MeiraGTx Holdings plc
For the period ended Mar 31, 2025. Filed May 13, 2025.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Mar 31, 2025 · Filed May 13, 2025
What changed in Risk Factors?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-09-30; filed 2024-11-13.
0001558370-24-015444
Item 1A. Risk FactorsCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-03-31; filed 2025-05-13.
0001558370-25-007498
Item 1A. Risk FactorsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 319 previous paragraphs and 314 current paragraphs.
194 unchanged; 90 reworded; 8 added; 10 removed; 25 previous and 22 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 123 previous and 122 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 (8)
Current report
There is no pre-MA orphan designation in the UK. The MHRA reviews applications from companies for orphan designation in parallel to the corresponding MAA. The criteria are essentially the same, but have been tailored for the market, i.e., the prevalence of the condition in the UK, rather than the EU, must not be more than five in 10,000.
Current report
Should an orphan designation be granted, the period or market exclusivity will be set from the date of first approval of the product in the UK.
Current report
●the U.S. Physician Payments Sunshine Act and its implementing regulations, which requires certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics and medical supplies that are reimbursable under Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, with specific exceptions, to report annually to the government information related to certain payments and other transfers of value to physicians (defined to include doctors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists and chiropractors), certain non-physician practitioners (physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologist assistants and certified nurse midwives), and teaching hospitals, as well as ownership and investment interests held by physicians and their immediate family members;
Current report
The use or anticipated use of new and evolving technologies, such as artificial intelligence (“AI”), by us or third parties may increase or create new operational risks.
Current report
We have in the past and will in the future integrate new and evolving technologies, such as AI, into our business. AI technologies offer numerous potential benefits, such as creating or increasing operational efficiencies, and we expect an increase in the use of AI and generative AI by us, third parties on our behalf, and other market actors, including our competitors. However, the deployment of such technologies also poses certain risks, including that the algorithms may be flawed, misused or otherwise function in an unexpected manner; data sets may be insufficient, of poor quality, or contain biased information; and inappropriate or controversial data practices by data scientists, engineers, and end-users could impair results. In addition, use of personal data in generative AI technologies is subject to various privacy laws and other privacy obligations in certain jurisdictions. Governments have passed and may pass additional laws regulating generative AI. The introduction of AI technologies into our operations may potentially result in new or enhanced governmental or regulatory scrutiny, litigation, confidentiality or security risks or other complications. The regulatory landscape governing AI technologies is evolving rapidly, and changes in laws, regulations or enforcement practices may potentially impose new compliance requirements, restrict certain AI applications or increase regulatory obligations.
Current report
If the analyses that AI-based applications assist in producing are or are perceived to be deficient, inaccurate or biased, we could be subjected to competitive harm, potential legal liability and brand or reputational harm. Our competitors may also adopt AI or generative AI more quickly or more effectively than we do, which could cause
Current report
competitive harm. Furthermore, use of AI-based software may lead to the release of confidential information which may impact our ability to realize the benefits of our intellectual property.
Current report
The rapid evolution of AI will require the application of significant resources to design, develop, test, oversee and maintain our products and services to help ensure that AI is implemented in accordance with applicable law and regulation and in a socially responsible manner and to minimize any real or perceived unintended harmful impacts. Our vendors or partners may in turn incorporate AI tools into their own offerings, and the providers of these AI tools may not meet existing or rapidly evolving regulatory or industry standards, including with respect to privacy and data security. Further, bad actors around the world use increasingly sophisticated methods, including the use of AI, to engage in illegal activities involving the theft and misuse of personal information, confidential information and intellectual property. Any of these effects could damage our reputation, result in the loss of valuable property and information, cause us to breach applicable laws and regulations, and adversely impact our business.
Removed paragraphs (10)
Previous report
It is currently unclear to what extent the UK will seek to align its regulations with the EU. The UK regulatory framework in relation to clinical trials is derived from existing EU legislation (as implemented into UK law, through secondary legislation). On January 17, 2022, the MHRA launched an eight-week consultation on reframing the UK legislation for clinical trials, which aimed to streamline clinical trials approvals, enable innovation, enhance clinical trials transparency, enable greater risk proportionality, and promote patient and public involvement in clinical trials. The MHRA published its consultation outcome on March 21, 2023 in which it confirmed that it would update the existing legislation.
Previous report
The MHRA is responsible for reviewing applications from companies for orphan designation at the time of an MAA. If a medicinal product has been designated orphan in the EU under Regulation (EC) 141/2000, a Great Britain orphan MAA can be made under regulation 50G of the Human Medicines Regulation 2012 (as amended). A UK-wide orphan MAA can only be considered in the absence of an active EU orphan designation. If a UK-wide orphan MA is granted and the medicinal product subsequently receives EU orphan designation, the MA holder would need to submit a variation to change this to a Great Britain orphan MA.
Previous report
●establishment of a Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, to test innovative payment and service delivery models to lower Medicare and Medicaid spending, potentially including prescription drug spending.
Previous report
The UK’s withdrawal from the EU has resulted in changes to regulatory requirements and has had and may continue to have a negative effect on global economic conditions, financial markets and our business, which could reduce the price of our shares.
Previous report
Following a national referendum and enactment of legislation by the government of the UK, the UK formally withdrew from the EU on January 31, 2020, commonly referred to as “Brexit”. Since the end of the Brexit transition period on January 1, 2021, Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) has not been directly subject to EU laws, however under the terms of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, EU laws have generally applied to Northern Ireland. On February 27, 2023, the UK Government and the European Commission reached a political agreement in the “Windsor Framework” which will revise the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland in order to address some of the perceived shortcomings in its operation. Under the changes, Northern Ireland will be reintegrated under the regulatory authority of the MHRA with respect to medicinal products. These changes will commence January 1, 2025 at which point the MHRA will be solely responsible for authorizing medicines for the Northern Ireland market. There could be additional uncertainty and risk around what these changes will mean to our business.
Previous report
More generally, it is currently unclear to what extent the UK Government will seek to align its regulations with the EU. The EU laws that have been transposed into UK law through secondary legislation remain applicable in Great Britain. However, new legislation such as the CTR is not applicable in Great Britain. Whilst the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, or TCA, includes the mutual recognition of GMP inspections of manufacturing facilities for medicinal products and GMP documents issued, it does not contain wholesale mutual recognition of UK and EU pharmaceutical regulations and product standards. There may be divergent local requirements in Great Britain from the EU in the future, which may impact clinical and development activities that occur in the UK in the future. Similarly, clinical trial submissions in the UK cannot be bundled with those of EU member states within the EMA Clinical Trial Information System, or CTIS, adding further complexity, cost and potential risk to future clinical and development activity
Previous report
in the UK. Significant political and economic uncertainty remains about how much the relationship between the UK and EU will differ as a result of the UK’s withdrawal.
Previous report
Companies established in Great Britain cannot use the centralized procedure and instead must follow one of the UK national authorization procedures or one of the remaining post-Brexit international cooperation procedures to obtain an MA to market products in Great Britain. While centrally authorized MAs are currently recognized in Northern Ireland, the MA holder must be located in the EU for these products to be on the Northern Ireland market. A new international recognition framework has applied since January 1, 2024, whereby the MHRA will have regard to decisions on the approval of MAs made by the EMA and certain other regulators when determining an application for a new Great Britain MA. Since January 1, 2024, the new International Recognition procedure (IRP) has replaced the EC Decision Reliance Procedure which allows the MHRA to conduct targeted assessments by recognizing approvals from trusted partner agencies such as the European Commission. The MHRA’s mutual recognition or decentralized procedures is also incorporated under the umbrella of the IRP. Additionally, the ‘Unfettered Access Procedure’ enables an MA holder in Northern Ireland to seek recognition in Great Britain.
Previous report
The full impact of these new arrangements and requirements, both on our existing processes and our ability to adjust our business and operations to operate successfully in the UK and EU, as well as more broadly on UK-EU cross-border trade and the economy, are expected to become clearer in the coming years. In particular, it remains to be seen whether the initial implementation of, and adjustment of UK-EU trading processes for, the TCA could disrupt or otherwise negatively impact our business and operations. These negative impacts could include amongst others a decrease in foreign direct investment in the UK, an increase of our costs, disruption of our supply chains, restrictions on our ability to access capital and depression on economic activity or economic instability, which could in turn lead to a reduction in asset valuations, currency exchange rates and credit ratings.
Previous report
In addition, the TCA has imposed additional restrictions on the free movement of people between the UK and the EU, which could have a material adverse effect on us, since we compete in these jurisdictions for well qualified employees in all aspects of our business. Any impact on our ability to attract new employees and to retain existing employees in their current jurisdictions could decrease our competitiveness. Any of these factors could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
Reworded paragraphs (90)
Previous wording
We are a clinical stage company with limited operating history. We were formed and began operations in 2015. We have never been profitable and do not expect to be profitable in the foreseeable future. We have incurred net losses since inception, including net losses of approximately $108.4 million and $104.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of September 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $662.6 million. Since our inception, we have devoted substantially all of our resources to developing our technology platform, establishing our viral vector manufacturing facilities and plasmid and DNA production facility, developing manufacturing processes, advancing the product candidates in our ophthalmology, salivary gland and neurodegenerative disease programs, research and development activities, building our intellectual property portfolio, organizing and staffing our company, developing our business plans, raising capital, securing debt financing and providing general and administrative support for these operations. We have not yet demonstrated an ability to successfully complete large-scale, pivotal clinical trials, obtain marketing approval, manufacture product at a commercial scale, or arrange for a third party to do so on our behalf, or conduct sales and marketing activities necessary for successful product commercialization. Given the length of time typically needed to develop a new drug from the time it enters Phase 1 clinical trials to when it is approved for treating patients, if ever, predictions about our future success or viability may not be as accurate as they could be if we had a longer operating history or a history of successfully developing and commercializing genetic medicine products.
Current wording
We are a clinical stage company with limited operating history. We were formed and began operations in 2015. We have never been profitable and do not expect to be profitable in the foreseeable future. We have incurred net losses since inception, including net losses of approximately $40.0 million and $20.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and 2024, respectively. As of March 31, 2025, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $742.0 million. Since our inception, we have devoted substantially all of our resources to developing our technology platform, establishing our viral vector manufacturing facilities and plasmid and DNA production facility, developing manufacturing processes, advancing the product candidates in our ophthalmology, salivary gland and neurodegenerative disease programs, research and development activities, including our riboswitch gene regulation platform technology, building our intellectual property portfolio, organizing and staffing our company, developing our business plans, raising capital, securing debt financing and providing general and administrative support for these operations. We have not yet demonstrated an ability to successfully complete large-scale, pivotal clinical trials, obtain marketing approval, manufacture product at a commercial scale, or arrange for a third party to do so on our behalf, or conduct sales and marketing activities necessary for successful product commercialization. Given the length of time typically needed to develop a new drug from the time it enters Phase 1 clinical trials to when it is approved for treating patients, if ever, predictions about our future success or viability may not be as accurate as they could be if we had a longer operating history or a history of successfully developing and commercializing genetic medicine products.
Previous wording
We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and additional operating losses for the foreseeable future as we seek to advance product candidates through preclinical and clinical development, expand our research, development and manufacturing activities, develop new product candidates, build and expand our intellectual product portfolio, complete clinical trials, seek regulatory approval and, if we receive regulatory approval, commercialize our products. Furthermore, the costs of advancing product candidates into each succeeding clinical phase tend to increase substantially over time, including the ongoing Phase 2 AQUAx2 clinical trial of AAV-hAQP1 for the treatment of patients with radiation-induced xerostomia. In addition, we expect to continue incurring increasing research and development costs associated with our clinical activities for AAV-GAD for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and research, preclinical and clinical activities for our riboswitch platform. The total costs to advance any of our product candidates to marketing approval in even a single jurisdiction would be substantial. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with gene therapy product development, we are unable to accurately predict the timing or amount of increased expenses or whether we will be able to begin generating revenue from the commercialization of products or achieve or maintain profitability.
Current wording
We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and additional operating losses for the foreseeable future as we seek to advance product candidates through preclinical and clinical development, expand our research, development and manufacturing activities, develop new product candidates, build and expand our intellectual product portfolio, complete clinical trials, seek regulatory approval and, if we receive regulatory approval, commercialize our products. Furthermore, the costs of advancing product candidates into each succeeding clinical phase tend to increase substantially over time, including the ongoing Phase 2 AQUAx2 clinical trial of AAV-hAQP1 for the treatment of patients with radiation-induced xerostomia. In addition, we expect to continue incurring increasing research and development costs associated with our clinical activities for AAV-GAD for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and research, preclinical and clinical activities for our riboswitch platform, although certain of these increases are expected to be offset by the funding provided by Hologen after the anticipated closing of the strategic collaboration we entered into with them. The total costs to advance any of our product candidates to marketing approval in even a single jurisdiction would be substantial. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with gene therapy product development, we are unable to accurately predict the timing or amount of increased expenses or whether we will be able to begin generating revenue from the commercialization of products or achieve or maintain profitability.
Previous wording
increase beyond expectations if we are required by the FDA, UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (the “MHRA”), European Medicines Agency (the “EMA”), or other regulatory authorities to perform preclinical studies and clinical trials in addition to those that we currently anticipate. These risks are further described under “—Risks Related to Discovery, Development, Clinical Testing, Manufacturing and Regulatory Approval” and “—Risks Related to Commercialization.” As a result, we expect to continue to incur net losses for the foreseeable future. These net losses have had, and will continue to have, an adverse effect on our shareholders’ equity and working capital.
Current wording
Before we generate any revenue from product sales, each of our programs and product candidates will require additional preclinical and/or clinical development, potential regulatory approval in multiple jurisdictions, manufacturing, building of a commercial organization, substantial investment and significant marketing efforts. Our expenses could increase beyond expectations if we are required by the FDA, UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (the “MHRA”), European Medicines Agency (the “EMA,”), or other regulatory authorities to perform preclinical studies and clinical trials in addition to those that we currently anticipate. These risks are further described under “—Risks Related to Discovery, Development, Clinical Testing, Manufacturing and Regulatory Approval” and “—Risks Related to Commercialization.” As a result, we expect to continue to incur net losses for the foreseeable future. These net losses have had, and will continue to have, an adverse effect on our shareholders’ equity and working capital.
Previous wording
On December 20, 2023, we and MeiraGTx UK II Limited entered into and consummated the Asset Purchase Agreement with Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine pursuant to which we sold and assigned to Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, and Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine purchased and assumed, the UCLB RPGR License Agreement relating to the research, development, manufacture and exploitation of the RPGR Product, and other related assets as described in the Asset Purchase Agreement. MeiraGTx UK II Limited and Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine also entered into a Supply Agreement on December 20, 2023 pursuant to which MeiraGTx UK II Limited, together with its affiliates, will manufacture commercial supply of the RPGR Product for Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine for an initial term of four years, with Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine having an option to extend the Supply Agreement for a fifth year upon written notification to us.
Current wording
On December 20, 2023, we and MeiraGTx UK II Limited entered into and consummated the Asset Purchase Agreement with Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine pursuant to which we sold and assigned to Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, and Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine purchased and assumed, the UCLB RPGR License Agreement relating to the research, development, manufacture and exploitation of the RPGR Product, and other related assets as described in the Asset Purchase Agreement. MeiraGTx UK II Limited and Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine also entered into a Supply Agreement on December 20, 2023 (the “Supply Agreement”) pursuant to which MeiraGTx UK II Limited, together with its affiliates, will manufacture commercial supply of the RPGR Product for Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine for an initial term of four years, with Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine having an option to extend the Supply Agreement for a fifth year upon written notification to us.
Previous wording
Under the Asset Purchase Agreement, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine paid us a non-refundable upfront cash purchase price of $65.0 million in December 2023. Additionally, pursuant to and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine agreed to pay us future contingent consideration of up to an aggregate of $350.0 million, as follows: (i) a milestone payment of $50.0 million in connection with the achievement of the initiation of the extension study for the Phase 3 LUMEOS clinical trial for the RPGR Product, which milestone was achieved during the first quarter of 2024; (ii) $10.0 million upon completion of certain specified development services for the drug substance for the RPGR Product; (iii) $5.0 million upon completion of certain specified development services for the drug product for the RPGR Product; (iv) $175.0 million upon the first commercial sale of an RPGR Product in the United States; (v) $75.0 million upon the first commercial sale of an RPGR Product in at least one of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Italy; (vi) $25.0 million upon completion of the transfer of certain manufacturing technology for drug substance and drug product from us to Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine; and (vii) $10.0 million upon regulatory approval of a Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine -selected manufacturing facility in each of the United States and European Union for commercial manufacture of the RPGR Product.
Current wording
Under the Asset Purchase Agreement, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine paid us a non-refundable upfront cash purchase price of $65.0 million in December 2023. Additionally, pursuant to and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine agreed to pay us future contingent consideration of up to an aggregate of $350.0 million, as follows: (i) a milestone payment of $50.0 million in connection with the achievement of the initiation of the extension study for the Phase 3 LUMEOS clinical trial for the RPGR Product; (ii) $10.0 million upon completion of certain specified development services for the drug substance for the RPGR Product; (iii) $5.0 million upon completion of certain specified development services for the drug product for the RPGR Product; (iv) $175.0 million upon the first commercial sale of an RPGR Product in the United States; (v) $75.0 million upon the first commercial sale of an RPGR Product in at least one of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Italy; (vi) $25.0 million upon completion of the transfer of certain manufacturing technology for drug substance and drug product from us to Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine; and (vii) $10.0 million upon regulatory approval of a Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine-selected manufacturing facility in each of the United States and European Union for commercial manufacture of the RPGR Product. To date, we received $60.0 million in milestone payments from Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine.
Previous wording
In connection with the sale and assignment of the UCLB RPGR License Agreement relating to the research, development, manufacture and exploitation of the RPGR Product to Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine has control and broad discretion over all aspects of the development and commercialization of the RPGR Product and we will have little, if any, influence over how such activities will be conducted. Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine will also be responsible for seeking regulatory approval and initiating the first commercial sale in the relevant jurisdictions of the RPGR Product, as well as obtaining regulatory approval of its manufacturing facilities in the relevant jurisdictions for the purposes of conducting commercial manufacture of the RPGR Product. These regulatory approvals and initiation of the first commercial sales in the relevant jurisdictions would entitle us to receive milestone payments up to an aggregate of $260.0 million. Our receipt of these milestones is dependent on Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine’s ability to successfully develop and commercialize the RPGR Product and obtain the necessary regulatory approvals for its manufacturing facilities. If these regulatory approvals or commercial sales do not
Current wording
In connection with the sale and assignment of the UCLB RPGR License Agreement relating to the research, development, manufacture and exploitation of the RPGR Product to Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine has control and broad discretion over all aspects of the development and commercialization of the RPGR Product and we will have little, if any, influence over how such activities will be conducted. Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine will also be responsible for seeking regulatory approval and initiating the first commercial sale in the relevant jurisdictions of the RPGR Product, as well as obtaining regulatory approval of its manufacturing facilities in the relevant jurisdictions for the purposes of conducting commercial manufacture of the RPGR Product. These regulatory approvals and initiation of the first commercial sales in the relevant jurisdictions would entitle us to receive milestone payments up to an aggregate of $260.0 million. Our receipt of these milestones is dependent on Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine’s ability to successfully develop and commercialize the RPGR Product and obtain the necessary regulatory approvals for its manufacturing facilities. If these regulatory approvals or commercial sales do not occur in a timely fashion or at all, then such milestone payments, and any revenues we may receive from manufacturing commercial supply of the RPGR Product, may be delayed or we may not receive such payments. Additionally, certain of these milestone based payments are payable upon our achievement of the specified development services, completion of the transfer of certain manufacturing technology to Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine and our ability to manufacture sufficient commercial supply of the RPGR Product in a timely fashion. In the event we are not successful in completing these activities in a timely fashion or at all, we will not receive the milestone payments associated with the relevant milestone under the Asset Purchase Agreement or receive revenue for commercial supply of the RPGR Product under the Supply Agreement. In each of these circumstances, our anticipated cash inflows from these activities would be reduced or eliminated, which would have an adverse effect on our revenue and financial position.
Previous wording
Our operations have consumed significant amounts of cash since inception. As of September 30, 2024, our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were $125.0 million. In addition, we expect to receive $3.3 million from receivables from Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine in connection with transition services we provided to Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. Based on our cash, cash equivalents, tax incentive receivable and accounts receivable – related party at September 30, 2024 and the near-term milestone payments we expect to receive under the Asset Purchase Agreement, we estimate that such funds will be sufficient to enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the second quarter of 2026. This estimate does not include the $285.0 million in milestones we are eligible to receive under the Asset Purchase Agreement upon first commercial sale of an RPGR Product in the United States and in at least one of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Italy, for completion of the transfer of certain manufacturing technology to Janssen and upon regulatory approval of a Janssen-selected manufacturing facility in each of the United States and European Union for commercial manufacture of the RPGR Product. This estimate is based on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could use our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect. Changing circumstances could cause us to spend more than expected or consume capital significantly faster than we currently anticipate, such as inflation or other factors that may significantly increase our business costs. Because the length of time and activities associated with successful development of our product candidates is uncertain, we are unable to estimate the actual funds we will require for development and any approved marketing and commercialization activities. Our future funding requirements, both near and long-term, will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to:
Current wording
Our operations have consumed significant amounts of cash since inception. As of March 31, 2025, our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were $68.6 million. In addition, we expect to receive $0.7 million from receivables from Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine during the second quarter of 2025 in connection with transition services we provided to Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. Based on our cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable – related party and tax incentive receivable at March 31, 2025, together with the proceeds from the anticipated closing of the strategic collaboration with Hologen, we estimate that such funds will be sufficient to enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into 2027 and to repay our debt obligation of $75.0 million to Perceptive (due in August 2026). This estimate does not include the $285.0 million in milestones we are eligible to receive under the Asset Purchase Agreement upon first commercial sale of an RPGR Product in the United States and in at least one of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Italy, for completion of the transfer of certain manufacturing technology to Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine and upon regulatory approval of a Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine-selected manufacturing facility in each of the United States and European Union for commercial manufacture of the RPGR Product. This estimate is based on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could use our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect. Changing circumstances could cause us to spend more than expected or consume capital significantly faster than we currently anticipate, such as inflation or other factors that may significantly increase our business costs. Because the length of time and activities associated with successful development of our product candidates is uncertain, we are unable to estimate the actual funds we will require for development and any approved marketing and commercialization activities. Our future funding requirements, both near and long-term, will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to:
Previous wording
warrants to Perceptive (as defined below), to purchase 400,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $15.00 per share and 300,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $20.00 per share. Additional debt financing or preferred equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants further limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If we raise additional funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or marketing, distribution or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may be required to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams or product candidates or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development or future commercialization efforts or grant rights to develop and market product candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.
Current wording
Raising additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities will dilute your ownership interest, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a shareholder. For example, in connection with entering into the Financing Agreement (as defined below), we issued warrants to Perceptive (as defined below), to purchase 400,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $15.00 per share and 300,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $20.00 per share. Additional debt financing or preferred equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants further limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If we raise additional funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or marketing, distribution or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may be required to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams or product candidates or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development or future commercialization efforts or grant rights to develop and market product candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.
Previous wording
The covenants may restrict our current and future operations, particularly our ability to respond to certain changes in our business or industry, or take future actions. Additionally, our ability to comply with these restrictive covenants may be impacted by events beyond our control, such as economic conditions or major central bank policy actions. Our Notes Purchase Agreement provides that our breach or failure to satisfy certain covenants constitutes an event of default. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, in addition to an increase in the rate of interest on the Notes of 3% per annum, Perceptive could elect to declare all amounts outstanding thereunder to be immediately due and payable, proceed against the assets we provided as collateral, and, if such debt were accelerated, we may not have sufficient cash on hand or be able
Current wording
The covenants may restrict our current and future operations, particularly our ability to respond to certain changes in our business or industry, or take future actions. Additionally, our ability to comply with these restrictive covenants may be impacted by events beyond our control, such as economic conditions or major central bank policy actions. Our Notes Purchase Agreement provides that our breach or failure to satisfy certain covenants constitutes an event of default. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, in addition to an increase in the rate of interest on the Notes of 3% per annum, Perceptive could elect to declare all amounts outstanding thereunder to be immediately due and payable, proceed against the assets we provided as collateral, and, if such debt were accelerated, we may not have sufficient cash on hand or be able to sell sufficient collateral to repay it, which would have an immediate adverse effect on our business and operating results. This could potentially cause us to cease operations and result in a complete loss of your investment in our ordinary shares**.**
Previous wording
We have, and may continue to, opportunistically identify and evaluate strategic opportunities regarding our assets. For example, in October 2023, we entered into an Investment Agreement with Sanofi Foreign Participations B.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sanofi, and solely for the limited purposes set forth therein, Sanofi (the “Investment Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things and subject to the terms and conditions specified therein, we issued an aggregate of 4,000,000 ordinary shares, at a purchase price of $7.50 per share (the “Sanofi Private Placement”) for gross proceeds of $30.0 million. Sanofi also received a right of first negotiation (ROFN) for the use of our riboswitch gene regulation technology for certain Central Nervous System (CNS) and Immunology and Inflammation (I&I) targets, including IL-4 and IL-13, as well as for GLP-1 and other gut peptides for obesity, and for our Phase 2 xerostomia program. In addition, in December 2023, we announced the transaction with Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, as described above. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in our efforts to pursue or advance such options, or identify similar opportunities, or that any potential transaction would be consummated or, if consummated, will provide the anticipated benefits to us or otherwise enhance shareholder value. Any such potential transaction would be dependent upon a number of factors beyond our control, including, without limitation, market conditions, industry trends, the interest of third parties in our assets and whether the terms of any strategic transaction would be acceptable to us. The process of reviewing potential strategic alternatives is time consuming and may be distracting and disruptive to our business operations and long-term planning, which may cause concern to our current or potential customers, employees, investors, strategic partners and other constituencies and may have a material impact on our business and operating results or result in increased volatility in our share price.
Current wording
We have, and may continue to, opportunistically identify and evaluate strategic opportunities regarding our assets. For example, in March 2025 we entered into a strategic collaboration with Hologen that is subject to customary closing and funding conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to completion of the transaction. It is possible that the transaction may not be completed or may not be completed as quickly as expected, which could have a material adverse effect on the price of our ordinary shares. In addition, any significant delay in consummating or a failure to consummate the transaction could have a material adverse effect on our future business or operating results. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in our efforts to pursue or advance such options, or identify similar opportunities, or that any potential transaction would be consummated or, if consummated, will provide the anticipated benefits to us or otherwise enhance shareholder value. Any such potential transaction would be dependent upon a number of factors beyond our control, including, without limitation, market conditions, industry trends, the interest of third parties in our assets and whether the terms of any strategic transaction would be acceptable to us. The process of reviewing potential strategic alternatives is time consuming and may be distracting and disruptive to our business operations and long-term planning, which may cause concern to our current or potential customers, employees, investors, strategic partners and other constituencies and may have a material impact on our business and operating results or result in increased volatility in our share price.
Previous wording
Our future success and ability to generate product revenue is substantially dependent on our ability to successfully develop, manufacture, obtain regulatory approval for and successfully commercialize our product candidates. We currently have no products that are approved for commercial sale and may never be able to develop marketable products. We have invested and expect to continue to invest a meaningful portion of our efforts and expenditures over the next few years in the development of AAV-hAQP1, AAV-GAD, AAV-CNGB3, AAV-CNGA3, AAV-RPE65 and our riboswitch gene regulation technology platform, which will require additional clinical development, management of clinical and manufacturing activities, regulatory approval in multiple jurisdictions, manufacturing sufficient supply, building of a commercial organization, substantial investment and significant marketing efforts before we can generate any revenues from any commercial sales. We cannot be certain that our product candidates will be successful in clinical trials, receive regulatory approval or be successfully commercialized even if we receive regulatory approval. Even if we receive approval to market our product candidates from the FDA, MHRA or other regulatory bodies, we cannot be certain that our product candidates will be successfully commercialized by us or any of our collaborators, widely accepted in the marketplace or more effective than other commercially available alternatives. Additionally, the research, testing, manufacturing, labeling, approval, sale, marketing and distribution of gene therapy products are and will remain subject to extensive and evolving regulation by the FDA, MHRA and other regulatory authorities. We are not permitted to market our product candidates in the United States until they receive approval of a biologics license application, or BLA, from the FDA, we cannot market them in the UK or EU until we receive approval for an MA, from the MHRA or European Commission, respectively, and we cannot market them in other countries until we receive any other required regulatory approval in those countries.
Current wording
Our future success and ability to generate product revenue is substantially dependent on our ability to successfully develop, manufacture, obtain regulatory approval for and successfully commercialize our product candidates. We currently have no products that are approved for commercial sale and may never be able to develop marketable products. We have invested and expect to continue to invest a meaningful portion of our efforts and expenditures over the next few years in the development of AAV-hAQP1, AAV-GAD, AAV-AIPL1 and our riboswitch gene regulation technology platform, as well as potentially AAV-CNGB3, AAV-CNGA3, AAV-RPE65, which will require additional clinical development, management of clinical and manufacturing activities, regulatory approval in multiple jurisdictions, manufacturing sufficient supply, building of a commercial organization, substantial investment and significant marketing efforts before we can generate any revenues from any commercial sales. We cannot be certain that our product candidates will be successful in clinical trials, receive regulatory approval or be successfully commercialized even if we receive regulatory approval. Even if we receive approval to market our product candidates from the FDA, MHRA or other regulatory bodies, we cannot be certain that our product candidates will be successfully commercialized by us or any of our collaborators, widely accepted in the marketplace or more effective than other commercially available alternatives. Additionally, the research, testing, manufacturing, labeling, approval, sale, marketing and distribution of gene therapy products are and will remain subject to extensive and evolving regulation by the FDA, MHRA and other regulatory authorities. We are not permitted to market our product candidates in the United States until they receive approval of a biologics license application, or BLA, from the FDA, we cannot market them in the UK or EU until we receive approval for an MA, from the MHRA or European Commission, respectively, and we cannot market them in other countries until we receive any other required regulatory approval in those countries.
Previous wording
It is difficult to predict the time and cost of product candidate development on our novel gene therapy platform. Very few gene therapies have been approved in the United States or in Europe.
Current wording
It is difficult to predict the time and cost of product candidate development on our novel gene therapy platform. A limited number of gene therapies have been approved in the United States or in Europe.
Previous wording
We have concentrated a portion of our research and development efforts on our gene therapy platform, which uses both transduction and gene control technology. Our future success depends on the successful development of these novel therapeutic approaches. To date, very few products that utilize gene transfer have been approved in the United States or Europe.
Current wording
We have concentrated a portion of our research and development efforts on our gene therapy platform, which uses both transduction and gene control technology. Our future success depends on the successful development of these novel therapeutic approaches. To date, a limited number of products that utilize gene transfer have been approved in the United States or Europe.
Previous wording
our viral vectors will be able to meet safety and efficacy levels needed to be therapeutic in humans or that they will not cause significant adverse events or toxicities. Furthermore, prior work conducted by a third party in non-human primates suggests that intravenous, or IV, delivery of certain AAV vectors at very high doses may result in severe toxicity. The indications that we target do not use IV administration for viral vector delivery and do not use doses as high as those tested in these publications, and to date we have not observed the severe toxicities described in these publications with the naturally occurring AAV vectors that we use. However, we cannot be certain that we will be able to avoid triggering toxicities in our future preclinical studies or clinical trials. Any such results could impact our ability to develop a product candidate. As a result of these factors, it is more difficult for us to predict the time and cost of product candidate development, and we cannot predict whether the application of our gene therapy platform, or any similar or competitive gene therapy platforms, will result in the identification, development, and regulatory approval of any product candidates, or that other gene therapy technologies will not be considered better or more attractive. There can be no assurance that any development problems we experience in the future related to our gene therapy platform or any of our research programs will not cause significant delays or unanticipated costs, or that such development problems can be solved. Any of these factors may prevent us from completing our preclinical studies or clinical trials or commercializing any product candidates we may develop on a timely or profitable basis, if at all.
Current wording
Our gene therapy platform is based on a suite of viral vectors which we can deploy with gene therapy constructs, which relies on the ability of AAV to efficiently transmit a therapeutic gene to certain kinds of cells. The mechanism of action by which these vectors target particular tissues is still not completely understood. Therefore, it is difficult for us to determine that our vectors will be able to properly deliver gene transfer constructs to enough tissue cells to reach therapeutic levels. We cannot be certain that animal models will exist for some of the diseases we expect to pursue, that our viral vectors will be able to meet safety and efficacy levels needed to be therapeutic in humans or that they will not cause significant adverse events or toxicities. Furthermore, prior work conducted by a third party in non-human primates suggests that intravenous, or IV, delivery of certain AAV vectors at very high doses may result in severe toxicity. The indications that we target do not use IV administration for viral vector delivery and do not use doses as high as those tested in these publications, and to date we have not observed the severe toxicities described in these publications with the naturally occurring AAV vectors that we use. However, we cannot be certain that we will be able to avoid triggering toxicities in our future preclinical studies or clinical trials. Any such results could impact our ability to develop a product candidate. As a result of these factors, it is more difficult for us to predict the time and cost of product candidate development, and we cannot predict whether the application of our gene therapy platform, or any similar or competitive gene therapy platforms, will result in the identification, development, and regulatory approval of any product candidates, or that other gene therapy technologies will not be considered better or more attractive. There can be no assurance that any development problems we experience in the future related to our gene therapy platform or any of our research programs will not cause significant delays or unanticipated costs, or that such development problems can be solved. Any of these factors may prevent us from completing our preclinical studies or clinical trials or commercializing any product candidates we may develop on a timely or profitable basis, if at all.
Previous wording
The regulatory requirements that will govern any novel gene therapy product candidates we develop are not entirely clear and may change. Within the broader genetic medicine field, very few therapeutic products have received a marketing authorization, or MA, from the FDA, MHRA and European Commission. Even with respect to more established products that fit into the categories of gene therapies or cell therapies, the regulatory landscape is still developing. Regulatory requirements governing gene therapy products and cell therapy products have changed frequently and will likely continue to change in the future. Moreover, there is substantial, and sometimes uncoordinated, overlap in those responsible for regulation of existing gene therapy products and cell therapy products, which could impact the timing and cost of any regulatory approval. For example, in the United States, the FDA has established the Office of Therapeutic Products within its Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, or CBER, to consolidate the review of gene therapy and related products, and the Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee to advise CBER on its review. Gene therapy clinical trials may also be subject to review and oversight by an institutional biosafety committee and/or an institutional review board, or IRB, which are local institutional committees or boards, as applicable, that review, approve and oversee basic and clinical research conducted at the institution participating in the clinical trial.
Current wording
The regulatory requirements that will govern any novel gene therapy product candidates we develop are not entirely clear and may change. Within the broader genetic medicine field, a limited number of therapeutic products have received approval from the FDA or a marketing authorization, or MA, from the MHRA and European Commission. Even with respect to more established products that fit into the categories of gene therapies or cell therapies, the regulatory landscape is still developing. Regulatory requirements governing gene therapy products and cell therapy products have changed frequently and will likely continue to change in the future. Moreover, there is substantial, and sometimes uncoordinated, overlap in those responsible for regulation of existing gene therapy products and cell therapy products, which could impact the timing and cost of any regulatory approval. For example, in the United States, the FDA has established the Office of Therapeutic Products within its Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, or CBER, to consolidate the review of gene therapy and related products, and the Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee to advise CBER on its review. Gene therapy clinical trials may also be subject to review and oversight by an institutional biosafety committee and/or an institutional review board, or IRB, which are local institutional committees or boards, as applicable, that review, approve and oversee basic and clinical research conducted at the institution participating in the clinical trial.
Previous wording
Post Brexit, marketing authorization applications, or MAAs, for ATMPs in Great Britain are regulated nationally and assessed in accordance with the general provisions in place for the licensing of medicines, taking the specific requirements for this group of medicines into account. In Northern Ireland, ATMPs continue to be authorized according to the EU’s centralized procedure. Definitions for individual classes of ATMPs remain unchanged and classification of ATMPs are undertaken by the MHRA in accordance with EU legislation and current guidance from CAT. Data, traceability, exemptions from licensing, packaging and post-authorization requirements remain in line with EU requirements transposed into UK law. However, if the EMA issues new guidance on ATMPs going forward, there is a risk of regulatory divergence with the MHRA and separate procedures and standards with which we may need to comply.
Current wording
Post Brexit, marketing authorization applications, or MAAs, for ATMPs in the UK are regulated nationally and assessed in accordance with the general provisions in place for the licensing of medicines, taking the specific requirements for this group of medicines into account. Definitions for individual classes of ATMPs remain unchanged and classification of ATMPs are undertaken by the MHRA. Data, traceability, exemptions from licensing, packaging and post-authorization requirements remain in line with EU requirements transposed into UK law. However, if the EMA issues new guidance on ATMPs going forward, there is a risk of regulatory divergence with the MHRA and separate procedures and standards with which we may need to comply.
Previous wording
If we experience delays in the commencement or completion of our clinical trials, or if we terminate a clinical trial prior to completion, the commercial prospects of our product candidates could be harmed, and our ability to generate revenues from our product candidates may be delayed. In addition, any delays in our clinical trials could increase our costs, slow down the development and approval process and jeopardize our ability to commence product sales and generate revenues. Any of these occurrences may harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, many of the factors that cause, or lead to, a delay in the commencement or completion of clinical trials may also ultimately lead to the denial of regulatory approval of our product candidates.
Current wording
If we experience delays in the commencement or completion of our clinical trials, or if we terminate a clinical trial prior to completion, the commercial prospects of our product candidates could be harmed, and our ability to generate revenues from our product candidates may be delayed. In addition, any delays in our clinical trials could increase our costs, slow down the development and approval process and jeopardize our ability to commence product sales and generate revenues. Any of these occurrences may harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, many of the factors that cause, or lead to, a delay in the commencement or completion of clinical trials may also ultimately lead to the denial of regulatory approval of our product candidates. For example changes in the leadership of the FDA and other federal agencies under the current presidential administration or reductions in funding, operations, staffing and policies of the FDA and other federal agencies could impact our clinical development plans and timelines.
Previous wording
In addition, the FDA’s and other regulatory authorities’ policies with respect to clinical trials may change and additional government regulations may be enacted. For instance, the regulatory landscape related to clinical trials in the EU recently evolved. The EU Clinical Trials Regulation, or CTR, adopted in April 2014 became applicable on January 31, 2022 and repeals the EU Clinical Trials Directive. While the EU Clinical Trials Directive required a separate clinical trial application, or CTA, to be submitted in each member state in which the clinical trial takes place, to both the competent national health authority and an independent ethics committee, the CTR introduces a centralized process and only requires the submission of a single application for multi-center trials. The CTR allows sponsors to make a single submission to both the competent authority and an ethics committee in each member state, leading to a single decision per member state. The assessment procedure of the CTA has been harmonized as well, including a joint assessment by all member states concerned, and a separate assessment by each member state with respect to specific requirements related to its own territory, including ethics rules. Each member state’s decision is communicated to the sponsor via the centralized EU portal. Once the CTA is approved, clinical study development may proceed. The CTR foresees a three-year transition period. The extent to which ongoing and new clinical trials will be governed by the CTR varies. Clinical trials for which an application was submitted (i) prior to January 31, 2022 under the EU Clinical Trials Directive, or (ii) between January 31, 2022 and January 31, 2023 and for which the sponsor has opted for the application of the EU Clinical Trials Directive remain governed by said Directive until January 31, 2025. After this date, all clinical trials (including those which are ongoing) will become subject to the provisions of the CTR. Compliance with the CTR requirements by us and our third-party service providers, such as CROs, may impact our development plans.
Current wording
In addition, the FDA’s and other regulatory authorities’ policies with respect to clinical trials may change and additional government regulations may be enacted. For instance, the regulatory landscape related to clinical trials in the EU has evolved over recent years. As of January 2025, clinical trials (and related applications) in the EU are now fully subject to the provisions of the EU Clinical Trials Regulation, or CTR, which allows sponsors to make a single submission to both the competent authority and an ethics committee in each member state, leading to a single decision per member state and provides for a joint assessment by all member states concerned, and a separate assessment by each member state with respect to specific requirements related to its own territory, including ethics rules. Each member state’s decision is communicated to the sponsor via the centralized EU portal. Once the CTA is approved, clinical study development may proceed. Compliance with the CTR requirements by us and our third-party service providers, such as CROs, may impact our development plans.
Previous wording
The resulting legislative changes, which are yet to be published, will ultimately determine the extent to which the UK regulations align with the (EU) CTR. Under the terms of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, provisions of the (EU) CTR which relate to the manufacture and import of investigational medicinal products and auxiliary medicinal products currently apply in Northern Ireland. A decision by the UK not to closely align its regulations with the new approach adopted in the EU may have an effect on the cost of conducting clinical trials in the UK as opposed to other countries.
Current wording
It is currently unclear to what extent the UK will seek to align its regulations with the EU. The UK regulatory framework in relation to clinical trials is derived from pre-existing EU legislation (as implemented into UK law, through secondary legislation). The extent to which the regulation of clinical trials in the UK may mirror the (EU) CTR in the long term is not yet certain. In December 2024, the UK government introduced a legislative proposal which, if implemented, could provide a more flexible regime to make it easier to conduct clinical trials in the UK, increase the transparency of clinical trials conducted in the UK and make clinical trials more patient centered. The legislation may not be approved or could be approved with amendment, and any adoption into UK law may not be until early 2026. Under the terms of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, provisions of the (EU) CTR which relate to the manufacture and import of investigational medicinal products and auxiliary medicinal products currently apply in Northern Ireland. A decision by the UK not to closely align its regulations with the new approach adopted in the EU may have an effect on the cost of conducting clinical trials in the UK as opposed to other countries.
Previous wording
Our projections of the number of people who have the diseases we are seeking to treat, as well as the subset of people with these diseases who have the potential to benefit from treatment with our product candidates, are estimates based on our knowledge and understanding of these diseases. The total addressable market opportunity for our product candidates will ultimately depend upon a number of factors including the diagnosis and treatment criteria included in the final label, if approved for sale in specified indications, acceptance by the medical community, patient access and product pricing and reimbursement. Incidence and prevalence estimates are frequently based on information and assumptions that are not exact and may not be appropriate, and the methodology is forward-looking and speculative. The process we have used in developing an estimated incidence and prevalence range for the indications we are targeting has involved collating limited data from multiple sources. Accordingly, the incidence and prevalence estimates included, or supporting the information, in our SEC filings and other materials should be viewed with caution. Further, the data and statistical
Current wording
Our projections of the number of people who have the diseases we are seeking to treat, as well as the subset of people with these diseases who have the potential to benefit from treatment with our product candidates, are estimates based on our knowledge and understanding of these diseases. The total addressable market opportunity for our product candidates will ultimately depend upon a number of factors including the diagnosis and treatment criteria included in the final label, if approved for sale in specified indications, acceptance by the medical community, patient access and product pricing and reimbursement. Incidence and prevalence estimates are frequently based on information and assumptions that are not exact and may not be appropriate, and the methodology is forward-looking and speculative. The process we have used in developing an estimated incidence and prevalence range for the indications we are targeting has involved collating limited data from multiple sources. Accordingly, the incidence and prevalence estimates included, or supporting the information, in our SEC filings and other materials should be viewed with caution. Further, the data and statistical information included, or supporting the information, in our SEC filings and other materials, including estimates derived from them, may differ from information and estimates made by our competitors or from current or future studies conducted by independent sources.
Previous wording
A sponsor may seek approval of its product candidate under programs designed to accelerate the FDA’s review and approval of drugs and biological products that meet certain criteria. For example, the FDA has a Fast Track designation program that is intended to expedite or facilitate the process for reviewing product candidates that meet certain criteria. Specifically, investigational drugs and biological products are eligible for Fast Track designation if they are intended to treat a serious condition and nonclinical or clinical data demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs. Fast Track designation applies to the combination of the product candidate and the specific indication for which it is being studied. The sponsor of a Fast Track product candidate has opportunities for more frequent interactions with the review team during product development and, once a BLA is submitted, the application may be eligible for priority review. In
Current wording
A sponsor may seek approval of its product candidate under programs designed to accelerate the FDA’s review and approval of drugs and biological products that meet certain criteria. For example, the FDA has a Fast Track designation program that is intended to expedite or facilitate the process for reviewing product candidates that meet certain criteria. Specifically, investigational drugs and biological products are eligible for Fast Track designation if they are intended to treat a serious condition and nonclinical or clinical data demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs. Fast Track designation applies to the combination of the product candidate and the specific indication for which it is being studied. The sponsor of a Fast Track product candidate has opportunities for more frequent interactions with the review team during product development and, once a BLA is submitted, the application may be eligible for priority review. In addition, the Fast Track product may be eligible for rolling review, where the FDA may consider for review sections of the BLA on a rolling basis before the complete application is submitted if the sponsor provides a schedule for the submission of the sections of the application, the FDA agrees to accept sections of the application and determines that the schedule is acceptable, and the sponsor pays any required user fees upon submission of the first section of the application. Even if Fast Track designation is granted, it may be rescinded if the product no longer meets the qualifying criteria. In August 2018, AAV-CNGB3 was issued Fast Track designation by the FDA for the treatment of achromatopsia caused by CNGB3 mutations. In January 2021, AAV-CNGA3 was issued Fast Track designation by the FDA for the treatment of achromatopsia caused by CNGA3 mutations.
Previous wording
A sponsor may also seek a Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy, or RMAT, designationfor its product candidates. In 2017, the FDA established the RMAT designation as part of its implementation of the 21 st Century Cures Act. A biological product is eligible for RMAT designation if it qualifies as an RMAT, which is defined as a cell therapy, therapeutic tissue engineering product, human cell and tissue product, or any combination product using such therapies or products, with limited exceptions, and is intended to treat, modify, reverse, or cure a serious or life-threatening disease or condition and for which preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the biological product has the potential to address unmet medical needs for such a disease or condition. In a February 2019 guidance, the FDA also stated that certain gene therapies that lead to a sustained effect on cells or tissues may meet the definition of a regenerative medicine therapy. RMAT designation provides potential benefits that include more frequent meetings with the FDA to discuss the development plan for the product candidate, and eligibility for rolling review and priority review, provided the applicable criteria are met. Products granted RMAT designation may also be eligible for accelerated approval on the basis of a surrogate or intermediate endpoint reasonably likely to predict long-term clinical benefit, or reliance upon data obtained from a meaningful number of sites, including through expansion to additional sites. RMAT-designated products that receive accelerated approval may, as appropriate, fulfill their post-approval requirements through the submission of clinical evidence, clinical trials, patient registries, or other sources of real world evidence (such as electronic health records); through the collection of larger confirmatory data sets; or via post-approval monitoring of all patients treated with such therapy prior to approval of the therapy.
Current wording
A sponsor may also seek a Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy, or RMAT, designationfor its product candidates. In 2017, the FDA established the RMAT designation as part of its implementation of the 21 st Century Cures Act. A biological product is eligible for RMAT designation if it qualifies as an RMAT, which is defined as a cell therapy, therapeutic tissue engineering product, human cell and tissue product, or any combination product using such therapies or products, with limited exceptions, and is intended to treat, modify, reverse, or cure a serious or life-threatening disease or condition and for which preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the biological product has the potential to address unmet medical needs for such a disease or condition. In a February 2019 guidance, the FDA also stated that certain gene therapies that lead to a sustained effect on cells or tissues may meet the definition of a regenerative medicine therapy. RMAT designation provides potential benefits that include more frequent meetings with the FDA to discuss the development plan for the product candidate, and eligibility for rolling review and priority review, provided the applicable criteria are met. Products granted RMAT designation may also be eligible for accelerated approval on the basis of a surrogate or intermediate endpoint reasonably likely to predict long-term clinical benefit, or reliance upon data obtained from a meaningful number of sites, including through expansion to additional sites. RMAT-designated products that receive accelerated approval may, as appropriate, fulfill their post-approval requirements through the submission of clinical evidence, clinical trials, patient registries, or other sources of real world evidence (such as electronic health records); through the collection of larger confirmatory data sets; or via post-approval monitoring of all patients treated with such therapy prior to approval of the therapy. In December 2024, the FDA granted RMAT designation to AAV-hAQP1 for the treatment of grade 2 or 3 radiation-induced xerostomia.
Previous wording
Such regulatory designations are within the discretion of the FDA, MHRA, EMA and other regulatory authorities. Accordingly, even if we believe one of our product candidates meets the criteria for such regulatory programs and we seek such designations, the FDA, MHRA, EMA or other applicable regulatory authority may disagree and instead determine not to make such designation for such product candidate. We cannot be sure that our evaluation of our product candidates as qualifying for such regulatory designations will meet the regulatory authority’s expectations. In any event, the receipt of such regulatory designations for a product candidate may not result in a faster development process, review, or approval compared to product candidates considered for approval under conventional regulatory procedures and does not assure ultimate approval by the regulatory authorities. In addition, even if additional product candidates are granted such regulatory designations, the regulatory authority may later decide that such product candidates no longer meet the conditions for qualification or decide that the time period for review or approval will not be shortened, as applicable.
Current wording
Such regulatory designations are within the discretion of the FDA, MHRA, EMA and other regulatory authorities. Accordingly, even if we believe one of our product candidates meets the criteria for such regulatory programs and we seek such designations, the FDA, MHRA, EMA or other applicable regulatory authority may disagree and instead determine not to make such designation for such product candidate. We cannot be sure that our evaluation of our product candidates as qualifying for such regulatory designations will meet the regulatory authority’s expectations. In any event, the receipt of such regulatory designations for a product candidate may not result in a faster development process, review, or approval compared to product candidates considered for approval under conventional regulatory
Previous wording
may be designated as orphan if (1) it is intended for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of a life-threatening or chronically debilitating condition; (2) either (a) such condition affects no more than five in 10,000 persons in the EU when the application is made, or (b) the product, without the benefits derived from orphan status, would not generate sufficient return in the EU to justify investment; and (3) there exists no satisfactory method of diagnosis, prevention or treatment, of such condition authorized for marketing in the EU, or if such a method exists, the product will be of significant benefit to those affected by the condition.
Current wording
Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may designate a product candidate as an orphan drug if it is intended to treat a rare disease or condition, defined as one occurring in a patient population of fewer than 200,000 in the United States, or a patient population greater than 200,000 in the United States where there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing the drug will be recovered from sales in the United States. In the EU, the European Commission grants orphan designation on the basis of the EMA’s Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products opinion. A medicinal product may be designated as orphan if (1) it is intended for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of a life-threatening or chronically debilitating condition; (2) either (a) such condition affects no more than five in 10,000 persons in the EU when the application is made, or (b) the product, without the benefits derived from orphan status, would not generate sufficient return in the EU to justify investment; and (3) there exists no satisfactory method of diagnosis, prevention or treatment, of such condition authorized for marketing in the EU, or if such a method exists, the product will be of significant benefit to those affected by the condition.
Previous wording
We have obtained orphan drug designation from the FDA and orphan designation from the European Commission for AAV-CNGB3 for the treatment of achromatopsia caused by mutations in theCNGB3 gene, for AAV-CNGA3 for the treatment of achromatopsia due to autosomal-recessiveCNGA3 gene mutations, for AAV-RPE65 for the treatment of Leber congenital amaurosis, for AAV-AIPL1 for the treatment of inherited retinal dystrophy due to defects inAIPL1 gene and for AAV-RDH12 for the treatment of retinol dehydrogenase 12 (RDH12) mutation-associated retinal dystrophy, and we obtained orphan drug designation from the FDA for AAV-hAQP1 for the treatment of grade 2 and grade 3 late xerostomia from parotid gland hypofunction caused by radiotherapy and for AAV-BBS10 for the treatment of Bardet-Biedel syndrome (BBS) due toBBS10 mutations. We may seek orphan drug designation and orphan designation for other current and future product candidates. Even with orphan drug designation and orphan designation, we may not be the first to obtain marketing approval for any particular orphan indication due to the uncertainties associated with developing pharmaceutical products, which could prevent us from marketing our product candidates if another company is able to obtain orphan drug exclusivity before we do. In addition, exclusive marketing rights in the United States and the EU may be unavailable if we seek approval for a disease or condition broader than the orphan drug-designated and orphan-designated disease or condition or may be lost in the United States or EU if the FDA or foreign authorities later determine
Current wording
We have obtained orphan drug designation from the FDA and orphan designation from the European Commission for AAV-CNGB3 for the treatment of achromatopsia caused by mutations in theCNGB3 gene, for AAV-CNGA3 for the treatment of achromatopsia due to autosomal-recessiveCNGA3 gene mutations, for AAV-RPE65 for the treatment of Leber congenital amaurosis, for AAV-AIPL1 for the treatment of inherited retinal dystrophy due to defects inAIPL1 gene and for AAV-RDH12 for the treatment of retinol dehydrogenase 12 (RDH12) mutation-associated retinal dystrophy, and we obtained orphan drug designation from the FDA for AAV-hAQP1 for the treatment of grade 2 and grade 3 late xerostomia from parotid gland hypofunction caused by radiotherapy and for AAV-BBS10 for the treatment of Bardet-Biedel syndrome (BBS) due toBBS10 mutations. We may seek orphan drug designation and orphan designation for other current and future product candidates. Even with orphan drug designation and orphan designation, we may not be the first to obtain marketing approval for any particular orphan indication due to the uncertainties associated with developing pharmaceutical products, which could prevent us from marketing our product candidates if another company is able to obtain orphan drug exclusivity before we do. In addition, exclusive marketing rights in the United States and the EU may be unavailable if we seek approval for a disease or condition broader than the orphan drug-designated and orphan-designated disease or condition or may be lost in the United States or EU if the FDA or foreign authorities later determine that the request for designation was materially defective or if we are unable to assure sufficient quantities of the drug to meet the needs of patients with the rare disease or condition following approval.
Previous wording
Further, even if we obtain orphan drug exclusivity, that exclusivity may not effectively protect our product candidates from competition because different biologics with different active principal molecular structural features can be approved for the same disease or condition. In addition, the FDA can subsequently approve products with the same principal molecular structural features, in the case of a biologic, for the same disease or condition if the FDA concludes that the later product is safer, more effective, or makes a major contribution to patient care. Likewise, in the EU and Great Britain, the European Commission or MHRA, respectively, can authorize a similar product for the same therapeutic indication, if it concludes that the later product is safer, more effective or clinically superior; if the MA holder for the initial orphan medicinal product grants its consent; or if such MA holder is unable to supply sufficient quantities of the product. Neither orphan drug designation nor orphan designation shortens the development time or regulatory review time of a drug nor gives the drug any advantage in the regulatory review or approval process. In addition, while we intend to seek orphan drug designation and orphan designation for other existing and future product candidates, we may never receive such designations. There have been legal challenges to aspects of the FDA’s regulations and policies concerning the exclusivity provisions of the Orphan Drug Act, and future challenges could lead to changes that affect the protections afforded our product candidates in ways that are difficult to predict. It is uncertain how ongoing and future challenges might affect our business.
Current wording
Further, even if we obtain orphan drug exclusivity, that exclusivity may not effectively protect our product candidates from competition because different biologics with different active principal molecular structural features can be approved for the same disease or condition. In addition, the FDA can subsequently approve products with the same principal molecular structural features, in the case of a biologic, for the same disease or condition if the FDA concludes that the later product is safer, more effective, makes a major contribution to patient care, or if the manufacturer of the product with orphan exclusivity is unable to maintain sufficient product quantity. Likewise, in the EU and UK, the European Commission or MHRA, respectively, can authorize a similar product for the same therapeutic indication, if it concludes that the later product is safer, more effective or clinically superior; if the MA holder for the initial orphan medicinal product grants its consent; or if such MA holder is unable to supply sufficient quantities of the product. Neither orphan drug designation nor orphan designation shortens the development time or regulatory review time of a drug nor gives the drug any advantage in the regulatory review or approval process. In addition, while we intend to seek orphan drug designation and orphan designation for other existing and future product candidates, we may never receive such designations.
Previous wording
In 2012, Congress authorized the FDA to award priority review vouchers to sponsors of certain rare pediatric disease drugs and biologics intended to treat certain orphan diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 patients in the U.S., the serious or life-threatening manifestations of which primarily affect individuals aged 18 years of age or younger. This program is designed to encourage development of new drug and biological products for prevention and treatment of certain rare pediatric diseases. Specifically, under this program, a sponsor who receives an approval for a drug or biologic for a “rare pediatric disease” that meets certain criteria may be eligible to receive a voucher that can be redeemed to receive a priority review of a subsequent marketing application for a different product. The sponsor of a rare pediatric disease drug product receiving a priority review voucher may transfer (including by sale) the voucher to another sponsor, and such priority review vouchers have recently sold for between $100 million to $158 million. The voucher may be further transferred any number of times before the voucher is used, as long as the sponsor making the transfer has not yet submitted the application. The FDA may also revoke any priority review voucher if the rare pediatric disease drug for which the voucher was awarded is not marketed in the U.S. within one year following the date of approval.
Current wording
In 2012, Congress authorized the FDA to award priority review vouchers to sponsors of certain rare pediatric disease drugs and biologics intended to treat certain orphan diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 patients in the U.S., the serious or life-threatening manifestations of which primarily affect individuals aged 18 years of age or younger, or affects more than 200,000 individuals in the U.S. and for which there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing and making available in the U.S. a drug for such disease or condition will be recovered from sales in the U.S. of such drug. This program is designed to encourage development of new drug and biological products for prevention and treatment of certain rare pediatric diseases. Specifically, under this program, a sponsor who receives an approval for a drug or biologic for a “rare pediatric disease” that meets certain criteria may be eligible to receive a voucher that can be redeemed to receive a priority review of a subsequent marketing application for a different product. The sponsor of a rare pediatric disease drug product receiving a priority review voucher may transfer (including by sale) the voucher to another sponsor, and such priority review vouchers have recently sold for between $100 million to $158 million. The voucher may be further transferred any number of times before the voucher is used, as long as the sponsor making the transfer has not yet submitted the application. The FDA may also revoke any priority review voucher if the rare pediatric disease drug for which the voucher was awarded is not marketed in the U.S. within one year following the date of approval.
Previous wording
The FDA has granted us rare pediatric disease designation for AAV-AIPL1 for the treatment of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA4) retinal dystrophy, AAV-BBS10 for the treatment of BBS due toBBS10 mutations, AAV-RDH12 for the treatment of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and early-onset severe retinal dystrophy (EOSRD), AAV-RPE65 for the treatment of inherited retinal dystrophy due to biallelicRPE65 mutations, AAV-CNGB3 for the treatment of achromatopsia caused by mutations in theCNGB3 gene and AAV-CNGA3 for the treatment of achromatopsia caused by mutations in theCNGA3 gene. There is no guarantee that we will be able to obtain a priority review voucher, even if one or more of these gene therapy product candidates is approved by the FDA. Under the current statutory provisions, the FDA may not award a rare pediatric disease priority review voucher to sponsors of marketing applications unless the drug has received rare pediatric disease designation as of December 20, 2024 and is approved by the FDA no later than September 30, 2026. Even though we received rare pediatric disease designation by the current statutory deadline of December 20, 2024 for these gene therapy product candidates, we may not receive a voucher for such gene therapy product candidates if we do not obtain approval by September 2026. It is possible that Congress may extend the date by which a rare pediatric disease-designed drug must obtain approval in order to receive a priority review voucher, but even if such legislation is enacted, we may not obtain approval by that date, and even if we do, we may not obtain a priority review voucher.
Current wording
The FDA has granted us rare pediatric disease designation for AAV-AIPL1 for the treatment of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA4) retinal dystrophy, AAV-BBS10 for the treatment of BBS due toBBS10 mutations, AAV-RDH12 for the treatment of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and early-onset severe retinal dystrophy (EOSRD), AAV8-RK-RetGC for the treatment of patients with Leber congenital amaurosis due toGUCY2D mutations (LCA1), AAV-RPE65 for the treatment of inherited retinal dystrophy due to biallelicRPE65 mutations, AAV-CNGB3 for the treatment of achromatopsia caused by mutations in theCNGB3 gene and AAV-CNGA3 for the treatment of achromatopsia caused by mutations in theCNGA3 gene. There is no guarantee that we will be able to obtain a priority review voucher, even if one or more of these gene therapy product candidates is approved by the FDA. Under the current statutory provisions, the FDA may not award a rare pediatric disease priority review voucher to sponsors of marketing applications unless the drug has received rare pediatric disease designation as of December 20, 2024 and is approved by the FDA no later than September 30, 2026. Even though we received rare pediatric disease designation by the current statutory deadline of December 20, 2024 for all of these gene therapy product candidates except AAV8-RK-RetGC, which received such designation in January 2025, we may not receive a voucher for such gene therapy product candidates if we do not obtain approval by September 2026. It is possible that Congress may retroactively extend the date by which a rare pediatric disease-designated drug may be designated as such to be eligible for a priority review voucher, or extend the date by which a rare pediatric disease-designated drug must obtain approval in order to receive a priority review voucher, but even if such legislation is enacted, we may not obtain approval by that date, and even if we do, we may not obtain a priority review voucher.
Previous wording
If any such inspection or audit identifies a failure to comply with applicable regulations or if a violation of our product specifications or applicable regulations occurs independent of such an inspection or audit, we or the relevant regulatory authority may require remedial measures that may be costly and/or time-consuming for us or a third party to implement and that may include the temporary or permanent suspension of a clinical trial or commercial sales or the temporary or permanent closure of a facility. Any such remedial measures imposed upon us or third parties with whom we contract could harm our business. If we or any of our third-party manufacturers fail to maintain regulatory compliance, the FDA, MHRA or other regulatory authorities can impose regulatory sanctions including, among other things, refusal to approve a pending application for a new drug product or biologic product, or revocation of a pre-existing approval. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be harmed. Additionally, if supply from one approved manufacturer is interrupted, there could be a significant disruption in commercial supply. An alternative manufacturer would need to be qualified through a BLA and/or MAA supplement which could result in further delay. Regulatory agencies may also require additional studies if a new manufacturer is relied upon for clinical or commercial production. Switching manufacturers may involve substantial costs and is likely to result in a delay in our desired clinical and commercial timelines.
Current wording
implement and that may include the temporary or permanent suspension of a clinical trial or commercial sales or the temporary or permanent closure of a facility. Any such remedial measures imposed upon us or third parties with whom we contract could harm our business. If we or any of our third-party manufacturers fail to maintain regulatory compliance, the FDA, MHRA or other regulatory authorities can impose regulatory sanctions including, among other things, refusal to approve a pending application for a new drug product or biologic product, or revocation of a pre-existing approval. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be harmed. Additionally, if supply from one approved manufacturer is interrupted, there could be a significant disruption in commercial supply. An alternative manufacturer would need to be qualified through a BLA and/or MAA supplement which could result in further delay. Regulatory agencies may also require additional studies if a new manufacturer is relied upon for clinical or commercial production. Switching manufacturers may involve substantial costs and is likely to result in a delay in our desired clinical and commercial timelines.
Previous wording
In addition to our existing manufacturing facilities in London, United Kingdom and Shannon, Ireland, we may lease, operate, purchase, or construct additional facilities to supply our clinical and preclinical programs, as well as to meet our third party supply obligations, or conduct expanded manufacturing or other related activities in the future. Expanding our manufacturing capacity to produce the preclinical, clinical and commercial supply of our products and their components, as well as our obligations under the Supply Agreement with Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine if the RPGR Product is successfully commercialized, has required and will continue to require substantial additional expenditures, time, and various regulatory approvals and permits, as well as hiring, training and retraining employees and managerial personnel to staff our manufacturing and supply chain operations. Start-up costs can be large and may exceed our expectations, and scale-up entails significant risks related to process development and manufacturing yields. In addition, we may face difficulties or delays in developing or acquiring the necessary production equipment and technology to manufacture sufficient quantities of our product candidates for use in clinical trials and, should they be approved, to supply the commercial market at reasonable costs and in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. We may not successfully expand, establish or sustain sufficient manufacturing capabilities or manufacture our products economically or in compliance with GMP and other regulatory requirements, and we and our collaborators may not be able to build or procure additional capacity in the required timeframe to meet the requirements of our clinical programs or to meet potential commercial demand for our product candidates. This could also delay or require us to discontinue one or more of our clinical development programs or could interfere with our efforts to successfully commercialize our products. As a result, our business, prospects, operating results, and financial condition could be materially harmed.
Current wording
In addition to our existing manufacturing facilities in London, United Kingdom and Shannon, Ireland, we may lease, operate, purchase, or construct additional facilities to supply our clinical and preclinical programs, as well as to meet our third party supply obligations, or conduct expanded manufacturing or other related activities in the future. Expanding our manufacturing capacity to produce the preclinical, clinical and commercial supply of our products and their components, as well as our obligations under the Supply Agreement with Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine if the RPGR Product is successfully commercialized, has required and will continue to require substantial additional expenditures, time, and various regulatory approvals and permits, as well as hiring, training and retraining employees and managerial personnel to staff our manufacturing and supply chain operations. Start-up costs can be large and may exceed our expectations, and scale-up entails significant risks related to process development and manufacturing yields. In addition, we may face difficulties or delays in developing or acquiring the necessary production equipment and technology to manufacture sufficient quantities of our product candidates for use in clinical trials and, should they be approved, to supply the commercial market at reasonable costs and in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. We may not successfully expand, establish or sustain sufficient manufacturing capabilities or manufacture our products economically or in compliance with GMP and other regulatory requirements, and we and our collaborators may not be able to build or procure additional capacity in the required timeframe to meet the requirements of our clinical programs or to meet potential commercial demand for our product candidates. This could also delay or require us to discontinue one or more of our clinical development programs or could interfere with our efforts to successfully
Previous wording
Serious adverse events or undesirable side effects caused by our product candidates could cause us or regulatory authorities to interrupt, delay or halt clinical trials and could result in a more restrictive label or the delay or denial of regulatory approval by the FDA, MHRA or other authorities. Results of our clinical trials could reveal a high and unacceptable severity and prevalence of side effects, toxicities or unexpected characteristics, including death. A risk in any gene therapy product based on viral vectors is the risk of insertional mutagenesis.
Current wording
Serious adverse events or undesirable side effects caused by our product candidates could cause us or regulatory authorities to interrupt, delay or halt clinical trials and could result in a more restrictive label or the delay or denial of regulatory approval by the FDA, MHRA or other authorities. Results of our clinical trials could reveal a high and
Previous wording
If unacceptable side effects or deaths arise in the development of our product candidates, we, the FDA, the IRBs at the institutions in which our studies are conducted, DSMB, or other regulatory bodies could suspend or terminate our clinical trials or the FDA, MHRA or other regulatory authorities could order us to cease clinical trials or deny approval of our product candidates for any or all targeted indications. Undesirable side effects or deaths in clinical trials with our product candidates may cause the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities to place a clinical hold on the associated clinical trials, to require additional studies, or otherwise to delay or deny approval of our product candidates for any or all targeted indications. Treatment-related side effects could also affect patient recruitment or the ability of enrolled patients to complete the trial or result in potential product liability claims. In addition, these side effects may not be appropriately recognized or managed by the treating medical staff. We expect to have to train medical personnel using our product candidates to understand the side effect profiles for our clinical trials and upon any commercialization of any of our product candidates. Inadequate training in recognizing or managing the potential side effects of our product candidates could result in patient injury or death. Any of these occurrences may harm our business, financial condition and prospects significantly.
Current wording
If unacceptable side effects or deaths arise in the development of our product candidates, we, the FDA, the IRBs at the institutions in which our studies are conducted, the DSMB, or other regulatory bodies could suspend or terminate our clinical trials or the FDA, MHRA or other regulatory authorities could order us to cease clinical trials or deny approval of our product candidates for any or all targeted indications. Undesirable side effects or deaths in clinical trials with our product candidates may cause the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities to place a clinical hold on the associated clinical trials, to require additional studies, or otherwise to delay or deny approval of our product candidates for any or all targeted indications. Treatment-related side effects could also affect patient recruitment or the ability of enrolled patients to complete the trial or result in potential product liability claims. In addition, these side effects may not be appropriately recognized or managed by the treating medical staff. We expect to have to train medical personnel using our product candidates to understand the side effect profiles for our clinical trials and upon any commercialization of any of our product candidates. Inadequate training in recognizing or managing the potential side effects of our product candidates could result in patient injury or death. Any of these occurrences may harm our business, financial condition and prospects significantly.
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Prior to obtaining approval to commercialize a product candidate in the United States, the UK, the EU or elsewhere, we or our collaborators must demonstrate with substantial evidence from well-controlled clinical trials, and to the satisfaction of the FDA, MHRA, EMA or foreign regulatory agencies, that such product candidates are safe and effective for their intended uses, or with respect to biologics in the United States, that such product candidates are safe, pure, and potent for their intended uses. Results from nonclinical studies and clinical trials can be interpreted in different ways. Even if we believe the nonclinical or clinical data for our product candidates are promising, such data may not be sufficient to support approval by the FDA, MHRA, European Commission or other regulatory authorities. The FDA, MHRA or EMA may also require us to conduct additional preclinical studies or clinical trials for our product candidates either prior to or post-approval, or it may object to elements of our clinical development program. Depending on the extent of these or any other FDA, MHRA or EMA required studies, approval of any regulatory approval applications that we submit may be delayed by several years, or may require us to expend significantly more resources than we have available.
Current wording
Prior to obtaining approval to commercialize a product candidate in the United States, the UK, the EU or elsewhere, we or our collaborators must demonstrate with substantial evidence from well-controlled clinical trials, and to the satisfaction of the FDA, MHRA, EMA or other foreign regulatory agencies, that such product candidates are safe and effective for their intended uses, or with respect to biologics in the United States, that such product candidates are safe, pure, and potent for their intended uses. Results from nonclinical studies and clinical trials can be interpreted in different ways. Even if we believe the nonclinical or clinical data for our product candidates are promising, such data may not be sufficient to support approval by the FDA, MHRA, European Commission or other regulatory authorities. The FDA, MHRA or EMA may also require us to conduct additional preclinical studies or clinical trials for our product candidates either prior to or post-approval, or it may object to elements of our clinical development program. Depending on the extent of these or any other FDA, MHRA or EMA required studies, approval of any regulatory approval applications that we submit may be delayed by several years, or may require us to expend significantly more resources than we have available.
Previous wording
In order to market any products in any particular jurisdiction, we must establish and comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements on a country-by-country basis regarding safety and efficacy. Approval by the FDA in the United States, the MHRA in Great Britain or the competent authorities in the EU does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries or jurisdictions. However, the failure to obtain approval in one jurisdiction may negatively impact our ability to obtain approval elsewhere. In addition, clinical trials conducted in one country may not be accepted by regulatory authorities in other countries, and regulatory approval in one country does not guarantee regulatory approval in any other country.
Current wording
In order to market any products in any particular jurisdiction, we must establish and comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements on a country-by-country basis regarding safety and efficacy. Approval by the FDA in the United States, the MHRA in the UK or the competent authorities in the EU does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries or jurisdictions. However, the failure to obtain approval in one jurisdiction may negatively impact our ability to obtain approval elsewhere. In addition, clinical trials conducted in one country may not be accepted by regulatory authorities in other countries, and regulatory approval in one country does not guarantee regulatory approval in any other country.
Previous wording
The FDA, MHRA and other regulatory authorities closely regulate the post-approval marketing and promotion of genetic therapy medicines to ensure they are marketed only for the approved indications and in accordance with the provisions of the approved labeling. The FDA, MHRA and other regulatory authorities impose stringent restrictions on manufacturers’ communications regarding off-label use and if we market our products for uses beyond their approved indications, we may be subject to enforcement action for off-label marketing. Violations of the U.S. federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or FDCA, relating to the promotion of prescription drugs may lead to FDA enforcement actions and investigations alleging violations of federal and state health care fraud and abuse laws, as well as state consumer protection laws. Similar risks apply in foreign jurisdictions.
Current wording
The FDA, MHRA and other regulatory authorities closely regulate the post-approval marketing and promotion of genetic therapy medicines to ensure they are marketed only for the approved indications and in accordance with the provisions of the approved labeling. The FDA, MHRA and other regulatory authorities impose stringent restrictions on manufacturers’ communications regarding off-label use and if we market our products for uses beyond their approved indications, we may be subject to enforcement action for off-label marketing. Violations of the U.S. federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or FDCA, relating to the promotion of prescription drugs may lead to FDA enforcement actions and investigations alleging violations of federal and state healthcare fraud and abuse laws, as well as state consumer protection laws. Similar risks apply in foreign jurisdictions.
Previous wording
Further, others, including regulatory agencies, may not accept or agree with our assumptions, estimates, calculations, conclusions or analyses or may interpret or weigh the importance of data differently, which could impact the value of the particular program, the approvability or commercialization of the particular product candidate or product and our company in general. In addition, the information we choose to publicly disclose regarding a particular clinical trial is based on what is typically extensive information, and you or others may not agree with what we determine is material or otherwise appropriate information to include in our disclosure. If the interim, topline, or preliminary data that we report differ from actual results, or if others, including regulatory authorities, disagree with the conclusions reached, our ability to obtain approval for, and commercialize, our product candidates may be harmed, which could harm our business, operating results, prospects or financial condition.
Current wording
and our company in general. In addition, the information we choose to publicly disclose regarding a particular clinical trial is based on what is typically extensive information, and you or others may not agree with what we determine is material or otherwise appropriate information to include in our disclosure. If the interim, topline, or preliminary data that we report differ from actual results, or if others, including regulatory authorities, disagree with the conclusions reached, our ability to obtain approval for, and commercialize, our product candidates may be harmed, which could harm our business, operating results, prospects or financial condition.
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spending on current and future research and development programs and product candidates for specific indications may not yield any commercially viable products. If we do not accurately evaluate the commercial potential or target market for a particular product candidate, we may relinquish valuable rights to that product candidate through collaboration, licensing or other royalty arrangements in cases in which it would have been more advantageous for us to retain sole development and commercialization rights to such product candidate.
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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 timely 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. If we do not accurately evaluate the commercial potential or target market for a particular product candidate, we may relinquish valuable rights to that product candidate through collaboration, licensing or other royalty arrangements in cases in which it would have been more advantageous for us to retain sole development and commercialization rights to such product candidate.
Previous wording
The ability of the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities to review and approve new products can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding levels, disruptions caused by global health concerns such as the COVID-19 pandemic, ability to hire and retain key personnel, including those with experience relating to novel gene therapy product candidates, acceptance of the payment of user fees, statutory, regulatory, and policy changes and other events that may otherwise affect the FDA’s or foreign regulatory authorities’ ability to perform routine functions. Average review times at the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities have fluctuated in recent years as a result. In addition, government funding of other government agencies that fund research and development activities is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable.
Current wording
The ability of the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities to review and approve new products can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding levels, disruptions caused by global health concerns, ability to hire and retain key personnel, including those with experience relating to novel gene therapy product candidates, acceptance of the payment of user fees, statutory, regulatory, and policy changes and other events that may otherwise affect the FDA’s or foreign regulatory authorities’ ability to perform routine functions. Average review times at the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities have fluctuated in recent years as a result. In addition, government funding of other government agencies that fund research and development activities is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable.
Previous wording
Disruptions at the FDA and other government or regulatory agencies such as the EMA, following its relocation to Amsterdam and related reorganization (including staff changes), may also slow the time necessary for new product candidates to be reviewed and/or approved, which would adversely affect our business. For example, in recent years, the U.S. government has shut down several times and certain regulatory agencies, such as the FDA, have had to furlough critical FDA employees and stop critical activities.
Current wording
Disruptions at the FDA and other government or regulatory agencies such as the EMA, following its relocation to Amsterdam and related reorganization (including staff changes), may also slow the time necessary for new product candidates to be reviewed and/or approved, which would adversely affect our business. For example, in recent years, the U.S. government has shut down several times and certain regulatory agencies, such as the FDA, have had to furlough critical FDA employees and stop critical activities. In addition, the current presidential administration has threatened to lay off thousands of federal health workers, including at the FDA, which may delay review times for approval of our product candidates and impact our ability to correspond with the FDA regarding the development of our programs in a timely fashion.
Previous wording
In the United States, the UK, the EU and other jurisdictions, there have been, and we expect there will continue to be, a number of legislative and regulatory changes and proposed changes to the healthcare system that could affect our future results of operations. In particular, there have been and continue to be a number of initiatives at the U.S. federal and state levels that seek to reduce healthcare costs and improve the quality of healthcare. For example, in March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, or collectively the ACA, was enacted, which substantially changed the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private insurers. Among the provisions of the ACA, those of greatest importance to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries include the following:
Current wording
In the United States, the UK, the EU and other jurisdictions, there have been, and we expect there will continue to be, a number of legislative and regulatory changes and proposed changes to the healthcare system that could affect our future results of operations. In particular, there have been and continue to be a number of initiatives at the U.S. federal and state levels that seek to reduce healthcare costs and improve the quality of healthcare. For example, in March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, or collectively the ACA, was enacted, which substantially changed the way healthcare is financed by both governmental
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procedures and does not assure ultimate approval by the regulatory authorities. In addition, even if additional product candidates are granted such regulatory designations, the regulatory authority may later decide that such product candidates no longer meet the conditions for qualification or decide that the time period for review or approval will not be shortened, as applicable.
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If any such inspection or audit identifies a failure to comply with applicable regulations or if a violation of our product specifications or applicable regulations occurs independent of such an inspection or audit, we or the relevant regulatory authority may require remedial measures that may be costly and/or time-consuming for us or a third party to
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commercialize our products. As a result, our business, prospects, operating results, and financial condition could be materially harmed.
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unacceptable severity and prevalence of side effects, toxicities or unexpected characteristics, including death. A risk in any gene therapy product based on viral vectors is the risk of insertional mutagenesis.
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and private insurers. Among the provisions of the ACA, those of greatest importance to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries include the following:
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Since its enactment, there have been judicial, Congressional and executive branch challenges to certain aspects of the ACA. On June 17, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the most recent judicial challenge to the ACA brought by several states without specifically ruling on the constitutionality of the ACA.
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In addition, other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted in the United States since the ACA was enacted, including aggregate reductions of Medicare payments to providers, which was temporarily suspended from May 1, 2020 through March 31, 2022, and reduced payments to several types of Medicare providers. In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was signed into law, which eliminated the statutory Medicaid drug rebate cap for single source and innovator multiple source drugs, beginning January 1, 2024. The rebate was previously capped at 100% of a drug’s average manufacturer price.
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Moreover, payment methodologies may be subject to changes in healthcare legislation and regulatory initiatives. For example, CMS may develop new payment and delivery models, such as bundled payment models. In addition, recently there has been heightened governmental scrutiny over the manner in which manufacturers set prices
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cooperation in other areas. Individual EU member states will continue to be responsible for assessing non-clinical (e.g., economic, social, ethical) aspects of health technology, and making decisions on pricing and reimbursement.
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establishing clinical trial sites and patient enrollment in clinical trials, as well as in acquiring technologies complementary to, or necessary for, our programs. Our commercial opportunity could be reduced or eliminated if our competitors develop and commercialize products that are safer, more effective, have fewer or less severe side effects, are more convenient, or are less expensive than any products that we may develop, limiting demand or the price we are able to charge, or that could render any products that we may develop obsolete or non-competitive. Our competitors also may obtain FDA, MHRA or other regulatory approval for their products more rapidly than we may obtain approval for ours, which could result in our competitors establishing a strong market position before we are able to enter the market. In addition, as a result of the expiration or successful challenge of our patent rights, we could face more litigation with respect to the validity and/or scope of patents relating to our competitors’ products.
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and clinical support for the use of our product candidates to each payor separately, with no assurance that coverage and adequate reimbursement will be applied consistently or obtained in the first instance. Furthermore, rules and regulations regarding reimbursement change frequently, in some cases on short notice.
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which the reference product was first licensed by the FDA. During this 12-year period of exclusivity, another company may still market a competing version of the reference product if the FDA approves a full BLA for the competing product containing the sponsor’s own pre-clinical data and data from adequate and well-controlled clinical trials to demonstrate the safety, purity and potency of the other company’s product.
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We expect to rely on CROs, clinical trial sites, and other vendors to ensure our preclinical studies and clinical trials are conducted properly and on time. We may also engage third parties such as clinical data management organizations, medical institutions and clinical investigators to conduct or assist in our clinical trials or other preclinical and clinical research and development work. While we will have agreements governing their activities, we will have limited influence over their actual performance. We will control only certain aspects of our third-party service providers’ activities. Nevertheless, we will be responsible for ensuring that each of our preclinical studies and clinical trials is conducted in accordance with applicable protocol, legal, quality, regulatory and scientific standards, including among
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We may rely on other third parties from whom we license proprietary technology to file and prosecute patent applications and maintain patents and otherwise protect the intellectual property we license from them. We may have limited control over these activities or any other intellectual property that may be related to our in-licensed intellectual property. For example, we cannot be certain that such activities by these licensors will be conducted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or will result in valid and enforceable patents and other intellectual property rights. We
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from collaborating with us to develop product candidates, encourage competitors to develop competing products or technologies and threaten our ability to commercialize future product candidates. Any such outcome could harm our business.
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In the United States, a patent that covers an FDA-approved drug or biologic may be eligible for a term extension designed to restore the period of the patent term that is lost during the premarket regulatory review process conducted by the FDA. Depending upon the timing, duration and conditions of FDA marketing approval of our product candidates, one or more of our U.S. patents may be eligible for limited patent term extension under the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, or the Hatch-Waxman Act, which permits a patent term extension of up to five years for a patent covering an approved product as compensation for effective patent term lost
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share trade secrets with them. We also conduct joint research and development programs that may require us to share trade secrets under the terms of our research and development partnerships or similar agreements. Under such circumstances, trade secrets and confidential know-how can be difficult to maintain as confidential.
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rights which may entail additional costs and development delays, even if we were able to develop such alternatives, which may not be feasible. Even if we are able to obtain a license under such intellectual property rights, any such license may be non-exclusive, which may allow our competitors access to the same technologies licensed to us.
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clinical advisors, to assist us in formulating our research and development and commercialization strategy. Our consultants and advisors may be engaged by entities other than us and may have commitments under consulting or advisory contracts with other entities that may limit their availability to us. If we are unable to continue to attract and retain high quality personnel, our ability to develop and commercialize product candidates will be limited.
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Agreement, we issued to an affiliate of Perceptive Advisors, LLC, our largest shareholder that employs a director serving on our board, warrants to purchase an aggregate of 700,000 of our ordinary shares.
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The NOLs and carryforward tax losses are subject to review and possible adjustment by the applicable tax authorities. Additionally, carryforward tax losses, and research and development tax credits, may become subject to limitations in the event of certain cumulative changes in the ownership interest of significant shareholders, as determined under Sections 382 of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as well as the Corporation Tax Act 2010 Part 14 under the UK tax rules and the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997) under the Ireland tax rules. This could limit the
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reputational damage in the event that our corporate responsibility procedures or standards do not meet the standards set by various constituencies. Furthermore, if our competitors’ corporate responsibility performance is perceived to be greater than ours, potential or current investors may elect to invest with our competitors instead. In addition, in the event that we communicate or disclose certain initiatives and goals regarding environmental, social and governance matters, we could fail, or be perceived to fail, in our achievement of such initiatives or goals, or we could be criticized for the scope of such initiatives or goals or be subject to litigation for such failures. If we fail to satisfy the expectations of investors and other stakeholders or our initiatives are not executed as planned, our reputation and financial results could be adversely affected.
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Before we generate any revenue from product sales, each of our programs and product candidates will require additional preclinical and/or clinical development, potential regulatory approval in multiple jurisdictions, manufacturing, building of a commercial organization, substantial investment and significant marketing efforts. Our expenses could
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occur in a timely fashion or at all, then such milestone payments, and any revenues we may receive from manufacturing commercial supply of the RPGR Product, may be delayed or we may not receive such payments. Additionally, certain of these milestone based payments are payable upon our achievement of the specified development services, completion of the transfer of certain manufacturing technology to Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine and our ability to manufacture sufficient commercial supply of the RPGR Product in a timely fashion. In the event we are not successful in completing these activities in a timely fashion or at all, we will not receive the milestone payments associated with the relevant milestone under the Asset Purchase Agreement or receive revenue for commercial supply of the RPGR Product under the Supply Agreement. In each of these circumstances, our anticipated cash inflows from these activities would be reduced or eliminated, which would have an adverse effect on our revenue and financial position.
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Raising additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities will dilute your ownership interest, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a shareholder. For example, in connection with entering into the Financing Agreement (as defined below), we issued
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to sell sufficient collateral to repay it, which would have an immediate adverse effect on our business and operating results. This could potentially cause us to cease operations and result in a complete loss of your investment in our ordinary shares**.**
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Our gene therapy platform is based on a suite of viral vectors which we can deploy with gene therapy constructs, which relies on the ability of AAV to efficiently transmit a therapeutic gene to certain kinds of cells. The mechanism of action by which these vectors target particular tissues is still not completely understood. Therefore, it is difficult for us to determine that our vectors will be able to properly deliver gene transfer constructs to enough tissue cells to reach therapeutic levels. We cannot be certain that animal models will exist for some of the diseases we expect to pursue, that
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information included, or supporting the information, in our SEC filings and other materials, including estimates derived from them, may differ from information and estimates made by our competitors or from current or future studies conducted by independent sources.
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addition, the Fast Track product may be eligible for rolling review, where the FDA may consider for review sections of the BLA on a rolling basis before the complete application is submitted if the sponsor provides a schedule for the submission of the sections of the application, the FDA agrees to accept sections of the application and determines that the schedule is acceptable, and the sponsor pays any required user fees upon submission of the first section of the application. Even if Fast Track designation is granted, it may be rescinded if the product no longer meets the qualifying criteria. In August 2018, AAV-CNGB3 was issued Fast Track designation by the FDA for the treatment of achromatopsia caused by CNGB3 mutations. In January 2021, AAV-CNGA3 was issued Fast Track designation by the FDA for the treatment of achromatopsia caused by CNGA3 mutations.
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Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may designate a product candidate as an orphan drug if it is intended to treat a rare disease or condition, defined as one occurring in a patient population of fewer than 200,000 in the United States, or a patient population greater than 200,000 in the United States where there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing the drug will be recovered from sales in the United States. In the EU, the European Commission grants orphan designation on the basis of the EMA’s Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products opinion. A medicinal product
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that the request for designation was materially defective or if we are unable to assure sufficient quantities of the drug to meet the needs of patients with the rare disease or condition following approval.
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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 timely capitalize on viable commercial products or profitable market opportunities. Our
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We cannot determine how changes in regulations, statutes, policies, or interpretations when and if issued, enacted or adopted, may affect our business in the future.
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We may be subject to environmental liability inherent in our current and historical activities, including liability relating to releases of or exposure to hazardous or biological materials. Environmental, health and safety laws and
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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 have research
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or revoke the reimbursement status of a given product or establish prices for new or existing marketed products at levels that are too low to enable us to realize an appropriate return on our investment in our product candidates. If reimbursement is not available or is available only at limited levels, we may not be able to successfully commercialize our product candidates and may not be able to obtain a satisfactory financial return on our product candidates.
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We could enter into arrangements with collaborative partners at an earlier stage than otherwise would be ideal and we may be required to relinquish rights or otherwise agree to terms unfavorable to us, any of which may have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and prospects.
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manufacture of plasmid used in the production of some product candidates. We do not have a long-term supply agreement with any of the third-party manufacturers, and we purchase our required supply on a purchase order basis.
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other research and development programs. The process of establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships is difficult, time-consuming and involves significant uncertainty, such as:
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We expect to rely on CROs, clinical trial sites, and other vendors to ensure our preclinical studies and clinical trials are conducted properly and on time. We may also engage third parties such as clinical data management
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We may rely on other third parties from whom we license proprietary technology to file and prosecute patent applications and maintain patents and otherwise protect the intellectual property we license from them. We may have
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The growth of our business may depend in part on our ability to acquire or in-license additional proprietary rights. For example, our programs may involve product candidates or equipment that may require the use of additional proprietary
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If we lose one or more of our executive officers or key employees, our ability to implement our business strategy successfully could be seriously harmed. Furthermore, replacing executive officers and key employees may be difficult and
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Accordingly, in the event of contamination or injury, we could be held liable for damages or be penalized with fines in an amount exceeding our resources, and our clinical trials or regulatory approvals could be suspended.
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In the ordinary course of our business, we, our business partners and our service providers collect, process and store sensitive data, including intellectual property, clinical trial data, proprietary business information, personal data and
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without shareholder approval. We are also subject to certain provisions under Cayman Islands law that could delay or prevent a change of control. Together these provisions may make more difficult the removal of management and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our ordinary shares.
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The trading market for our ordinary shares relies in part on the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. We do not control these analysts. Furthermore, if any of the analysts who cover us issue an adverse or misleading opinion regarding us, our business model, our intellectual property or our share