GRI Bio, Inc.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2025. Filed Jan 30, 2026.
View on SEC.govAbout this filing
A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.
FY2025 · Filed Jan 30, 2026
What changed in Risk Factors?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-K
Period ended 2024-12-31; filed 2025-03-14.
0001824293-25-000050
Item 1A. RISK FACTORSCurrent report: 10-K
Period ended 2025-12-31; filed 2026-01-30.
0001824293-26-000033
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 239 previous paragraphs and 243 current paragraphs.
143 unchanged; 83 reworded; 14 added; 9 removed; 4 previous and 3 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 0 previous and 0 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 (14)
Current report
•delays and changes in regulatory requirements, policies and guidelines, including the imposition of additional regulatory oversight around clinical testing generally or with respect to our technology in particular; or
Current report
Interim, topline and preliminary data from our clinical trials (including topline data from our recently completed Phase 2a trial for GRI-0621) that we announce or publish from time to time may change as more patient data become available and are subject to audit and verification procedures that could result in material changes in the final data.
Current report
The ability of the FDA to review and approve new products can be affected by a variety of factors, including government shutdowns, government budget and funding levels, ability to hire and retain key personnel and accept the payment of user fees and statutory, regulatory and policy changes. Average review times at the agency have fluctuated in recent years as a result. In addition, government funding of the SEC and other government agencies on which our operations may rely, including those that fund research and development activities, is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable.
Current report
•the inventorship and ownership of inventions and know-how resulting from the joint creation or use of intellectual property by our licensors and us and our partners royalty obligations and calculation (both for royalties that may be due to us or owed to us); and
Current report
In addition, the agreements under which we currently, or may in the future, license intellectual property or technology from third parties are complex, and certain provisions in such agreements may be susceptible to multiple interpretations. The resolution of any contract interpretation disagreement that may arise could narrow what we believe to be the scope of our rights to the relevant intellectual property or technology or increase what we believe to be our financial or other obligations under the relevant agreement, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Moreover, if disputes over intellectual property that we have licensed from others or to others to prevent or impair our ability to maintain our current licensing arrangements on commercially acceptable terms, we may be unable to successfully develop and commercialize the affected product candidates, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions, results of operations and prospects.
Current report
In addition, we may have limited control over the maintenance and prosecution of in-licensed patents and patent applications, 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 any licensors have been or will be conducted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or will result in valid and enforceable patents and other intellectual property rights. We have limited control over the manner in which our licensors initiate an infringement proceeding against a third-party infringer of the intellectual property rights or defend certain of the intellectual property that is licensed to us. It is possible that the licensors’ infringement proceeding or defense activities may be less vigorous than had we conducted them ourselves.
Current report
The licensing and acquisition of third-party intellectual property rights is a competitive area, and companies that may be more established or have greater resources than we do may also be pursuing strategies to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights that we may consider necessary or attractive in order to commercialize our product candidates. More established companies may have a competitive advantage over us due to their size, cash resources and greater clinical development and commercialization capabilities. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully complete such negotiations and ultimately acquire the rights to the intellectual property surrounding the additional product candidates that we may seek to acquire.
Current report
If we lose key management personnel, or if we fail to recruit and retain additional highly skilled personnel, our ability to develop current product candidates or identify and develop new product candidates will be impaired, could result in loss of markets or market share and could make us less competitive.
Current report
•short selling by investors or third parties and related market activity; and
Current report
Management has determined that our internal controls were not effective as of December 31, 2024, March 31, 2025, June 30, 2025, September 30, 2025, and December 31, 2025 due to material weaknesses. We have remediated one material weakness and, resources permitting, plan to implement a plan to remediate the remaining material weakness. However, our efforts at remediation may be unsuccessful and the implementation of additional remediation is dependent upon additional resources and funding being available to us. If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis could be impaired.
Current report
For the periods ending December 31, 2024 through September 30, 2025, the material weakness related to the inaccurate computation of the non-cash deemed dividend associated with the repricing of the Series B Common Warrants in accordance with applicable accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) guidance. The amounts presented in our balance sheets, statements of changes in stockholders’ equity (deficit) and statements of cash flows were not affected. This adjustment was corrected prior to the finalization of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on March 14, 2025. This inaccurate computation, if it had remained undetected, would have resulted in a single-digit percentage error in the amount of the net loss attributable to holders of our Common Stock used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share of Common Stock. To remediate this material weakness, we implemented a plan which included the (i) continued engagement of third-party professionals with appropriate expertise in accounting and reporting under GAAP and SEC regulations who have adequate experience related to non-recurring debt and equity transactions and (ii) the enhancement of our documentation procedures related to the accounting treatment for such transactions. These third-party professionals now assist in reviewing the attendant calculations/additional controls regarding the evaluation of non-recurring debt and equity transactions, and assist in reviewing the documentation and related documentation procedures for such transactions. Our management also refined our processes for communicating with our auditor as to when our financial statements and related materials have passed through the Company’s internal control processes. As a result, our management has determined that this material weakness has been remediated.
Current report
However, during its evaluation of our internal controls for the period ending December 31, 2025, management determined there was an additional material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting. This material weakness is related to the inherent limitations of the accounting software used to prepare our financial statements and the limited number of accounting personnel we employ. As a result of these software limitations and the limited number of accounting personnel, we determined that we have insufficient segregation of duties over the initiation, approval and recording of certain financial transactions. While we have implemented multiple compensating controls to mitigate these limitations, management has concluded that these compensating controls are not sufficient to preclude a material weakness as a result of this insufficiency of segregation of duties. Thus, management determined that our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2025. Management has evaluated, and continues to evaluate, avenues for mitigating this material weakness, such as the retention of additional accounting personnel and/or the procurement of alternative accounting software, but these avenues have been deemed to be impractical and prohibitively costly, due to the size of our organization and resources available at the current time. Management expects to continue to utilize the compensating controls in place to mitigate the segregation of duty weakness and will seek to improve on such controls as reasonably possible, until such time as our resources allow for further remediation.
Current report
On November 26, 2025, we received a letter from the Staff of Nasdaq notifying us that we were not in compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market (the Notice) based on the information provided in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. In accordance with Nasdaq rules, we were provided 45 calendar days, or until January 10, 2026, to submit a plan to regain compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement (the Compliance Plan). Based on a subsequent notification from the Staff received on January 15, 2026, the Staff has deemed that we now conditionally comply with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement, but if we fail to demonstrate the requisite $2.5 million in future Exchange Act reports, shares of our Common Stock may be subject to delisting.
Current report
In order to remain listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, shares of our Common Stock must also satisfy the Minimum Bid Price Rule set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) which requires that the closing bid price for our Common Stock remain above $1.00 per share. From early December and until January 26, 2026, the closing bid price of our Common Stock was less than $1.00 per share.
Removed paragraphs (9)
Previous report
We may experience difficulties in patient enrollment in our clinical trials for a variety of reasons. The timely completion of clinical trials in accordance with their protocols depends, among other things, on our ability to enroll a sufficient number of patients who remain in the trial until its conclusion. We may experience difficulties in patient enrollment in our clinical trials for a variety of reasons. The enrollment of patients depends on many factors, including:
Previous report
Competitors or other third parties such as chemical and reagent suppliers may infringe our patents or the patents of our current or future licensors. To counter infringement or unauthorized use, we may be required to file infringement claims, which can be expensive and time-consuming. In addition, in an infringement proceeding, a court may decide that one or more of our patents is not valid or is unenforceable or may refuse to stop the other party from using the technology at issue on the grounds that our patents do not cover the technology in question or for other reasons. An adverse result in any litigation or defense proceedings could put one or more of our patents at risk of being invalidated, held unenforceable, or interpreted narrowly and could put our patent applications at risk of not issuing. Defense of these claims, regardless of their merit, would involve substantial litigation expense and would be a substantial diversion of employee resources from our business.
Previous report
If we fail to attract and retain management and other key personnel, we may be unable to successfully develop or commercialize our product candidates or otherwise implement our business plan.
Previous report
•our ability to comply with our obligations pursuant to our registration rights agreements; and
Previous report
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act)) declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, will not adopt the new or revised standard until the time private companies are required to adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accountant standards used.
Previous report
On September 10, 2024, we received a letter (the Letter) from the Staff of Nasdaq indicating that we no longer met the Minimum Bid Price Rule set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) because the closing bid price for our Common Stock was less than $1.00 for the 30 consecutive business days prior thereto.
Previous report
We legally effected the February 2025 Reverse Stock Split on February 21, 2025 and on February 24, 2025, our Common Stock began trading on a post-split basis. It cannot be assured that the February 2025 Reverse Stock Split will result in any sustained proportionate increase in the market price of our Common Stock, which is dependent upon many factors, including our business and financial performance, general market conditions, and prospects for future success, which are unrelated to the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding. It is not uncommon for the market price of a company’s common stock to decline in the period following a reverse stock split.
Previous report
Although we believe that a higher market price of our Common Stock may help generate greater or broader investor interest, there can be no assurance that a reverse stock split, including the recently completed February 2025 Reverse Stock Split, will result in a share price that will attract new investors, including institutional investors. In addition, there can be no assurance that the market price of our Common Stock will satisfy or continue to satisfy the investing requirements of those investors. As a result, the trading liquidity of our Common Stock may not necessarily improve. The primary intent for the February 2025 Reverse Stock Split was to increase the price of our Common Stock in order to help us meet the Minimum Bid Price Rule pursuant to Nasdaq listing requirements. It cannot be assured that a reverse stock split, including the February 2025 Reverse Stock Split, will result in any sustained proportionate increase in the market price of our Common Stock, which is dependent upon many factors, including our business and financial performance, general market conditions, and prospects for future success, which are unrelated to the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding. It is not uncommon for the market price of a company’s common stock to decline in the period following a reverse stock split such as occurred following the reverse stock splits completed since 2023.
Previous report
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation documents and Delaware law may inhibit a takeover that stockholders consider favorable.
Reworded paragraphs (83)
Previous wording
We have incurred significant net losses since our inception and have financed our operations principally through equity and debt financing. We continue to incur significant research and development and other expenses related to our ongoing operations. Our net loss was $8.2 million and $13.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $39.7 million. We have devoted substantially all of our resources and efforts to research and development, and we expect that it will be several years, if ever, before we generate revenue from product sales. Even if we receive marketing approval for and commercialize one or more of our product candidates, we expect that we will continue to incur substantial research and development and other expenses in order to develop and, if approved, market additional potential product candidates.
Current wording
We have incurred significant net losses since our inception and have financed our operations principally through equity and debt financing. We continue to incur significant research and development and other expenses related to our ongoing operations. Our net loss was $12.0 million and $8.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. As of December 31, 2025, we had an accumulated deficit of $51.7 million. We have devoted substantially all of our resources and efforts to research and development, and we expect that it will be several years, if ever, before we generate revenue from product sales. Even if we receive marketing approval for and commercialize one or more of our product candidates, we expect that we will continue to incur substantial research and development and other expenses in order to develop and, if approved, market additional potential product candidates.
Previous wording
•advance our lead product candidate, GRI-0621, and our other product candidates through clinical development, and, if successful, later-stage clinical trials;
Current wording
•advance our product candidates through clinical development, and, if successful, later-stage clinical trials (in particular and without a partner, we will incur substantial additional expense to complete a Phase 2b clinical trial of GRI-0621);
Previous wording
•experience delays or interruptions to preclinical studies, clinical trials, our receipt of services from our third-party service providers on whom we rely, or our supply chain due to pandemics, supply chain and labor shortages, labor strikes, work stoppages or boycotts, natural disasters and geopolitical conflicts, such as the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East;
Current wording
•experience delays or interruptions to preclinical studies, clinical trials, our receipt of services from our third-party service providers on whom we rely, or our supply chain due to pandemics, supply chain and labor shortages, international tariff policies or trade wars, labor strikes, work stoppages or boycotts, natural disasters and geopolitical conflicts, such as the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East;
Previous wording
We will require substantial additional capital to finance our operations. If we are unable to raise such capital when needed, or on acceptable terms, we may be forced to delay, reduce and/or eliminate one or more of our research and drug development programs, future commercialization efforts or other operations.
Current wording
We will require substantial additional capital to finance our operations. If we are unable to raise such capital when needed, or on acceptable terms, we may be forced to delay, reduce and/or eliminate one or more of our research and drug development programs, future commercialization efforts or other operations or cease operations entirely. In particular, we will require substantial additional capital or resources to complete a Phase 2b clinical trial of GRI-0621.
Previous wording
Developing biotechnology and biopharmaceutical products, including conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials, is a very time-consuming, expensive, and uncertain process that takes years to complete. Our operations have consumed substantial amounts of cash since inception. We expect our expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we conduct our planned clinical trials of GRI-0621, GRI-0803 and any other product candidates that we may develop or seek regulatory approvals for and, if approved, launch and commercialize. In particular, we do not expect to be able to continue our clinical trials or development efforts without raising additional funds. We also expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. Accordingly, we will need to obtain substantial additional funding in order to maintain our continuing operations. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on acceptable terms, we may be forced to delay, reduce, or eliminate one or more of our research and drug development programs or future commercialization efforts.
Current wording
Developing biotechnology and biopharmaceutical products, including conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials, is a very time-consuming, expensive and uncertain process that takes years to complete. Our operations have consumed substantial amounts of cash since inception. We expect our expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we conduct our clinical trials of GRI-0621, GRI-0803 and any other product candidates that we may develop or seek regulatory approvals for and, if approved, launch and commercialize. We also expect to continue to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. Accordingly, we will need to obtain substantial additional funding in order to maintain our continuing operations. In particular, we expect to require substantial additional capital to complete a Phase 2b clinical trial of GRI-0621.
Previous wording
As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately $5.0 million in cash and cash equivalents and an accumulated deficit of approximately $39.7 million. If we secure additional funds, we expect to devote substantial financial resources to our planned activities, particularly as we conduct our clinical trials of GRI-0621 and GRI-0803, advance our discovery programs and continue our product development efforts.
Current wording
As of December 31, 2025, we had approximately $8.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and an accumulated deficit of approximately $51.7 million. We expect to devote substantial financial resources to our planned activities, particularly as we conduct our clinical trial of GRI-0621, GRI-0803, advance our discovery programs and, subject to obtaining the requisite additional capital or resources, complete a clinical trial of GRI-0621.
Previous wording
Based on our current operating plan, we believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the second quarter of 2025. We have based these estimates on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could exhaust our available capital resources sooner than we expect. Our future capital requirements and the period for which our existing resources will support our operations may vary significantly from what we expect, and we will require additional funding to recommence development of our product candidates. Our spending levels will vary based on new and ongoing development and corporate activities. Because the length of time and activities associated with development of our product candidates is highly uncertain, we are unable to estimate the actual funds we will require for development, and assuming approval, marketing and commercialization activities.
Current wording
Based on our current operating plan, we believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the first quarter of 2027. We have based these estimates on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could exhaust our available capital resources sooner than we expect. In particular, these estimates assume only the commencement of preliminary work towards the initiation of a Phase 2b trial of GRI-0621; we would require substantial additional capital or resources in order to complete a Phase 2b clinical trial of GRI-0621. Our future capital requirements and the period for which our existing resources will support our operations may vary significantly from what we expect. Our spending levels will vary based on new and ongoing development, corporate activities, and our ability to raise funds or resources for a Phase 2b clinical trial of GRI-0621. Because the length of time and activities associated with development of our product candidates is highly uncertain, we are unable to estimate the actual funds we will require for development, and assuming approval, marketing and commercialization activities.
Previous wording
We will need to raise additional funds in the near term in order to maintain compliance with Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements and continue operations. However, additional funding may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. Until we can generate sufficient revenue to finance our cash requirements, which we may never do, we expect to finance our future cash needs through a combination of public or private equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances, licensing arrangements and other marketing or distribution arrangements. If we raise additional funds through public or private equity offerings, the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our common stockholders. Further, to the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of Common Stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock, our stockholders’ ownership interest will be diluted. In addition, any debt financing may subject us to fixed payment obligations and covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures, or declaring dividends. If we raise additional capital through marketing and distribution arrangements or collaborations, strategic alliances, or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish certain valuable intellectual property or other rights to our product candidates, technologies, future revenue streams or research programs or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. We also may be required to seek collaborators for any of our product candidates at an earlier stage than otherwise would be desirable or relinquish our rights to product candidates or technologies that we otherwise would seek to develop or commercialize ourselves. Market volatility resulting from inflation, pandemics, geopolitical events or other financial markets factors could also adversely impact our ability to access capital as and when needed. If we are unable to secure adequate additional funding, we will need to reevaluate our operating plans and may be forced to make reductions in spending, extend payment terms with suppliers, liquidate assets where possible, delay, scale back or eliminate some or all of our development programs, relinquish rights to our technology on less favorable terms than we would otherwise choose or cease operations entirely. These actions could materially impact our business, results of operations, our future prospects and the value of shares of our Common Stock, and as a result, our stockholders may receive no value for their investment. In addition, attempting to secure additional financing diverts the time and attention of management from day-to-day activities and distract from our discovery and product development efforts.
Current wording
We may also need to raise additional funds in the near term in order to maintain compliance with Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements and continue operations. However, additional funding may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. Until we can generate sufficient revenue to finance our cash requirements, which we may never do, we expect to finance our future cash needs through a combination of public or private equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances, licensing arrangements and other marketing or distribution arrangements. If we raise additional funds through public or private equity offerings, the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our common stockholders. Further, to the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of Common Stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock, our stockholders’ ownership interest will be diluted. In addition, any debt financing may subject us to fixed payment obligations and covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If we raise additional capital through marketing and distribution arrangements or collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish certain valuable intellectual property or other rights to our product candidates, technologies, future revenue streams or research programs or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. We also may be required to seek collaborators for any of our product candidates at an earlier stage than otherwise would be desirable or relinquish our rights to product candidates or technologies that we otherwise would seek to develop or commercialize ourselves. Market volatility resulting from inflation, pandemics, geopolitical events or other financial markets factors could also adversely impact our ability to access capital as and when needed. If we are unable to secure adequate additional funding when needed or on acceptable terms, we will need to reevaluate our operating plans and may be forced to make reductions in spending, extend payment terms with suppliers, liquidate assets where possible, delay, scale back or eliminate some or all of our development programs, relinquish rights to our technology on less favorable terms than we would otherwise choose or cease operations entirely. These actions could materially impact our business, results of operations, our future prospects and the value of shares of our Common Stock, and as a result, our stockholders may receive no value for their investment. In addition, attempting to secure additional financing diverts the time and attention of management from day-to-day activities and distract from our discovery and product development efforts, which could also detrimentally affect these efforts and our prospects.
Previous wording
Our auditors have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, and we may not be able to continue as a going concern if we do not obtain additional financing.
Current wording
Our management has expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, and our auditors have included explanatory paragraphs in their audit reports about our ability to continue as a going concern. We may not be able to continue as a going concern if we do not obtain additional financing.
Previous wording
We have incurred losses since inception and, to date, have financed our operations by issuing equity and debt securities. We anticipate that we will continue to incur losses and generate negative operating cash flows in the foreseeable future as we continue to develop our drug candidates and that we will require additional funding to support our planned operating activities. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm on our financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024 includes an explanatory paragraph indicating that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Until such time, if ever, in which we can generate substantial product revenue, we expect we may continue to fund our operations and capital funding needs through equity offerings, debt financings or other capital sources, including strategic licensing, collaboration or other similar agreements. As stated above, if we are unable to secure adequate additional funding, we will need to reevaluate our operating plans and may be forced to make reductions in spending, extend payment terms with suppliers, liquidate assets where possible, delay, scale back or eliminate some or all of our development programs, or relinquish rights to our technology on less favorable terms than it would otherwise choose. These actions could materially impact our business, results of operations, our future prospects and the value of shares of our Common Stock, and, as a result, our stockholders may receive no value for their investment.
Current wording
We have incurred losses since inception and, to date, have financed our operations by issuing equity and debt securities. We anticipate that we will continue to incur losses and generate negative operating cash flows in the foreseeable future as we continue to develop our product drug candidates and that we will require additional funding to support our planned operating activities. In particular, these estimates assume only the commencement of preliminary work towards the initiation of a Phase 2b trial of GRI-0621; we would require substantial additional capital or resources in order to complete a Phase 2b clinical trial of GRI-0621. The reports of our independent registered public accounting firms on our financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025 include explanatory paragraphs indicating that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Until such time, if ever, when we can generate substantial product revenue, we expect we may continue to fund our operations and capital funding needs through equity offerings, debt financings or other capital sources, including strategic licensing, collaboration or other similar agreements. As stated above, if we are unable to secure adequate additional funding, we will need to reevaluate our operating plans and may be forced to make reductions in spending, extend payment terms with suppliers, liquidate assets where possible, delay, scale back or eliminate some or all of our development programs or relinquish rights to our technology on less favorable terms than it would otherwise choose. These actions could materially impact our business, results of operations, our future prospects and the value of shares of our Common Stock, and, as a result, our stockholders may receive no value for their investment.
Previous wording
Our business is highly dependent on the success of our lead product candidate, GRI-0621, and any other product candidates that we may advance into clinical development. All of our product candidates will require significant additional development before we may be able to seek regulatory approval and launch a product commercially.
Current wording
Our business is highly dependent on the success of our product candidates, GRI-0621 and GRI-0803, and any other product candidates that we may advance into clinical development. All of our product candidates will require significant additional development before we may be able to seek regulatory approval and launch a product commercially.
Previous wording
We currently have no products that are approved for commercial sale and may never be able to develop marketable products. Because GRI-0621 is our lead product candidate, if GRI-0621 encounters safety or efficacy problems, additional development delays, regulatory issues or other problems, our development plans and business would be significantly harmed. Before we can generate any revenue from sales of our lead product candidate, GRI-0621, GRI-0803 or any of our other product candidates, we must undergo additional clinical development, regulatory review, and approval in one or more jurisdictions. These efforts will require substantial investment, and we may not have the financial resources to continue development of our product candidates.
Current wording
We currently have no products that are approved for commercial sale and may never be able to develop marketable products. If GRI-0621 or GRI-0803 encounter safety or efficacy problems, additional development delays, regulatory issues or other problems, our development plans and business would be significantly harmed. Before we can generate any revenue from sales of our product candidates, we must undergo additional clinical development, regulatory review and approval in one or more jurisdictions. These efforts will require substantial investment, and we may not have the financial resources to continue development of our product candidates.
Previous wording
•delays in enrolling subjects in clinical trials, including due to pandemics, labor shortages or other geopolitical events;
Current wording
•further delays in enrolling subjects in clinical trials, including due to pandemics, labor shortages or other geopolitical events;
Previous wording
Clinical development involves a lengthy, complex, and expensive process, with an uncertain outcome. In addition, the results of preclinical studies and early-stage clinical trials of our product candidates may not be predictive of the results of later-stage clinical trials.
Current wording
Clinical development involves a lengthy, complex and expensive process, with an uncertain outcome. In addition, the results of preclinical studies and early-stage clinical trials of our product candidates may not be predictive of the results of later-stage clinical trials and interim or topline results of our clinical trials may not be representative of final results of our clinical trials.
Previous wording
In 2022, Congress amended the FDCA to require sponsors of a Phase 3 clinical trial, or other “pivotal study” of a new drug to support marketing authorization, to design and submit a diversity action plan for such clinical trial. The action plan must describe appropriate diversity goals for enrollment, as well as a rationale for the goals and a description of how the sponsor will meet them. Although none of our product candidates has reached Phase 3 of clinical development, we must submit a diversity action plan to the FDA by the time we submit a Phase 3 trial, or pivotal study, protocol to the agency for review, unless we are able to obtain a waiver for some or all of the requirements for a diversity action plan. It is unknown at this time how the diversity action plan may affect the planning and timing of any future Phase 3 trial for our product candidates. However, initiation of such trials may be delayed if the FDA objects to our proposed diversity action plans for any future Phase 3 trial for our product candidates, and we may experience difficulties recruiting a diverse population of patients in attempting to fulfill the requirements of any approved diversity action plan.
Current wording
In 2022, Congress amended the FDCA to require sponsors of a Phase 3 clinical trial, or other “pivotal study” of a new drug to support marketing authorization, to design and submit a diversity action plan for such clinical trial. The action plan must describe appropriate diversity goals for enrollment, as well as a rationale for the goals and a description of how the sponsor will meet them. Although none of our product candidates have reached Phase 3 of clinical development, we must submit a diversity action plan to the FDA by the time we submit a Phase 3 trial, or pivotal study, protocol to the agency for review, unless we are able to obtain a waiver for some or all of the requirements for a diversity action plan. It is unknown at this time how the diversity action plan may affect the planning and timing of any future Phase 3 trial for our product candidates. However, initiation of such trials may be delayed if the FDA objects to our proposed diversity action plans for any future Phase 3 trial for our product candidates, and we may experience difficulties recruiting a diverse population of patients in attempting to fulfill the requirements of any approved diversity action plan.
Previous wording
In addition, the standards that the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities use when regulating our product candidates require judgment and can change, which makes it difficult to predict with certainty how they will be applied. Any analysis we perform of data from preclinical and clinical activities is subject to confirmation and interpretation by regulatory authorities, which could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval. We may also encounter unexpected delays or increased costs due to new government regulations. Examples of such regulations include future legislation or administrative action, or changes in FDA policy during the period of product development and FDA regulatory review. We cannot predict whether legislative changes will be enacted, or whether FDA or foreign regulations, guidance or interpretations will be changed, or what the impact of such changes, if any, may be. For example, in April 2023 the European Commission issued a proposal for a new directive and a new regulation, which will revise and replace the existing general pharmaceutical legislation. If adopted and implemented as currently proposed, these revisions will significantly change several aspects of drug development and approval in the EU.
Current wording
In addition, the standards that the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities use when regulating our product candidates require judgment and can change, which makes it difficult to predict with certainty how they will be applied. Any analysis we perform of data from preclinical and clinical activities is subject to confirmation and interpretation by regulatory authorities, which could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval. We may also encounter unexpected delays or increased costs due to new government regulations. Examples of such regulations include future legislation or administrative action, or changes in FDA policy during the period of product development and FDA regulatory review. We cannot predict whether legislative changes will be enacted, or whether FDA or foreign regulations, guidance or interpretations will be changed, or what the impact of such changes, if any, may be. For example, in April 2023, the European Commission issued a proposal for a new directive and a new regulation, which will revise and replace the existing general pharmaceutical legislation. If adopted and implemented as currently proposed, these revisions will significantly change several aspects of drug development and approval in the EU. As of the date of this Annual Report, these rules are still pending finalization.
Previous wording
Identifying and qualifying patients to participate in clinical studies of our product candidates is critical to our success. The timing of completion of our clinical studies depends in part on the speed at which we can recruit patients to participate in testing our product candidates, and we may experience delays in our clinical trials if we again encounter difficulties in enrollment. We may not be able to initiate or continue clinical trials for our product candidates if we are unable to locate and enroll a sufficient number of eligible patients to participate in these trials as required by the FDA.
Current wording
Identifying and qualifying patients to participate in clinical studies of our product candidates is critical to our success. The timing of completion of our clinical studies depends in part on the speed at which we can recruit patients to participate in testing our product candidates, and we may again experience delays in our clinical trials if we encounter difficulties in enrollment. We may not be able to initiate or continue clinical trials for our product candidates if we are unable to locate and enroll a sufficient number of eligible patients to participate in these trials as required by the FDA.
Previous wording
For example, when we evaluated GRI-0621 in a pilot Phase 2a trial in hepatically impaired chronic liver disease patients, the study was originally intended to evaluate 60 patients but due to recruitment challenges and updated guidance from the FDA regarding the design of NASH clinical studies we made the administrative decision to halt the study after enrolling 14 patients. In addition, we previously expected topline results from our Phase 2a trial for GRI-0621 to be available in the fourth quarter of 2024 and this has since been delayed to the third quarter of 2025 primarily as a result of delayed enrollment. Enrollment in this trial continues to be somewhat unpredictable.
Current wording
For example, when we previously evaluated GRI-0621 in a pilot Phase 2a trial in hepatically impaired chronic liver disease patients, the study was originally intended to evaluate 60 patients but due to recruitment challenges and updated guidance from the FDA regarding the design of NASH clinical studies, we made the administrative decision to halt the study after enrolling 14 patients. This pilot Phase 2a trial was not resumed. In addition, the topline results of our recently completed Phase 2a clinical trial investigating GRI-0621 were delayed due in part to prior delays in enrollment for this trial.
Previous wording
Further, we are initially developing GRI-0621 for the treatment of IPF, which is an orphan indication. As a result, we have and may again encounter difficulties enrolling subjects in our clinical trials of GRI-0621 due, in part, to the small size of this patient population or the burden of safety labs included in the clinical protocol. In addition, our clinical trials will compete with other clinical trials for product candidates that are in the same therapeutic areas as our product candidates, and this competition may reduce the number and types of patients available to us, because some patients who might have opted to enroll in our trials may instead opt to enroll in a trial being conducted by one of our competitors. Since the number of qualified clinical investigators is limited, we expect to conduct some of our clinical trials at the same clinical trial sites that some of our competitors use, which will reduce the number of patients who are available for our clinical trials in such clinical trial site.
Current wording
Further, we are initially developing GRI-0621 for the treatment of IPF, which is an orphan indication. As a result, we have and may again encounter difficulties enrolling subjects in our clinical trials of GRI-0621 due, in part, to the small size of this patient population or the burden of safety labs included in the clinical protocol. In addition, our clinical trials will compete with other clinical trials for product candidates that are in the same therapeutic areas as our product candidates, and this competition may reduce the number and types of patients available to us because some patients who might have opted to enroll in our trials may instead opt to enroll in a trial being conducted by one of our competitors. Since the number of qualified clinical investigators is limited, we expect to conduct some of our clinical trials at the same clinical trial sites that some of our competitors use, which will reduce the number of patients who are available for our clinical trials at such clinical trial sites.
Previous wording
Further, timely enrollment in clinical trials is reliant on clinical trial sites which may be adversely affected by global health matters, including, among other things, pandemics, supply and labor shortages and geopolitical events. These delays and potential delays to development timelines may adversely affect our business, prospects and results of operations.
Current wording
Further, timely enrollment in clinical trials is reliant on clinical trial sites which may be adversely affected by global health matters, including, among other things, pandemics, supply and labor shortages, international trade policy and geopolitical events. These delays and potential delays to development timelines may adversely affect our business, prospects and results of operations.
Previous wording
From time to time, we publicly disclose interim, preliminary or topline data from our clinical studies, which is based on a preliminary analysis of then-available data, and the results and related findings and conclusions are subject to change following a more comprehensive review of the data related to the particular study or trial. We also make assumptions, estimations, calculations and conclusions as part of our analysis of data, and we may not have received or had the opportunity to fully and carefully evaluate all data. As a result, the interim, topline or preliminary results of clinical trials we report may differ from final results reported for those studies, or different conclusions or considerations may qualify such results, once additional data have been received and fully evaluated. Topline data also remain subject to audit and verification procedures that may result in the final data being materially different from the preliminary data we previously published. As a result, topline data should be viewed with caution until the final, complete data are available.
Current wording
From time to time, we publicly disclose interim, preliminary or topline data from our clinical studies (including recent disclosures of interim data and the topline data from our Phase 2a clinical trial for GRI-0621), which is based on a preliminary analysis of then-available data, and the results and related findings and conclusions are subject to change following a more comprehensive review of the data related to the particular study or trial. We also make assumptions, estimations, calculations and conclusions as part of our analysis of data, and we may not have received or had the opportunity to fully and carefully evaluate all data. As a result, the interim, topline or preliminary results of clinical trials we report, including for our Phase 2a clinical trial for GRI-0621, may differ from final results reported for those studies, or different conclusions or considerations may qualify such results, once additional data have been received and fully evaluated. Topline data also remain subject to audit and verification procedures that may result in the final data being materially different from the preliminary data we previously published. As a result, topline data should be viewed with caution until the final, complete data are available.
Previous wording
Likewise, in light of the fact that our evaluation of GRI-0621 in a pilot Phase 2a trial in hepatically impaired chronic liver disease patients was originally intended to evaluate 60 patients and that we made the administrative decision to halt the study after enrolling 14 patients due to recruitment challenges and updated guidance from the FDA regarding the design of NASH clinical studies, our disclosure that GRI-0621 was observed to be well-tolerated and showed improvements in liver function tests, serum CK-18, and in iNKT cell activity in this limited number of patients is qualified by the fact that the study was underpowered to meet its endpoints with statistical significance. Our observations from this pilot Phase 2a trial may not be indicative of results from any potential future preclinical studies or clinical trials.
Current wording
Likewise, in light of the fact that our previous evaluation of GRI-0621 in a pilot Phase 2a trial in hepatically impaired chronic liver disease patients was originally intended to evaluate 60 patients and that we made the administrative decision to halt the study after enrolling 14 patients due to recruitment challenges and updated guidance from the FDA regarding the design of NASH clinical studies, our disclosures that GRI-0621 was observed to be well-tolerated and showed improvements in liver function tests, serum CK-18, and in iNKT cell activity in this limited number of patients is qualified by the fact that the study was underpowered to meet its endpoints with statistical significance. Our observations from this terminated pilot Phase 2a trial and our recent interim or topline results for GRI-0621 may not be indicative of results from any potential future preclinical studies or clinical trials.
Previous wording
Changes in regulatory requirements, FDA guidance or unanticipated events during our preclinical studies and clinical studies may force us to amend preclinical studies and clinical study protocols. The FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may also impose additional preclinical studies and clinical study requirements. Amendments or changes to our clinical study protocols, including changes to endpoints, would require resubmission to the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities and IRBs for review and approval, which may increase the cost or delay the timing or successful completion of clinical studies. Similarly, amendments to our preclinical studies may increase the cost or delay the timing or successful completion of those preclinical studies. If we experience delays completing, or if we terminate, any of our preclinical or clinical studies, or if we are required to conduct additional preclinical or clinical studies, the commercial prospects for our product candidates may be harmed and our ability to recognize product revenue will be delayed.
Current wording
Changes in regulatory requirements, FDA guidance or unanticipated events during our preclinical studies and clinical studies may force us to amend preclinical studies and clinical study protocols. The FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may also impose additional preclinical studies and clinical study requirements. Amendments or changes to our clinical study protocols, including changes to endpoints, would require resubmission to the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities and Institutional Review Boards for review and approval, which may increase the cost or delay the timing or successful completion of clinical studies. Similarly, amendments to our preclinical studies may increase the cost or delay the timing or successful completion of those preclinical studies. If we experience delays completing, or if we terminate, any of our preclinical or clinical studies, or if we are required to conduct additional preclinical or clinical studies, the commercial prospects for our product candidates may be harmed and our ability to recognize product revenue will be delayed.
Previous wording
We face an inherent risk of product liability as a result of testing GRI-0621, GRI-0803 and any of our other product candidates in clinical trials and will face an even greater risk if we commercialize any products. For example, we may be sued if our product candidates cause or are perceived to cause injury or are found to be otherwise unsuitable during clinical trials, manufacturing, marketing or sale. As an oral formulation of an active ingredient that has previously been approved by FDA only for topical administration, in particular, GRI-0621 may be subject to the identification of new serious adverse events as it is administered to larger numbers of research subjects in order to evaluate its safety/effectiveness in chronic use indications and in new patient populations. Any such product liability claims may include allegations of defects in manufacturing, defects in design, a failure to warn of dangers inherent in the product, negligence, strict liability or a breach of warranties. Claims could also be asserted under state consumer protection acts. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit commercialization of our product candidates. Even a successful defense of these claims would require significant financial and management resources. Regardless of the merits or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:
Current wording
We face an inherent risk of product liability as a result of testing GRI-0621, GRI-0803 and any of our other product candidates in clinical trials and will face an even greater risk if we commercialize any products. For example, we may be sued if our product candidates cause or are perceived to cause injury or are found to be otherwise unsuitable during clinical trials, manufacturing, marketing or sale. As an oral formulation of an active ingredient that has previously been approved by the FDA only for topical administration, in particular, GRI-0621 may be subject to the identification of new serious adverse events as it is administered to larger numbers of research subjects in order to evaluate its safety/effectiveness in chronic use indications and in new patient populations. Any such product liability claims may include allegations of defects in manufacturing, defects in design, a failure to warn of dangers inherent in the product, negligence, strict liability or a breach of warranties. Claims could also be asserted under state consumer protection acts. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit commercialization of our product candidates. Even a successful defense of these claims would require significant financial and management resources. Regardless of the merits or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:
Previous wording
We expect to utilize the FDA’s Section 505(b)(2) pathway for our lead product candidate, and if that pathway is not available, the development of our product candidate will likely take significantly longer, cost significantly more and entail significantly greater complexity and risk than currently anticipated, and, in any case, may not be successful.
Current wording
We expect to utilize the FDA’s Section 505(b)(2) pathway for our product candidate, GRI-0621, and if that pathway is not available, the development of this product candidate will likely take significantly longer, cost significantly more and entail significantly greater complexity and risk than currently anticipated, and, in any case, may not be successful.
Previous wording
We intend to develop and seek approval for GRI-0621, and potentially other candidates that we may develop, pursuant to the FDA’s 505(b)(2) pathway. If the FDA determines that we may not use this regulatory pathway, then we would need to seek regulatory approval via a “full” or “stand-alone” NDA under Section 505(b)(1) of the FDCA. This would require us to conduct additional clinical trials, provide additional safety and efficacy data and other information, and meet additional standards for regulatory approval including possibly nonclinical data. If this were to occur, the time and financial resources required to obtain FDA approval, as well as the development complexity and risk associated with these programs, would likely substantially increase, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Current wording
We intend to develop and seek approval for GRI-0621, and potentially other candidates that we may develop, pursuant to the FDA’s 505(b)(2) pathway. If the FDA determines that we may not use this regulatory pathway, then we would need to seek regulatory approval via a “full” or “stand-alone” New Drug Application (NDA) under Section 505(b)(1) of the FDCA. This would require us to conduct additional clinical trials, provide additional safety and efficacy data and other information and meet additional standards for regulatory approval including possibly nonclinical data. If this were to occur, the time and financial resources required to obtain FDA approval, as well as the development complexity and risk associated with these programs, would likely substantially increase, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Previous wording
The Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, informally known as the Hatch-Waxman Act, added Section 505(b)(2) to the FDCA. Section 505(b)(2) permits the filing of an NDA where at least some of the information required for approval comes from studies and information that were not conducted by or for the applicant and for which the applicant has not obtained a right of reference. Section 505(b)(2), if applicable to certain of our product candidates under the FDCA, would allow an NDA we submit to the FDA to rely in part on data in the public domain or the FDA’s prior conclusions regarding the safety and effectiveness of approved compounds. Such an approach could expedite the development programs for GRI-0621. In addition, although 505(b)(2) applicants have significant flexibility in the types of studies, data, and information they may submit in a 505(b)(2) NDA to support the requirements for NDA approval, establish a favorable benefit-risk profile for the new drug product, and demonstrate the new drug’s substantial evidence of effectiveness for its proposed intended use(s), the applicant bears the burden of establishing a scientific bridge between its drug product and each listed drug that the applicant seeks to rely upon and that the studies it is proposing to conduct are scientifically justified. If the FDA disagrees with the applicant’s proposed development plan for the follow-on drug product, it may require the sponsor to perform additional studies or measurements, including nonclinical and clinical studies, to support the change from the approved product. FDA also may request or require studies to incorporate additional clinical endpoints than what the sponsor proposes. The extent of data necessary to establish the safety and/or effectiveness of the new product, such as the effects of changing the drug’s route of administration from topical to oral, are therefore scientifically driven and determined on a case-by-case basis. There can be no assurance that the studies and clinical trials we propose to FDA to establish the safety and effectiveness of GRI-0621 for the treatment of IPF, or any future candidates we may develop using the 505(b)(2) NDA pathway, will be deemed sufficient to support all of the differences between our product candidate and the relevant listed drug. For example, we may be required to collect more safety data than we anticipate in order to gain approval of an oral formulation of an active ingredient that has previously been approved by FDA only for topical administration.
Current wording
The Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, informally known as the Hatch-Waxman Act, added Section 505(b)(2) to the FDCA. Section 505(b)(2) permits the filing of an NDA where at least some of the information required for approval comes from studies and information that were not conducted by or for the applicant and for which the applicant has not obtained a right of reference. Section 505(b)(2), if applicable to certain of our product candidates under the FDCA, would allow an NDA we submit to the FDA to rely in part on data in the public domain or the FDA’s prior conclusions regarding the safety and effectiveness of approved compounds. Such an approach could expedite the development programs for GRI-0621. In addition, although 505(b)(2) applicants have significant flexibility in the types of studies, data and information they may submit in a 505(b)(2) NDA to support the requirements for NDA approval, establish a favorable benefit-risk profile for the new drug product and demonstrate the new drug’s substantial evidence of effectiveness for its proposed intended use(s), the applicant bears the burden of establishing a scientific bridge between its drug product and each listed drug that the applicant seeks to rely upon and that the studies it is proposing to conduct are scientifically justified. If the FDA disagrees with an applicant’s proposed development plan for the follow-on drug product, it may require the sponsor to perform additional studies or measurements, including nonclinical and clinical studies, to support the change from the approved product. The FDA also may request or require studies to incorporate additional clinical endpoints than what the sponsor proposes. The extent of data necessary to establish the safety and/or effectiveness of the new product, such as the effects of changing the drug’s route of administration from topical to oral, are therefore scientifically driven and determined on a case-by-case basis. There can be no assurance that the studies and clinical trials we propose to the FDA to establish the safety and effectiveness of GRI-0621 for the treatment of IPF, or any future candidates we may develop using the 505(b)(2) NDA pathway, will be deemed sufficient to support all of the differences between our product candidate and the relevant listed drug. For example, we may be required to collect more safety data than we anticipate in order to gain approval of an oral formulation of an active ingredient that has previously been approved by the FDA only for topical administration.
Previous wording
If a product candidate is intended for the treatment of a serious condition and nonclinical or clinical data demonstrate the potential to address an unmet medical need for this condition, a product sponsor may apply for FDA Fast Track designation. If we seek Fast Track designation for a product candidate, we may not receive it from the FDA. However, even if we receive Fast Track designation, Fast Track designation does not ensure that we will receive marketing approval or that approval will be granted within any particular time frame. We may not experience a faster development or regulatory review or approval process with Fast Track designation compared to conventional FDA procedures. In addition, the FDA may withdraw Fast Track designation if the designation is no longer supported by data from our clinical development program. Fast Track designation alone does not guarantee qualification for the FDA’s priority review procedures.
Current wording
If a product candidate is intended for the treatment of a serious condition and nonclinical or clinical data demonstrate the potential to address an unmet medical need for this condition, a product sponsor may apply for FDA Fast Track designation. If we seek Fast Track designation for a product candidate, we may not receive it from the FDA. However, even if we receive Fast Track designation, it would not ensure that we will receive marketing approval or that approval will be granted within any particular time frame. We may not experience a faster development or regulatory review or approval process with Fast Track designation compared to conventional FDA procedures. In addition, the FDA may withdraw Fast Track designation if the designation is no longer supported by data from our clinical development program. Fast Track designation alone does not guarantee qualification for the FDA’s priority review procedures.
Previous wording
If any of our product candidates are approved, we will be subject to ongoing regulatory requirements for manufacturing, labeling, packaging, storage, advertising, promotion, sampling, record-keeping, conduct of post-marketing studies and submission of safety, efficacy and other post-market information, including both federal and state requirements in the United
Current wording
If any of our product candidates are approved, we will be subject to ongoing regulatory requirements for manufacturing, labeling, packaging, storage, advertising, promotion, sampling, record-keeping, conduct of post-marketing studies and submission of safety, efficacy and other post-market information, including both federal and state requirements in the United States and requirements of comparable foreign regulatory authorities. In addition, we will be subject to continued compliance with cGMPs and GCPs for any clinical trials that we conduct post-approval.
Previous wording
We must also comply with requirements concerning advertising and promotion for any of our product candidates for which we hope to obtain marketing approval. The FDA strictly regulates marketing, labeling, advertising, and promotion of products that are placed on the market. Products may be promoted only for the approved indications and in accordance with the provisions of the approved label. However, companies may share truthful and not misleading information that is not inconsistent with the labeling, and the FDA has recently published a draft guidance with recommendations for how drug manufacturers can share scientifically sound and clinically relevant information on unapproved uses with health care providers so long as such presentations are not promotional. The FDA and other agencies actively enforce the laws and regulations prohibiting the promotion of off-label uses and a company that is found to have improperly promoted off-label uses may be subject to significant liability.
Current wording
We must also comply with requirements concerning advertising and promotion for any of our product candidates for which we hope to obtain marketing approval. The FDA strictly regulates marketing, labeling, advertising and promotion of products that are placed on the market. Products may be promoted only for the approved indications and in accordance with the provisions of the approved label. However, companies may share truthful and not misleading information that is not inconsistent with the labeling, and the FDA has published draft guidance with recommendations for how drug manufacturers can share scientifically sound and clinically relevant information on unapproved uses with health care providers so long as such presentations are not promotional. The FDA and other agencies actively enforce the laws and regulations prohibiting the promotion of off-label uses and a company that is found to have improperly promoted off-label uses may be subject to significant liability.
Previous wording
Sales of medical products also depend on the willingness of physicians to prescribe the treatment, which is likely to be based on a determination by these physicians that the products are safe, therapeutically effective and cost effective. In addition, the inclusion or exclusion of products from treatment guidelines established by various physician groups and the viewpoints of influential physicians can affect the willingness of other physicians to prescribe the treatment. We cannot predict whether physicians, physicians’ organizations, hospitals, other healthcare providers, government agencies or private insurers will determine that out products are safe, therapeutically effective and cost effective as compared with competing treatments. If any product candidate is approved but does not achieve an adequate level of acceptance by such parties, we may not generate or derive sufficient revenue from that product candidate and may not become or remain profitable. If government and other third-party payors do not provide coverage and adequate reimbursement levels for any products we commercialize, market acceptance and commercial success would be reduced.
Current wording
Sales of medical products also depend on the willingness of physicians to prescribe the treatment, which is likely to be based on a determination by these physicians that the products are safe, therapeutically effective and cost effective. In addition, the inclusion or exclusion of products from treatment guidelines established by various physician groups and the viewpoints of influential physicians can affect the willingness of other physicians to prescribe the treatment. We cannot predict whether physicians, physicians’ organizations, hospitals, other healthcare providers, government agencies or private insurers will determine that our products are safe, therapeutically effective and cost effective as compared with competing treatments. If any product candidate is approved but does not achieve an adequate level of acceptance by such parties, we may not generate or derive sufficient revenue from that product candidate and may not become or remain profitable. If government and other third-party payors do not provide coverage and adequate reimbursement levels for any products we commercialize, market acceptance and commercial success would be reduced.
Previous wording
In addition, there is significant uncertainty related to the insurance coverage and reimbursement for newly approved products. In the United States, the principal decisions about coverage and reimbursement for new drugs are typically made by the CMS, an agency within HHS, as CMS decides whether and to what extent a new drug will be covered and reimbursed under Medicare. Private payors tend to follow the coverage reimbursement policies established by CMS to a substantial degree. It is difficult to predict what CMS will decide with respect to reimbursement for novel product candidates such as ours and what reimbursement codes our product candidates may receive if approved.
Current wording
In addition, there is significant uncertainty related to the insurance coverage and reimbursement for newly approved products. In the United States, the principal decisions about coverage and reimbursement for new drugs are typically made by the CMS, an agency within the HHS, as CMS decides whether and to what extent a new drug will be covered and reimbursed under Medicare. Private payors tend to follow the coverage reimbursement policies established by CMS to a substantial degree. It is difficult to predict what CMS will decide with respect to reimbursement for novel product candidates such as ours and what reimbursement codes our product candidates may receive if approved.
Previous wording
Healthcare providers, physicians and third-party payors in the United States and elsewhere play a primary role in the recommendation and prescription of pharmaceutical products. Arrangements with third-party payors and customers can expose pharmaceutical manufacturers to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the AKS and the federal False Claims Act, which may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which such companies sell, market and distribute pharmaceutical products. In particular, the research of our product candidates, as well as the promotion, sales and marketing of healthcare items and services, as well as certain business arrangements in the healthcare industry, are subject to extensive laws designed to prevent fraud, kickbacks, self-dealing and other abusive practices. These laws and regulations may restrict or prohibit a wide range of pricing, discounting, marketing and promotion, structuring and commission(s), certain customer incentive programs and other business arrangements generally. Activities subject to these laws also involve the improper use of information obtained in the course of patient recruitment for clinical trials. See the section entitled “Item 1. Business — Government Regulation and Product Approval — Other U.S. Healthcare Laws and Regulations.”
Current wording
Healthcare providers, physicians and third-party payors in the United States and elsewhere play a primary role in the recommendation and prescription of pharmaceutical products. Arrangements with third-party payors and customers can expose pharmaceutical manufacturers to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the federal AKS and the federal False Claims Act, which may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which such companies sell, market and distribute pharmaceutical products. In particular, the research of our product candidates, as well as the promotion, sales and marketing of healthcare items and services, as well as certain business arrangements in the healthcare industry, are subject to extensive laws designed to prevent fraud, kickbacks, self-dealing and other abusive practices. These laws and regulations may restrict or prohibit a wide range of pricing, discounting, marketing and promotion, structuring and commission(s), certain customer incentive programs and other business arrangements generally. Activities subject to these laws also involve the improper use of information obtained in the course of patient recruitment for clinical trials. See the section entitled, “Business—Government Regulation and Product Approval—Other U.S. Healthcare Laws and Regulations.”
Previous wording
Changes in regulations, statutes or the interpretation of existing regulations could impact our business in the future by requiring, for example, changes to our manufacturing arrangements; additions or modifications to product labeling; the recall or discontinuation of our products; or additional record-keeping requirements. If any such changes were to be imposed, they could adversely affect the operation of our business. If we are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or if we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we may lose any marketing approval that we may have obtained, and we may not achieve or sustain profitability. See the section entitled “Item 1. Business — Government Regulation and Product Approval — Pharmaceutical Coverage, Pricing and Reimbursement & Healthcare Reform.”
Current wording
Changes in regulations, statutes or the interpretation of existing regulations could impact our business in the future by requiring, for example, changes to our manufacturing arrangements; additions or modifications to product labeling; the recall or discontinuation of our products; or additional record-keeping requirements. If any such changes were to be imposed, they could adversely affect the operation of our business. If we are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or if we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we may lose any marketing approval that we may have obtained, and we may not achieve or sustain profitability. See the section entitled, “Business—Government Regulation and Product Approval—Pharmaceutical Coverage, Pricing and Reimbursement & Healthcare Reform.”
Previous wording
Moreover, increasing efforts by governmental and third-party payors in the United States and abroad, including in Canada and Europe, to cap or reduce healthcare costs may cause such organizations to limit both coverage and the level of reimbursement for newly approved products and, as a result, they may not cover or provide adequate payment for our product candidates. There has been increasing legislative and enforcement interest in the United States with respect to specialty drug pricing practices. Specifically, there have been several recent U.S. Congressional inquiries and proposed and enacted federal and state legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to drug pricing, reduce the cost of prescription drugs under Medicare, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for drugs. Most recently, in August 2022, President Biden signed into the law the IRA which among other things, contains multiple provisions that may impact the prices of drug products that are both sold into the Medicare program and throughout the United States.
Current wording
Moreover, increasing efforts by governmental and third-party payors in the United States and abroad, including in Canada and Europe, to cap or reduce healthcare costs may cause such organizations to limit both coverage and the level of reimbursement for newly approved products and, as a result, they may not cover or provide adequate payment for our product candidates. There has been increasing legislative and enforcement interest in the United States with respect to specialty drug pricing practices. Specifically, there have been several recent U.S. Congressional inquiries and proposed and enacted federal and state legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to drug pricing, reduce the cost of prescription drugs under Medicare, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for drugs. In August 2022, former President Biden signed into the law the IRA, which among other things, contains multiple provisions that may impact the prices of drug products that are both sold into the Medicare program and throughout the United States.
Previous wording
Among other things, the IRA has multiple provisions that may impact the prices of drug products that are both sold into the Medicare program and throughout the United States. A manufacturer of drugs or biological products covered by Medicare Parts B or D must now pay a rebate to the federal government if their drug product’s price increases faster than the rate of inflation. This calculation is made on a drug product by drug product basis and the amount of the rebate owed to the federal government is directly dependent on the volume of a drug product that is paid for by Medicare Parts B or D. Additionally, starting for payment year 2026, CMS is negotiating drug prices annually for a select number of single source Part D drugs without generic or biosimilar competition. CMS will also negotiate drug prices for a select number of Part B drugs starting for payment year 2028. If a drug product is selected by CMS for negotiation, it is expected that the revenue generated from such drug will decrease. CMS has begun to implement these new authorities and entered into the first set of agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers to conduct price negotiations in October 2023 and ultimately announcing the first round of negotiated prices for the first 10 drugs in August 2024; those negotiated “maximum fair prices” will be effective as of January 1, 2026 (payment year 2026). CMS is currently engaged in its second round of negotiations and published the next 15 drugs selected for negotiation in January 2025. However, the IRA’s impact on the biopharmaceutical industry in the United States remains uncertain, in part because multiple large pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders (e.g., the U.S. Chamber of Commerce) have initiated federal lawsuits against CMS arguing the program is unconstitutional for a variety of reasons, among other complaints. The outcome of such ongoing lawsuits, as well as potential legislative changes enacted by Congress or programmatic changes implemented at CMS by the Trump Administration, may impact the IRA drug price negotiation program in the future.
Current wording
Among other things, the IRA has multiple provisions that may impact the prices of drug products that are both sold into the Medicare program and throughout the United States. A manufacturer of drugs or biological products covered by Medicare Parts B or D must now pay a rebate to the federal government if their drug product’s price increases faster than the rate of inflation. This calculation is made on a drug product by drug product basis and the amount of the rebate owed to the federal government is directly dependent on the volume of a drug product that is paid for by Medicare Parts B or D. Additionally, starting for payment year 2026, CMS is negotiating drug prices annually for a select number of single source Part D drugs without generic or biosimilar competition. CMS will also negotiate drug prices for a select number of Part B drugs starting for payment year 2028. If a drug product is selected by CMS for negotiation, it is expected that the revenue generated from such drug will decrease. CMS has begun to implement these new authorities and entered into the first set of agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers to conduct price negotiations in October 2023 and ultimately announcing the first round of negotiated prices for the first ten drugs in August 2024; those negotiated “maximum fair prices” will be effective as of January 1, 2026 (payment year 2026). CMS is currently engaged in its second round of negotiations and published the next 15 drugs selected for negotiation in January 2025. However, the
Previous wording
The FTC in mid-2022 also launched sweeping investigations into the practices of the PBM industry, and published interim reports with its findings in mid-2024 and January 2025, that could lead to additional federal and state legislative or regulatory proposals targeting such entities’ operations, pharmacy networks, or financial arrangements, including in the current 2025-2026 congressional session. Both the U.S. Congress and state legislatures are increasingly scrutinizing the industry and proposing novel regulatory approaches to address various perceived public policy concerns. Significant efforts to change the PBM industry as it currently exists in the United States may affect the entire pharmaceutical supply chain and the business of other stakeholders, including biopharmaceutical product developers like us. Further, in September 2023, the FTC issued a policy statement articulating its view that certain “improper” patent listings by drug developers in FDA’s Orange Book represent an unfair trade practice and indicated that industry should be prepared for potential enforcement actions based on its analysis. The FTC followed that action in November 2023 by publicly calling out over 100 “improper” patent listings made by ten large pharmaceutical companies and initiating an FDA administrative process with respect to those patents. The controversy regarding the appropriateness of listing such patents has led to numerous lawsuits alleging anticompetitive conduct by biopharmaceutical companies. It remains to be seen whether the FTC under the Trump Administration will continue to prioritize the policy issue of “improper” patent listings or whether Congress may take any legislative actions related to this issue. Accordingly, regulatory and government interest in biopharmaceutical industry business practices continues to expand and pose a risk of uncertainty.
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In mid-2022, the FTC also launched sweeping investigations into the practices of the PBM industry, and published interim reports with its findings in mid-2024 and January 2025, that could lead to additional federal and state legislative or regulatory proposals targeting such entities’ operations, pharmacy networks or financial arrangements, including in the current 2025-2026 congressional session. Both the U.S. Congress and state legislatures are increasingly scrutinizing the industry and proposing novel regulatory approaches to address various perceived public policy concerns. Significant efforts to change the PBM industry as it currently exists in the United States may affect the entire pharmaceutical supply chain and the business of other stakeholders, including biopharmaceutical product developers like us. Further, in September 2023, the FTC issued a policy statement articulating its view that certain “improper” patent listings by drug developers in FDA’s Orange Book represent an unfair trade practice and indicated that industry should be prepared for potential enforcement actions based on its analysis. The FTC followed that action in November 2023 by publicly calling out over 100 “improper” patent listings made by ten large pharmaceutical companies and initiating an FDA administrative process with respect to those patents. The controversy regarding the appropriateness of listing such patents has led to numerous lawsuits alleging anticompetitive conduct by biopharmaceutical companies. It remains to be seen whether the FTC under the Trump Administration will continue to prioritize the policy issue of “improper” patent listings or whether Congress may take any legislative actions related to this issue. Accordingly, regulatory and government interest in biopharmaceutical industry business practices continues to expand and pose a risk of uncertainty.
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Disruptions at the FDA and other agencies may also slow the time necessary for new drugs to be reviewed and/or approved by necessary government agencies, which would adversely affect our business. For example, over the last several years, including from December 22, 2018 through January 25, 2019, the U.S. government has shut down several times, and certain regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and the SEC, have had to furlough critical FDA, SEC, and other government employees and stop critical activities. If a prolonged government shutdown or slowdown occurs, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Further, future government shutdowns could impact our ability to access the public markets and obtain necessary capital in order to properly capitalize and continue our operations. There have been U.S. government shutdowns historically, and recent government shutdowns have been threatened; it is often unclear how long a shutdown will last and what impacts it may have on the federal agencies that have jurisdiction over our various operations.
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Disruptions at the FDA and other agencies may also slow the time necessary for new drugs to be reviewed and/or approved by necessary government agencies, which would adversely affect our business. For example, over the last several years, the U.S. government has shut down several times, and certain regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and the SEC, have had to furlough critical FDA, SEC and other government employees and stop critical activities. It is often unclear how long a shutdown will last and what impacts it may have on the federal agencies that have jurisdiction over our various operations. Additionally, regulatory agencies including the FDA have experienced significant disruptions which are expected to continue under the Trump Administration relating to funding restrictions, personnel reductions, deregulation policies and executive orders affecting policy decisions. Ongoing uncertainty or a prolonged government shutdown or slowdown could significantly impact the ability of the FDA to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Further, future disruptions to the FDA and other agencies could impact our ability to access the public markets and obtain necessary capital in order to properly capitalize and continue our operations. It is also unclear if or how the FDA will choose to or be able to implement or enforce its regulations in the future, including those that have substantial impact on our business.
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Among other matters, United States. and foreign anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, export control, sanctions, and other trade laws and regulations (collectively, Trade Laws) prohibit companies and their employees, agents, clinical research organizations, legal counsel, accountants, consultants, contractors, and other partners from authorizing, promising, offering, providing, soliciting, or receiving directly or indirectly, corrupt or improper payments or anything else of value to or from recipients in the public or private sector. Violations of Trade Laws can result in substantial criminal fines and civil penalties, imprisonment, the loss of trade privileges, debarment, tax reassessments, breach of contract and fraud litigation, reputational harm, and other consequences. We have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or government-affiliated hospitals, universities and other organizations. We also expect our non-U.S. activities to increase in time. We plan to engage third parties for clinical trials and/or to obtain necessary permits, licenses, patent registrations and other regulatory approvals and we can be held liable for the corrupt or other illegal activities of our personnel, agents, or partners, even if we do not explicitly authorize or have prior knowledge of such activities.
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Among other matters, U.S. and foreign anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, export control, sanctions and other trade laws and regulations (collectively, “Trade Laws”) prohibit companies and their employees, agents, clinical research organizations (CROs), legal counsel, accountants, consultants, contractors and other partners from authorizing, promising, offering, providing, soliciting or receiving directly or indirectly, corrupt or improper payments or anything else of value to or from recipients in the public or private sector. Violations of Trade Laws can result in substantial criminal fines and civil penalties, imprisonment, the loss of trade privileges, debarment, tax reassessments, breach of contract and fraud litigation, reputational harm and other consequences. We have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or government-affiliated hospitals, universities and other organizations. We also expect our non-U.S. activities to increase in time. We plan to engage third parties for clinical trials and/or to obtain necessary permits, licenses, patent registrations and other regulatory approvals and we can be held liable for the corrupt or other illegal activities of our personnel, agents or partners, even if we do not explicitly authorize or have prior knowledge of such activities.
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We cannot be certain that we were the first to invent the inventions covered by pending patent applications and, if we are not, we may be subject to priority disputes. Furthermore, for U.S. applications in which all claims are entitled to a priority date before March 16, 2013, an interference proceeding can be provoked by a third-party or instituted by the USPTO to determine who was the first to invent any of the subject matter covered by the patent claims of our applications. Similarly, for U.S. applications in which at least one claim is not entitled to a priority date before March 16, 2013, derivation proceedings can be instituted to determine whether the subject matter of a patent claim was derived from a prior inventor’s disclosure.
Current wording
We cannot be certain that we were the first to invent the inventions covered by pending patent applications and, if we are not, we may be subject to priority disputes. Furthermore, for U.S. applications in which all claims are entitled to a priority date before March 16, 2013, an interference proceeding can be provoked by a third-party or instituted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to determine who was the first to invent any of the subject matter covered by the patent claims of our applications. Similarly, for U.S. applications in which at least one claim is not entitled to a priority date before March 16, 2013, derivation proceedings can be instituted to determine whether the subject matter of a patent claim was derived from a prior inventor’s disclosure.
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Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
IRA’s impact on the biopharmaceutical industry in the United States remains uncertain, in part because multiple large pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders (e.g., the U.S. Chamber of Commerce) have initiated federal lawsuits against CMS arguing the program is unconstitutional for a variety of reasons, among other complaints. The outcome of such ongoing lawsuits, as well as potential legislative changes enacted by Congress or programmatic changes implemented at CMS by the Trump Administration, may impact the IRA drug price negotiation program. For example, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which President Trump signed into law in July 2025, modified the IRA’s exclusion protecting orphan drugs designated for a single rare disease indication from required pricing negotiations by expanding it to apply to drugs designated for multiple rare diseases and by prohibiting Medicare price negotiations until seven years after an orphan drug, or 11 years after an orphan biologic, is approved for a non-orphan indication, which will significantly delay pricing negotiations for certain high-priced and widely used drugs.
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
Our ability to compete in the highly competitive biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries depends upon our ability to attract and retain highly qualified managerial, scientific and medical personnel. We are highly dependent on our management, scientific and medical personnel, including W. Marc Hertz, Ph.D., our President and Chief Executive Officer, Vipin Kumar, Ph.D., our Chief Scientific Officer and Albert Agro, our Chief Medical Officer. Our key employees are at-will employees, which means that any of our employees could leave our employment at any time, with or without notice. Further, we do not currently have “key person” insurance for our members or management. There is no guarantee that any “key person” insurance policy we would have or may enter into would adequately compensate us for the loss of any key employee. The further loss of the services of any of our executive officers, other key employees and other scientific and medical advisors, and our inability to find suitable replacements could result in delays in product development and harm our business.
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
However, we cannot be certain that we will ever have sufficient resources to remediate this material weakness or that the compensating controls we have implemented will operate as expected or prevent future misstatements or errors in our financial reporting. Further, we cannot be certain that additional new material weaknesses will not be identified when we again test the effectiveness of our control systems in the future or that our remediation efforts will be or remain successful. If additional material weaknesses are identified or if we are unable to remediate our current material weakness, we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial and management resources, costly litigation or a loss of public confidence in our internal controls, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of our stock.
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Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
States and requirements of comparable foreign regulatory authorities. In addition, we will be subject to continued compliance with cGMPs and GCPs for any clinical trials that we conduct post-approval.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
We conduct our operations at our facility in La Jolla, California. This region is headquarters to many other biotechnology companies, biopharmaceutical companies, and research institutions. Competition for skilled personnel in our market is intense and may limit our ability to hire and retain highly qualified personnel on acceptable terms or at all.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
As of December 31, 2024, there were a total of (i) 420 shares of Common Stock directly or indirectly underlying the Series B-1 common warrants (the Series B-1 Common Warrants) and Series B-2 common warrants (the Series B-2 Common Warrants, and together with the Series B-1 Common Warrants, the Series B Common Warrants), (ii) 257,154 shares of Common Stock directly or indirectly underlying the Series C-1 common warrants (the Series C-1 Common Warrants) and Series C-2 common warrants (the Series C-2 Common Warrants, and together with the Series C-1 Common Warrants, the Series C Common
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
However, we may fail to maintain long-term compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule. We previously effected two reverse stock splits in 2024 prior to receiving the Letter from Nasdaq in September 2024. If we again fail to comply with the Minimum Bid Price Rule, we will not be able to again complete a reverse stock split in compliance with applicable Nasdaq rules in the near term. If we are unable to comply with a listing requirement of The Nasdaq Capital Market, including the Minimum Bid Price Rule, shares of our Common Stock would likely be delisted.