Bicara Therapeutics Inc.
For the period ended Sep 30, 2025. Filed Nov 10, 2025.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Sep 30, 2025 · Filed Nov 10, 2025
What changed in Risk Factors?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-06-30; filed 2025-08-12.
0002023658-25-000098
Item 1A. Risk FactorsCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-09-30; filed 2025-11-10.
0002023658-25-000109
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 446 previous paragraphs and 448 current paragraphs.
430 unchanged; 15 reworded; 1 added; 1 removed; 0 previous and 2 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 (1)
Current report
Currently, federal agencies in the U.S. are operating under a federal government shutdown due to expiration of the continuing resolution on September 30, 2025. The duration of the current government shutdown is unknown. Without the appropriation of adequate funding to federal agencies, our business operations related to our product development activities for the U.S. market could be impacted. For example, a prolonged government shutdown could significantly impact the ability of the FDA to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, to conduct research or provide grants, or other agencies to slow their work, 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. In addition, the current administration is seeking to reduce the NIH budget for funding of medical research, which could decrease the ability of facilities that rely on NIH funding to enroll and conduct clinical trials or increase the costs to us of conducting clinical trials.
Removed paragraphs (1)
Reworded paragraphs (15)
Previous wording
We have no products approved for commercial sale and have not generated any revenue from product sales to date. We will continue to incur significant research and development and other expenses related to our preclinical and clinical development and ongoing operations. As a result, we are not profitable and have incurred losses in each period since our inception. Net losses and negative cash flows have had, and will continue to have, an adverse effect on our stockholders’ equity and working capital. Our net losses totaled$27.4 million and$17.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Our net losses totaled$64.2 million and$29.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. As of June 30, 2025, we have not yet generated revenues. We expect to continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future, and we expect these losses to increase as we continue our research and development of, and seek regulatory approvals for, ficerafusp alfa.
Current wording
We have no products approved for commercial sale and have not generated any revenue from product sales to date. We will continue to incur significant research and development and other expenses related to our preclinical and clinical development and ongoing operations. As a result, we are not profitable and have incurred losses in each period since our inception. Net losses and negative cash flows have had, and will continue to have, an adverse effect on our stockholders’ equity and working capital. Our net losses totaled$36.3 million and$17.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Our net losses totaled$100.6 million and$47.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. As of September 30, 2025, we have not yet generated revenues. We expect to continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future, and we expect these losses to increase as we continue our research and development of, and seek regulatory approvals for, ficerafusp alfa.
Previous wording
•advancing any future product candidates into clinical development; seek to identify, acquire and develop additional product candidates, including through business development efforts to invest in or in-license other technologies or product candidates;
Current wording
•advance any future product candidates into clinical development; seek to identify, acquire and develop additional product candidates, including through business development efforts to invest in or in-license other technologies or product candidates;
Previous wording
Developing biopharmaceutical products, including conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials, is a very time-consuming, expensive and uncertain process that takes years to complete. We expect our expenses to continue to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we conduct clinical trials of, and seek regulatory and marketing approval for, ficerafusp alfa. Even if ficerafusp alfa or any future product candidates are approved for commercial sale, we anticipate incurring significant costs associated with commercializing any approved product candidate. To date, we have funded our operations principally through our IPO and private financings. We expect our expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we continue the clinical and preclinical development of ficerafusp alfa, continue to develop and deploy our bifunctional approach, commence additional preclinical studies and clinical trials, and continue to identify and develop additional product candidates either through internal development or through acquisitions or in-licensing product candidates.
Current wording
Developing biopharmaceutical products, including conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials, is a very time-consuming, expensive and uncertain process that takes years to complete. We expect our expenses to continue to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we conduct clinical trials of, and seek regulatory and marketing approval for, ficerafusp alfa. Even if ficerafusp alfa or any future product candidates are approved for commercial sale, we anticipate incurring significant costs associated with commercializing any approved product candidate. To date, we have funded our operations principally through our IPO and private financings and may in the future fund operations through the sale of our securities, including our ATM Program (as defined below). We expect our expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we continue the clinical and preclinical development of ficerafusp alfa, continue to develop and deploy our bifunctional approach, commence additional preclinical studies and clinical trials, and continue to identify and develop additional product candidates either through internal development or through acquisitions or in-licensing product candidates.
Previous wording
As of June 30, 2025, we had $436.6 million of cash and cash equivalents. Based upon our current operating plan, we believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through at least the next 12 months. In addition, based upon our current operating plan, we believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the first half of 2029. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could utilize our available capital resources sooner than we expect. We may also raise additional financing on an opportunistic basis in the future. For example, we may seek additional capital due to favorable market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. Attempting to secure additional financing may divert our management from our day-to-day activities, which may adversely affect our ability to develop ficerafusp alfa. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including but not limited to:
Current wording
As of September 30, 2025, we had $407.6 million of cash, cash equivalents and investments. Based upon our current operating plan, we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and investments will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through at least the next 12 months. In addition, based upon our current operating plan, we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and investments will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the first half of 2029. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could utilize our available capital resources sooner than we expect. We may also raise additional financing on an opportunistic basis in the future. For example, we may seek additional capital due to favorable market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. Attempting to secure additional financing may divert our management from our day-to-day activities, which may adversely affect our ability to develop ficerafusp alfa. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including but not limited to:
Previous wording
Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial product revenue, we expect to finance our operations with our existing cash and cash equivalents, the net proceeds from our IPO, short-term investments, or any future equity or debt financings and upfront and milestone and royalties payments, if any, received under any future licenses or collaborations. In the future, if we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities or issue any equity or convertible debt securities in connection with a collaboration agreement or other contractual arrangement, your ownership interest will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a holder of our common stock. In addition, the possibility of such issuance may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. Debt financing, if available, may result in increased fixed payment obligations and involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures, declaring dividends or acquiring, selling or licensing intellectual property rights or assets, which could adversely impact our ability to conduct our business.
Current wording
Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial product revenue, we expect to finance our operations with our existing cash, cash equivalents and investments, the net proceeds from our IPO, short-term investments, or any future equity or debt financings and upfront and milestone and royalties payments, if any, received under any future licenses or collaborations. In the future, if we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities or issue any equity or convertible debt securities in connection with a collaboration agreement or other contractual arrangement, your ownership interest will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a holder of our common stock. In addition, the possibility of such issuance may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. In October 2025, we filed a Registration Statement pursuant to which we may issue up to $400.0 million in shares of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and/or units. Concurrent with the filing of the Registration Statement, we entered into a common stock sales agreement, dated October 3, 2025, by and between the Company and TD Securities (USA) LLC, acting as the sales agent, to establish an at-the-market offering program pursuant to which we may offer and sell shares of our common stock from time to time, or the ATM Program. In connection with the ATM Program, we also filed a prospectus with the Registration Statement for the offer and sale of up to $150.0 million of shares of common stock from time to time through the sales agents, or the ATM Prospectus. As market conditions permit, we may offer and sell securities under the Registration Statement, including through the ATM Program, which may cause dilution to our stockholders or impact the market price of our common stock.
Previous wording
There are a large number of companies developing or marketing treatments for cancer, including many major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. In addition, numerous compounds are in clinical development for cancer treatment. Many of these companies are well-capitalized and have significant clinical experience. More specifically, we expect to compete with commercially available therapies for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, or HNSCC, including pembrolizumab (marketed as Keytruda by Merck & Co); the combination of pembrolizumab, platinum chemotherapy and 5-fluorouracil; and the combination of cetuximab (marketed as Erbitux by Eli Lilly in the US and by Merck KGaA outside of the US), platinum chemotherapy and 5-fluorouracil. In addition, there are numerous companies that are developing new treatments for HNSCC, including Merck & Co, Pfizer Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Merus N.V., Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc., Kura Oncology, Inc. and ALX Oncology Holdings, Inc.
Current wording
There are a large number of companies developing or marketing treatments for cancer, including many major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. In addition, numerous compounds are in clinical development for cancer treatment. Many of these companies are well-capitalized and have significant clinical experience. More specifically, we expect to compete with commercially available therapies for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, or HNSCC, including pembrolizumab (marketed as Keytruda by Merck & Co); the combination of pembrolizumab, platinum chemotherapy and 5-fluorouracil; and the combination of cetuximab (marketed as Erbitux by Eli Lilly in the US and by Merck KGaA outside of the US), platinum chemotherapy and 5-fluorouracil. In addition, there are numerous companies that are developing new treatments for HNSCC, including Merck & Co, Pfizer Inc., Astellas Pharma, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Merus N.V., Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc., Incyte Corporation, Kura Oncology, Inc. and ALX Oncology Holdings, Inc.
Previous wording
Likewise, recent state legislative developments in the United States have introduced emerging compliance risks for companies that develop or deploy AI technologies, which will impose novel requirements on AI developers and users. These state-level initiatives reflect a growing trend toward AI regulation in the absence of federal legislation. As a result, we may face a fragmented and evolving compliance landscape that could increase operational complexity, regulatory scrutiny, and legal exposure associated with our use or development of AI technologies. In addition, various federal regulators have issued guidance and focused enforcement efforts on the use of AI in regulated sectors. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, for example, has issued guidance on the use of AI in regulatory decision-making in the development of drugs and guidance on the use of AI in medical devices, requiring detailed risk management and review processes to obtain approvals. The rapid evolution of AI will require the application of significant resources to design, develop, test and maintain our products and services to help ensure that AI is implemented in accordance with applicable law and regulation and in a socially responsible manner and to minimize any real or perceived unintended harmful impacts. Our vendors may in turn incorporate AI tools into their own offerings, and the providers of these AI tools may not meet existing or rapidly evolving regulatory or industry standards, including with respect to privacy and data security. Further, bad actors around the world use increasingly sophisticated methods, including the use of AI, to engage in illegal activities involving the theft and misuse of personal information, confidential information and intellectual property. Any of these effects could damage our reputation, result in the loss of valuable property and information, cause us to breach applicable laws and regulations, and adversely impact our business.
Current wording
Likewise, recent state legislative developments in the United States have introduced emerging compliance risks for companies that develop or deploy AI technologies, which will impose novel requirements on AI developers and users. These state-level initiatives reflect a growing trend toward AI regulation in the absence of federal legislation. As a result, we may face a fragmented and evolving compliance landscape that could increase operational complexity, regulatory scrutiny, and legal exposure associated with our use or development of AI technologies. In addition, various federal regulators have issued guidance and focused enforcement efforts on the use of AI in regulated sectors. The FDA, for example, has issued guidance on the use of AI in regulatory decision-making in the development of drugs and guidance on the use of AI in medical devices, requiring detailed risk management and review processes to obtain approvals. The rapid evolution of AI will require the application of significant resources to design, develop, test and maintain our products and services to help ensure that AI is implemented in accordance with applicable law and regulation and in a socially responsible manner and to minimize any real or perceived unintended harmful impacts. Our vendors may in turn incorporate AI tools into their own offerings, and the providers of these AI tools may not meet existing or rapidly evolving regulatory or industry standards, including with respect to privacy and data security. Further, bad actors around the world use increasingly sophisticated methods, including the use of AI, to engage in illegal activities involving the theft and misuse of personal information, confidential information and intellectual property. Any of these effects could damage our reputation, result in the loss of valuable property and information, cause us to breach applicable laws and regulations, and adversely impact our business.
Previous wording
We plan to develop, or engage third parties to develop, companion diagnostics for our product candidates where appropriate. At least in some cases, the FDA and similar regulatory authorities outside the United States may request or require the development and regulatory approval of a companion diagnostic as a condition to approving one or more of our product candidates. Companion diagnostics are subject to regulation by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities as medical devices and require separate clearance or approval prior to their commercialization. We do not have experience or capabilities in developing or commercializing diagnostics and are relying, and in the future plan to continue to rely, in large part on third parties to perform these functions.
Current wording
We have engaged and may continue to engage third parties to develop, companion diagnostics for our product candidates. At least in some cases, the FDA and similar regulatory authorities outside the United States may request or require the development and regulatory approval of a companion diagnostic as a condition to approving one or more of our product candidates. Companion diagnostics are subject to regulation by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities as medical devices and require separate clearance or approval prior to their commercialization. We do not have experience or capabilities in developing or commercializing diagnostics and are relying, and in the future plan to continue to rely, in large part on third parties to perform these functions.
Previous wording
We currently rely on and engage third-party manufacturers to provide all of the drug substance and the final drug product formulation of all of our product candidates that are being used in our clinical trials and preclinical studies. Although we believe that there are several potential alternative manufacturers who could manufacture our product candidates, we primarily rely on one manufacturer, WuXi Biologics (Hong Kong) Limited, or WuXi Bio, for the production of product necessary to complete our ongoing clinical trials. If a replacement manufacturer became necessary in the future, we may incur added costs and delays in identifying and qualifying another manufacturer. We currently do not have any long-term supply agreements in place, though we intend to enter into such agreements as well as evaluate additional product manufacturing sources in the future. As a result of our dependence on ex-U.S. suppliers, we are subject to risks associated with doing business abroad, including:
Current wording
We currently rely on and engage third-party manufacturers to provide all of the drug substance and the final drug product formulation of all of our product candidates that are being used in our clinical trials and preclinical studies. Although we believe that there are several potential alternative manufacturers who could manufacture our product candidates, we primarily rely on WuXi Biologics (Hong Kong) Limited, or WuXi Bio, for the production of product necessary to complete our ongoing clinical trials. If a replacement manufacturer became necessary in the future, we may incur added costs and delays in identifying and qualifying another manufacturer. We currently do not have any long-term supply agreements in place, though we intend to enter into such agreements as well as evaluate additional product manufacturing sources in the future. As a result of our dependence on ex-U.S. suppliers, we are subject to risks associated with doing business abroad, including:
Previous wording
Congress previously introduced but did not pass legislation known as the BIOSECURE Act, which would have prohibited U.S. federal agencies from entering into or renewing a government contract with a company that uses biotechnology equipment or services produced or provided by a Chinese “biotechnology company of concern” in the performance of that government contract. It would also have prohibited recipients of loan or grant funding from U.S. federal agencies from using loan or grant funds to procure, obtain or use any biotechnology equipment or services produced or provided by a Chinese “biotechnology company of concern.” This legislation would have had the effect of restricting the ability of biopharmaceutical companies that enter into contracts with or receive funding from U.S. federal agencies from purchasing services or equipment from certain Chinese biotechnology companies, including those that were specifically named in the proposed BIOSECURE Act. The last version of the BIOSECURE Act introduced in the House of Representatives names WuXi Bio as a “biotechnology company of concern” and also included a grace period that would have limited the applicability of the BIOSECURE Act’s prohibitions to existing contractual arrangements with named “biotechnology companies of concern” until 2032. While the BIOSECURE Act was not passed, we do not anticipate continued scrutiny on relationships with Chinese biotechnology companies, which could adversely impact WuXi Bio’s operations or financial position, which, in turn, could impact its and ability to supply us with product in the future. We may also face additional manufacturing and supply-chain risks due to the evolving regulatory and legal requirements in China, or due to the deterioration of the geo-political relationship between China and the U.S., including but not limited to potential sanctions imposed by the U.S. government on WuXi Bio, or other companies in China on whom we might rely, or any of the other countries in which our products are manufactured or marketed.
Current wording
Congress has previously considered legislation that would have the effect of restricting the ability of biopharmaceutical companies that enter into contracts with or receive funding from U.S. federal agencies from purchasing services or equipment from certain Chinese biotechnology companies. Draft versions of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2026 have included provisions that would have a similar effect. We do anticipate continued scrutiny on relationships with Chinese biotechnology companies, which could adversely impact our Chinese biotech business partners’ operations or financial position, which, in turn, could impact its and ability to supply us with product in the future. We may also face additional manufacturing and supply-chain risks due to the evolving regulatory and legal requirements in China, or due to the deterioration of the geo-political relationship between China and the U.S., including but not limited to potential sanctions imposed by the U.S. government on Chinese biotech partners, or other companies in China on whom we might rely, or any of the other countries in which our products are manufactured or marketed.
Previous wording
The ability of the FDA to review and approve new products can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding levels, statutory, regulatory, and policy changes, the FDA’s ability to hire and retain key personnel and accept the payment of user fees, and other events that may otherwise affect the FDA’s ability to perform routine functions. Average review times at the agency have fluctuated in recent years as a result. In addition, government funding of other government agencies that fund research and development activities is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable. Without the appropriation of adequate funding to federal agencies, our business operations related to our product development activities for the U.S. market could be impacted.
Current wording
The ability of the FDA to review and approve new products can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding levels, statutory, regulatory, and policy changes, the FDA’s ability to hire and retain key personnel and accept the payment of user fees, and other events that may otherwise affect the FDA’s ability to perform routine functions. Average review times at the agency have fluctuated in recent years as a result. In addition, government funding of other government agencies that fund research and development activities is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable.
Previous wording
Additionally, we may seek a breakthrough therapy designation for some of our potential product candidates. A breakthrough therapy is defined as a therapy that is intended, alone or in combination with one or more other therapies, to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition, and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the therapy may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints, such as substantial treatment effects observed early in clinical development. For therapies that have been designated as breakthrough therapies, interaction and communication between the FDA and the sponsor of the trial can help to identify the most efficient path for clinical development while minimizing the number of patients placed in ineffective control regimens. Therapies designated as breakthrough therapies by the FDA may also be eligible for accelerated approval. Designation as a breakthrough therapy is within the discretion of the FDA. Accordingly, even if we believe one of our potential product candidates meets the criteria for designation as a breakthrough therapy, the FDA may disagree and instead determine not to make such designation. In any event, the receipt of a breakthrough therapy designation for a product candidate may not result in a faster development process, review or approval compared to therapies considered for approval under conventional FDA procedures and does not assure ultimate approval by the FDA. In addition, even if one or more of our potential product candidates qualify as breakthrough therapies, the FDA may later decide that such product candidates no longer meet the conditions for qualification.
Current wording
For example, we have received a breakthrough therapy designation for ficerafusp alfa in combination with pembrolizumab for the first line (1L) treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) whose tumors express programmed death-ligand 1 with combined positive score (CPS) ≥1, excluding human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and we may seek breakthrough therapy designation forficerafusp alfa for additional uses or for some of our potential product candidates in the future. A breakthrough therapy is defined as a therapy that is intended, alone or in combination with one or more other therapies, to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition, and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the therapy may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints, such as substantial treatment effects observed early in clinical development. For therapies that have been designated as breakthrough therapies, interaction and communication between the FDA and the sponsor of the trial can help to identify the most efficient path for clinical development while minimizing the number of patients placed in ineffective control regimens. Therapies designated as breakthrough therapies by the FDA may also be eligible for accelerated approval. Designation as a breakthrough therapy is within the discretion of the FDA. Accordingly, even if we believe one of our potential product candidates meets the criteria for designation as a breakthrough therapy, the FDA may disagree and instead determine not to make such designation. In any event, the receipt of a breakthrough therapy designation for a product candidate may not result in a faster development process, review or approval compared to therapies considered for approval under conventional FDA procedures and does not assure ultimate approval by the FDA. In addition, even if one or more of our potential product candidates qualify as breakthrough therapies, the FDA may later decide that such product candidates no longer meet the conditions for qualification.
Previous wording
However, there can be no assurance that we will successfully obtain such designations for any potential product candidates. In addition, while such designations could expedite the development or approval process, they generally do not change the standards for approval. Even if we obtain such designations for one or more of our potential product candidates, there can be no assurance that we will realize their intended benefits. For example, we may seek fast-track designation for some of our potential product candidates. If a therapy is intended for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition and the therapy nonclinical or clinical data demonstrates the potential to address unmet medical needs for this condition, the therapy sponsor may apply for fast-track designation. The FDA has broad discretion whether or not to grant this designation, so even if we believe a particular product candidate is eligible for this designation, there can be no assurance that the FDA would decide to grant it. Even if we do receive fast track designation, we may not experience a faster development process, review or approval compared to conventional FDA procedures, and receiving a fast-track designation does not provide assurance of ultimate FDA approval. In addition, the FDA may withdraw fast-track designation if it believes that the designation is no longer supported by data from our clinical development program.
Current wording
In addition, we may seek fast-track designation for some of our potential product candidates. If a therapy is intended for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition and the therapy nonclinical or clinical data demonstrates the potential to address unmet medical needs for this condition, the therapy sponsor may apply for fast-track designation. The FDA has broad discretion whether or not to grant this designation, so even if we believe a particular product candidate is eligible for this designation, there can be no assurance that the FDA would decide to grant it. Even if we do receive fast track designation, we may not experience a faster development process, review or approval compared to conventional FDA procedures, and receiving a fast-track designation does not provide assurance of ultimate FDA approval. In addition, the FDA may withdraw fast-track designation if it believes that the designation is no longer supported by data from our clinical development program.
Previous wording
We may be subject to regulation under international, federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of research subjects. Federally funded human-subject research in the U.S., including the collection of identifiable human biospecimens, is governed by 45 CFR Part 46, also known as the Health and Human Services Policy for Protection of Human Research Subjects or the “Common Rule.” Use of biospecimens in certain other research is subject to FDA regulations for the Protection of Human Subjects and Institutional Review Boards at 21 CFR Parts 50 and 56. Research funded by the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, may be subject to grant or contract requirements, as well as NIH Certificates of Confidentiality. When collecting specimens for research in the U.S., our company and its collection sites are responsible for ensuring that specimens are collected in accordance with these regulations. In addition, other countries have their own regulations around the ethical collection of human specimens for research. While we believe that we are in compliance with these laws, we may not be aware of all such laws or may fail to properly audit and identify gaps in compliance. Similarly, we may find errors in our product candidates and processes and may fail to properly match the compliance requirements of our researchers to the compliance requirements of our suppliers. Failure of our company or our suppliers to comply with international, federal, state, and local laws and regulations could subject us to denial of the right to conduct business, fines, criminal penalties, and/or other enforcement actions which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Current wording
We may be subject to regulation under international, federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of research subjects. Federally funded human-subject research in the U.S., including the collection of identifiable human biospecimens, is governed by 45 CFR Part 46, also known as the Health and Human Services Policy for Protection of Human Research Subjects or the “Common Rule.” Use of biospecimens in certain other research is subject to FDA regulations for the Protection of Human Subjects and Institutional Review Boards at 21 CFR Parts 50 and 56. Research funded by the NIH, may be subject to grant or contract requirements, as well as NIH Certificates of Confidentiality. When collecting specimens for research in the U.S., our company and its collection sites are responsible for ensuring that specimens are collected in accordance with these regulations. In addition, other countries have their own regulations around the ethical collection of human specimens for research. While we believe that we are in compliance with these laws, we may not be aware of all such laws or may fail to properly audit and identify gaps in compliance. Similarly, we may find errors in our product candidates and processes and may fail to properly match the compliance requirements of our researchers to the compliance requirements of our suppliers. Failure of our company or our suppliers to comply with international, federal, state, and local laws and regulations could subject us to denial of the right to conduct business, fines, criminal penalties, and/or other enforcement actions which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Previous wording
Our business could be adversely affected by unstable economic and political conditions within the United States and foreign jurisdictions, including as a result of an economic downturn and geopolitical events, such as changes in U.S. federal policy that affect the geopolitical landscape. Changes to policy implemented by the U.S. Congress, the current administration or any new administration have impacted and may in the future impact, among other things, the U.S. and global economy, international trade relations, unemployment, immigration, healthcare, taxation, the U.S. regulatory environment, inflation and other areas. For example, in 2025, the United States imposed tariffs on imports on its trading partners, including Canada, Mexico, the EU and China. Historically, tariffs have led to increased trade and political tensions, between not only the U.S. and China, but also between the U.S. and other countries in the international community. In response to tariffs, other countries have implemented retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. Political tensions as a result of trade policies could reduce trade volume, investment, technological exchange and other economic activities between major international economies, resulting in a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets. Any changes in political, trade, regulatory, and economic conditions, including U.S. trade policies, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Current wording
Our business could be adversely affected by unstable economic and political conditions within the United States and foreign jurisdictions, including as a result of an economic downturn and geopolitical events, such as changes in U.S. federal policy that affect the geopolitical landscape. Changes to policy implemented by the U.S. Congress, the current administration or any new administration have impacted and may in the future impact, among other things, the U.S. and global economy, international trade relations, unemployment, immigration, healthcare, taxation, the U.S. regulatory environment, inflation and other areas. In early 2025, the United States imposed tariffs on imports on its trading partners, including Canada, Mexico, the EU and China. Historically, tariffs have led to increased trade and political tensions, between not only the U.S. and China, but also between the U.S. and other countries in the international community. In response to tariffs, other countries have implemented retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. Political tensions as a result of trade policies could reduce trade volume, investment, technological exchange and other economic activities between major international economies, resulting in a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets. Additionally, in September 2025, the current administration also announced a 100% tariff on brand-name or patented drugs unless pharmaceutical companies expand their manufacturing operations in the U.S. Although the pharmaceutical tariff is currently on hold, this could have a material adverse effect on our supply chain and business prospects as well as the larger biopharmaceutical industry. Any changes in political, trade, regulatory, and economic conditions, including U.S. trade policies, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Rearranged current paragraphs (2)
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
Debt financing, if available, may result in increased fixed payment obligations and involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures, declaring dividends or acquiring, selling or licensing intellectual property rights or assets, which could adversely impact our ability to conduct our business.
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
However, there can be no assurance that we will successfully obtain such designations for any potential product candidates. In addition, while such designations could expedite the development or approval process, they generally do not change the standards for approval. Even if we obtain such designations for one or more of our potential product candidates, there can be no assurance that we will realize their intended benefits.