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Verastem, Inc.

For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Mar 20, 2025.

View on SEC.gov

About this filing

A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2024 · Filed Mar 20, 2025

VSTM$8.41-10.3%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026

What changed in Risk Factors?

Read the current filing

Previous report: 10-K

Period ended 2023-12-31; filed 2024-03-14.

0001558370-24-003250

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Current report: 10-K

Period ended 2024-12-31; filed 2025-03-20.

0001558370-25-003372

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The 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 217 previous paragraphs and 238 current paragraphs.

129 unchanged; 65 reworded; 29 added; 11 removed; 12 previous and 15 current paragraphs rearranged.

Tables are not compared: 104 previous and 123 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 (29)

Current report

Even if avutometinib and defactinib, or any of our other product candidates, receives marketing approval, such product candidates may fail to achieve the degree of market acceptance by physicians, patients, healthcare payors and others in the medical community necessary for commercial success.

Current report

If avutometinib and defactinib, or any of our other product candidates, receives marketing approval, such product candidates may nonetheless fail to gain sufficient market acceptance by physicians, patients, healthcare payors and others in the medical community. If avutometinib and defactinib does not achieve an adequate level of acceptance, or if we are unable to increase market acceptance of avutometinib and defactinib as compared to existing or competitive products, we may not generate significant product revenues and we may not become profitable. The degree of market acceptance of avutometinib and defactinib, or any of our other product candidates, if approved for commercial sale, will depend on a number of factors, including:

Current report

The market opportunities for our product candidates, if approved, may be smaller than we estimate, and the FDA and other comparable foreign regulatory authorities may approve our product candidates for a more limited patient population than we anticipate.

Current report

The potential market opportunity for our product candidates is difficult to estimate precisely. For example, the number of patients suffering from each of recurrent KRAS mutant LGSOC and recurrent KRAS wild-type LGSOC populations we are targeting near term (for KRAS mutant LGSOC) and longer term (for KRAS wild type LGSOC) is small and has not been established with precision. Due to the rarity of our target indications, there is no comprehensive patient registry or other method of establishing with precision the actual number of patients with KRAS mutant LGSOC and KRAS wild-type LGSOC. As a result, we have had to rely on other available sources to derive clinical prevalence estimates for our target indications. We make estimates regarding the incidence and prevalence of target patient populations, the rate of recurrence and the median survival for particular diseases, including with respect to LGSOC, based on various third-party sources and internally generated analysis and use such estimates in making decisions regarding our drug development strategy determining indications on which to focus in preclinical or clinical trials.

Current report

Our estimates of the patient population, pricing and revenue opportunities for our product candidates, including for KRAS mutant patients with recurrent LGSOC, are based on a number of internal and third-party estimates, including, without limitation, internal forecasts of potential market penetration, the median duration of treatment from initial interim clinical data and the assumed prices at which we can commercialize our product candidates. These estimates may be inaccurate or based on imprecise data. If approved by the FDA, the market opportunity of our product candidates will depend on, among other things, acceptance by the medical community, patient access, drug pricing and reimbursement. The number of patients in the addressable market may turn out to be lower than we estimate, patients may not be otherwise amenable to treatment with our drugs, or new patients may become increasingly difficult to identify or gain access to, all of which may significantly harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

Current report

In addition, even if we obtain approval for any of our product candidates, such approvals may be for more limited patient populations than we had anticipated, the potential market for our product candidates will be smaller than our current estimates. Obtaining approval for only a smaller patient population of our target indications for which we anticipate seeking approval would have a materially adverse effect on our ability to achieve commercialization and generate revenues.

Current report

On August 24, 2023, we entered into the GenFleet Agreement pursuant to which we obtained three GenFleet Options that may be exercised on a program-by-program basis. In December 2023, we announced the selection of a potential best-in class oral and selective KRAS G12D (ON/OFF) inhibitor VS-7375 as the lead program. GenFleet is currently conducting a Phase 1/2 trial in China evaluating VS-7375 in patients with KRAS G12D-mutated advanced solid tumors. In January 2025, we exercised early the GenFleet Option for the lead compound VS-7375 and expect to initiate a Phase 1/2a study in middle of 2025 in the United States.

Current report

Unfavorable macroeconomic conditions and other adverse macroeconomic factors have resulted, among other matters, in tightening in the debt and equity markets, and high levels of inflation. Similarly, changes in U.S. federal policy that affect the geopolitical landscape could give rise to circumstances outside our control that could have negative impacts on our business operations. For example, on March 4, 2025, the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico that do not satisfy the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement rules of origin with certain exemptions and a 20% additional tariff on imports from China. Historically, tariffs have led to increased trade and political tensions. In response to tariffs, other countries have implemented retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. Political tensions resulting from trade policies could reduce trade volume, investment, technological exchange and other economic activities between major international economies, resulting in a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets. Tightening of the equity markets makes it more difficult to raise capital at a reasonable valuation or at all. Any changes in political, trade, regulatory, and economic conditions, including U.S. trade policies, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Current report

On January 13, 2025 (the “Note Purchase Agreement Closing Date”), we entered into the Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which we may sell to the Note Purchase Agreement Purchasers, and the Note Purchase Agreement Purchasers may buy from us notes (the “Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $150.0 million, consisting of the following:

Current report

The outstanding principal amount of the Notes bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (i) the greater of the Term SOFR (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) and 4.29%, and (ii) 3.71%, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement and an overall cap of 9.75%, payable quarterly in arrears until the seventh anniversary of the Note Purchase Agreement Closing Date or the date on which all amounts owing to the Note Purchase Agreement Purchasers under the Note Purchase Agreement have been paid in full (the “Note Purchase Agreement Maturity Date”). For the first eight (8) quarters following the Note Purchase Agreement Closing Date, at our option, up to 50% of the interest due may be paid-in-kind and added to the then-outstanding principal balance of the Notes. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) under the Note Purchase Agreement, the then-applicable interest rate on all outstanding obligations may be increased by an additional 5.00%.

Current report

The Note Purchase Agreement Purchasers will receive 1.00% (the “Revenue Participation Percentage”) of the first $100.0 million of net sales of each Included Product (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) by us or our licensees in each calendar year, payable quarterly. “Included Products” is defined in the Note Purchase Agreement to include (a) avutometinib and defactinib, including any product that contains either one of the foregoing in combination with any other active ingredient(s), and (b) all other compounds, chemical entities or pharmaceutical products being designed, developed, licensed, manufactured or commercialized by us or our subsidiaries from time to time. The Revenue Participation Percentage will increase pro rata immediately upon the occurrence of the Second Sale and the Third Sale, such that the Revenue Participation Percentage shall increase to a maximum of 2.00% in the event that $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Notes has been purchased pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement following the Third Sale. The outstanding principal amount of the Notes, interest accrued thereon and any other amounts owing to the Note Purchase Agreement Purchasers under the Note Purchase Agreement will be due in two equal installments on (a) the sixth anniversary of the Note Purchase Agreement Closing Date, and (b) the Note Purchase Agreement Maturity Date.

Current report

The Note Purchase Agreement contains no financial covenants. Our obligations under the Note Purchase Agreement are subject to customary covenants, including limitations on our ability to dispose of assets, undergo a change of control, merge with or acquire other entities, incur debt, incur liens, pay dividends or other distributions to holders of our capital stock, repurchase stock and make investments, in each case subject to certain exceptions. Our obligations under the Note Purchase Agreement are secured by a security interest on substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets, including our intellectual property related to avutometinib and defactinib, and a negative pledge on intellectual property related to the Company’s collaboration and option agreement with GenFleet, subject to certain exceptions relating to our development of our intellectual property.

Current report

maturity. This indebtedness could also have other important negative consequences, including we will need to repay our indebtedness by making payments of interest and principal, which will reduce the amount of money available to finance our operations, our research and development efforts and other general corporate activities. Further, our agreement to pay Oberland the Revenue Participation Percentage with respect to potential future sales of certain of our product candidates may limit future revenue, if any, received from commercial sales of our product candidates, should any of our product candidates receive marketing approval, as well as our ability to generate revenues that are significant or large enough to achieve profitability. In addition, we may be delayed in satisfying the criteria required under the Note Purchase Agreement to exercise the Second Sale and Third Sale, or may never satisfy such criteria, which may require us to find other sources of funding to finance our operations.

Current report

Our current or future collaborations or licensing arrangements may not be successful. Additionally, we have partnered, and intend to further partner, with third parties with respect to the clinical development and commercialization, if approved, of certain of our programs, and we may not be successful in identifying, negotiating and executing partnerships. Our likely future collaborators for any collaboration arrangements include large and mid-size pharmaceutical companies, regional and national pharmaceutical companies, and biotechnology companies. Any such arrangements with any third parties may result in us having limited control over the amount and timing of resources that our collaborators dedicate to the development or commercialization of our product candidates. Our ability to generate revenues from these arrangements will depend on our collaborators’ abilities to successfully perform the functions assigned to them in these arrangements. For example, we have engaged in a strategic collaboration with IQVIA, pursuant to which we intend to leverage IQVIA’s expertise and resources for the commercialization and launch of the investigational combination of avutometinib plus defactinib for the treatment of recurrent KRAS mutant LGSOC. Accordingly, we will depend on IQVIA and their performance under the strategic collaboration arrangements for the successful commercialization and launch of avutometinib and defactinib for the treatment of recurrent KRAS mutant LGSOC. If IQVIA does not successfully carry out their responsibilities under the collaboration agreements or does not perform to the standard or level we anticipate, the benefits of the strategic collaboration with IQVIA may not be realized and our commercialization efforts will be harmed.

Current report

Collaborations involving our product candidates are subject to numerous risks, which may include that:

Current report

Although the FDA has accepted for review our NDA under the accelerated approval pathway for avutometinib in combination with defactinib for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent LGSOC who received at least one prior systemic therapy and have a KRAS mutation, the NDA may not be approved. Obtaining approval of an NDA can be a lengthy, expensive, and uncertain process, and the FDA has substantial discretion in the review and approval process and may decide that our data is insufficient for approval and require additional preclinical, clinical, or other studies. While we have engaged in discussions with the FDA with respect to the scope and nature of our NDA submission foravutometinib in combination with defactinib, the FDA may, for example, require additional data under the RAMP 301 study before approving the NDA for the scope we request, or at all. There can be no assurance regarding the timing and outcome of the FDA review and approval of our NDA submission.

Current report

We have completed an NDA submission under the FDA’s accelerated approval pathway for one of our product candidates, and we may seek accelerated approval for one more additional product candidates. The FDA has substantial discretion regarding approvals under the accelerated approval pathway, and we may not be able to obtain accelerated approval for any of our product candidates.

Current report

The FDA has accepted for review our NDA under the accelerated approval pathway for avutometinib in combination with defactinib for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent LGSOC, who received at least one prior systemic therapy, and have a KRAS mutation. We may explore regulatory strategies for our other product candidates that involve use of the FDA’s accelerated approval pathway. Under the accelerated approval program, the FDA may grant accelerated approval to a drug designed to treat a serious or life-threatening condition that provides meaningful therapeutic benefit over available therapies upon a determination that the drug has an effect on a surrogate endpoint or intermediate clinical endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit. As a condition of approval, the FDA requires that a sponsor of a drug receiving accelerated approval perform a post-marketing confirmatory clinical trial or trials.

Current report

FDA has broad discretion with regard to approval under the accelerated approval program, and FDA’s interpretation of the criteria for accelerated approval, such as what it considers to be available therapies, is subject to change. No assurance can be given that other therapeutics will not receive full approval prior to our potential receipt of accelerated approval. If that were to occur, no assurance can be given that we would be successful in proving meaningful benefit over those later approved products. If we were unable to prove meaningful benefit over any available therapies, we would be effectively blocked from receiving accelerated approval.

Current report

Even if we receive approval for any of our product candidates through the accelerated approval program, we will be subject to rigorous post-marketing requirements, including the completion of one or more post-market confirmatory studies, to verify the clinical benefit of our product candidate, and submission to the FDA of all promotional materials prior to their dissemination. The FDA could seek to withdraw the approval, if received, for multiple reasons, including if we fail to conduct any required post-market confirmatory trial with due diligence, our post-market confirmatory trial does not confirm the predicted clinical benefit, other evidence shows that our product candidate is not safe or effective under the conditions for use, or we disseminate promotional materials that are found by FDA to be false or misleading.

Current report

Any delay in obtaining, or inability to obtain, approval through the accelerated approval pathway, or any issues in maintaining any such approvals that we receive, would delay or prevent commercialization of our product candidates, and would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Current report

Pharmaceutical manufacturers and their products are subject to extensive federal and state regulation, including laws intended to prevent fraud and abuse in the healthcare industry. These laws may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we conduct business, including how we conduct research regarding, market, sell, and distribute our products. In the United States, these laws include, but are not limited to the following, some of which are likely to apply only if or when we obtain marketing approval for a product candidate:

Current report

The FDA and other comparable regulatory authorities could require clearance or approval of an in vitro diagnostic or companion diagnostic device as a condition of approval for any product candidates that require or would commercially benefit from such tests, including the combination of avutometinib and defactinib. If we are unable to successfully validate, develop and obtain regulatory approval for companion diagnostic tests for our product candidates that require or would commercially benefit from such tests, or experience significant delays in doing so, we may not realize the full commercial potential of these product candidates and our drug development strategy and operational results may be harmed.

Current report

If safe and effective use of any of our product candidates depends on an in vitro diagnostic, then the FDA generally will require approval or clearance of that test, known as a companion diagnostic, at the same time that the FDA approves our product candidates. Companion diagnostics, which provide information that is essential for the safe and effective use of a corresponding therapeutic product, are subject to regulation by the FDA and other comparable regulatory authorities as medical devices and require separate regulatory authorization from therapeutic approval prior to commercialization. The development programs for some of our product candidates contemplate working with developers or obtaining access to marketed companion diagnostic tests, which are assays or tests to identify an appropriate patient population. For example, in connection with our NDA for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent LGSOC, who received at least one prior systemic therapy and have a KRAS mutation, we may be required to obtain FDA approval or clearance of a companion diagnostic.

Current report

If safe and effective use of any of our product candidates we may develop depends on a companion diagnostic, we may not receive marketing approval, or marketing approval may be delayed, if we are unable to or are delayed in developing, identifying, or obtaining regulatory approval or clearance for the companion diagnostic product for use with our product candidate. In addition, the process of obtaining or creating such companion diagnostics is time consuming and costly and we, and/or future collaborators, may encounter difficulties in developing and obtaining regulatory clearance or approval for the companion diagnostics.

Current report

Current and future health care reforms may increase the difficulty and cost for us to obtain marketing approval of and commercialize our product candidates and affect the prices we may obtain.

Current report

Due to the recent change in presidential administration, we face uncertainty regarding potential regulatory developments that may adversely affect our business.

Current report

We face uncertainty regarding the potential for changes in the regulatory environment following the change in presidential administration in January 2025. While many of the Trump administration’s proposed policies appear to be focused on deregulation, the new administration and federal government could adopt legislation, regulation, or policy that adversely affects our business or creates a more challenging and costly environment to pursue the development and commercialization of our current or future product candidates. For example, the federal government, including the FDA, may implement legislative, regulatory, or policy changes regarding the standards for approving drugs that we may be unable to satisfy or regarding the marketing of approved drugs that may limit or prohibit the advertising and promotion of our current or future product candidates, if approved. Additionally, because one objective of the current Trump administration appears to be to decrease spending in the federal government, the FDA could face staff reductions, which could impact the FDA’s ability to engage in routine regulatory and oversight activities and result in delays or limitations on our ability to proceed with clinical development programs and obtain regulatory approvals. It is difficult to predict how executive actions that may be

Current report

taken under the current Trump administration may affect the FDA’s ability to exercise its regulatory authority. If such executive actions impose constraints on the FDA’s ability to engage in routine oversight and product review activities in the normal course, our business may be negatively impacted.
Removed paragraphs (11)

Previous report

In March 2022, we entered into a Loan Agreement with Oxford, as collateral agent and a lender, and Oxford Finance Credit Fund III LP, as a lender (“OFCF III” and together with Oxford, the “Lenders”), pursuant to which the Lenders have agreed to lend us up to an aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million in a series of term loans (the “Term Loans”). As of December 31, 2023, there was $40.0 million outstanding under the Loan Agreement. In connection with the Loan Agreement, we granted Oxford a security interest in all of our personal property now owned or hereafter acquired, excluding intellectual property (but including the right to payments and proceeds of intellectual property), and a negative pledge on intellectual property.

Previous report

Collaborations involving our product candidates would pose the following risks to us:

Previous report

Furthermore, we have and may continue to collaborate with academic institutions to accelerate our preclinical research or development under written agreements with these institutions. In certain cases, these institutions provide us with an option to negotiate a license to any of the institution’s rights in technology resulting from the collaboration. Regardless of such option, we may be unable to negotiate a license within the specified timeframe or under terms that are acceptable to us. If we are unable to do so, the institution may offer the intellectual property rights to others, potentially blocking our ability to pursue our program. If we are unable to successfully obtain rights to required third-

Previous report

party intellectual property or to maintain the existing intellectual property rights we have, we may have to abandon development of such program and our business and financial condition could suffer.

Previous report

Healthcare providers, including physicians, and third-party payors play a primary role in the recommendation and prescription of any product candidates for which we obtain marketing approval. Our arrangements with healthcare providers, third-party payors, patients and other parties within the healthcare industry may expose us to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations that may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we market, sell, and distribute any products for which we obtain marketing approval. Restrictions under applicable federal and state healthcare and regulatory

Previous report

laws and regulations within the United States include the following, some of which will apply only if and when we have a marketed product:

Previous report

expenditures or pricing information and/or require licensing of sales representatives. State laws also govern the privacy and security of health information in some circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and often are not preempted by HIPAA, thus complicating compliance efforts.

Previous report

In addition, other broader legislative changes have been adopted that could have an adverse effect upon, and could prevent, our products’ commercial success. For example, the Budget Control Act of 2011, as amended, resulted in the imposition of reductions in Medicare (but not Medicaid) payments to providers in 2013 and remains

Previous report

in effect through 2032 unless additional Congressional action is taken. Any significant spending reductions affecting Medicare, Medicaid or other publicly funded or subsidized health programs that may be implemented and/or any significant taxes or fees that may be imposed on us could have an adverse impact on our results of operations.

Previous report

Separately, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA announced its intention to postpone most inspections of foreign and domestic manufacturing facilities and products at various points. Even though the FDA has since resumed standard inspection operations of domestic facilities where feasible, the FDA has continued to monitor and implement changes to its inspectional activities to ensure the safety of its employees and those of the firms it regulates as it adapts to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, and any resurgence of the virus, including as a result of the emergence of new variants may lead to further inspectional delays. Regulatory authorities outside the United States may adopt similar restrictions or other policy measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and may experience delays in their regulatory activities. If a prolonged government shutdown occurs, or if global health concerns continue to prevent the FDA or other regulatory authorities from conducting business as usual or conducting inspections, reviews or other regulatory activities, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, which could have a material effect on our business.

Previous report

As of December 31, 2023, there were 1,200,000 shares of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding, which are convertible without payment of additional consideration into 4,236,570 shares of our common stock, subject to certain ownership limitations and pre-funded warrants to purchase 1,538,591 shares of our common stock for an exercise price equal to $0.001 per share of common stock. The conversion of the outstanding shares of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock into common stock or exercise of our pre-funded warrants would
Reworded paragraphs (65)

Previous wording

We may seek third-party collaborators for the development and commercialization of our product candidates. Our likely collaborators for any collaboration arrangements include large and mid-size pharmaceutical companies, regional and national pharmaceutical companies, and biotechnology companies. If we do enter into any such arrangements with any third parties, we will likely have limited control over the amount and timing of resources that our collaborators dedicate to the development or commercialization of our product candidates. Our ability to generate revenues from these arrangements will depend on our collaborators’ abilities to successfully perform the functions assigned to them in these arrangements.

Current wording

Risks Related to the Development of Our Product Candidates and Commercialization of our Product Candidates

Previous wording

Preclinical testing and clinical trials of our product candidates may not be successful. If we are unable to obtain marketing approval for or successfully commercialize any of our product candidates, or if we experience significant delays in doing so, our business will be materially harmed.

Current wording

Preclinical testing and clinical trials of our product candidates may not be successful. If our NDA for the combination of avutometinib and defactinib is not approved by the FDA, we are unable to obtain marketing approval for or successfully commercialize avutometinib and defactinib, or any of our other product candidates, or if we experience significant delays in doing so, our business will be materially harmed.

Previous wording

We have invested a significant portion of our efforts and financial resources in the research and development of our product candidates. Our ability to generate product revenues will depend heavily on the successful commercialization and development of our product candidates. The success of our product candidates will depend on several factors, including the following:

Current wording

We have invested a significant portion of our efforts and financial resources in the research and development of our product candidates, including avutometinib and defactinib, for which the FDA has accepted for review our NDA under the accelerated approval pathway for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent LGSOC, who received at least one prior systemic therapy and have a KRAS mutation. Our ability to generate product revenues will depend heavily on the successful commercialization and development of our product candidates. The success of our product candidates will depend on several factors, including the following:

Previous wording

The FDA and foreign regulatory authorities may determine that the results from our ongoing and future trials do not support regulatory approval and may require us to conduct an additional clinical trial or trials. If these agencies take such a position, the costs of development of our product candidates could increase materially and their potential market introduction could be delayed. The regulatory agencies could also require that we conduct additional clinical, nonclinical or manufacturing validation studies and submit that data before it will consider an NDA. Our product development costs will also increase if we experience delays in clinical testing or marketing approvals. We do not know whether any clinical trials will begin as planned, will need to be restructured or will be completed on schedule, or at all. Significant clinical trial delays also could shorten any periods during which we may have the exclusive right to commercialize our product candidates or allow our competitors to bring products to market before we do and impair our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates and may harm our business and results of operations.

Current wording

The FDA and foreign regulatory authorities may determine that the results from our ongoing and future trials do not support regulatory approval and may require us to conduct an additional clinical trial or trials. If these agencies take such a position, the costs of development of our product candidates could increase materially and their potential market introduction could be delayed or abandoned. The regulatory agencies could also require that we conduct additional clinical, nonclinical or manufacturing validation studies and submit that data before it will consider an NDA. Our product development costs will also increase if we experience delays in clinical testing or marketing approvals. We do not know whether any clinical trials will begin as planned, will need to be restructured or will be completed on schedule, or at all. Significant clinical trial delays also could shorten any periods during which we may have the exclusive right to commercialize our product candidates or allow our competitors to bring products to market before we do and impair our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates and may harm our business and results of operations.

Previous wording

We may not be able to initiate or continue clinical trials for our product candidates if we are unable to locate and enroll a sufficient number of eligible patients to participate in these trials as required by the FDA or similar regulatory authorities outside the United States. In addition, there are a number of ongoing clinical trials being conducted by other companies for product candidates treating cancer. Patients who would otherwise be eligible for our clinical trials may instead enroll in clinical trials of our competitors' product candidates, particularly if they view such treatments to be more conventional and established.

Current wording

We may not be able to initiate or continue clinical trials for our product candidates if we are unable to locate and enroll a sufficient number of eligible patients to participate in these trials as required by the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities. In addition, there are a number of ongoing clinical trials being conducted by other companies for product candidates treating cancer. Patients who would otherwise be eligible for our clinical trials may instead enroll in clinical trials of our competitors' product candidates, particularly if they view such treatments to be more conventional and established.

Previous wording

Preclinical studies and preliminary and interim data from clinical trials of our product candidates are not necessarily predictive of the results or success of ongoing or later clinical trials of our product candidates. If we cannot replicate the results from our preclinical studies and clinical trials of our product candidates, we may be unable to successfully develop, obtain regulatory approval for, and commercialize our product candidates.

Current wording

Preclinical studies and preliminary, initial “top-line” and interim data from clinical trials of our product candidates, or statistical analyses and projections based thereon, are not necessarily predictive of the results or success of ongoing or later clinical trials of our product candidates. If we cannot replicate the results from our preclinical studies and clinical trials of our product candidates, we may be unable to successfully develop, obtain regulatory approval for, and commercialize our product candidates.

Previous wording

Preclinical studies and any positive preliminary and interim data from our clinical trials of our product candidates may not necessarily be predictive of the results of ongoing or later clinical trials. Even if we are able to complete our planned clinical trials of our product candidates according to our current development timeline, the positive results from clinical trials of our product candidates may not be replicated in subsequent clinical trial results. Also, our later stage clinical trials could differ in significant ways from earlier stage clinical trials, which could cause the outcome of the later stage trials to differ from our earlier stage clinical trials. For example, these differences may include changes to inclusion and exclusion criteria, efficacy endpoints and statistical design. Many companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, including us, have suffered significant setbacks in late stage clinical trials after achieving positive results in an earlier stage of development. If we fail to produce positive results in our planned clinical trials of any of our product candidates, the development timeline and regulatory approval and commercialization prospects for our product candidates, and, correspondingly, our business and financial prospects, would be materially adversely affected.

Current wording

Preclinical studies and any positive preliminary, initial “top-line,” and interim data from our clinical trials of our product candidates may not necessarily be predictive of the results of ongoing or later clinical trials. Even if we are able to complete our planned clinical trials of our product candidates according to our current development timeline, the positive results from clinical trials of our product candidates may not be replicated in subsequent clinical trial results. Also, our later stage clinical trials could differ in significant ways from earlier stage clinical trials, which could cause the outcome of the later stage trials to differ from our earlier stage clinical trials. For example, these differences may include changes to inclusion and exclusion criteria, efficacy endpoints and statistical design. Many companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, including us, have suffered significant setbacks in late stage clinical trials after achieving positive results in an earlier stage of development. If we fail to

Previous wording

The development and commercialization of new drug products is highly competitive. We face competition with respect to our current product candidates and will face competition with respect to any product candidates that we may seek to develop or commercialize in the future, from major pharmaceutical companies, specialty pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies worldwide. There are a number of large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that currently market and sell products or are pursuing the development of products for the treatment of the disease indications for which we are developing our product candidates, including Novartis AG, Pfizer, Genentech, Inc., AstraZeneca PLC, Mirati, Amgen, Revolution Medicines, Inc., SpringWorks Therapeutics, Inc., BeiGene Ltd., Immuneering Corporation, Mapkure, LLC, Erasca, Inc., Relay Therapeutics, Inc. and Kinnate Biopharma, Inc. and others. Some of these competitive products and therapies are based on scientific approaches that are the same as or similar to our approach, and others are based on entirely different approaches. Potential competitors also include academic institutions, government agencies, and other public and private research organizations that conduct research, seek patent protection, and establish collaborative arrangements for research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization.

Current wording

The development and commercialization of new drug products is highly competitive. We face competition with respect to our current product candidates and will face competition with respect to any product candidates that we may seek to develop or commercialize in the future, from major pharmaceutical companies, specialty pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies worldwide. There are a number of large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that currently market and sell products or are pursuing the development of products for the treatment of the disease indications for which we are developing our product candidates, including Novartis AG, Pfizer, Genentech, Inc., AstraZeneca PLC, BMS, Amgen, Revolution Medicines, Inc., BeiGene Ltd., Quanta Therapeutics, Inc., Erasca, Inc., Roche Holding AG, Incyte Corporation and Eli Lilly and Company and others. Some of these competitive products and therapies are based on scientific approaches that are the same as or similar to our approach, and others are based on entirely different approaches. Potential competitors also include academic institutions, government agencies, and other public and private research organizations that conduct research, seek patent protection, and establish collaborative arrangements for research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization.

Previous wording

We are developing our product candidates for the treatment of cancer. There are a variety of available therapies marketed for cancer. In many cases, these drugs are administered in combination to enhance efficacy. Some of these drugs are branded and subject to patent protection, and others are available on a generic basis. Many

Current wording

We are developing our product candidates for the treatment of cancer. There are a variety of available therapies marketed for cancer. In many cases, these drugs are administered in combination to enhance efficacy. Some of these drugs are branded and subject to patent protection, and others are available on a generic basis. Many of these approved drugs are well established therapies and are widely accepted by physicians, patients and third-party payors. Insurers and other third-party payors may also encourage the use of generic products. We expect that our product candidates, if approved, will be priced at a significant premium over competitive generic products.

Previous wording

Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial resources and expertise than we do in research and development, manufacturing, preclinical testing, conducting clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals and marketing approved products. Mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries may result in even more resources being concentrated among a smaller number of our competitors. Smaller and other early stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large and established companies. These third parties compete with us in recruiting and retaining qualified scientific and management personnel, establishing clinical trial sites and patient registration for clinical trials, as well as in acquiring technologies complementary to, or necessary for, our programs. Additionally, new developments, including the development of other drug technologies and methods of preventing the incidence of disease, occur in the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries at a rapid pace. These developments may render our product candidates obsolete or noncompetitive.

Current wording

with large and established companies. These third parties compete with us in recruiting and retaining qualified scientific and management personnel, establishing clinical trial sites and patient registration for clinical trials, as well as in acquiring technologies complementary to, or necessary for, our programs. Additionally, new developments, including the development of other drug technologies and methods of preventing the incidence of disease, occur in the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries at a rapid pace. These developments may render our product candidates obsolete or noncompetitive.

Previous wording

We intend to seek regulatory approval for our product candidates in countries outside of the United States and expect that these countries will be important markets for our products, if approved. Marketing our products in these countries will require separate regulatory approvals in each market and compliance with numerous and varying regulatory requirements. The regulations that apply to the conduct of clinical trials and approval procedures vary from country to country and may require additional testing. Moreover, the time required to obtain approval may differ from that required to obtain FDA approval. In addition, in many countries outside the United States, a drug must be approved for reimbursement before it can be approved for sale in that country. Approval by the FDA does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries or jurisdictions, and approval by one foreign regulatory authority does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other foreign countries or by the FDA. Failure to obtain regulatory approval in one country may have a negative effect on the regulatory approval process in others. The foreign regulatory approval process may include all of the risks associated with obtaining FDA approval. We may not obtain foreign regulatory approvals on a timely basis, if at all. We may not be able to file for regulatory approvals and may not receive necessary approvals to commercialize our products in any foreign market.

Current wording

We intend to seek regulatory approval for our product candidates in countries outside of the United States and expect that these countries will be important markets for our products, if approved. Marketing our products in these countries will require separate regulatory approvals in each market and compliance with numerous and varying regulatory requirements. The regulations that apply to the conduct of clinical trials and approval procedures vary from country to country and may require additional testing. Moreover, the time required to obtain approval may differ from that required to obtain FDA approval. In addition, in many countries outside the United States, a drug must be approved for reimbursement before it can be approved for sale in that country. Approval by the FDA does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries or jurisdictions, and approval by one foreign regulatory authority does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other foreign countries or by the FDA. Failure to obtain regulatory approval in one country may have a negative effect on the regulatory approval process in others. Further, we and our collaboration partners are currently conducting clinical trials, and may in the future conduct additional clinical trials, outside the United States, including the Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating VS-7375 by GenFleet in China. Although the FDA may accept data from clinical trials conducted outside the United States, acceptance of these data is subject to conditions imposed by the FDA. For example, the FDA will generally not approve the application unless the data are applicable to the United States population and United States medical practice and the FDA is able to validate the data through an on-site inspection or other appropriate means. The FDA or any comparable foreign regulatory authority may not accept data from trials conducted outside of the United States or the applicable jurisdiction, which may result in the need for additional trials that could be costly and time consuming and could result in the product candidate not receiving approval for commercialization in the applicable jurisdiction. The foreign regulatory approval process may include all of the risks associated with obtaining FDA approval. We may not obtain foreign regulatory approvals on a timely basis, if at all. We may not be able to file for regulatory approvals and may not receive necessary approvals to commercialize our products in any foreign market.

Previous wording

Avutometinib and defactinib are being administered and studied in our Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 clinical trials, and the development program continues to progress. For both avutometinib and defactinib, the toxicities reported to date have been predictable and manageable.

Current wording

Avutometinib and defactinib are being administered and studied in our Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 clinical trials, and the development program continues to progress. For both avutometinib and defactinib, the toxicities reported to date have been predictable and appear to be manageable.

Previous wording

Because we have limited financial and managerial resources, we focus on research programs and product candidates that we identify for specific indications. As a result, we may forego or delay pursuit of opportunities with other product candidates or for other indications that later prove to have greater commercial potential. Our resource allocation decisions may cause us to fail to capitalize on viable commercial products or profitable market

Current wording

Because we have limited financial and managerial resources, we focus on research programs and product candidates that we identify for specific indications. As a result, we may forego or delay pursuit of opportunities with other product candidates or for other indications that later prove to have greater commercial potential. Our resource allocation decisions may cause us to fail to capitalize on viable commercial products or profitable market opportunities. Our spending on current and future research and development programs and product candidates for specific indications may not yield any commercially viable products.

Previous wording

We face an inherent risk of product liability exposure related to the testing of our product candidates in human clinical trials and will face an even greater risk if we commercially sell any other products we may develop. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against claims that our product candidates or products caused injuries, we will incur substantial liabilities. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:

Current wording

We face an inherent risk of product liability exposure related to the testing of our product candidates in human clinical trials and will face an even greater risk if we commercially sell any other products we may develop.

Previous wording

We depend on GenFleet to fully perform under the GenFleet Agreement

Current wording

We depend on GenFleet to fully perform under the GenFleet Agreement inclusive of our supply agreement with GenFleet.

Previous wording

On August 24, 2023, we entered into the GenFleet Agreement pursuant to which we obtained three GenFleet Options that may be exercised on a program-by-program basis. Pursuant to the GenFleet Agreement, we are reliant on GenFleet to fulfil their responsibilities including the execution of the Phase 1 clinical trials for all three oncology programs. Accordingly, our ability to realize the anticipated benefits and success of the GenFleet Agreement is dependent upon GenFleet fulfilling their obligations. If GenFleet does not successfully carry out their responsibilities, the benefits of the GenFleet Agreement may not be realized.

Current wording

Pursuant to the GenFleet Agreement, we are reliant on GenFleet to fulfil their responsibilities including ongoing discovery and lead optimization for the second and third programs and execution of the Phase 1 clinical trials for the second and third programs. Accordingly, our ability to realize the anticipated benefits and success of the GenFleet Agreement is dependent upon GenFleet fulfilling their obligations. Furthermore, we have entered into a supply agreement with GenFleet pursuant to which we expect to obtain VS-7375 finished product from GenFleet for use in our planned clinical trial in the United States. If GenFleet does not perform under the supply agreement, our ability to obtain VS-7375 and consequently our planned clinical trial in the United States investigating VS-7375 will be materially adversely impacted. If GenFleet does not successfully carry out their responsibilities, the benefits of the GenFleet Agreement and our collaboration with GenFleet may not be realized.

Previous wording

Since inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. As of December 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $824.9 million. To date, we have generated minimal product revenues and have financed our operations primarily through public and private offerings of our common stock, preferred stock, and pre-funded warrants, offerings of convertible notes, sales of our common stock pursuant to our at-the-market equity offering programs, our loan and security agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Oxford Finance LLC (“Oxford”), our loan and security agreement, as amended, with Hercules Capital Inc. (“Hercules”), upfront payments under our license and collaboration agreements with Yakult, CSPC, and Sanofi, and the upfront payment under the Secura APA. We have devoted substantially all of our efforts to research and development. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and may incur operating losses for the foreseeable future. The net losses we incur may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. We anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially if and as we:

Current wording

Since inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. As of December 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $955.5 million. To date, we have generated minimal product revenues and have financed our operations primarily through public and private offerings of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants and pre-funded warrants, offerings of convertible notes, sales of our common stock pursuant to our at-the-market equity offering programs, our Note Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with RGCM SA LLC, as purchaser agent, Oberland Capital Management LLC (“Oberland”) and certain funds managed by Oberland, as purchasers, (together with the other purchasers party thereto referred to as the “Note Purchase Agreement Purchasers”) our former loan and security agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Oxford Finance LLC (“Oxford”), our loan and security agreement, as amended, with Hercules Capital Inc. (“Hercules”), upfront payments under our license and collaboration agreements with Yakult, CSPC, and Sanofi, and the upfront payment and milestone payments under the Secura APA. We have devoted substantially all of our efforts to research and development. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and may incur operating losses for the foreseeable future. The net losses we incur may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. We anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially if and as we:

Previous wording

We will need additional funding. If we are unable to raise capital if needed, we would be forced to delay, reduce, or eliminate our product development programs or commercialization efforts, including for avutometinib.

Current wording

We will need additional funding. If we are unable to raise capital if needed, we would be forced to delay, reduce, or eliminate our product development programs or commercialization efforts, including for avutometinib and defactinib.

Previous wording

We expect our expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we continue the clinical development of our product candidates. We expect our cash, cash equivalents and investments at December 31, 2023 will not be sufficient to fund our current operating plan and capital expenditure requirements for the next 12 months from the issuance of these financial statements. We may need to obtain additional funding in connection with our continuing operations, including for our clinical development programs. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

Current wording

We expect our expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly in connection with our planned commercialization of avutometinib and defactinib and the continued clinical development of our product candidates. We expect our cash, cash equivalents and investments at December 31, 2024 will not be sufficient to fund our current operating plan and capital expenditure requirements for the next 12 months from the issuance of these financial statements. We may need to obtain additional funding in connection with our continuing operations, including for our clinical development programs. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

Previous wording

Conducting clinical trials is a time consuming, expensive and uncertain process that takes years to complete, and we may never generate the necessary data or results required to obtain marketing approval of any of our product candidates. Our commercial revenues will be derived from sales of products. Even if our product candidates gain approval, it may take several years to achieve a significant level of sales, and as a result we may need to continue to rely on additional financing to further our clinical development objectives. Adequate additional financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.

Current wording

Conducting clinical trials is a time consuming, expensive and uncertain process that takes years to complete, and we may never generate the necessary data or results required to obtain marketing approval of any of our product candidates. Although the FDA has accepted for review our NDA under the accelerated approval pathway for avutometinib in combination with defactinib for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent LGSOC who received at least one prior systemic therapy and have a KRAS mutation, the NDA may not be approved by the FDA and, even if approved, avutometinib and defactinib may not achieve commercial success. We expect that our commercial revenues will be derived from sales of products. Even if our product candidates gain approval, it may take several years to achieve a significant level of sales, and as a result we may need to continue to rely on additional financing to further our clinical development objectives. Adequate additional financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.

Previous wording

As required under Accounting Standards Update 2014-15,Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern(ASC 205-40), we have the responsibility to evaluate whether conditions and/or events raise substantial doubt about our ability to meet our future financial obligations as they become due within one year after the date the consolidated financial statements are issued. The Company believes that it may have sufficient funds to meet its obligations within the next 12 months from the issuance of these financial statements. However, this belief relies on the achievement of certain mitigation efforts. The analysis under ASC 205-40, initially cannot take into consideration the potential mitigating effects of plans that have not been fully implemented as of the date the financial statements are issued. Accordingly, these uncertainties and risk factors meet the ASC 205-40 standard for raising substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the issuance date of our consolidated financial statements. Lack of necessary funds may require us, among other things, to delay, scale back, or eliminate some or all of our planned clinical trials. Because we continue to experience net operating losses, our ability to continue as a going concern is subject to our ability to obtain necessary capital from outside sources, including obtaining additional capital from the sale of our securities or assets, achieving milestones for additional drawdowns under our Loan Agreement or obtain loans from financial institutions, or entering into additional partnership arrangements. There can be no assurances that we will be able to obtain such capital on favorable terms or at all. If we are unable to raise capital when needed, we may be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development activities for our product candidates, or ultimately not be able to continue as a going concern.

Current wording

As required under Accounting Standards Update 2014-15,Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern(ASC 205-40), we have the responsibility to evaluate whether conditions and/or events raise substantial doubt about our ability to meet our future financial obligations as they become due within one year after the date the consolidated financial statements are issued. The Company believes that it may have sufficient funds to meet its obligations within the next 12 months from the issuance of these financial statements. However, this belief relies on the achievement of certain mitigation efforts. The analysis under ASC 205-40, initially cannot take into consideration the potential mitigating effects of plans that have not been fully implemented as of the date the financial statements are issued. Accordingly, these uncertainties and risk factors meet the ASC 205-40 standard for raising substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the issuance date of our consolidated financial statements. Lack of necessary funds may require us, among other things, to delay, scale back, or eliminate some or all of our planned clinical trials. Because we continue to experience net operating losses (“NOL”), our ability to continue as a going concern is subject to our ability to obtain necessary capital from outside sources, including obtaining additional capital from the sale of our securities or assets, achieving milestones for additional drawdowns under our Loan Agreement or obtain loans from financial institutions, or entering into additional partnership arrangements. There can be no assurances that we will be able to obtain such capital on

Previous wording

Unfavorable macroeconomic conditions and other adverse macroeconomic factors have resulted, among other matters, in tightening in the debt and equity markets, and high levels of inflation. For example, tightening of the equity markets, makes it more difficult to raise capital at a reasonable valuation or at all. In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported for the period from December 2022 to December 2023, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose 3.4% which remains above the U.S. Federal Reserve’s inflation target of 2%. If inflationary pressures increase or continue for a prolonged period, it may continue to result in increased costs of labor, cost of clinical trials, and costs of manufacturing which could adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, unrest in the banking sector has in the past and may in the future have an effect on our ability to access funds when needed.

Current wording

In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported for the period from December 2023 to December 2024, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose 2.9% which remains above the U.S. Federal Reserve’s inflation target of 2%. If inflationary pressures increase or continue for a prolonged period, it may continue to result in increased costs of labor, cost of clinical trials, and costs of manufacturing which could adversely affect our results of operations.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, we had U.S. federal and state net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $473.6 million and $189.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, we also had federal and state tax credits of $9.5 million and $2.2 million, respectively, which may be used to offset future tax liabilities. The NOL and tax credit carryforwards will expire at various dates through 2043, except for $277.9 million of federal NOL carryforwards which may be carried forward indefinitely. Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code and similar provisions under state law limits the annual use of NOL carry-forwards and tax credit carryforwards, respectively, following an ownership change pursuant to section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and similar state provisions. In general, an ownership change occurs for purposes of Section 382 if there are certain cumulative changes in the ownership interest of significant stockholders over a three-year period in excess of 50%.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, we had U.S. federal and state NOL carryforwards of approximately $370.6 million and $56.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, we also had federal and state tax credits of $2.6 million and $0.2 million, respectively, which may be used to offset future tax liabilities. The NOL and tax credit carryforwards will expire at various dates through 2044, except for $333.4 million of federal NOL carryforwards which may be carried forward indefinitely. Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) and similar provisions under state law limits the annual use of NOL carry-forwards and tax credit carryforwards, respectively, following an ownership change pursuant to section 382 of the IRC and similar state provisions. In general, an ownership change occurs for purposes of Section 382 if there are certain cumulative changes in the ownership interest of significant stockholders over a three-year period in excess of 50%.

Previous wording

Based on our analysis under Section 382, we believe that our federal NOL carryforwards, state NOL carryforwards, research and development credits, and orphan drug credits are limited by Section 382 and similar provisions under state law as of December 31, 2023. The portion of federal NOL carryforwards, state NOL carryforwards, research and development credits, and orphan drug credits that were determined to be limited by Section 382 and similar provisions under state law have been written off as of December 31, 2023. Future changes in our stock ownership, some of which are outside of our control, could result in ownership changes in the future. We may not be able to use some or all of our NOL and tax credit carryforwards, even if we attain profitability.

Current wording

During 2024, we believe we triggered ownership changes under Section 382 of the IRC and similar provisions under state law. As a result, we believe that our federal NOL carryforwards, state NOL carryforwards, research and development credits, and orphan drug credits are limited by Section 382 and similar provisions under state law as of December 31, 2024. A portion of federal NOL carryforwards and state NOL carryforwards that we expect we will not be able to utilize were written off. Similarly, we wrote off all federal and state research and development credits, and federal orphan drug credits we determined we will not be able to utilize due to limitation and expiration periods. We have approximately $346.4 million of federal NOLs generated prior to such ownership changes inclusive of $309.3 million of federal NOLs which may be carried forward indefinitely. Since the $309.3 million of federal NOLs may be carried forward indefinitely these have not been written off as of December 31, 2024, but due to the limitations under Section 382, generally we can only use $1.6 million per year against taxable income in the future. Future changes in our stock ownership, some of which are outside of our control, could result in further ownership changes under section 382 of the IRC. We may not be able to use some or all of our NOL and tax credit carryforwards, even if we attain profitability.

Previous wording

This indebtedness may create additional financing risk for us, particularly if our business or prevailing financial market conditions are not conducive to paying off or refinancing our outstanding debt obligations at maturity. This indebtedness could also have other important negative consequences, including we will need to repay our indebtedness by making payments of interest and principal, which will reduce the amount of money available to finance our operations, our research and development efforts and other general corporate activities.

Current wording

This indebtedness may create additional financing risk for us, particularly if our business or prevailing financial market conditions are not conducive to paying off or refinancing our outstanding debt obligations at

Previous wording

Failure to satisfy our current and future debt obligations under the Loan Agreement or breaching any covenants under the Loan Agreement, subject to specified cure periods with respect to certain breaches, could result in an event of default and, as a result, could accelerate all of the amounts due. In the event of an acceleration of amounts due under the Loan Agreement, we may not have enough available cash or be able to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings to repay such indebtedness at the time of such acceleration. In that case, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product candidate development or grant to others the rights to develop and market our product candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market internally. Oxford could also exercise its rights as collateral agent to take possession and dispose of the collateral securing the term loans for its benefit, which collateral includes substantially all of our property other than our intellectual property. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected as a result of any of these events.

Current wording

Failure to satisfy our current and future debt obligations under the Note Purchase Agreement or breaching any covenants under the Note Purchase Agreement, subject to specified cure periods with respect to certain breaches, could result in an event of default and, as a result, could accelerate all of the amounts due. In the event of an acceleration of amounts due under the Note Purchase Agreement, we may not have enough available cash or be able to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings to repay such indebtedness at the time of such acceleration. In that case, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product candidate development or grant to others the rights to develop and market our product candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market internally. The Note Purchase Agreement Purchasers could also exercise their rights as collateral agent to take possession and dispose of the collateral securing the Notes for their benefit, which collateral includes substantially all of our property other than our intellectual property. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected as a result of any of these events.

Previous wording

We rely on third parties, such as CROs, clinical data management organizations, medical institutions, and clinical investigators, to conduct, provide monitors for, and manage data from all of our clinical trials. We compete with many other companies for the resources of these third parties.

Current wording

We rely on third parties, such as contract research organizations (“CROs”), clinical data management organizations, medical institutions, and clinical investigators, to conduct, provide monitors for, and manage data from all of our clinical trials. We compete with many other companies for the resources of these third parties.

Previous wording

Our reliance on these third parties for research and development activities will reduce our control over these activities but will not relieve us of our responsibilities. For example, we will remain responsible for ensuring that each of our clinical trials is conducted in accordance with the general investigational plan and protocols for the trial. Moreover, the FDA and other regulatory agencies require us to comply with standards, commonly referred to as Good Clinical Practices for conducting, recording, and reporting the results of clinical trials to assure that data and reported results are credible and accurate and that the rights, integrity and confidentiality of trial participants are protected. Regulatory authorities enforce these GCP requirements through periodic inspections of trial sponsors, principal investigators, and trial sites. If we or any of our CROs fail to comply with applicable GCP requirements, the clinical data generated in our clinical trials may be deemed unreliable, and the FDA or other regulatory authorities may require us to perform additional clinical trials before approving our marketing applications. We cannot assure you that upon inspection by a given regulatory authority, such regulatory authority will determine that any of our clinical trials comply with GCP requirements. We also are required to register ongoing clinical trials and post the results of completed clinical trials on government-sponsored databases, such as ClinicalTrials.gov, within certain timeframes. Failure to do so can result in fines, adverse publicity, and civil and criminal sanctions.

Current wording

Our reliance on these third parties for research and development activities will reduce our control over these activities but will not relieve us of our responsibilities. For example, we will remain responsible for ensuring that each of our clinical trials is conducted in accordance with the general investigational plan and protocols for the trial. Moreover, the FDA and other regulatory agencies require us to comply with standards, commonly referred to as Good Clinical Practices (“GCP”) for conducting, recording, and reporting the results of clinical trials to assure that data and reported results are credible and accurate and that the rights, integrity and confidentiality of trial participants are protected. Regulatory authorities enforce these GCP requirements through periodic inspections of trial sponsors, principal investigators, and trial sites. If we or any of our CROs fail to comply with applicable GCP requirements, the clinical data generated in our clinical trials may be deemed unreliable, and the FDA or other regulatory authorities may require us to perform additional clinical trials before approving our marketing applications. We cannot assure you that upon inspection by a given regulatory authority, such regulatory authority will determine that any of our clinical trials comply with GCP requirements. We also are required to register ongoing clinical trials and post the results of completed clinical trials on government-sponsored databases, such as ClinicalTrials.gov, within certain timeframes. Failure to do so can result in fines, adverse publicity, and civil and criminal sanctions.

Previous wording

We do not have any manufacturing facilities or personnel. We currently obtain all of our supply of our product candidates for clinical development from third-party manufacturers or third-party collaborators, and we expect to continue to rely on third parties for the manufacture of clinical quantities of our product candidates. In addition, we currently rely on third parties for the development of various formulations of our product candidates. This reliance on third parties increases the risk that we will not have sufficient quantities of our product candidates or such quantities at an acceptable cost or quality, which could delay, prevent, or impair our development or commercialization efforts.

Current wording

We do not have any manufacturing facilities or personnel. We currently obtain all of our supply of our product candidates for clinical development and commercial requirements from third-party manufacturers or third-party collaborators, and we expect to continue to rely on third parties for the manufacture of clinical and commercial quantities of our product candidates. In addition, we currently rely on third parties for the development of various formulations of our product candidates. This reliance on third parties increases the risk that we will not have sufficient quantities of our product candidates or such quantities at an acceptable cost or quality, which could delay, prevent, or impair our development or commercialization efforts.

Previous wording

We do not currently have arrangements in place for redundant supply or a second source for bulk drug substance or drug product. Even though we have supply agreements in place with our third-party manufacturers, reliance on third-party manufacturers entails additional risks, including:

Current wording

We do not currently have arrangements in place for redundant supply or a second source throughout our supply chain. Even though we have supply agreements in place with our third-party manufacturers, reliance on third-party manufacturers entails additional risks, including:

Previous wording

If our current contract manufacturers cannot perform as agreed or these parties cease to provide quality manufacturing and related services to us, we may be required to replace that manufacturer. If we are not able to engage appropriate replacements in a timely manner, our ability to manufacture our product candidates in sufficient quality and quantity required for planned pre-clinical testing, clinical trials and potential commercial use of our product candidates would be adversely affected. Although we believe that there are several potential alternative manufacturers who could manufacture our product candidates, we may incur added costs and delays in identifying and qualifying any such replacement, as well as producing the drug product and obtaining regulatory approvals for the new manufacturer. In addition, we have to enter into technical transfer agreements and share our know-how with the third-party manufacturers, which can be time consuming and may result in delays. In light of the lead time needed to manufacture our product candidates, and the availability of underlying materials, we may not be able to, in a timely manner or at all, establish or maintain sufficient commercial manufacturing arrangements on commercially reasonable terms necessary to provide adequate supply of our product candidates to meet demands that exceed our clinical assumptions. Furthermore, we may not be able to obtain the significant financial capital that may be required in connection with such arrangements. Even after successfully engaging third parties to execute the manufacturing

Current wording

If our current contract manufacturers cannot perform as agreed or these parties cease to provide quality manufacturing and related services to us, we may be required to replace that manufacturer. If we are not able to engage appropriate replacements in a timely manner, our ability to manufacture our product candidates in sufficient quality and quantity required for planned pre-clinical testing, clinical trials and potential commercial use of our product candidates would be adversely affected. Although we believe that there are several potential alternative manufacturers who could manufacture our product candidates, we may incur added costs and delays in identifying and qualifying any such replacement, as well as producing the drug product and obtaining regulatory approvals for the new manufacturer. In addition, we have to enter into technical transfer agreements and share our know-how with the third-party manufacturers, which can be time-consuming and may result in delays. In light of the lead time needed to manufacture our product candidates, and the availability of underlying materials, we may not be able to, in a timely manner or at all, establish or maintain sufficient commercial manufacturing arrangements on commercially reasonable terms necessary to provide adequate supply of our product candidates to meet demands that exceed our clinical assumptions. Furthermore, we may not be able to obtain the significant financial capital that may be required in connection with such arrangements. Even after successfully engaging third parties to execute the manufacturing process for our product candidates, such parties may not comply with the terms and timelines they have agreed to for various reasons, some of which may be out of their or our control, which could impact our ability to execute our business plans on expected or required timelines in connection with the commercialization of and the continued development of our product candidates. We may also be required to enter into long-term manufacturing agreements that contain exclusivity provisions and/or substantial termination penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our business prior to and after commercialization.

Previous wording

If we are not able to establish collaborations, we may have to alter our development and commercialization plans.

Current wording

If we are not able to establish additional collaborations, we may have to alter our development and commercialization plans.

Previous wording

We face significant competition in seeking appropriate collaborators. Whether we reach a definitive agreement for a collaboration will depend, among other things, upon our assessment of the collaborator’s resources and expertise, the terms and conditions of the proposed collaboration, and the proposed collaborator’s evaluation of a number of factors. Those factors may include the design or results of clinical trials, the likelihood of approval by the FDA or similar regulatory authorities outside the United States, the potential market for the subject product candidate, the costs and complexities of manufacturing and delivering such product candidate to patients, the potential of competing products, and the existence of uncertainty with respect to our ownership of technology, which can exist if there is a challenge to such ownership without regard to the merits of the challenge and industry and market conditions generally. The collaborator may also consider alternative product candidates or technologies for similar indications that may be available to collaborate on and whether such a collaboration could be more attractive than the one with us for our product candidate. Collaborations are complex and time consuming to negotiate and document. In addition, there have been a significant number of recent business combinations among large pharmaceutical companies that have resulted in a reduced number of potential future collaborators.

Current wording

We face significant competition in seeking appropriate collaborators. Whether we reach definitive agreements for a collaboration will depend, among other things, upon our assessment of the collaborator’s resources and expertise, the terms and conditions of the proposed collaboration, and the proposed collaborator’s evaluation of a number of factors. Those factors may include the design or results of clinical trials, the likelihood of approval by the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities, the potential market for the subject product candidate, the costs and complexities of manufacturing and delivering such product candidate to patients, the potential of competing products, and the existence of uncertainty with respect to our ownership of technology, which can exist if there is a challenge to such ownership without regard to the merits of the challenge and industry and market conditions generally. The collaborator may also consider alternative product candidates or technologies for similar indications that may be available to collaborate on and whether such a collaboration could be more attractive than the one with us for our product candidate. Collaborations are complex and time consuming to negotiate and document. In addition, there have been a significant number of recent business combinations among large pharmaceutical companies that have resulted in a reduced number of potential future collaborators.

Previous wording

We may depend on collaborations with third parties for the development and commercialization of our product candidates. If those collaborations are not successful, we may not be able to capitalize on the market potential of our product candidates.

Current wording

We may not realize the benefits of our current or future collaborations or licensing arrangements with third parties for the development and commercialization of our product candidates and may be unsuccessful in consummating future partnerships or capitalizing on the market potential of our product candidates.

Previous wording

Our business could be adversely affected by conditions the adverse geopolitical and macroeconomic developments, including the military conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East, and any related sanctions. While we do not currently have clinical trials in Ukraine, Russia, or Middle East, we have clinical trial sites in Europe. We also source clinical supply for our product candidates from third party contract manufacturing organizations in Europe. Additionally, GenFleet intends to file an IND for the lead oncology program in first half of 2024 in China and expects the Phase 1 clinical trial to be conducted in China. For such activities conducted in China, we are exposed to the possibility of product supply disruption and increased costs in the event of changes in the policies of the U.S. or Chinese governments, political unrest or unstable economic conditions including sanctions on China or any of our China-based counterparties. Furthermore, the conflicts between Ukraine and Russia, the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East, and the associated measures taken or that may be taken by the United States, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (“NATO”) and others create global security concerns, including the possibility of expanded regional or global conflict, and are likely to have short-term and likely longer-term negative impacts on regional and global economies, any or all of which could disrupt our supply chain, and adversely affect our ability to conduct ongoing and future clinical trials of our product candidates.

Current wording

Our business could be adversely affected by conditions the adverse geopolitical and macroeconomic developments, including the military conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East, and any related sanctions. While we do not currently have clinical trials in Ukraine, Russia, or the Middle East, we have clinical trial sites in Europe. We also source clinical supply for our product candidates from third party contract manufacturing organizations in Europe. Additionally, GenFleet is conducting a Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating GFH375/VS-7375 in China. For such activities conducted in China, we are exposed to the possibility of product supply disruption and increased costs in the event of changes in the policies of the U.S. or Chinese governments, political unrest or unstable economic conditions including sanctions on China or any of our China-based counterparties. Furthermore, the conflicts between Ukraine and Russia, the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East, and the associated measures taken or that may be taken by the United States, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (“NATO”) and others create global security concerns, including the possibility of expanded regional or global conflict, and are likely to have short-term and likely longer-term negative impacts on regional and global economies, any or all of which could disrupt our supply chain, and adversely affect our ability to conduct ongoing and future clinical trials of our product candidates.

Previous wording

impose, and we expect that future license agreements will impose, various diligence, milestone payment, royalty, insurance, and other obligations on us. For example, under our license agreements with Pfizer and Chugai, we are required to use diligent or commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize licensed products under the agreement and to satisfy other specified obligations. If we fail to comply with our obligations under these licenses, our licensors may have the right to terminate these license agreements, in which event we might not be able to market any product that is covered by these agreements, or to convert the exclusive licenses to non-exclusive licenses, which could materially adversely affect the value of the product candidate being developed under these license agreements. Termination of these license agreements or reduction or elimination of our licensed rights may result in our having to negotiate new or reinstated licenses with less favorable terms, which may not be possible. If Pfizer were to terminate its license agreement with us for any reason, we would lose our rights to defactinib. If Chugai were to terminate its license agreement with us for any reason, we could lose our rights to avutometinib.

Current wording

We are a party to a number of intellectual property license agreements with third parties, including Pfizer and Chugai, and expect to enter into additional license agreements in the future. Our existing license agreements impose, and we expect that future license agreements will impose, various diligence, milestone payment, royalty, insurance, and other obligations on us. For example, under our license agreements with Pfizer and Chugai, we are required to use diligent or commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize licensed products under the agreement and to satisfy other specified obligations. If we fail to comply with our obligations under these licenses, our licensors may have the right to terminate these license agreements, in which event we might not be able to market any product that is covered by these agreements, or to convert the exclusive licenses to non-exclusive

Previous wording

our products but that uses a formulation and/or a method that falls outside the scope of our patent protection. If the patent protection provided by the patents and patent applications we hold, license, or pursue with respect to our products is not sufficiently broad to impede such competition, our ability to successfully commercialize our products could be negatively affected, which would harm our business. Similar risks would apply to any patents or patent applications that we may own or license.

Current wording

Even if they are unchallenged, our or our licensors’ patents and pending patent applications, if issued, may not provide us with any meaningful protection or prevent competitors from designing around our or our licensors’ patent claims to circumvent our patents by developing similar or alternative technologies or therapeutics in a non-infringing manner. For example, a third party may develop a competitive therapy that provides benefits similar to our products but that uses a formulation and/or a method that falls outside the scope of our patent protection. If the patent protection provided by the patents and patent applications we hold, license, or pursue with respect to our products is not sufficiently broad to impede such competition, our ability to successfully commercialize our products could be negatively affected, which would harm our business. Similar risks would apply to any patents or patent applications that we may own or license.

Previous wording

The issuance of a patent is not conclusive as to its inventorship, scope, validity, or enforceability, and our owned and licensed patents may be challenged in the courts or patent offices in the United States and abroad. There may be prior art of which we are not aware that may affect the validity or enforceability of a patent claim. There also may be prior art of which we are aware, but which we do not believe affects the validity or enforceability of a claim, which may, nonetheless, ultimately be found to affect the validity or enforceability of a claim. We may in the future, become subject to a third-party pre-issuance submission of prior art or opposition, derivation, revocation, re-examination, post-grant andinter partes review, or interference proceeding and other similar proceedings challenging our patent rights or the patent rights of others in the USPTO or other foreign patent office. Such challenges may result in loss of exclusivity or freedom to operate or in patent claims being narrowed, invalidated, or held unenforceable, which could limit our ability to stop others from using or commercializing similar or identical products, or limit the duration of the patent protection of our products.

Current wording

The issuance of a patent is not conclusive as to its inventorship, scope, validity, or enforceability, and our owned and licensed patents may be challenged in the courts or patent offices in the United States and abroad. There may be prior art of which we are not aware that may affect the validity or enforceability of a patent claim. There also may be prior art of which we are aware, but which we do not believe affects the validity or enforceability of a claim, which may, nonetheless, ultimately be found to affect the validity or enforceability of a claim. We may in the future, become subject to a third-party pre-issuance submission of prior art or opposition, derivation, revocation, re-

Previous wording

The licensing and acquisition of third-party intellectual property rights is a competitive area, and companies, which may be more established, or have greater resources than we do, may also be pursuing strategies to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights that we may consider necessary or attractive in order to commercialize our products. More established companies may have a competitive advantage over us due to their size, cash resources and greater clinical development and commercialization capabilities. Moreover, we may devote resources to potential acquisitions or in-licensing opportunities that are never completed, or we may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of such efforts. We also may be unable to license or acquire the relevant compound or product candidate on terms that would allow us to make an appropriate return on our investment. Any product candidate that we acquire may require additional development efforts prior to commercial sale, including manufacturing, pre-clinical testing, extensive clinical testing and approval by the FDA and applicable foreign regulatory authorities. All product candidates are prone to risks of failure typical of pharmaceutical product development.

Current wording

size, cash resources and greater clinical development and commercialization capabilities. Moreover, we may devote resources to potential acquisitions or in-licensing opportunities that are never completed, or we may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of such efforts. We also may be unable to license or acquire the relevant compound or product candidate on terms that would allow us to make an appropriate return on our investment. Any product candidate that we acquire may require additional development efforts prior to commercial sale, including manufacturing, pre-clinical testing, extensive clinical testing and approval by the FDA and applicable foreign regulatory authorities. All product candidates are prone to risks of failure typical of pharmaceutical product development.

Previous wording

Some of our pending patent applications may not be allowed in the future. We cannot be certain that an allowed patent application will become an issued patent. There may be events that cause withdrawal of the allowance of a patent application. For example, after a patent application has been allowed, but prior to being issued, material that could be relevant to patentability may be identified. In such circumstances, the applicant may pull the application from allowance in order for the USPTO to review the application in view of the new material. We cannot be certain that the USPTO will issue the application in view of the new material. Further, periodic maintenance fees on any issued patent are due to be paid to the USPTO and foreign countries may require the payment of maintenance fees or patent annuities during the lifetime of a patent application and/or any subsequent patent that issues from the application. The USPTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent application process and following the issuance of a patent. While an inadvertent lapse can in many cases be cured by payment of a late fee or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules, there are situations in which noncompliance can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application. Such noncompliance can result in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. Noncompliance events that could result

Current wording

Some of our pending patent applications may not be allowed in the future. We cannot be certain that an allowed patent application will become an issued patent. There may be events that cause withdrawal of the allowance of a patent application. For example, after a patent application has been allowed, but prior to being issued, material that could be relevant to patentability may be identified. In such circumstances, the applicant may pull the application from allowance in order for the USPTO to review the application in view of the new material. We cannot be certain that the USPTO will issue the application in view of the new material. Further, periodic maintenance fees on any issued patent are due to be paid to the USPTO and foreign countries may require the payment of maintenance fees or patent annuities during the lifetime of a patent application and/or any subsequent patent that issues from the application. The USPTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent application process and following the issuance of a patent. While an inadvertent lapse can in many cases be cured by payment of a late fee or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules, there are situations in which noncompliance can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application. Such noncompliance can result in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. Noncompliance events that could result in abandonment or lapse of a patent or patent application include, but are not limited to, failure to respond to official actions within prescribed time limits, non-payment of fees and failure to properly legalize and submit formal documents. Such an event could have a material adverse effect on our business.

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Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

commercialize products similar or identical to ours, and our ability to successfully commercialize our products may be adversely affected.

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

produce positive results in our planned clinical trials of any of our product candidates, the development timeline and regulatory approval and commercialization prospects for our product candidates, and, correspondingly, our business and financial prospects, would be materially adversely affected.

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial resources and expertise than we do in research and development, manufacturing, preclinical testing, conducting clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals and marketing approved products. Mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries may result in even more resources being concentrated among a smaller number of our competitors. Smaller and other early-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against claims that our product candidates or products caused injuries, we will incur substantial liabilities. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

favorable terms or at all. If we are unable to raise capital when needed, we may be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development activities for our product candidates, or ultimately not be able to continue as a going concern.

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

licenses, which could materially adversely affect the value of the product candidate being developed under these license agreements. Termination of these license agreements or reduction or elimination of our licensed rights may result in our having to negotiate new or reinstated licenses with less favorable terms, which may not be possible. If Pfizer were to terminate its license agreement with us for any reason, we would lose our rights to defactinib. If Chugai were to terminate its license agreement with us for any reason, we could lose our rights to avutometinib.

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

examination, post-grant andinter partes review, or interference proceeding and other similar proceedings challenging our patent rights or the patent rights of others in the USPTO or other foreign patent office. Such challenges may result in loss of exclusivity or freedom to operate or in patent claims being narrowed, invalidated, or held unenforceable, which could limit our ability to stop others from using or commercializing similar or identical products, or limit the duration of the patent protection of our products.

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

The licensing and acquisition of third-party intellectual property rights is a competitive area, and companies, which may be more established, or have greater resources than we do, may also be pursuing strategies to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights that we may consider necessary or attractive in order to commercialize our products. More established companies may have a competitive advantage over us due to their

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

If we or one of our licensing partners initiate legal proceedings against a third party to enforce a patent covering our products, the defendant could counterclaim that the patent covering our products, as applicable, is

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

Third parties may assert that we are employing their proprietary technology without authorization. Patents issued in the United States by law enjoy a presumption of validity that can be rebutted only with evidence that is “clear and convincing,” a heightened standard of proof. There may be issued third-party patents of which we are currently unaware with claims to compositions, formulations, methods of manufacture or methods for treatment related to the use or manufacture of our products. Patent applications can take many years to issue. There may be currently pending patent applications which may later result in issued patents that may be infringed by our products. Moreover, we may fail to identify relevant patents or incorrectly conclude that a patent is invalid, not enforceable, exhausted, or not infringed by our activities. If any third-party patents, held now or obtained in the future by a third party, were found by a court of competent jurisdiction to cover the manufacturing process of our products, constructs or molecules used in or formed during the manufacturing process, or any final product or methods use of

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

Even if resolved in our favor, litigation or other legal proceedings relating to intellectual property claims may cause us to incur significant expenses, and could distract our technical and management personnel from their

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

Our owned or our licensors’ European patents and patent applications could be challenged in the recently created Unified Patent Court (“UPC”) for the European Union. We may decide to opt out our European patents and

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

The number and complexity of both federal and state laws continues to increase; the laws contain ambiguous requirements or require administrative guidance for implementation; government interpretations of the laws continue to evolve; and additional governmental resources are being used to enforce these laws and to prosecute companies and individuals who are believed to be violating them. Efforts to ensure that our business

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

We continue to evaluate federal and state health care reform efforts and the effect that such efforts may have on our business. Healthcare reform measures that may be adopted in the future could have a material adverse effect on our industry generally and on our ability to successfully commercialize any product candidates, if and when approved.

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

We have in the past issued, and we may at any time in the future issue, shares of preferred stock, and as of December 31, 2024 we have 1,000,000 shares of our Series A convertible preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock”) and 0 shares of our Series B convertible preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series B Convertible Preferred Stock” and together with the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, the “Preferred Stock”) issued and outstanding. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock with designations, rights and preferences determined from time-to-time by our board of directors. Accordingly, our board of directors is empowered, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting or
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Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

of these approved drugs are well established therapies and are widely accepted by physicians, patients and third-party payors. Insurers and other third-party payors may also encourage the use of generic products. We expect that our product candidates, if approved, will be priced at a significant premium over competitive generic products.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

opportunities. Our spending on current and future research and development programs and product candidates for specific indications may not yield any commercially viable products.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

process for our product candidates, such parties may not comply with the terms and timelines they have agreed to for various reasons, some of which may be out of their or our control, which could impact our ability to execute our business plans on expected or required timelines in connection with the commercialization of and the continued development of our product candidates. We may also be required to enter into long-term manufacturing agreements that contain exclusivity provisions and/or substantial termination penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our business prior to and after commercialization.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

We are a party to a number of intellectual property license agreements with third parties, including Pfizer and Chugai, and expect to enter into additional license agreements in the future. Our existing license agreements

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

Even if they are unchallenged, our or our licensors’ patents and pending patent applications, if issued, may not provide us with any meaningful protection or prevent competitors from designing around our or our licensors’ patent claims to circumvent our patents by developing similar or alternative technologies or therapeutics in a non-infringing manner. For example, a third party may develop a competitive therapy that provides benefits similar to

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

in abandonment or lapse of a patent or patent application include, but are not limited to, failure to respond to official actions within prescribed time limits, non-payment of fees and failure to properly legalize and submit formal documents. Such an event could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

misappropriation of our trade secrets or confidential information, particularly in countries where the laws may not protect those rights as fully as those within the United States.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

Third parties may assert that we are employing their proprietary technology without authorization. Patents issued in the United States by law enjoy a presumption of validity that can be rebutted only with evidence that is

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

property rights or personnel. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

trademarks may not survive such proceedings. If we are unable to establish name recognition based on our trademarks and trade names, we may not be able to compete effectively and our business may be adversely affected.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

Our employees, independent contractors, principal investigators, CROs, consultants, and vendors may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including non-compliance with regulatory standards and requirements, which could cause significant liability for us and harm our reputation.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

We are exposed to the risk that our employees, independent contractors, principal investigators, CROs, consultants and vendors may engage in fraud or other misconduct, including intentional failures to: comply with FDA regulations or similar regulations of comparable foreign regulatory authorities, provide accurate information to the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities, comply with manufacturing standards we have established, comply with federal and state healthcare fraud and abuse laws and regulations and similar laws and regulations established and enforced by comparable foreign regulatory authorities, report financial information or data accurately or disclose unauthorized activities to us. Such misconduct could also involve the improper use of information obtained in the course of clinical trials, which could result in regulatory sanctions and serious harm to our reputation. It is not always possible to identify and deter misconduct by employees and other third parties, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to be in compliance with such laws, standards, or regulations. If any such actions are instituted against us, and we are not successful in defending ourselves or asserting our rights, those actions could have a significant impact on our business and results of operations, including the imposition of significant fines or other sanctions.