Vir Biotechnology Inc

Previous wording

•We have experienced significant growth in our organization in recent years and expect to continue to expand, and we may experience difficulties in managing this growth, which could disrupt our operations.

Current wording

•We have experienced significant growth in our organization in recent years, and we may experience difficulties in managing this growth, which could disrupt our operations.

Previous wording

Although we recorded net income for the years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021, we have otherwise incurred net losses since inception in April 2016. We had net loss of $65.3 million and net loss of $141.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $303.1 million.

Current wording

Although we recorded net income for the years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021, we have otherwise incurred net losses since inception in April 2016. We had net loss of $203.7 million and $335.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of June 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $441.5 million.

Previous wording

It could be several years, if ever, before we are able to commercialize any of our product candidates. Any net losses we incur may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year. To become profitable, we must succeed in developing and eventually commercializing products that generate significant revenue. This will require us to be successful in a range of challenging activities, including completing preclinical studies and clinical trials of our current and future product candidates, obtaining regulatory approval, procuring commercial-scale manufacturing and marketing and selling any products for which we obtain regulatory approval (including through third parties), as well as discovering or acquiring and developing additional product candidates. We are only in the preliminary stages of most of these activities. We may never succeed in these activities and, even if we do, may not be able to continue to generate revenue that is sufficient to offset our expenses and maintain profitability.

Current wording

It could be several years, if ever, before we are able to commercialize any of our product candidates. Any net losses we incur may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year. To become profitable, we must succeed in developing and eventually commercializing products that generate significant revenue. This will require us to be successful in a range of challenging activities, including completing preclinical studies and clinical trials of our current and future product candidates, obtaining regulatory approval, procuring commercial-scale manufacturing and marketing and selling any products for which we obtain regulatory approval (including through third parties), as well as discovering or acquiring and developing additional product candidates. We are only in the preliminary stages of most of these activities. We may never succeed in these activities and, even if we do, may not be able to continue to generate revenue that is sufficient to offset our expenses and maintain profitability. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with biopharmaceutical product development, we are unable to accurately predict the timing or amount of expenses, or if we will be able to return to profitability. If we are required by regulatory authorities to perform studies and trials in addition to those currently expected, or if there are any delays in the initiation and completion of our clinical trials or the development of any of our product candidates, our expenses could increase.

Previous wording

In addition, there can be no assurance with respect to how long the EUA will remain in effect or whether the EUA will be further revised or revoked by the FDA following the termination of the underlying public health emergency declaration on May 11, 2023, or for other reasons. Any such revision or revocation of our EUA by the FDA could adversely impact our business in a variety of ways, including having to absorb related manufacturing and overhead costs as well as potential inventory write-offs. Furthermore, if we or our collaborators experience inventory revaluation adjustments, lower of cost or market inventory adjustments, and excess inventory, it may be necessary to write down or write-off inventory or incur an impairment charge with respect to the facility where such product is manufactured, which could adversely affect our operating results. For example, during the year ended December 31, 2023, we released approximately $35.7 million of constraint related to sotrovimab due to changes in estimated allowable manufacturing expenses as agreed to with GSK.

Current wording

In addition, there can be no assurance with respect to how long the EUA will remain in effect or whether the EUA will be further revised or revoked by the FDA following the termination of the underlying public health emergency declaration on May 11, 2023, or for other reasons. Any such revision or revocation of our EUA by the FDA could adversely impact our business in a variety of ways, including having to absorb related manufacturing and overhead costs as well as potential inventory write-offs. Furthermore, if we or our collaborators experience inventory revaluation adjustments, lower of cost or market inventory adjustments, and excess inventory, it may be necessary to write down or write-off inventory or incur an impairment charge with respect to the facility where such product is manufactured, which could adversely affect our operating results.

Previous wording

As of March 31, 2024, we had cash, cash equivalents and investments of $1.51 billion. Based upon our current operating plan, we believe that the $1.51 billion as of March 31, 2024 will fund our current operating plans for at least the next 12 months. However, our operating plan may change as a result of many factors currently unknown to us, and we may need to seek additional financing to fund our long-term operations sooner than planned. Moreover, it is particularly difficult to estimate with certainty our future revenue and expenses given the dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of our business. We may also need to raise additional capital to complete the development and commercialization of our product candidates and fund certain of our existing manufacturing and other commitments. Other unanticipated costs may also arise. Because the design and outcome of our clinical trials are highly uncertain, we cannot reasonably estimate the actual amount of resources and funding that will be necessary to successfully complete the development and commercialization of our product candidates or any future product candidates that we develop.

Current wording

As of June 30, 2024, we had cash, cash equivalents and investments of $1.43 billion. Based upon our current operating plan, we believe that the $1.43 billion as of June 30, 2024 will fund our current operating plans for at least the next 12 months. However, our operating plan may change as a result of many factors currently unknown to us, and we may need to seek additional financing to fund our long-term operations sooner than planned. Moreover, it is particularly difficult to estimate with certainty our future revenue and expenses given the dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of our business. We may also need to raise additional capital to complete the development and commercialization of our product candidates and fund certain of our existing manufacturing and other commitments. Other unanticipated costs may also arise. Because the design and outcome of our clinical trials are highly uncertain, we cannot reasonably estimate the actual amount of resources and funding that will be necessary to successfully complete the development and commercialization of our product candidates or any future product candidates that we develop.

Previous wording

We are developing elebsiran and tobevibart for the functional cure of hepatitis B virus, or HBV, and for the chronic treatment of hepatitis delta virus, or HDV. Each of these product candidates has the potential to stimulate an effective immune response and has direct antiviral activity against HBV. We believe that a functional cure for HBV will require an effective immune response, in addition to antiviral activity, based on the observation that severe immunosuppression can reactivate HBV disease. Monotherapy with each of these agents may provide a functional cure in some patients, while combination therapy may be necessary for others. We have an ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial that combines elebsiran with pegylated interferon-alpha and a Phase 2 clinical trial that combines elebsiran with tobevibart. We are also evaluating additional combinations with other immunotherapy agents and direct acting antiviral agents. We also have a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating elebsiran and tobevibart as a monotherapy or in combination for the treatment of chronic HDV. Even if any product candidate we develop were to receive marketing approval or be commercialized for use in combination with other existing therapies, we would continue to be subject to the risks that the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities could revoke approval of the therapy used in combination with our product candidate. There is also a risk that safety, efficacy, manufacturing or supply issues could arise with these other existing therapies. For example, the other therapies may lead to toxicities that are improperly attributed to our product candidates or the combination of our product candidates with other therapies may result in toxicities that the product candidate or other therapy does not produce when used alone. This could result in our own products being removed from the market or being less successful commercially.

Current wording

We are developing elebsiran and tobevibart for the functional cure of hepatitis B virus, or HBV, and for the chronic treatment of hepatitis delta virus, or HDV. Each of these product candidates has the potential to stimulate an effective immune response and has direct antiviral activity against HBV. We believe that a functional cure for HBV will require an effective immune response, in addition to antiviral activity, based on the observation that severe immunosuppression can reactivate HBV disease. Monotherapy with each of these agents may provide a functional cure in some patients, while combination therapy may be necessary for others. We have an ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial that combines elebsiran with pegylated interferon-alpha and a Phase 2 clinical trial that combines elebsiran with tobevibart. We are also evaluating additional combinations with other immunotherapy agents and direct acting antiviral agents. We also have a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating tobevibart as a monotherapy or in combination with elebsiran for the treatment of chronic HDV. Even if any product candidate we develop were to receive marketing approval or be commercialized for use in combination with other existing therapies, we would continue to be subject to the risks that the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities could revoke approval of the therapy used in combination with our product candidate. There is also a risk that safety, efficacy, manufacturing or supply issues could arise with these other existing therapies. For example, the other therapies may lead to toxicities that are improperly attributed to our product candidates or the combination of our product candidates with other therapies may result in toxicities that the product candidate or other therapy does not produce when used alone. This could result in our own products being removed from the market or being less successful commercially.

Previous wording

We may also evaluate our future product candidates in combination with one or more other therapies that have not yet been approved for marketing by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities. We will not be able to market any product candidate we develop in combination with any such unapproved therapies that do not ultimately obtain marketing approval.

Current wording

We may also evaluate our future product candidates in combination with one or more other therapies that have not yet been approved for marketing by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities. We will not be able to market any product candidate we develop in combination with any such unapproved therapies that do not ultimately obtain marketing approval. If the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities do not approve these other drugs or revoke their approval of, or if safety, efficacy, manufacturing or supply issues arise with, the drugs we choose to evaluate in combination with any product candidate we develop, we may be unable to obtain approval.

Previous wording

Our product development costs may be greater than anticipated or may increase if we experience delays in testing or obtaining marketing approvals. We do not know whether any of our preclinical studies or clinical trials will begin as planned, will be conducted as planned, will need to be restructured or will be completed on schedule, if at all. For example, enrollment and retention of patients in clinical trials could be disrupted by geopolitical events, including civil or political unrest, terrorism, insurrection or war (such as the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and Ukraine and Russia), man-made or natural disasters, or public health pandemics or epidemics or other business interruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic and future outbreaks of the disease.

Current wording

Our product development costs may be greater than anticipated or may increase if we experience delays in testing or obtaining marketing approvals. We do not know whether any of our preclinical studies or clinical trials will begin as planned, will be conducted as planned, will need to be restructured or will be completed on schedule, if at all. For example, enrollment and retention of patients in clinical trials could be disrupted by geopolitical events, including civil or political unrest, terrorism, insurrection or war (such as the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and Ukraine and Russia), man-made or natural disasters, or public health pandemics or epidemics or other business interruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic and future outbreaks of the disease. Furthermore, our product candidates are based on certain innovative technology platforms, which makes it even more difficult to predict the time and cost of product candidate development and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals, particularly for our cytomegalovirus, or CMV, vector technologies. In addition, the compounds we are developing may not demonstrate in patients the chemical and pharmacological properties ascribed to them in preclinical studies, and they may interact with human biological systems in unforeseen, ineffective or harmful ways.

Previous wording

Approval of a product candidate in the United States by the FDA does not ensure approval of such product candidate by regulatory authorities in other countries or jurisdictions, and approval by one foreign regulatory authority does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other foreign countries or by the FDA. Sales of our product candidates outside of the United States will be subject to foreign regulatory requirements governing clinical trials and marketing approval. Approval procedures vary among jurisdictions and can involve requirements and administrative review periods different from, and more onerous than, those in the United States, including additional preclinical studies or clinical trials. In many countries outside of the United States, a product candidate must be approved for reimbursement before it can be approved for sale in that country. In some cases, the price that we intend to charge for any product candidates, if approved, is also subject to approval. Obtaining approval for our product candidates in the EU from the European Commission following the opinion of the EMA if we choose to submit a marketing authorization application there, would be a lengthy and expensive process. Even if a product candidate is approved, the EMA may limit the indications for which the product may be marketed, require extensive warnings on the product labeling or require expensive and time-consuming additional clinical trials or reporting as conditions of approval. Approval of certain product candidates outside of the United States, particularly those that target diseases that are more prevalent outside of the United States will be particularly important to the commercial success of such product candidates. Obtaining foreign regulatory approvals and compliance with foreign regulatory requirements could result in significant delays, difficulties and costs for us and could delay or prevent the introduction of our product candidates in certain countries.

Current wording

Approval of a product candidate in the United States by the FDA does not ensure approval of such product candidate by regulatory authorities in other countries or jurisdictions, and approval by one foreign regulatory authority does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other foreign countries or by the FDA. Sales of our product candidates outside of the United States will be subject to foreign regulatory requirements governing clinical trials and marketing approval. Approval procedures vary among jurisdictions and can involve requirements and administrative review periods different from, and more onerous than, those in the United States, including additional preclinical studies or clinical trials. In many countries outside of the United States, a product candidate must be approved for reimbursement before it can be approved for sale in that country. In some cases, the price that we intend to charge for any product candidates, if approved, is also subject to approval.

Previous wording

Public perception may be influenced by claims that CMV technology is unsafe and products incorporating this technology may not gain the acceptance of the public or the medical community, or that CRISPR gene-editing technology is unethical or immoral. Adverse public attitudes may adversely impact our ability to enroll clinical trials. Moreover, our success will depend upon physicians specializing in our targeted diseases prescribing, and their patients being willing to receive, our product candidates as treatments in lieu of, or in addition to, existing, more familiar, treatments for which greater clinical data may be available. Any increase in negative perceptions of the technologies that we rely on may result in fewer physicians prescribing our products or may reduce the willingness of patients to utilize our products or participate in clinical trials for our product candidates.

Current wording

Public perception may be influenced by claims that T cell-based viral vector platform technology is unsafe and products incorporating this technology may not gain the acceptance of the public or the medical community, or that CRISPR gene-editing technology is unethical or immoral. Adverse public attitudes may adversely impact our ability to enroll clinical trials. Moreover, our success will depend upon physicians specializing in our targeted diseases prescribing, and their patients being willing to receive, our product candidates as treatments in lieu of, or in addition to, existing, more familiar, treatments for which greater clinical data may be available. Any increase in negative perceptions of the technologies that we rely on may result in fewer physicians prescribing our products or may reduce the willingness of patients to utilize our products or participate in clinical trials for our product candidates.

Previous wording

Any biologic product candidates for which we intend to seek approval may face competition sooner than anticipated.

Current wording

Any product candidates for which we intend to seek approval may face competition sooner than anticipated.

Previous wording

If we are successful in achieving regulatory approval to commercialize any biologic product candidate faster than our competitors, such product candidates may face competition from biosimilar products. In the United States, biologic product candidates are subject to approval and licensure under the BLA pathway. The Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009, or BPCIA, creates an abbreviated pathway for the approval of biosimilar and interchangeable biologic products following the approval of an original BLA. For additional information regarding biosimilars and exclusivity, see the section titled “Business—Government Regulation and Product Approval—Biosimilars and Regulatory Exclusivity” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2024. If competitors are able to obtain marketing approval for biosimilars referencing our licensed biologic products after the expiration of applicable periods of regulatory exclusivity, our products may become subject to competition from such biosimilars, with the attendant competitive pressure and potential adverse consequences. Such competitive products may be able to immediately compete with us in each indication for which our product candidates may have received approval. In addition, the extent to which any regulatory exclusivity may apply to competing products authorized under an EUA is unclear and may not apply.

Current wording

Even if we are successful in achieving regulatory approval to commercialize any product candidate faster than our competitors, such product candidates may face competition from biosimilar or generic products. In the United States, biologic product candidates are subject to approval and licensure under the BLA pathway and small molecules, such as our siRNA product VIR-2218, under the NDA pathway. The Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009, or BPCIA, creates an abbreviated pathway for the approval of biosimilar and interchangeable biologic products following the approval of an original BLA. The Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, or the Hatch-Waxman Act, creates a similar pathway for seeking approval of a generic version of an approved, small molecule innovator drug product. For additional information regarding biosimilars and exclusivity, see the section titled “Business—Government Regulation and Product Approval—Biosimilars and Regulatory Exclusivity” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2024.

Previous wording

We expect that additional U.S. federal healthcare reform measures will be adopted in the future, any of which could limit the amounts that the U.S. federal government will pay for healthcare products and services, which could result in reduced demand for our current or any future product candidates or additional pricing pressures. For example, in August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA, was signed into law by President Biden. The new legislation has implications for Medicare Part D, which is a program available to individuals who are entitled to Medicare Part A or enrolled in Medicare Part B, to give them the option of paying a monthly premium for outpatient prescription drug coverage. Among other things, the IRA requires manufacturers of certain drugs to engage in price negotiations with Medicare (beginning in 2026), with prices that can be negotiated subject to a cap; imposes rebates under Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D to penalize price increases that outpace inflation (first due in 2023); and replaces the Part D coverage gap discount program with a new discounting program (beginning in 2025). The IRA permits the Secretary of the HHS to implement many of these provisions through guidance, as opposed to regulation, for the initial years.

Current wording

In the United States and some foreign jurisdictions, there have been, and we expect there will continue to be, several legislative and regulatory changes and proposed changes regarding the healthcare system that could prevent or delay marketing approval of product candidates, restrict or regulate post-approval activities and affect our ability to profitably sell any product candidates for which we obtain marketing approval. 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. We expect that additional U.S. federal healthcare reform measures will be adopted in the future, any of which could limit the amounts that the U.S. federal government will pay for healthcare products and services, which could result in reduced demand for our current or any future product candidates or additional pricing pressures. For example, in August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA, was signed into law by President Biden. The new legislation has implications for Medicare Part D, which is a program available to individuals who are entitled to Medicare Part A or enrolled in Medicare Part B, to give them the option of paying a monthly premium for outpatient prescription drug coverage. Among other things, the IRA requires manufacturers of certain drugs to engage in price negotiations with Medicare (beginning in 2026), with prices that can be negotiated subject to a cap; imposes rebates under Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D to penalize price increases that outpace inflation (first due in 2023); and replaces the Part D coverage gap discount program with a new discounting program (beginning in 2025). The IRA permits the Secretary of the HHS to implement many of these provisions through guidance, as opposed to regulation, for the initial years.

Previous wording

We are currently conducting process development and manufacturing material for product candidates of three different therapeutic modalities: mAbs, HCMV-based vaccines and siRNAs. Except for limited early-clinical phase process, analytical and formulation development, cell line development, small-scale non-GMP manufacturing for preclinical studies, and quality control testing capabilities in certain of our facilities that is either established or is currently being built, we do not own or operate facilities for full process development or product manufacturing, storage and distribution, or testing. We are dependent on third parties, including strategic collaborators and contract development and manufacturing organizations, or CDMOs, to develop the manufacturing process and manufacture the clinical supplies of our current and any future product candidates. We have established relationships with multiple third parties that have developed the manufacturing processes and produced material to support our preclinical, Phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials. We do not yet have sufficient information to reliably estimate the cost of the commercial manufacturing of our future product candidates. Certain of our product candidates may have to compete with existing and future products, such as the annual flu vaccine, that may have a lower price point. The actual cost to manufacture our product candidates could materially and adversely affect the commercial viability of our product candidates.

Current wording

We are currently conducting process development and manufacturing material for product candidates of three different therapeutic modalities: mAbs, T cell-based viral vector platform vaccines and siRNAs. Except for limited early-clinical phase process, analytical and formulation development, cell line development, small-scale non-GMP manufacturing for preclinical studies, and quality control testing capabilities in certain of our facilities that is either established or is currently being built, we do not own or operate facilities for full process development or product manufacturing, storage and distribution, or testing. We are dependent on third parties, including strategic collaborators and contract development and manufacturing organizations, or CDMOs, to develop the manufacturing process and manufacture the clinical supplies of our current and any future product candidates. We have established relationships with multiple third parties that have developed the manufacturing processes and produced material to support our preclinical, Phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials. We do not yet have sufficient information to reliably estimate the cost of the commercial manufacturing of our future product candidates. Certain of our product candidates may have to compete with existing and future products, such as the annual flu vaccine, that may have a lower price point. The actual cost to manufacture our product candidates could materially and adversely affect the commercial viability of our product candidates.

Previous wording

In addition, third party manufacturers may have little or no experience with viral vector products and therefore may require a significant amount of support from us in order to implement and maintain the infrastructure and processes required to manufacture our HCMV vector-based product candidates. The challenges to HCMV-based vaccine manufacturing include the large size of the virus, which precludes terminal sterile filtration, and that some vectors have a restricted growth phenotype in cells that reduces yields during manufacturing. To address these challenges, we have made significant investments in process development and scale-up, largely funded by grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. We have established a cGMP process in support of Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials that has been successfully transferred and executed at a CDMO specializing in live vaccine manufacturing. However, the existing process will require additional process development and scale-up for later stages of clinical development and commercial supply. To fulfill our HCMV supply requirements, we may need to secure alternative suppliers and manufacturers viral vector products and/or key raw materials and components, and such alternative suppliers and manufacturers may not have the manufacturing experience or capacity required for HCMV-based vaccine manufacturing, or we may be unable to enter into agreements with them on reasonable terms and in a timely manner.

Current wording

In addition, third party manufacturers may have little or no experience with viral vector products and therefore may require a significant amount of support from us in order to implement and maintain the infrastructure and processes required to manufacture our T cell-based viral vector platform product candidates. The challenges to T cell-based viral vector platform vaccine manufacturing include the large size of the virus, which precludes terminal sterile filtration, and that some vectors have a restricted growth phenotype in cells that reduces yields during manufacturing. To address these challenges, we have made significant investments in process development and scale-up, largely funded by grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. We have established a cGMP process in support of Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials that has been successfully transferred and executed at a CDMO specializing in live vaccine manufacturing. However, the existing process will require additional process development and scale-up for later stages of clinical development and commercial supply. To fulfill our T cell-based viral vector platform supply requirements, we may need to secure alternative suppliers and manufacturers viral vector products and/or key raw materials and components, and such alternative suppliers and manufacturers may not have the manufacturing experience or capacity required for T cell-based viral vector platform vaccine manufacturing, or we may be unable to enter into agreements with them on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. Any of these events could lead to clinical trial delays or failure to obtain regulatory approval or impact our ability to successfully commercialize, manufacture or supply our current or any future product candidates once approved. Some of these events could be the basis for FDA action, including injunction, request for recall, seizure or total or partial suspension of production. Any such recall, seizure or suspension could adversely impact our business in a variety of ways, including having to absorb related manufacturing and overhead costs as well as potential inventory write-offs.

Previous wording

We are highly dependent on our management, scientific and medical personnel. Our key personnel may currently terminate their employment with us at any time. The loss of the services of any of these persons could impede the achievement of our research, development and commercialization objectives. Additionally, we do not currently maintain “key person” life insurance on the lives of our executives or any of our employees.

Current wording

We are highly dependent on our management, clinical and scientific personnel. Our key personnel may currently terminate their employment with us at any time. The loss of the services of any of these persons could impede the achievement of our research, development and commercialization objectives. Additionally, we do not currently maintain “key person” life insurance on the lives of our executives or any of our employees.

Previous wording

We have announced several leadership changes over the past year, including a Chief Executive Officer transition in January 2023 that became effective April 3, 2023. Management transitions may create uncertainty and involve a diversion of resources and management attention, be disruptive to our daily operations or impact public or market perception, any of which could negatively impact our ability to operate effectively or execute our strategies.

Current wording

We have recently announced several leadership changes, including a Chief Executive Officer transition in January 2023 that became effective April 3, 2023. Management transitions may create uncertainty and involve a diversion of resources and management attention, be disruptive to our daily operations or impact public or market perception, any of which could negatively impact our ability to operate effectively or execute our strategies.

Previous wording

We have experienced significant growth in our organization in recent years and expect to continue to expand, and we may experience difficulties in managing this growth, which could disrupt our operations.

Current wording

We have experienced significant growth in our organization in recent years, and we may experience difficulties in managing this growth, which could disrupt our operations.

Previous wording

We have experienced significant growth in the number of our employees and the scope of our operations in recent years at both our sites and remote locations, particularly in the areas of research, development and regulatory affairs, and we expect to continue to experience growth as the clinical development of our product candidates progresses. In addition, if any of our product candidates receives marketing approval, we will need to build out our sales and marketing capabilities, either on our own or with others. To manage our anticipated future growth, we must continue to implement and improve our managerial, operational and financial systems, improve our facilities, and continue to recruit and train additional qualified personnel. As a result of the global pandemic resulting from COVID-19, the majority of our workforce began working from home in March 2020. In April 2022, we reopened our offices to allow employees to return to work, and we now have employees working full-time in the office, a hybrid approach, or full-time remote. Despite this, we must continue to effectively integrate, develop and motivate a growing number of new employees, and maintain the beneficial aspects of our corporate culture. The expansion of our operations may lead to significant costs and may divert our management and business development resources. We may not be able to effectively manage the expansion of our operations, recruit and train additional qualified personnel, or succeed at effectively integrating employees that joined during the global pandemic or otherwise joined us as remote workers. Any inability to manage growth could delay the execution of our business plans or disrupt our operations.

Current wording

We have experienced significant growth in the number of our employees and the scope of our operations in recent years at both our sites and remote locations, particularly in the areas of research, development and regulatory affairs. In addition, if any of our product candidates receives marketing approval, we will need to build out our sales and marketing capabilities, either on our own or with others. To manage any future growth, we must continue to implement and improve our managerial, operational and financial systems, improve our facilities, and continue to recruit and train additional qualified personnel. As a result of the global pandemic resulting from COVID-19, the majority of our workforce began working from home in March 2020. In April 2022, we reopened our offices to allow employees to return to work, and we now have employees working full-time in the office, a hybrid approach, or full-time remote. Despite this, we must continue to effectively integrate, develop and motivate a growing number of new employees, and maintain the beneficial aspects of our corporate culture. The expansion of our operations may lead to significant costs and may divert our management and business development resources. We may not be able to effectively manage any further expansion of our operations, recruit and train additional qualified personnel, or succeed at effectively integrating employees that joined during the global pandemic or otherwise joined us as remote workers. Any inability to manage growth could delay the execution of our business plans or disrupt our operations.