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Risk Factors - GALT
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Item 1A. We have policies and processes designed to protect our information technology systems , which are managed by outside consultants. Our cybersecurity consultants resolve issues in a timely manner in the event of a cybersecurity threat or incident. Our cybersecurity consultants resolve issues in a timely manner in the event of a cybersecurity threat or incident. We engage a third-party consultant to assist us with designing controls and our cybersecurity risk management framework. We are also engaging with a third party to perform penetration testing. We also retain third parties to assist with the monitoring and detection of cybersecurity threats and responding to any cybersecurity threats or incidents. We also retain third parties to assist with the monitoring and detection of cybersecurity threats and responding to any cybersecurity threats or incidents. With respect to third parties that manage or use our information technology or data, we obtain reports to assess the security of their systems and processes. We engage in ongoing monitoring of third-party providers to ensure compliance with our cybersecurity standards. We engage in ongoing monitoring of third-party providers to ensure compliance with our cybersecurity standards. We have not encountered cybersecurity threats or incidents that have had a material impact on our business. Our chief financial officer has primary responsibility for assessing, monitoring and managing cybersecurity risks. We utilize cybersecurity consultants to monitor and report cybersecurity threats or incidents to our chief financial officer and to resolve issues arising from such threats or incidents. We utilize cybersecurity consultants to monitor and report cybersecurity threats or incidents to our chief financial officer and to resolve issues arising from such threats or incidents. Our chief financial officer updates the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee on any risks related to cybersecurity as needed. 
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below and the other information before deciding to invest in our common stock. The risks described below are not the only ones facing our Company. The risks described below are not the only ones facing our Company. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may also adversely affect our business. We have attempted to identify below the major factors that could cause differences between actual and planned or expected results, but we cannot assure you that we have identified all of those factors. We have attempted to identify below the major factors that could cause differences between actual and planned or expected results, but we cannot assure you that we have identified all of those factors.
If any of the following risks actually happen, our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected. In this case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. In this case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Company
We have incurred net losses to date and must raise additional capital in order to continue to operate.
We have incurred net losses in each year of operation since our inception in July 2000 and have no revenues. Our accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2025 was $431 million. We had $17.7 million of unrestricted cash as of December 31, 2025 and $10 million of available borrowings under a line of credit provided by our chairman. The Company believes there is sufficient cash, including the $10 million under the line of credit, to fund currently planned operations through April 2027. We will require more cash to fund our operations after April 2027. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining such new financing or, if available, that such financing will be on terms favorable to us.
We may raise capital through public or private equity financings, partnerships, debt financings, bank borrowings, or other sources. Additional funding may not be available on favorable terms or at all. Through his investments in the Company, Mr. Though his investments in the Company, Mr. Uihlein has been a critical source of funding via equity and debt financings. There is no assurance as to the level of future investments to be made in the Company by Mr. Uihlein. If adequate funds are not otherwise available, we may need to significantly curtail operations. If adequate funds are not otherwise available, we may need to significantly curtail operations. To obtain additional funding, we may need to enter into arrangements that require us to relinquish rights to certain technologies, products and/or potential markets. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity, or securities convertible into equity, our equity holders may experience dilution of their proportionate ownership of the Company. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity, or securities convertible into equity, our equity holders may experience dilution of their proportionate ownership of the Company.
We are significantly dependent on Mr. Uihlein for financing, and there is no assurance that he will continue to provide funding.
Mr. Uihlein, the chairman of our board of directors, has been instrumental in providing the Company with debt and equity financing since 2012. As of December 31, 2025, Mr. Uihlein has provided us with a line of credit and has made significant equity investments in the Company. We have relied heavily on Mr. Uihlein's financial support to fund our operations, including our NAVIGATE clinical trial and ongoing operating expenses. Mr. Uihlein is under no contractual obligation to provide additional financing to the Company beyond his existing commitments, and there can be no assurance that he will continue to provide funding in the future. If Mr. Uihlein is unable or unwilling to provide additional financing when needed, we may be unable to secure alternative financing on acceptable terms, or at all, which could require us to significantly curtail or cease our operations. Our dependence on a single individual for a substantial portion of our financing represents a significant risk to our business and financial condition.
Our NAVIGATE trial was our only active clinical trial.
In December 2024, we presented top-line results of the NAVIGATE clinical trial. The composite endpoint did not reach statistical significance. Because the data from the NAVIGATE clinical trial did not reach statistical significance, we may determine not to conduct an additional clinical trial to test the efficacy of our drug candidate, belapectin. In December 2025, we announced that we will pursue a follow-up Type C meeting with the FDA to finalize remaining components of the next clinical trial design. However, we are only in the preliminary process of advancing belapectin towards clinical development in a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial, and we cannot provide any certainty that a Phase 3 clinical trial will be attempted or completed. A Phase 3 clinical trial would require substantial additional funding, regulatory alignment with the FDA, successful resolution of trial design issues, and other factors that are uncertain at this time. There can be no assurance that we will be able to secure the necessary financing, reach agreement with the FDA on trial design, or successfully execute a Phase 3 clinical trial even if we determine to pursue one.
We have from time to time faced substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
In 2025, we experienced net losses of $29.7 million, had no revenue from operations, and used $23.9 million in cash to fund our operations. Although management believes that we have sufficient cash to cover operating expenses requiring cash for a period of 12 months from the date of this annual report on Form 10-K, we have from time to time faced periods where there was substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. Based on current projections, we anticipate that our existing cash resources will be sufficient to fund operations through April 2027. However, we may face liquidity challenges thereafter if we are unable to raise additional capital or generate sufficient revenue from operations.
We are a development stage company and have not yet generated any revenue.
We are a development stage company and have not generated any revenues to date. There is no assurance that we will obtain FDA approval of belapectin or other products that we may develop, and, even if we do so, that we will generate revenue sufficient to become profitable. Our failure to generate revenue and profit would likely lead to loss of your investment.
Our ability to generate revenue from product sales and achieve profitability will depend upon our ability to successfully commercialize products, including our lead product candidate, or other product candidates that we may in-license or acquire in the future. Even if we are able to successfully achieve regulatory approval for these product candidates, we do not know when any of these products will generate revenue from product sales for us, if at all. Our ability to generate revenue from product sales from our current or future product candidates also depends on a number of additional factors, including our ability to:
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successfully complete development activities, including the necessary clinical trials;
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complete and submit new drug applications, or NDAs, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, and obtain regulatory approval for indications for which there is a commercial market;
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complete and submit applications to, and obtain regulatory approval from, foreign regulatory authorities;
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successfully complete all required regulatory agency inspections;
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set a commercially viable price for our products;
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obtain commercial quantities of our products at acceptable cost levels;
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find suitable distribution partners to help us market, sell and distribute our approved products in other markets; and
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obtain coverage and adequate reimbursement from third parties, including government and private payers.
In addition, because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with product development, including that our product candidates may not advance through development or achieve the endpoints of applicable clinical trials, we are unable to predict the timing or amount of increased expenses, or when or if we will be able to achieve or maintain profitability. Even if we are able to complete the development and regulatory process for any product candidates, we anticipate incurring significant costs associated with commercializing these products. Even if we are able to complete the development and regulatory process for any product candidates, we anticipate incurring significant costs associated with commercializing these products.
If we are unable to generate revenues from the sale of our products, we may not become profitable and may need to obtain additional funding to continue operations. If we fail to become profitable or are unable to sustain profitability on a continuing basis, then we may be unable to continue our operations at planned levels and be forced to reduce our operations. If we fail to become profitable or are unable to sustain profitability on a continuing basis, then we may be unable to continue our operations at planned levels and be forced to reduce our operations.
We are dependent on the success of our lead product candidate, belapectin, and we cannot be certain that our product candidates will receive regulatory approval or be successfully commercialized.
We currently have no products for sale, and we cannot guarantee that we will ever have any drug products approved for sale. We and our product candidates are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and comparable regulatory authorities in other countries governing, among other things, research, testing, clinical trials, manufacturing, labeling, promotion, selling, adverse event reporting and recordkeeping. We and our product candidates are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and comparable regulatory authorities in other countries governing, among other things, research, testing, clinical trials, manufacturing, labeling, promotion, selling, adverse event reporting and recordkeeping. We are not permitted to market any of our product candidates in or outside the United States until we receive approval of a new drug application for a product candidate from the FDA or the equivalent approval from a foreign regulatory authority. We are not permitted to market any of our product candidates in or outside the United States until we receive approval of a new drug application for a product candidate from the FDA or the equivalent approval from a foreign regulatory authority. Obtaining FDA approval is a lengthy, expensive and uncertain process.
Before obtaining regulatory approval for the sale of any drug candidate, we must conduct extensive pre-clinical studies and clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of our product candidates in humans.
To obtain FDA approval, we will need to conduct one or more Phase 3 clinical trial for belapectin; however, we cannot assure you that we will be able to finance Phase 3 trials. Additionally, we cannot assure you that our future trials will yield successful results, that they will lead to the generation of revenue, or that we will obtain regulatory approval in other countries. Additionally, we cannot assure you that our future trials will yield successful results, that they will lead to the generation of revenue, or that we will obtain regulatory approval in other countries.
Pre-clinical studies and clinical trials are expensive, time-consuming and ultimately may not be successful. The results of pre-clinical and initial clinical testing of these products may not necessarily indicate the results that will be obtained from later or more extensive testing. Also, it is possible to suffer significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials, even after obtaining promising results in earlier trials. For example, although there was positive data from our NASH-CX Phase 2 trial for belapectin, it did not meet its primary endpoint. For example, although there was positive data from our NASH-CX Phase 2 trial for belapectin, it did not meet its primary endpoint. Similarly, our Phase 2a pilot trial NASH-FX for patients with advanced fibrosis, which explored three non-invasive imaging technologies, did not meet its primary endpoint. Top-line results from the NAVIGATE trial were presented in December 2024. Again, while there was positive data, especially in the 2 mg cohort, the composite endpoint did not reach statistical significance. We may engage others to conduct our clinical trials, including clinical research organizations and, possibly, government-sponsored agencies. Additional clinical trials may not start or be completed as we forecast and may not achieve the desired results. The time required to obtain FDA and other approvals is unpredictable but often can take years following the commencement of clinical trials, depending upon the complexity of the drug candidate. The time required to obtain FDA and other approvals is unpredictable but often can take years following the commencement of clinical trials, depending upon the complexity of the drug candidate.
Even if we receive regulatory approval, we may be unable to commercialize our product candidates.
Even if belapectin and other future product candidates achieve positive results in clinical trials, we may be unable to commercialize them. The availability of government and third-party payer reimbursement, and pricing, especially compared to competitor products, could affect our ability to commercialize our product candidates. The availability of government and third-party payer reimbursement, and pricing, especially compared to competitor products, could affect our ability to commercialize our product candidates. Our general inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and, if obtained, to commercialize our products would substantially impair our viability.
We are dependent on third parties for clinical trial design, execution, and manufacturing, and their failure to perform could adversely affect our business.
We contract with independent parties to assist us in the design of trial protocols, arrange for and monitor clinical trials, provide lab kits, collect and analyze data and samples. We have contracted with Covance (now known as Fortrea) for assistance with the design and conduct of our NAVIGATE trial. We have contracted with a third party, Covance (now known as Fortrea), for assistance with the design and conduct of our NAVIGATE trial. Our dependence on independent parties and clinical sites involves risks including reduced control over the timing and other aspects of our clinical trials. Our dependence on independent parties and clinical sites involves risks including reduced control over the timing and other aspects of our clinical trials. In addition, we do not have, and do not intend to develop, facilities for the manufacture of any of our products, including belapectin, for clinical or commercial production. We do not have, and do not now intend to develop, facilities for the manufacture of any of our products, including belapectin, for clinical or commercial production. We are not a party to any long-term agreement with any of our suppliers, and we have our products manufactured on a purchase-order basis from one of two primary suppliers. We expect to depend on contract manufacturers to supply us with products manufactured in compliance with standards imposed by the FDA and foreign regulators. We expect to depend on such collaborators to supply us with products manufactured in compliance with standards imposed by the FDA and foreign regulators. If any of these third parties fail to perform their obligations, experience delays, or fail to meet regulatory requirements, our clinical trials and business could be materially adversely affected.
There are risks associated with our reliance on third parties for manufacturing belapectin.
We do not have, and do not now intend to develop, facilities for the manufacture of any of our products, including belapectin, for clinical or commercial production. At this time, we are not a party to any long-term agreement with any of our suppliers, and accordingly, we have our products manufactured on a purchase-order basis. At this time, we are not a party to any long-term agreement with any of our suppliers, and accordingly, we have our products manufactured on a purchase-order basis from one of two primary suppliers. We will require additional third-party manufacturing suppliers for belapectin. We are developing relationships with manufacturers and will enter into collaborative arrangements with licensees or have others manufacture our products on a contract basis. We expect to depend on such collaborators to supply us with products manufactured in compliance with standards imposed by the FDA and foreign regulators.
We are exposed to pre-clinical and clinical liability risks which could place a financial burden upon us, should we be sued, because we do not currently have product liability insurance beyond our general insurance coverage.
Our business exposes us to potential pre-clinical, clinical liability and other liability risks that are inherent in the testing pharmaceutical formulations and products; accordingly, claims may be asserted against us. In addition, the use in our clinical trials of pharmaceutical formulations and products that our potential collaborators may develop and the subsequent sale of such formulations or products by us or our potential collaborators may cause us to assume a portion of or all of the product liability risks. In addition, the use in our clinical trials of pharmaceutical formulations and products that our potential collaborators may develop and the subsequent sale of such formulations or products by us or our potential collaborators may cause us to assume a portion of or all of the product liability risks. A successful liability claim or series of claims brought against us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Because we do not currently have any FDA-approved products or formulations, we do not currently have any product liability insurance covering commercialized products. Because we do not currently have any FDA-approved products or formulations, we do not currently have any product liability insurance covering commercialized products. Our current and potential partners with whom we have collaborative agreements or our future licensees may not be willing to indemnify us against these types of liabilities and may not, themselves, be sufficiently insured or have sufficient liquidity to satisfy any product liability claims. Our current and potential partners with whom we have collaborative agreements or our future licensees may not be willing to indemnify us against these types of liabilities and may not, themselves, be sufficiently insured or have sufficient liquidity to satisfy any product liability claims. Claims or losses in excess of any insurance coverage that may be obtained by us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Claims or losses in excess of any insurance coverage that may be obtained by us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We face intense competition in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are intensely competitive. We face direct competition from U.S. and foreign companies focusing on pharmaceutical products, which are rapidly evolving. Our competitors include major multinational pharmaceutical and chemical companies, specialized biotechnology firms and universities and other research institutions. Our competitors include major multinational pharmaceutical and chemical companies, specialized biotechnology firms and universities and other research institutions. Many of these competitors possess greater financial and other resources, larger research and development staffs and more effective marketing and manufacturing organizations than we possess. Many of these competitors possess greater financial and other resources, larger research and development staffs and more effective marketing and manufacturing organizations than we possess. In addition, academic and government institutions are increasingly likely to enter into exclusive licensing agreements with commercial enterprises, including our competitors, to market commercial products based on technology developed at such institutions. Our competitors may succeed in developing or licensing technologies and products that are more effective or succeed in obtaining FDA or other regulatory approvals for product candidates before we do. Acquisitions of, or investments in, competing pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies by large corporations could increase such competitors’ financial, marketing, manufacturing and other resources.
The market for our proposed products is rapidly changing and competitive, and new drugs and new treatments that may be developed by others could impair our ability to maintain and grow our business and remain competitive.
The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are subject to rapid and substantial technological change. Developments by others may render our proposed products noncompetitive or obsolete, or we may be unable to keep pace with technological developments or other market factors. Technological competition from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, universities, governmental entities and others diversifying into the field is intense and is expected to increase. Our resources are limited and we may experience technical challenges inherent in such technologies. Our resources are limited and we may experience technical challenges inherent in such technologies. Our competitors may develop drugs that are safer, more effective and less costly than our proposed products and, therefore, present a serious competitive threat to us.
The potential widespread acceptance of therapies that are alternatives to ours may limit market acceptance of our proposed products, even if commercialized. Some of our targeted diseases and conditions may also be treated by other medications. These treatments may be widely accepted in medical communities and have a longer history of use. The established use of these competitive drugs may limit the potential for our technologies, formulations and products to receive widespread acceptance even if commercialized.
Our lack of operating experience may cause us difficulty in managing our growth.
We have limited experience in manufacturing or procuring products in commercial quantities, conducting other later-stage phases of the regulatory approval process, selling pharmaceutical products, and negotiating, establishing and maintaining strategic relationships. Although we may engage consultants to assist us, any additional growth may require us to expand our management, operational and financial systems and controls. If we are unable to do so, our business and financial condition would be materially harmed. If we are unable to do so, our business and financial condition would be materially harmed. If rapid growth occurs, it may strain our managerial, operational and financial resources.
We depend on key individuals to develop our products and core technologies and pursue collaborative relationships.
We are highly dependent on our current base of a few employees and external consultants. These individuals, among other things, design and lead our pre-clinical and clinical studies, as well as our U.S. and European regulatory processes. With little or no redundancy in our personnel, the loss of any personnel or failure to attract or retain other key personnel and consultants could result in a loss of experience and accumulated knowledge and prevent us from developing our products and core technologies and pursuing collaborative relationships. With little or no redundancy in our personnel, the loss of any personnel or failure to attract or retain other key personnel and consultants could result in a loss of experience and accumulated knowledge and prevent us from developing our products and core technologies and pursuing collaborative relationships.
We may fail to comply with our reporting and other requirements under federal securities laws.
As a publicly traded company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. The Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports. Our failure to prepare and disclose this information in a timely manner could subject us to penalties under federal securities laws, expose us to lawsuits and restrict our ability to access financing. Our failure to prepare and disclose this information in a timely manner could subject us to penalties under federal securities laws, expose us to lawsuits and restrict our ability to access financing. We may be required to implement additional and expensive finance and accounting systems, procedures and controls as we grow our business and organization to satisfy new reporting requirements, which will increase our costs and require additional management resources. We may be required to implement additional and expensive finance and accounting systems, procedures and controls as we grow our business and organization to satisfy new reporting requirements, which will increase our costs and require additional management resources.
We have identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, which, if not remediated, could result in material misstatements in our financial statements.
As described in Item 9A of this Annual Report, our management identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting related to the valuation of derivative liabilities associated with contingent interest on convertible notes payable. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
While the material weakness did not result in any misstatement in our consolidated financial statements, we cannot assure you that additional material weaknesses will not arise in the future or that we will be able to remediate the identified material weakness in a timely manner. If we are unable to remediate this material weakness, or if we identify additional material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately or timely report our financial condition or results of operations, which could cause investors to lose confidence in our financial reporting, negatively affect the trading price of our common stock, and adversely impact our ability to access capital markets. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to an increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets, subject us to regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions and cause us to incur substantial costs in complying with legal and regulatory requirements.
Our long-term success is dependent not only upon the success of our trials but also upon us being able to capitalize upon potential positive results of our trials, which is not assured.
To conduct Phase 3 clinical trials or other clinical trials we will need sufficient cash resources to conduct those undertakings. We will also need to obtain sufficient dosages of belapectin for such trials. Manufacturing of belapectin is performed by third parties on a contract basis and production is ongoing to generate what we believe are sufficient quantities of belapectin for our NAVIGATE or other clinical trials. Manufacturing of belapectin is performed by third parties on a contract basis and production is ongoing to generate what we believe are sufficient quantities of belapectin for our NAVIGATE or other clinical trials. Manufacturing could become delayed due to circumstances beyond our control which could delay any clinical trials. Manufacturing could become delayed due to circumstances beyond our control which could delay any clinical trials. Further because of limited resources, we have curtailed most of our expenditures in research focused on the development of an oral galectin inhibitor to replace our current drug candidate that is delivered via infusion.
We have previously been a defendant in a shareholder derivative action, and any possible future such lawsuits may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We and certain of our officers and directors have previously been defendants in a state court shareholder derivative action that concluded in our favor. In addition, there is the potential for other future shareholder litigation and for governmental investigations and/or enforcement actions. In addition, there is the potential for other future shareholder litigation and for governmental investigations and/or enforcement actions. Similar lawsuits in the future may divert our attention from our ordinary business operations, and we may incur significant expenses associated with their defense (including, without limitation, substantial attorneys’ fees and other fees of professional advisors and potential obligations to indemnify current and former officers and directors who are or may become parties to such actions). Similar lawsuits in the future may divert our attention from our ordinary business operations, and we may incur significant expenses associated with their defense (including, without limitation, substantial attorneys’ fees and other fees of professional advisors and potential obligations to indemnify current and former officers and directors who are or may become parties to such actions). If similar lawsuits do arise in the future, we may be required to pay material damages and fines, consent to injunctions on future conduct and/or suffer other penalties, remedies or sanctions. If similar lawsuits do arise in the future, we may be required to pay material damages and fines, consent to injunctions on future conduct and/or suffer other penalties, remedies or sanctions. Accordingly, the ultimate resolution of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and ability to meet any debt obligations and, consequently, could negatively impact the trading price of our common stock. Accordingly, the ultimate resolution of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and ability to meet any debt obligations and, consequently, could negatively impact the trading price of our common stock. Any existing or future shareholder lawsuits and any future governmental investigations and/or enforcement actions could adversely impact our reputation, our relationships with our customers and our ability to generate revenue. Any existing or future shareholder lawsuits and any future governmental investigations and/or enforcement actions could adversely impact our reputation, our relationships with our customers and our ability to generate revenue.
Risks Related to the Regulation of our Products
We will need regulatory approvals to commercialize our products.
We are required to obtain approval (i) from the FDA in order to sell our products in the U.S. and (ii) from foreign regulatory authorities in order to sell our products in other countries. The FDA’s review and approval process is lengthy, expensive and uncertain. The FDA’s review and approval process is lengthy, expensive and uncertain. Extensive pre-clinical and clinical data and supporting information must be submitted to the FDA for each indication for each product candidate in order to secure FDA approval. Before receiving FDA clearance to market our proposed products, we will have to demonstrate that our products are safe on the patient population and effective for the diseases that are to be treated. Before receiving FDA clearance to market our proposed products, we will have to demonstrate that our products are safe on the patient population and effective for the diseases that are to be treated. Clinical trials, manufacturing and marketing of drugs are subject to the rigorous testing and approval process of the FDA and equivalent foreign regulatory authorities. Clinical trials, manufacturing and marketing of drugs are subject to the rigorous testing and approval process of the FDA and equivalent foreign regulatory authorities. FDA may change, at any time, its requirements for approval of new drugs based on information and data received from others and ourselves potentially resulting in product approval delays or non-approvals. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and other federal, state and foreign statutes and regulations govern and influence the testing, manufacture, labeling, advertising, distribution and promotion of drugs and medical devices. As a result, regulatory approvals can take several years to acquire and may further require the expenditure of substantial financial, managerial and other resources. The FDA could reject an application or, in the alternative, require us to conduct additional clinical or other studies as part of the regulatory review process. The FDA could reject an application or, in the alternative, require us to conduct additional clinical or other studies as part of the regulatory review process. Delays in obtaining or failure to obtain FDA approvals would delay or prevent the commercialization of our product candidates, which would prevent, defer or decrease our receipt of revenues. Delays in obtaining or failure to obtain FDA approvals would delay or prevent the commercialization of our product candidates, which would prevent, defer or decrease our receipt of revenues. In addition, should we receive initial regulatory approval, our product candidates will be subject to extensive and rigorous ongoing domestic and foreign government regulation.
Even if we obtain regulatory approvals, our marketed drugs will be subject to ongoing regulatory review. If we fail to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements, we could lose our approvals to market drugs, in which case our business would be materially adversely affected. If we fail to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements, we could lose our approvals to market drugs, in which case our business would be materially adversely affected.
Following regulatory approval in the United States of any drugs we may develop, we will remain subject to continuing regulatory review, including the review of adverse drug experiences and clinical results that are reported after our drug products are made available to patients. This would include results from any post marketing tests or vigilance required as a condition of approval. The manufacturer and manufacturing facilities we use to make any of our drug products will also be subject to periodic review and inspection by the FDA. The manufacturer and manufacturing facilities we use to make any of our drug products will also be subject to periodic review and inspection by the FDA. The discovery of any new or previously unknown problems with the product, manufacturer or facility may result in restrictions on the drug, manufacturer or facility, including withdrawal of the drug from the market. We would continue to be subject to the FDA requirements governing the labeling, packaging, storage, advertising, promotion, recordkeeping, and submission of safety and other post-market information for all of our product candidates, even those that the FDA had approved. If we fail to comply with applicable continuing regulatory requirements, we may be subject to fines, suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approval, product recalls and seizures, operating restrictions and other adverse consequences.
The drug development process to obtain FDA approval is very costly and time consuming, and if we cannot complete our clinical trials in a cost-effective manner, our results of operations may be adversely affected.
Costs and timing of clinical trials may vary significantly over the life of a project owing to the following non-exclusive reasons:
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the duration of the clinical trials;
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the number of sites included in the trials;
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the countries in which the trial is conducted;
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the length of time required and ability to enroll eligible patients;
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the number of patients that participate in the trials;
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the number of doses that patients receive;
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the drop-out or discontinuation rates of patients;
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per patient trial costs;
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third party contractors failing to comply with regulatory requirements or meet their contractual obligations to us in a timely manner;
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our drug product candidates having different chemical and pharmacological properties in humans than in lab testing;
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the need to suspend or terminate our clinical trials;
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insufficient or inadequate supply or quality of drug product candidates or other necessary materials to conduct our trials;
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potential additional safety monitoring, or other conditions required by FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities regarding the scope or design of our clinical trials, or other studies requested by regulatory agencies;
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problems engaging IRBs to oversee trials or in obtaining and maintaining IRB approval of studies;
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the duration of patient follow-up;
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the efficacy and safety profile of the product candidate;
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the costs and timing of obtaining regulatory approvals; and
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the costs involved in enforcing or defending patent claims or other intellectual property rights.
Each of the above factors and other unanticipated factors beyond our control could prevent us from gaining approval for our drugs in a cost-effective and timely manner, which could have a material adverse impact on our business.
Clinical trial data may be negative, inconclusive, or subject to varying interpretations, and our product candidates may cause undesirable side effects, any of which could delay, limit, or prevent regulatory approval.
Data obtained from pre-clinical studies and clinical trials do not necessarily predict the results that will be obtained from later studies or trials, and may be negative or inconclusive. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical industry have suffered significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials, even after obtaining promising results in earlier trials. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical industry have suffered significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials, even after they obtained promising results in earlier trials. Despite the results reported in some of our earlier clinical trials for belapectin, our clinical trials may not demonstrate sufficient levels of safety and efficacy necessary to obtain regulatory approvals for our drugs. Despite the results reported in some of our earlier clinical trials for belapectin, our clinical trials may not demonstrate sufficient levels of safety and efficacy necessary to obtain the requisite regulatory approvals for our drugs, and thus, our proposed drugs may not be approved for marketing. In addition, undesirable side effects caused by our product candidates could cause us or regulatory authorities to interrupt, delay, or halt clinical trials and could result in a more restrictive label or the delay or denial of regulatory approval. Although we are not currently aware of any undesirable side effects caused by our product candidates, it is possible that they may be identified in the clinical trial process. If our clinical trials do not produce favorable results, or if safety or toxicity issues arise, we may not receive approval to market any product candidates, which could prevent us from ever generating revenues or achieving profitability. Data obtained from clinical trials are not necessarily predictive of future results, may be negative or inconclusive, and are susceptible to varying interpretations, which could delay, limit or prevent regulatory clearances. Even after approval, if undesirable side effects are later identified, we may be forced to suspend marketing, regulatory authorities may withdraw approvals or require additional warnings, we may be required to conduct post-market studies, we could be sued for harm caused to patients, and our reputation may suffer. The failure to adequately demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of our product candidates could delay or prevent regulatory clearance and materially harm our business. The failure to adequately demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of a proposed formulation or product under development could delay or prevent regulatory clearance of the potential drug.
Failure to obtain regulatory approval in international jurisdictions would prevent our product candidates from being marketed abroad.
In order to market and sell our products in the European Union and many other jurisdictions, we must obtain separate marketing approvals and comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements. The approval procedure varies among countries and can involve additional testing. The approval procedure varies among countries and can involve additional testing. The time required to obtain approval may differ substantially from that required to obtain FDA approval. The regulatory approval process outside the United States generally includes all of the risks associated with obtaining FDA approval. In addition, in many countries outside the United States, it is required that the product be approved for reimbursement before the product can be approved for sale in that country. We may not obtain approvals from regulatory authorities outside the United States on a timely basis, if at all. We may not obtain approvals from regulatory authorities outside the United States on a timely basis, if at all. Approval by the FDA does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries or jurisdictions, and approval by one regulatory authority outside the United States does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries or jurisdictions or by the FDA. Approval by the FDA does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries or jurisdictions, and approval by one regulatory authority outside the United States does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries or jurisdictions or by the FDA. We may not be able to file for marketing approvals and may not receive necessary approvals to commercialize our products in any market. If we are unable to obtain approval of any of our product candidates by regulatory authorities in the European Union or other countries, the commercial prospects of that product candidate may be significantly diminished, and our business prospects could decline.
Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property
Our competitive position depends upon protection of our intellectual property, and we may be unable to adequately protect our proprietary rights.
Development and protection of our intellectual property are critical to our business. Our success depends on our ability to obtain patent protection for our products or processes in the U.S. and other countries, protect trade secrets, and prevent others from infringing on our proprietary rights. If we do not adequately protect our intellectual property, competitors may be able to practice our technologies. If we do not adequately protect our intellectual property, competitors may be able to practice our technologies. The patent positions of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies can be highly uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. No consistent policy regarding the breadth of claims allowed in biotechnology patents has emerged in the United States, and the situation outside the United States is even more uncertain. No consistent policy regarding the breadth of claims allowed in biotechnology patents has emerged to date in the United States. Changes in patent laws or their interpretation may diminish the value of our intellectual property. The degree of future protection for our proprietary rights is uncertain because legal means afford only limited protection. For example, others may be able to make competitive compounds not covered by our patents; we might not have been the first to make or file for the inventions in our pending applications; our pending applications may not result in issued patents; and the patents of others may adversely affect our business. We also rely on trade secrets to protect our technology where patent protection is not appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect, and our competitors may independently develop equivalent knowledge or know-how. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect.
We may incur substantial costs from intellectual property litigation, and we may be unable to protect or use our technology.
Some or all of our patent applications may not issue as patents, or the claims of any issued patents may not afford meaningful protection. Patents issued to us may be challenged and subsequently narrowed, invalidated, or circumvented. Patent litigation is widespread in the biotechnology industry and could harm our business. If we choose to enforce our patents, that individual or company would have the right to ask the court to rule that such patents are invalid or should not be enforced. These lawsuits are expensive, and we may not have the resources to pursue such litigation. These lawsuits are expensive, and we may not have the required resources to pursue such litigation or to protect our patent rights. In addition, third parties may claim that we are infringing their patents and may go to court to stop us from making or selling our product candidates. The biotechnology industry has produced a proliferation of patents, and it is not always clear which patents cover various types of products or methods of use. The biotechnology industry has produced a proliferation of patents, and it is not always clear to industry participants, including us, which patents cover various types of products or methods of use. If we are sued for patent infringement, we would need to demonstrate that our products do not infringe or that the patent claims are invalid, which is difficult and expensive. If we are sued for patent infringement, we would need to demonstrate that our products or methods of use either do not infringe the claims of the relevant patent and/or that the patent claims are invalid, and we may not be able to do this. Our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of complex patent litigation more effectively than we can because they have substantially greater resources. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of complex patent litigation more effectively than we can because they have substantially greater resources. Any litigation could have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise funds necessary to continue operations. We must also comply with various procedural, documentary, and fee payment requirements imposed by patent agencies, and noncompliance can result in abandonment or lapse of patent rights.
Trademark registrations, confidentiality agreements, and trade secret protections may be inadequate to protect our intellectual property.
Our trademark applications may not be allowed for registration, and our registered trademarks may not be maintained or enforced. Opposition or cancellation proceedings may be filed against our applications or registrations. Opposition or cancellation proceedings may be filed against our applications and/or registrations, and our applications and/or registrations may not survive such proceedings. Failure to secure trademark registrations could adversely affect our ability to market our product candidates. In addition, we rely on confidentiality agreements with employees, consultants, and corporate partners to protect our trade secrets and unpatented know-how. However, these agreements may not be honored and may not effectively assign intellectual property rights to us. Enforcing a claim that a party illegally obtained and is using our trade secrets is difficult, expensive, and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. Enforcing a claim that a party illegally obtained and is using our trade secrets or know-how is difficult, expensive and time consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. Courts outside the United States may be less willing to protect trade secrets. The failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection could adversely affect our competitive position. We may also be subject to claims that our employees have wrongfully used or disclosed trade secrets of their former employers, and even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management.
Risks Related to Information Technology and Cybersecurity
We are dependent on information technology and our systems and infrastructure face certain risks, including from cybersecurity breaches and data leakage.
We rely extensively on information technology systems, networks and services that are managed, hosted and provided by third-parties or their vendors, to assist in conducting our business. A significant breakdown, invasion, corruption, destruction or interruption of critical information technology systems or infrastructure, by our personnel or others with authorized access to our systems or unauthorized persons could negatively impact our operations. A significant breakdown, invasion, corruption, destruction or interruption of critical information technology systems or infrastructure, by our personnel or others with authorized access to our systems or unauthorized persons could negatively impact our operations. The ever-increasing use and evolution of technology, including cloud-based computing, creates opportunities for the unintentional dissemination or intentional destruction or modification of confidential information stored in our, or our third-party providers’ systems, portable media or storage devices. The ever-increasing use and evolution of technology, including cloud-based computing, creates opportunities for the unintentional dissemination or intentional destruction or modification of confidential information stored in our, or our third-party providers’ systems, portable media or storage devices. We could also experience a business interruption, theft of confidential information or reputational damage from malicious cyber-attacks, which may compromise our system infrastructure or lead to data leakage, either internally or at our third-party providers. We have observed an increase in cybersecurity incidents across the industry, predominantly ransomware and social engineering attacks. We have observed an increase in cybersecurity incidents across the industry, predominantly ransomware and social engineering attacks. As the cyber-threat landscape evolves, these attacks are growing in frequency, sophistication and intensity, and due to the nature of some of these attacks, there is also a risk that they may remain undetected for a period of time. As the cyber-threat landscape evolves, these attacks are growing in frequency, sophistication and intensity, and due to the nature of some of these attacks, there is also a risk that they may remain undetected for a period of time. There can be no assurance that we will be able to prevent breakdowns or breaches to our or our third-party providers’ databases or systems that could adversely affect our business. There can be no assurance that we will be able to prevent breakdowns or breaches to our or our third-party providers’ databases or systems that could adversely affect our business.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
The market price of our common stock may be volatile and adversely affected by several factors. This could subject us to securities class action litigation, and our stockholders could incur substantial losses.
The market price of our common stock could fluctuate significantly in response to various factors and events, including but not limited to:
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the results of our pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, including interim results, as well as those of our competitors;
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regulatory actions with respect to our products or our competitors’ products;
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our ability to integrate operations, technology, products and services;
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our ability to execute our business plan;
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operating results below expectations;
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our issuance of additional securities, including debt or equity or a combination thereof, which may be necessary to fund our operating expenses and the cost of our clinical trials;
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announcements of technological innovations or new products by us or our competitors;
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the success of competitive products;
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loss of any strategic relationship;
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industry developments, including, without limitation, changes in healthcare policies or practices or third-party reimbursement policies;
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regulatory or legal developments in the United States and other countries;
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the level of expenses related to any of our product candidates or clinical development programs;
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disputes or other developments related to proprietary rights, including patents, litigation matters, and our ability to obtain patent protection for our technologies;
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economic and other external factors;
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period-to-period fluctuations in our financial results;
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sales of our common stock by us, our insiders or our other stockholders;
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whether an active trading market in our common stock develops and is maintained;
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engagement and retention of senior management needed for our clinical trials; and
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novel and unforeseen market forces and trading strategies, such as the massive short squeeze rally caused by retail investors so-called “meme stocks.”
In addition, the market price for securities of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies historically has been highly volatile, and the securities markets have from time-to-time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may cause the market price of our common stock to decline substantially.
In the past, securities class action litigation has often been brought against a company, including us, following a decline in the market price of its securities. This risk is especially relevant for us because biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies have experienced significant stock price volatility in recent years. This risk is especially relevant for us because biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies have experienced significant stock price volatility in recent years. We have recently defended a consolidated federal securities class action lawsuit and a consolidated shareholder derivative actions, and we may become involved in additional instances of this type of litigation in the future. As described above, we have recently defended a consolidated federal securities class action lawsuit and a consolidated shareholder derivative actions, and we may become involved in additional instances of this type of litigation in the future. Litigation often is expensive and diverts management’s attention and resources, which could materially and adversely affect our business.
Additionally, fluctuations in the trading price or liquidity of our common stock may materially and adversely affect, among other things, the interest of investors to purchase our common stock on the open market and, generally, our ability to raise capital.
Our board of directors has the power to designate, without stockholder approval, additional series of preferred capital, the shares of which could be senior to our common stock and be entitled to conversion or voting rights that adversely affect the holders of our common stock.
Our articles of incorporation authorize the issuance of capital stock including 20,000,000 authorized undesignated shares (all have been designated as of December 31, 2022), and empowers our board of directors to prescribe, by resolution and without stockholder approval, a class or series of undesignated shares, including the number of shares in the class or series and the voting powers, designations, rights, preferences, restrictions and the relative rights in each such class or series. Accordingly, in the event that additional undesignated shares are authorized under our charter documents, our board of directors may designate and issue additional shares or series of preferred stock that would rank senior to the shares of common stock as to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, winding-up, or dissolution. Accordingly, in the event that additional undesignated shares are authorized under our charter documents, our board of directors may designate and issue additional shares or series of preferred stock that would rank senior to the shares of common stock as to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, winding-up, or dissolution Nevada law and our charter documents could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us and discourage a takeover, which could depress the trading price of our common stock.
Nevada law and our charter documents could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us and discourage a takeover, which could depress the trading price of our common stock.
Nevada corporate law and our articles of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could discourage, delay, or prevent a change in control of our Company or changes in our management that our stockholders may deem advantageous. For example, holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors, meaning that stockholders owning a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock will be able to elect all of our directors. For example, holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors, meaning that stockholders owning a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock will be able to elect all of our directors. In addition, because if and when we have 200 or more stockholders of record, we are subject to the “business combinations” provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes, or NRS. In addition, because if and when we have 200 or more stockholders of record, we are subject to the “business combinations” provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes, or NRS. These provisions could prohibit or delay a merger or other takeover or change in control attempt and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire our Company even though such a transaction may be in our stockholders’ best interest and offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the prevailing market price. These provisions could prohibit or delay a merger or other takeover or change in control attempt and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire our Company even though such a transaction may be in our stockholders’ best interest and offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the prevailing market price.
We may issue additional common stock, which might dilute the net tangible book value per share of our common stock.
Our board of directors has the authority, without action or vote of our stockholders, to issue all or a part of our authorized but unissued shares. Such stock issuances could be made at a price that reflects a discount to, or a premium from, the then-current market price of our common stock. Such stock issuances could be made at a price that reflects a discount to, or a premium from, the then-current market price of our common stock. In addition, in order to raise capital, we may need to issue securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for a significant amount of our common stock. We may engage in additional capital raising transactions within the next twelve months, which would likely result in issuances of additional shares which would be dilutive to current shareholders. We may engage in additional capital raising transactions within the next twelve months, which would likely result in issuances of additional shares which would be dilutive to current shareholders. These issuances would dilute the percentage ownership interest, which would have the effect of reducing your influence on matters on which our stockholders vote, and might dilute the net tangible book value per share of our common stock. These issuances would dilute the percentage ownership interest, which would have the effect of reducing your influence on matters on which our stockholders vote, and might dilute the net tangible book value per share of our common stock. You may incur additional dilution if holders of stock options, whether currently outstanding or subsequently granted, exercise their options, or if the holders of warrants, whether currently outstanding or subsequently granted, exercise their warrants to purchase shares of our common stock. You may incur additional dilution if holders of stock options, whether currently outstanding or subsequently granted, exercise their options, or if the holders of warrants, whether currently outstanding or subsequently granted, exercise their warrants to purchase shares of our common stock.
A sale of a substantial number of shares of the common stock may cause the price of our common stock to decline.
Finance transactions resulting in a large amount of newly issued shares that become readily tradable, or other events that cause current stockholders to sell shares, could place downward pressure on the trading price of our stock. Some of our shareholders have registration rights to facilitate sales of large blocks of our common stock. Some of our shareholders have registration rights to facilitate sales of large blocks of our common stock. We have filed a shelf registration statement to allow registered sales by us of up to $100 million, which includes the offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $35,967,000 from time to time pursuant to our At The Market Issuance Sales Agreement with H. We have filed a shelf registration statement to allow registered sales by us of up to $100 million, which includes the offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $35,967,000 from time to time pursuant to our At The Market Issuance Sales Agreement with H. C. Wainwright & Co., LLC. We may consider additional or other capital raising transactions within the next twelve months, which would likely result in issuances of additional shares that would be dilutive to current shareholders. We may consider additional or other capital raising transactions within the next twelve months, which would likely result in issuances of additional shares that would be dilutive to current shareholders. In addition, the lack of a robust resale market may require a stockholder who desires to sell a large number of shares of common stock to sell the shares in increments over time to mitigate any adverse impact of the sales on the market price of our stock. In addition, the lack of a robust resale market may require a stockholder who desires to sell a large number of shares of common stock to sell the shares in increments over time to mitigate any adverse impact of the sales on the market price of our stock.
If our stockholders sell, or the market perceives that our stockholders intend to sell for various reasons substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, including shares issued upon the exercise of outstanding options or warrants, the market price of our common stock could fall. Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock may make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate. We may become involved in securities class action litigation that could divert management’s attention and harm our business.
We have not paid cash dividends on our common stock in the past and do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends on our common stock will depend on our earnings, financial condition and other business and economic factors affecting us at such time as the board of directors may consider relevant. The payment of dividends on our common stock will depend on our earnings, financial condition and other business and economic factors affecting us at such time as the board of directors may consider relevant. If we do not pay dividends, our common stock may be less valuable because a return on your investment will only occur if the market price of our common stock appreciates. If we do not pay dividends, our common stock may be less valuable because a return on your investment will only occur if the market price of our common stock price appreciates.
Our shares of common stock have been thinly traded, so you may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or even at all if you need to sell your shares to raise money or otherwise desire to liquidate your shares.
We cannot predict the extent to which an active public market for our common stock will develop or be sustained. Our common stock is currently traded on The NASDAQ Capital Market and experiences periods when it is considered “thinly-traded.” This situation may be attributable to several factors, including the fact that we are a small company that is relatively unknown to stock analysts, stockbrokers, institutional investors and others in the investment community that generate or influence sales volume.” This situation may be attributable to several factors, including the fact that we are a small company that is relatively unknown to stock analysts, stockbrokers, institutional investors and others in the investment community that generate or influence sales volume. Furthermore, even if our stock came to the attention of such persons, they may be reluctant to follow us or purchase or recommend the purchase of our shares. Therefore, there may be periods of several days, weeks or months when trading activity in our shares is minimal, as compared to a seasoned issuer that has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will generally support continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. Therefore, there may be periods of several days, weeks or months when trading activity in our shares is minimal, as compared to a seasoned issuer that has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will generally support continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. We cannot give you any assurance that a broader or more active public trading market for our common stock will be sustained, or that current trading levels will be sustained or not diminish. We cannot give you any assurance that a broader or more active public trading market for our common stock will be sustained, or that current trading levels will be sustained or not diminish.
Concentration of ownership by our principal stockholders may limit your ability to influence the outcome of director elections and other transactions requiring stockholder approval.
A significant percentage of our outstanding stock is held by a limited number of investors, including Richard E. Uihlein. Mr. Uihlein, the chairman of our board of directors, who beneficially owns approximately 15.7% of our outstanding common stock as of February 28, 2026 (which does not include any shares issuable upon exercise of options and warrants nor shares issuable upon conversion of convertible notes and lines of credit) and the 10X Fund, LP, which now owns 8.5% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company as of February 28, 2026. Mr. Uihlein, the chairman of our board of directors, who beneficially owns approximately 16.6% of our outstanding common stock as of February 29, 2024 (which does not include any shares issuable upon exercise of options and warrants) and the 10X Fund, LP , which now owns 9.6% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company as of February 29, 2024 (which does not include any shares issuable upon exercise of options and warrants). Uihlein is also an investor in the 10X Fund as a limited partner but is not deemed to be a beneficial owner of, or have a reportable interest in, any shares owned by 10X Fund. As a result of their ownership of shares of common stock, Mr. Uihlein and 10X Fund have and will have significant influence over corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, including the following actions:
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to elect or defeat the election of our directors;
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to amend or prevent amendment of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws;
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to effect or prevent a merger, sale of assets or other corporate transaction; and
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to control the outcome of any other matter submitted to our stockholders for vote.
Such persons’ stock ownership may discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company, which in turn could reduce our stock price or prevent our stockholders from realizing a premium over our stock price.
Richard E. Uihlein’s and 10X Fund’s significant ownership positions may deter or prevent efforts by other companies to acquire us, which could prevent our stockholders from realizing a control premium.
As a result of Mr. Uihlein’s and 10X Fund’s significant ownership and Mr. Uihlein’s position as chairman of the board of directors, other companies may be less inclined to pursue an acquisition of us or we may not have the opportunity to be acquired in a transaction that stockholders might otherwise deem favorable, including transactions in which our stockholders might realize a substantial premium for their shares. Uihlein’s position as chairman of the board of directors, other companies may be less inclined to pursue an acquisition of us or we may not have the opportunity to be acquired in a transaction that stockholders might otherwise deem favorable, including transactions in which our stockholders might realize a substantial premium for their shares.
Richard E. Uihlein and/or 10X Fund could sell or transfer a substantial number of shares of our common stock, which could depress the price of our securities or result in a change in control of our company. Uilhlein and/or 10X Fund could sell or transfer a substantial number of shares of our common stock, which could depress the price of our securities or result in a change in control of our company.
Although Mr. Uihlein has held common stock of the Company since 2012 and has not sold any of the shares of common stock that he has acquired during this time period, and although 10X Fund has been a long-time investor in the Company, neither Mr. Uihlein nor 10X Fund are subject to any contractual restrictions with us on their ability to sell or transfer our common stock on the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, and these sales or transfers could create substantial declines in the price of our securities or, if these sales or transfers were made to a single buyer or group of buyers, could contribute to a transfer of control of our company to a third party. Uihlein nor 10X Fund are subject to any contractual restrictions with us on their ability to sell or transfer our common stock on the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, and these sales or transfers could create substantial declines in the price of our securities or, if these sales or transfers were made to a single buyer or group of buyers, could contribute to a transfer of control of our company to a third party. Sales by Mr. Uihlein or 10X Fund of a substantial number of shares, or the expectation of such sales, could cause a significant reduction in the market price of our common stock. Uihlein or 10X Fund of a substantial number of shares, or the expectation of such sales, could cause a significant reduction in the market price of our common stock.
A pandemic similar to the COVID-19 pandemic could adversely impact our business, including our preclinical studies and clinical trials.
The occurrence of a pandemic similar to the COVID-19 pandemic could severely impact our business and our clinical trials including:
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delays or difficulties in enrolling patients in clinical trials;
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delays or disruptions in non-clinical experiments due to unforeseen circumstances at contract research organizations and vendors along their supply chain;
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increased rates of patients withdrawing from our clinical trials following enrollment as a result of contracting a contagious illness, being forced to quarantine, or not accepting in office or home health visits;
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diversion of healthcare resources away from the conduct of clinical trials;
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interruption of key clinical trial activities, such as clinical trial site data monitoring, due to limitations on travel imposed or recommended by federal or state governments, employers and others or interruption of clinical trial subject visits and study procedures (particularly any procedures that may be deemed non-essential), which may impact the integrity of subject data and clinical study endpoints;
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interruption or delays in the operations of the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory agencies, which may impact review and approval timelines;
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interruption of, or delays in receiving, supplies of our product candidates from our contract manufacturing organizations due to staffing shortages, production slowdowns or stoppages and disruptions in delivery systems; and
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limitations on employee resources that would otherwise be focused on the conduct of our preclinical studies and clinical trials, including because of sickness of employees or their families, the desire of employees to avoid contact with large groups of people, an increased reliance on working from home or mass transit disruptions.
In addition, the trading prices for our common stock and other biopharmaceutical companies could experience extreme volatility during a pandemic. The extent to which a pandemic may impact our business, preclinical studies and clinical trials will depend on factors that we cannot predict or control, such as the ultimate geographic spread of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, travel restrictions and actions to contain the outbreak or treat its impact, such as social distancing and quarantines or lock-downs in the United States and other countries, business closures or business disruptions and the effectiveness of actions taken in the United States and other countries to contain and treat the disease. The extent to which a pandemic may impact our business, preclinical studies and clinical trials will depend factors that we cannot predict or control, such as the ultimate geographic spread of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, travel restrictions and actions to contain the outbreak or treat its impact, such as social distancing and quarantines or lock-downs in the United States and other countries, business closures or business disruptions and the effectiveness of actions taken in the United States and other countries to contain and treat the disease.
None.
Risk management and strategy
As part of our broader risk management framework, from time to time, we seek to identify potential cybersecurity risks to our business and improve our policies and processes to address such risks. We have designed our business applications to minimize the impact that cybersecurity incidents could have on our business and have identified back-up systems where appropriate. We have designed our business applications to minimize the impact that cybersecurity incidents could have on our business and have identified back-up systems where appropriate. We seek to further mitigate cybersecurity risks through a combination of monitoring and detection activities, use of anti-malware applications, employee training, quality reviews and communication and reporting structures, among other processes. We seek to further mitigate cybersecurity risks through a combination of monitoring and detection activities, use of anti-malware applications, employee training, quality reviews and communication and reporting structures, among other processes. We have an incident response plan in place that outlines containment, eradication and recovery plans in the event of a cybersecurity threat or incident. We have an incident response plan in place that outlines containment, eradication and recovery plans in the event of a cybersecurity threat or incident.
Cybersecurity Governance
Our Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee has specific oversight responsibility for cybersecurity The Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee reviews and discusses with management our policies, practices and risks related to information security and cybersecurity.
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