“IPO”), we had never been required to test our internal controls within a specified period and, as a result, we may experience difficulty in meeting these reporting requirements in a timely manner.
Reworded paragraphs (20)
Previous wording
We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, and our operations to date have been focused substantially on organizing and staffing our company, business planning, raising capital, creating, assessing, and developing our technology, establishing our intellectual property portfolio, identifying potential product candidates, undertaking preclinical studies, commencing clinical trials and manufacturing. Additionally, as an organization, we have not yet demonstrated an ability to successfully complete clinical development, obtain regulatory approvals, manufacture a commercial-scale product, or conduct sales and marketing activities necessary for successful commercialization. We have never generated any revenue from commercially approved product sales and have incurred significant operating losses. Our net losses were $14.4 million and $16.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of June 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $236.1 million. We expect to continue to incur significant and increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future. Our prior losses, combined with expected future losses, have had and will continue to have an adverse effect on our stockholders’ deficit and working capital.
Current wording
We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, and our operations to date have been focused substantially on organizing and staffing our company, business planning, raising capital, creating, assessing, and developing our technology, establishing our intellectual property portfolio, identifying potential product candidates, undertaking preclinical studies, commencing clinical trials and manufacturing. Additionally, as an organization, we have not yet demonstrated an ability to successfully complete clinical development, obtain regulatory approvals, manufacture a commercial-scale product, or conduct sales and marketing activities necessary for successful commercialization. We have never generated any revenue from commercially approved product sales and have incurred significant operating losses. Our net losses were 20.9 million and $21.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of September 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $242.4 million. We expect to continue to incur significant and increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future. Our prior losses, combined with expected future losses, have had and will continue to have an adverse effect on our stockholders’ deficit and working capital.
Previous wording
Newsoara is generally obligated under the Newsoara License Agreement to fund a Phase 2, open-label, randomized, and controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenously delivered Olvi-Vec oncolytic vaccinia virus (“VACV”) for patients with recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”). In November 2023, we agreed with Newsoara that we would directly engage a contract research organization (“CRO”) on mutually agreeable terms to conduct certain startup activities for the NSCLC trial in the United States only, with Newsoara reimbursing us for the costs and expenses of such agreed-upon startup activities. Newsoara is permitted to defer such reimbursement payments until the completion of its next round of financing, which Newsoara expects to occur in 2024. We expect to report interim results from the NSCLC trial in mid-2025. Subject to regulatory authorization in China, the Company expects Newsoara eventually to add sites in China and for the parties to conduct this study as a multi-regional clinical trial.
Current wording
Newsoara is generally obligated under the Newsoara License Agreement to fund a Phase 2, open-label, randomized, and controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenously delivered Olvi-Vec oncolytic vaccinia virus (“VACV”) for patients with recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”), which U.S.-based trial (the “VIRO-25 trial”) is now ongoing with the first patient dosed in October 2024. In November 2023, we agreed with Newsoara that we would directly engage a contract research organization (“CRO”) on mutually agreeable terms to conduct certain startup activities for the NSCLC trial in the United States only, with Newsoara reimbursing us for the costs and expenses of such agreed-upon startup activities. Under the agreed upon terms, Newsoara is permitted to defer such reimbursement payments until the completion of its next round of financing, which Newsoara expects to occur in late 2024. We expect to report interim results from the NSCLC trial in mid-2025. Subject to regulatory authorization in China, the Company expects Newsoara eventually to add sites in China and for the parties to conduct this study as a multi-regional clinical trial.
Previous wording
We and Newsoara co-sponsor a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of Olvi-Vec in patients with recurrent SCLC in China, which Newsoara is conducting and initiated the Phase 1 portion in the first half of 2023. We expect to report interim results from the SCLC trial in the second half of 2024. In addition to expecting Newsoara to join our Phase 2 NSCLC trial, as discussed above, we anticipate they will initiate a trial in recurrent ovarian cancer in China.
Current wording
We and Newsoara co-sponsor a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of Olvi-Vec in patients with recurrent SCLC in China, which Newsoara is conducting, and initiated the Phase 1 portion in the first half of 2023. We expect to report interim results from the SCLC trial by the end of 2024. In addition to expecting Newsoara to join our ongoing Phase 2 NSCLC trial, as discussed above, we anticipate they will initiate a trial in recurrent ovarian cancer in China.
Previous wording
We have invested a significant portion of our efforts and financial resources in our oncolytic VACV platform and, in particular, in the development of our lead product candidate, Olvi-Vec. We have completed enrollment for only one Phase 2 clinical trial, an open-label single-arm study, of Olvi-Vec in patients with PRROC in September 2019. Our Phase 3 registration trial of Olvi-Vec in PRROC initiated enrollment in the third quarter of 2022. Our co-sponsored Phase 1/2 clinical trial in SCLC continues to enroll patients in China. Our Phase 2, open-label, randomized, and controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenously delivered Olvi-Vec oncolytic VACV for patients with recurrent NSCLC is expected to report interim results in mid-2025. Olvi-Vec, as well as our other product candidates, are susceptible to the risks of failure inherent at any stage of product development, including the occurrence of unexpected or unacceptable adverse events or the failure to demonstrate efficacy in clinical trials. We will need to successfully complete such trials before submitting a marketing application to the FDA.
Current wording
We have invested a significant portion of our efforts and financial resources in our oncolytic VACV platform and, in particular, in the development of our lead product candidate, Olvi-Vec. We have completed enrollment for only one Phase 2 clinical trial, an open-label single-arm study, of Olvi-Vec in patients with PRROC in September 2019. Our Phase 3 registration trial of Olvi-Vec in PRROC initiated enrollment in the third quarter of 2022. Our co-sponsored Phase 1/2 clinical trial in SCLC continues to enroll patients in China. In October 2024, we announced that the first patient had been dosed in our ongoing Phase 2, open-label, randomized, and controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenously delivered Olvi-Vec oncolytic VACV for patients with recurrent NSCLC which is expected to report interim results in mid-2025. Olvi-Vec, as well as our other product candidates, are susceptible to the risks of failure inherent at any stage of product development, including the occurrence of unexpected or unacceptable adverse events or the failure to demonstrate efficacy in clinical trials. We will need to successfully complete such trials before submitting a marketing application to the FDA.
Previous wording
To date, Olvi-Vec is the only product candidate we have tested in humans. The most advanced trial with enrollment completed was our open-label, single-arm Phase 1b/2 clinical trial in PRROC. Enrollment was completed in September 2019, and we reported multiple data readouts in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 for our Phase 2 PRROC clinical trial. We expect the final readout, reported on May 25, 2023 and published in JAMA Oncology in May 2023, to remain essentially unchanged in the final study report. Additionally, we previously conducted five Phase 1 clinical trials and one Expanded Access Program in different indications, using different routes of administration and different dosing regimens. The most common treatment-related toxicities generally observed in our trials from different routes of administration were pyrexia, nausea, chills and fatigue with additional common treatment-related toxicities observed in our intraperitoneal administration trials being abdominal pain and abdominal distension. As we continue our development of Olvi-Vec and initiate clinical trials of any future product candidates, serious adverse events, undesirable side effects or unexpected characteristics may emerge or be reported, causing us to abandon these product candidates or limit their development to more narrow uses or subpopulations in which the serious adverse events, undesirable side effects or other characteristics are less prevalent, less severe or more acceptable from a risk-benefit perspective. Even if our product candidates initially show promise in early clinical trials, the side effects of therapies are frequently only detectable after the drug is tested in large, Phase 3 clinical trials or, in some cases, after they are made available to patients on a commercial scale after approval. Sometimes, it can be difficult to determine if the serious adverse or unexpected side effects were caused by the product candidate or another factor, especially in oncology subjects who may suffer from other medical conditions and be taking other medications. If serious adverse or unexpected side effects are identified during development and are determined to be attributed to our product candidates, or the result of drug-drug interactions between our product candidate and any of the concomitant therapies given to the trial subjects, we, the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities, or IRBs and other reviewing entities, could interrupt, delay, or halt clinical trials and could result in a more restrictive label, a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (“REMS”) or the delay or denial of regulatory approval by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities. The FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may also require, or we may voluntarily develop strategies for managing adverse events during clinical development, which could include restrictions on our enrollment criteria, the use of stopping criteria, adjustments to a study’s design, or the monitoring of sa…
Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.
Current wording
To date, Olvi-Vec is the only product candidate we have tested in humans. The most advanced trial with enrollment completed was our open-label, single-arm Phase 1b/2 clinical trial in PRROC. Enrollment was completed in September 2019, and we reported multiple data readouts in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 for our Phase 2 PRROC clinical trial. We expect the final readout, reported on May 25, 2023 and published in JAMA Oncology in May 2023, to remain essentially unchanged in the final study report. Additionally, we previously conducted five Phase 1 clinical trials and one Expanded Access Program in different indications, using different routes of administration and different dosing regimens. The most common treatment-related toxicities generally observed in our trials from different routes of administration were pyrexia, nausea, chills and fatigue with additional common treatment-related toxicities observed in our intraperitoneal administration trials being abdominal pain and abdominal distension. As we continue our development of Olvi-Vec and initiate clinical trials of any future product candidates, serious adverse events, undesirable side effects or unexpected characteristics may emerge or be reported, causing us to abandon these product candidates or limit their development to more narrow uses or subpopulations in which the serious adverse events, undesirable side effects or other characteristics are less prevalent, less severe or more acceptable from a risk-benefit perspective. Even if our product candidates initially show promise in early clinical trials, the side effects of therapies are frequently only detectable after the drug is tested in large, Phase 3 clinical trials or, in some cases, after they are made available to patients on a commercial scale after approval. Sometimes, it can be difficult to determine if the serious adverse or unexpected side effects were caused by the product candidate or another factor, especially in oncology subjects who may suffer from other medical conditions and be taking other medications. For instance, during our ongoing clinical trials, we may discover serious adverse or unexpected side effects of Olvi-Vec produced in mammalian cells that are not comparable to material produced in CEF cells. If serious adverse or unexpected side effects are identified during development and are determined to be attributed to our product candidates, or the result of drug-drug interactions between our product candidate and any of the concomitant therapies given to the trial subjects, we, the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities, or IRBs and other reviewing entities, could interrupt, delay, or halt clinical trials and could result in a more restrictive label, a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (“REMS”) or the delay or denial of regulatory approval by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities. The FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may also require, or we may voluntarily develop strateg…
Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.
Previous wording
We anticipate developing our product candidates for use in combination with other oncology therapeutics, including chemotherapies and cellular and targeted therapies (e.g., immune checkpoint inhibitors), or medical devices (e.g. intraperitoneal catheter). For example, in our Phase 3 registration clinical trial, we are developing the intraperitoneal (catheter) delivery of Olvi-Vec in combination with a platinum-based chemotherapy doublet and bevacizumab (e.g., AVASTIN). Our ability to develop and ultimately commercialize our product candidates used in combination with platinum-based and other chemotherapies, and bevacizumab, or any other combination products (e.g., cellular and targeted therapies), and used with devices (e.g., catheters) will depend on our ability to access such drugs and devices on commercially reasonable terms for the clinical trials and their availability for use with the commercialized product, if approved. We cannot be certain that current or potential future commercial relationships will provide us with a steady supply of such drugs or devices on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
Current wording
We anticipate developing our product candidates for use in combination with other oncology therapeutics, including chemotherapies and cellular and targeted therapies (e.g., immune checkpoint inhibitors), or medical devices (e.g. intraperitoneal catheter). For example, in our Phase 3 registration clinical trial, we are developing the intraperitoneal (catheter) delivery of Olvi-Vec in combination with a platinum-based chemotherapy doublet and bevacizumab (e.g., AVASTIN). Further, in our Phase 2 clinical trial, we are developing the intravenous delivery of Olvi-Vec in combination with a platinum-based chemotherapy doublet and physician’s choice of immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g. KEYTRUDA, OPDIVO, YERVOY or TECENTRIQ). Our ability to develop and ultimately commercialize our product candidates used in combination with platinum-based and other chemotherapies, and bevacizumab, or any other combination products (e.g., cellular and targeted therapies), and used with devices (e.g., catheters) will depend on our ability to access such drugs and devices on commercially reasonable terms for the clinical trials and their availability for use with the commercialized product, if approved. We cannot be certain that current or potential future commercial relationships will provide us with a steady supply of such drugs or devices on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
Previous wording
We plan to conduct our Phase 2 clinical trial for Olvi-Vec in recurrent NSCLC in the United States and potentially in China as part of a multi-regional clinical trial with our collaboration partner, Newsoara. However, the FDA and other comparable foreign regulatory authorities may not accept data from such trial, in which case our development plans will be delayed, which could materially harm our business.*
Current wording
We are currently conducting our Phase 2 clinical trial for Olvi-Vec in recurrent NSCLC in the United States and plan to conduct this trial in China as part of a multi-regional clinical trial with our collaboration partner, Newsoara. We may conduct additional clinical trials in China. However, the FDA and other comparable foreign regulatory authorities may not accept data from such trial, in which case our development plans will be delayed, which could materially harm our business.*
Previous wording
Newsoara is generally obligated under the Newsoara License Agreement to fund a Phase 2, open-label, randomized, and controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenously delivered Olvi-Vec oncolytic VACV for patients with recurrent NSCLC in the United States in the first half of 2023. In November 2023, we agreed with Newsoara that we would directly engage a CRO on mutually agreeable terms to conduct certain startup activities for the NSCLC trial in the United States only, with Newsoara reimbursing us for the costs and expenses of such agreed-upon startup activities. Newsoara is permitted to defer such reimbursement payments until the completion of its next round of financing, which Newsoara expects to occur in 2024.
Current wording
Newsoara is generally obligated under the Newsoara License Agreement to fund a Phase 2, open-label, randomized, and controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenously delivered Olvi-Vec oncolytic VACV for patients with recurrent NSCLC in the United States, which VIRO-25 trial is now ongoing with the first patient dosed in October 2024. In November 2023, we agreed with Newsoara that we would directly engage a CRO on mutually agreeable terms to conduct certain startup activities for the NSCLC trial in the United States only, with Newsoara reimbursing us for the costs and expenses of such agreed-upon startup activities. Newsoara is permitted to defer such reimbursement payments until the completion of its next round of financing, which Newsoara expects to occur in late 2024.
Previous wording
We plan to conduct this trial under our current open IND and, subject to regulatory authorization, potentially launch a multi-regional clinical trial with Newsoara in the United States and China. Newsoara initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of Olvi-Vec in patients with recurrent SCLC in China in the first half of 2023, and we anticipate they will initiate further trials in recurrent NSCLC and recurrent ovarian cancer in China.
Current wording
As mentioned above, we dosed our first patient in the United States in October 2024 and, subject to regulatory authorization, intend to launch the NSCLC trial in China with Newsoara. Newsoara initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of Olvi-Vec in patients with recurrent SCLC in China in the first half of 2023, and we anticipate they will initiate further trials in recurrent NSCLC and recurrent ovarian cancer in China.
Previous wording
We believe that clinical data generated in China and the United States will be accepted by the FDA and its comparable foreign regulatory equivalents outside of China, which would enable us to commence Phase 3 and possibly registration clinical trials in the United States without the need for us to conduct additional Phase 2 clinical trials in the United States. However, there can be no assurance the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities will accept data from our planned Phase 2 clinical trial in Olvi-Vec. If the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities do not accept any such data, we would likely be required to conduct additional Phase 2 clinical trials, which would be costly and time consuming, and delay aspects of our development plan, which could harm our business.
Current wording
We believe that clinical data generated in China and the United States will be accepted by the FDA and its comparable foreign regulatory equivalents outside of China, which would enable us to commence Phase 3 and possibly registration clinical trials in the United States without the need for us to conduct additional Phase 2 clinical trials in the United States. However, there can be no assurance the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities will accept data from our Phase 2 clinical trial in Olvi-Vec, which is currently ongoing in the United States. If the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities do not accept any such data, we would likely be required to conduct additional Phase 2 clinical trials, which would be costly and time consuming, and delay aspects of our development plan, which could harm our business.
Previous wording
We have developed a new process for larger-scale manufacturing using a closed, mammalian-cell-based production system. This process is being implemented in our manufacturing facility and is intended to produce Olvi-Vec and other clinical products for use in our subsequent clinical trials and in our commercial launches. We may also make further changes to our manufacturing facilities and processes at various points during development or commercialization, for a number of reasons, such as controlling costs, achieving scale, decreasing processing time, increasing manufacturing success rate, improving product quality or for other reasons. The manufacturing changes could require changes in raw materials, components and services that are obtained from third-party suppliers. The inability of suppliers to provide those supplies or services or delays in acquiring the supplies or services would delay the manufacture of clinical or commercial product supplies.
Current wording
We have developed a proprietary process for larger-scale manufacturing using a closed, mammalian-cell-based production system. This process has been implemented in our manufacturing facility and has produced and is intended to produce Olvi-Vec and other clinical products for use in our clinical trials and in our commercial launches. We may also make further changes to our manufacturing facilities and processes at various points during development or commercialization, for a number of reasons, such as controlling costs, achieving scale, decreasing processing time, increasing manufacturing success rate, improving product quality or for other reasons. The manufacturing changes could require changes in raw materials, components and services that are obtained from third-party suppliers. The inability of suppliers to provide those supplies or services or delays in acquiring the supplies or services would delay the manufacture of clinical or commercial product supplies.
Previous wording
For example, Newsoara is generally obligated under the Newsoara License Agreement to fund a Phase 2, open-label, randomized, and controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenously delivered Olvi-Vec oncolytic VACV for patients with recurrent NSCLC in the United States, which began regulatory study startup in the first half of 2023. Newsoara has also agreed to reimburse us for the costs and expenses of a CRO to conduct certain startup activities for the NSCLC trial in the United States only, but is permitted to defer such reimbursement payments until the completion of its next round of financing, which Newsoara expects to occur in 2024. If Newsoara is unable or unwilling to provide this funding and/or reimbursement in a timely manner or at all, we would need to obtain the funding on our own and/or scale back or discontinue these clinical development activities.
Current wording
For example, Newsoara is generally obligated under the Newsoara License Agreement to fund a Phase 2, open-label, randomized, and controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenously delivered Olvi-Vec oncolytic VACV for patients with recurrent NSCLC in the United States, which VIRO-25 trial is now ongoing with the first patient dosed in October 2024. Newsoara has also agreed to reimburse us for the costs and expenses of a CRO to conduct certain startup activities for the NSCLC trial in the United States only, but is permitted to defer such reimbursement payments until the completion of its next round of financing, which Newsoara expects to occur in late 2024. If Newsoara is unable or unwilling to provide this funding and/or reimbursement in a timely manner or at all, we would need to obtain the funding on our own and/or scale back or discontinue these clinical development activities.
Previous wording
At the federal level, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 eliminated the statutory Medicaid drug rebate cap, previously set at 100% of a drug’s average manufacturer price, for single source and innovator multiple source drugs, effective January 1, 2024. In July 2021, the Biden administration released an executive order, “Promoting Competition in the American Economy,” with multiple provisions aimed at prescription drugs. In response to Biden’s executive order, on September 9, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) released a Comprehensive Plan for Addressing High Drug Prices that outlines principles for drug pricing reform and sets out a variety of potential legislative policies that Congress could pursue as well as potential administrative actions HHS can take to advance these principles. In addition, the IRA directs the Secretary of HHS to establish a Drug Price Negotiation Program (the Program) to lower prices for certain single-source prescription drugs and biologics covered under Medicare Parts B and D, based on criteria established under the IRA. Under the Program, the Secretary of HHS will publish a list of “selected drugs,” and will then negotiate maximum fair prices (“MFP”) with their manufacturers. Beginning in 2026, the first year of the Program, the number will be limited to 10 Part D drugs and biologics. By 2029, and in subsequent years thereafter, the number will increase to 20 drugs and biologics covered under Part D and Part B. Agreements between HHS and manufacturers will remain in place until a drug or biologic is no longer considered a “selected drug” for negotiation purposes. Manufacturers who do not comply with the negotiated prices set under the Program will be subject to an excise tax based on a percentage of total sales of a “selected drug” up to 95% and the potential of civil monetary penalties. Further, the IRA imposes rebates under Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D to penalize price increases that outpace inflation. These provisions take effect progressively starting in fiscal year 2023. On August 29, 2023, HHS announced the list of the first 10 drugs that will be subject to price negotiations, although the Medicare drug price negotiation program is currently subject to legal challenges. The IRA permits HHS to implement many of these provisions through guidance, as opposed to regulation, for the initial years. HHS has and will continue to issue and update guidance as these programs are implemented. It is currently unclear how the IRA will be implemented but is likely to have a significant impact on the pharmaceutical industry and could negatively affect our business and financial condition. Further, in response to the Biden administration’s October 2022 executive order, on February 14, 2023, HHS released a report outlining three new models for testing by the CMS Innovation Center which will be evaluated on their ability to lower the cost of drugs, promote accessibility, and improve quality of …
Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.
Current wording
At the federal level, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 eliminated the statutory Medicaid drug rebate cap, previously set at 100% of a drug’s average manufacturer price, for single source and innovator multiple source drugs, effective January 1, 2024. In July 2021, the Biden administration released an executive order, “Promoting Competition in the American Economy,” with multiple provisions aimed at prescription drugs. In response to Biden’s executive order, on September 9, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) released a Comprehensive Plan for Addressing High Drug Prices that outlines principles for drug pricing reform and sets out a variety of potential legislative policies that Congress could pursue as well as potential administrative actions HHS can take to advance these principles. In addition, the IRA directs the Secretary of HHS to establish a Drug Price Negotiation Program (the Program) to lower prices for certain single-source prescription drugs and biologics covered under Medicare Parts B and D, based on criteria established under the IRA. Under the Program, the Secretary of HHS will publish a list of “selected drugs,” and will then negotiate maximum fair prices (“MFP”) with their manufacturers. Beginning in 2026, the first year of the Program, the number will be limited to 10 Part D drugs and biologics. By 2029, and in subsequent years thereafter, the number will increase to 20 drugs and biologics covered under Part D and Part B. Agreements between HHS and manufacturers will remain in place until a drug or biologic is no longer considered a “selected drug” for negotiation purposes. Manufacturers who do not comply with the negotiated prices set under the Program will be subject to an excise tax based on a percentage of total sales of a “selected drug” up to 95% and the potential of civil monetary penalties. Further, the IRA imposes rebates under Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D to penalize price increases that outpace inflation. These provisions take effect progressively starting in fiscal year 2023. On August 15, 2024, HHS announced the agreed-upon price of the first 10 drugs that were subject to price negotiations, although the Medicare drug price negotiation program is currently subject to legal challenges. HHS will select up to fifteen additional drugs covered under Part D for negotiation in 2025. The IRA permits HHS to implement many of these provisions through guidance, as opposed to regulation, for the initial years. HHS has and will continue to issue and update guidance as these programs are implemented. Further, in response to the Biden administration’s October 2022 executive order, on February 14, 2023, HHS released a report outlining three new models for testing by the CMS Innovation Center which will be evaluated on their ability to lower the cost of drugs, promote accessibility, and improve quality of care. It is unclear whether the models will be utilized in any health reform measures in the …
Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.
Previous wording
We expect that the ACA, as well as other federal and state healthcare reform measures that may be adopted in the future, may result in more rigorous coverage criteria, increased regulatory burdens and operating costs, decreased net revenue from our biopharmaceutical products, decreased potential returns from our development efforts, and additional downward pressure on the price that we receive for any approved product. Any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare or other government healthcare programs may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payors. The implementation of cost containment measures or other healthcare reforms may prevent us from commercializing our products and being able to generate revenue, and we could be prevented from or significantly delayed in achieving profitability.
Current wording
We expect that the ACA, as well as other federal and state healthcare reform measures that may be adopted in the future, particularly in light of the U.S. Presidential and Congressional elections, may result in more rigorous coverage criteria, increased regulatory burdens and operating costs, decreased net revenue from our biopharmaceutical products, decreased potential returns from our development efforts, and additional downward pressure on the price that we receive for any approved product. Any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare or other government healthcare programs may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payors. The implementation of cost containment measures or other healthcare reforms may prevent us from commercializing our products and being able to generate revenue, and we could be prevented from or significantly delayed in achieving profitability.
Previous wording
As of June 30, 2024, we had 24 full-time and part-time employees, including 16 employees engaged in research and development and manufacturing. As our development and commercialization plans and strategies develop, we expect to need additional managerial, operational, sales, marketing, financial and other personnel. Future growth would impose significant added responsibilities on members of management, including:
Current wording
As of September 30, 2024, we had [25 full-time and part-time employees, including 16 employees engaged in research and development and manufacturing]. As our development and commercialization plans and strategies develop, we expect to need additional managerial, operational, sales, marketing, financial and other personnel. Future growth would impose significant added responsibilities on members of management, including:
Previous wording
As a public company, we operate in an increasingly demanding regulatory environment, which requires us to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the regulations of the Nasdaq Capital Market, the rules and regulations of the SEC, expanded disclosure requirements, accelerated reporting requirements and more complex accounting rules. Company responsibilities required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act include establishing corporate oversight and adequate internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. Effective internal controls are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important to help prevent financial fraud. Commencing with our fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, we must perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal controls over financial reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filing for that year, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Prior to our IPO, we had never been required to test our internal controls within a specified period and, as a result, we may experience difficulty in meeting these reporting requirements in a timely manner.
Current wording
As a public company, we operate in an increasingly demanding regulatory environment, which requires us to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the regulations of the Nasdaq Capital Market, the rules and regulations of the SEC, expanded disclosure requirements, accelerated reporting requirements and more complex accounting rules. We expect that the requirements of these rules and regulations will continue to increase our legal, accounting and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming and costly and place significant strain on our personnel, systems and resources. Company responsibilities required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act include establishing corporate oversight and adequate internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. Effective internal controls are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important to help prevent financial fraud. We are continuing to develop and refine our disclosure controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and that information required to be disclosed in reports under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our principal executive and financial officers.
Previous wording
We anticipate that the process of building our accounting and financial functions and infrastructure will require significant additional professional fees, internal costs and management efforts. For example, we expect that we will need to implement new systems to enhance and streamline the management of our financial, accounting, human resources and other functions.
Current wording
We are also continuing to improve our internal control over financial reporting. In order to develop, maintain, and improve the effectiveness of our internal controls and procedures, and internal control over financial reporting, we have expended resources, and anticipate that the process of building our accounting and financial functions and infrastructure will continue to require significant resources, including professional fee, internal costs, and significant management oversight. For example, we expect that we will need to implement new systems to enhance and streamline the management of our financial, accounting, human resources and other functions. However, such systems will likely require us to complete many processes and procedures for the effective use of the systems, which may result in substantial costs. Any disruptions or difficulties in implementing or using these systems could adversely affect our controls and harm our business. Moreover, such disruption or difficulties could result in unanticipated costs and diversion of management attention.
Previous wording
However, such systems will likely require us to complete many processes and procedures for the effective use of the systems, which may result in substantial costs. Any disruptions or difficulties in implementing or using these systems could adversely affect our controls and harm our business. Moreover, such disruption or difficulties could result in unanticipated costs and diversion of management attention. In addition, we may discover weaknesses in our system of internal financial and accounting controls and procedures that could result in a material misstatement of our financial statements. Our internal control over financial reporting will not prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud will be detected. If we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in a timely manner, or if we are unable to maintain proper and effective internal controls, we may not be able to produce timely and accurate financial statements. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our business and results of operations could be harmed, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by Nasdaq, the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
Current wording
Our current controls and any new controls that we develop may become inadequate because of changes in conditions in our business. Further, we may discover weaknesses in our system of internal financial and accounting controls and procedures that could result in a material misstatement of our financial statements. Our internal control over financial reporting will not prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud will be detected. If we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in a timely manner, or if we are unable to maintain proper and effective internal controls over financial reporting, we may not be able to produce timely and accurate financial statements. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our business and results of operations could be harmed, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, the market price of our stock could decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), Nasdaq or other regulatory authorities.
Previous wording
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Tax Act. For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various public company reporting requirements, including being permitted to provide only two years of audited financial statements, in addition to any required unaudited interim financial statements with correspondingly reduced “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” disclosure in this Quarterly Report, not being required to have our internal control over financial reporting audited by our independent registered public accounting firm under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We may take advantage of these exemptions until the last day of the fiscal year ending after the fifth anniversary of our IPO (i.e. December 31, 2028) or until we are no longer an emerging growth company, whichever is earlier. We will cease to be an emerging growth company prior to the end of such five-year period if certain earlier events occur, including if we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, our annual gross revenues exceed $1.235 billion or we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt in any three-year period.
Current wording
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various public company reporting requirements, including being permitted to provide only two years of audited financial statements, in addition to any required unaudited interim financial statements with correspondingly reduced “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” disclosure in this Quarterly Report, not being required to have our internal control over financial reporting audited by our independent registered public accounting firm under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We may take advantage of these exemptions until the last day of the fiscal year ending after the fifth anniversary of our IPO (i.e. December 31, 2028) or until we are no longer an emerging growth company, whichever is earlier. We will cease to be an emerging growth company prior to the end of such five-year period if certain earlier events occur, including if we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, our annual gross revenues exceed $1.235 billion or we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt in any three-year period.
Previous wording
Under the Tax Act, emerging growth companies can also delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have elected to use this extended transition period under the Tax Act until the earlier of the date we (i) are no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided in the Tax Act.
Current wording
Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can also delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have elected to use this extended transition period under the JOBS Act until the earlier of the date we (i) are no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act.
Rearranged previous paragraphs (1)
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
If we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in a timely manner, or if we are unable to maintain proper and effective internal controls over financial reporting, we may not be able to produce timely and accurate financial statements. If that were to happen, our investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, the market price of our stock could decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), Nasdaq or other regulatory authorities.