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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
☒
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023
or
Commission file number 000-29889
RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
611 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 900,
South San Francisco, California
(Address of principal executive offices)
94-3248524
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
94080
(Zip Code)
(650) 624-1100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class:
Common Stock, par value $.001 per share
Trading Symbol(s)
RIGL
Name of each exchange on which registered:
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for
such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter)
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the
definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large-accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated filer ☒
Non-accelerated filer ☐
Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards
provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section
404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to
previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive
officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The approximate aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the closing price of the registrant’s common stock as reported on the Nasdaq
Global Select on June 30, 2023, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $222.7 million. Shares of the registrant’s outstanding common stock held by
each executive officer, director and affiliates of the registrant’s outstanding common stock have been excluded. The determination of affiliate status for the purposes of this calculation is not necessarily
a conclusive determination for other purposes.
As of February 28, 2024, there were 175,377,812 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporate information by reference from the definitive proxy statement for the registrant’s 2024 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 1C.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.
Item 9C.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 16.
Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Cybersecurity
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
[Reserved]
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Form 10-K Summary
Signatures
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains statements indicating expectations about future performance and other forward-
looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve
risks and uncertainties. We usually use words such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,”
“might,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “intend,” or the negative of these terms or similar expressions to identify these forward-looking
statements. These statements appear throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are statements regarding our current expectations,
beliefs or intent, primarily with respect to our operations and related industry developments. Examples of these statements include, but are
not limited to: our business and scientific strategies; risks and uncertainties associated with the commercialization and marketing of our
products in the United States (US) and outside the US; risks that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines
Agency (EMA), the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) or other regulatory authorities may make adverse
decisions regarding our products; the progress of our and our collaborators’ product development programs, including clinical testing, and
the timing of results thereof; our corporate collaborations and revenues that may be received from our collaborations and the timing of
those potential payments; our expectations with respect to regulatory submissions and approvals; our drug discovery technologies; our
research and development expense; protection of our intellectual property and our intention to vigorously enforce our intellectual property
rights; sufficiency of our cash and capital resources and the need for additional capital; our ability to successfully identify and acquire or
in-license products or companies; our operations and legal risks; the effectiveness of our cybersecurity risk management process; and our
acquisition of certain assets comprising rights to GAVRETO® (pralsetinib) in the US. You should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements for many
reasons, including as a result of the risks and uncertainties discussed in “Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-
K. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-
looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events, except as required by applicable law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict
which factors will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or
combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
RISK FACTOR SUMMARY
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Below is a summary of the material factors that make an investment in
our common stock speculative or risky. This summary does not address all of the risks that we face. Additional discussion of the risks
summarized in this risk factor summary, as well as other risks that we face, can be found below under the heading “Part 1, Item 1A, Risk
Factors” and should be carefully considered, together with other information in this Form 10-K and our other filings with the SEC, before
making an investment decision regarding our common stock.
● Our prospects are highly dependent on our existing commercial products, TAVALISSE® (fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate) and
REZLIDHIA® (olutasidenib), and our upcoming commercialization later this year of GAVRETO (pralsetinib) which we recently
acquired from Blueprint Medicines Corporation (Blueprint). To the extent that the commercial success of our products in the US
and respective territories outside of the US is diminished or halted, our business, financial condition and results of operations may
be adversely affected, and the price of our common stock may decline.
● We may not be able to successfully develop or commercialize our product candidates if problems arise in the clinical testing and/or
approval process. There is a high risk that drug discovery and development efforts might not generate successful product
candidates. If the results of our clinical trials do not meet the primary efficacy endpoints, or if the top-line data from the results of
our clinical trials may not ultimately meet the requirements for an NDA approval by the FDA and other regulatory authorities, the
commercial prospects of our business may be harmed, and our ability to generate product revenues may be delayed or eliminated.
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● Our strategy to expand our hematology and oncology pipeline on our own, or through acquisitions or in-licensing of early or late-
stage products or companies, or through partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as academic
institutions and government organizations, may not be successful.
● Even if we, or any of our collaborative partners, are able to continue to commercialize our products or any product candidate that
we, or they, develop, the product may become subject to unfavorable pricing regulations, unfavorable health technology
assessments (HTA), third-party payor reimbursement practices or labeling restrictions, all of which may vary from country to
country and any of which could harm our business.
● If we are unable to successfully market and distribute our products and retain experienced commercial personnel, our business will
be substantially harmed.
● We are subject to stringent and evolving healthcare regulatory, privacy and information security laws, regulations, rules, policies
and contractual obligations, and changes in such laws, regulations, rules, policies, contractual obligations and our actual or
perceived failure to comply with such requirements could subject us to significant investigations, audits, fines, penalties, and
claims, any of which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.
● If manufacturers obtain approval for generic versions of our products, or of products with which we compete, our business may be
harmed.
● Unforeseen safety issues could emerge with our products that could require us to change the prescribing information to add
warnings, limit use of the product, and/or result in litigation. Any of these events could have a negative impact on our business.
● We rely and may continue to rely on third-party distribution facilities for the sale of our products and potential sale of any of our
product candidates. If any or all of them become subject to adverse findings from inspections or face other difficulties to operate,
then the distribution of our products may be interrupted or otherwise adversely affected.
● We lack the capability to manufacture compounds for clinical development and we intend to rely on third parties for commercial
supply, manufacturing and distribution, if any, of our product candidates which receive regulatory approval and we may be unable
to obtain required material or product in a timely manner, at an acceptable cost or at a quality level required to receive regulatory
approval.
● Any product for which we have obtained regulatory approval, or for which we obtain approval in the future, is subject to, or will be
subject to, extensive ongoing regulatory requirements by the FDA, EMA, MHRA and other comparable regulatory authorities, and
if we fail to comply with regulatory requirements or if we experience unanticipated problems with our products, we may be subject
to penalties, we may be unable to generate revenue from the sale of such products, our potential for generating positive cash flow
may be diminished, and the capital necessary to fund our operations will be increased. Additionally, approval of a drug under the
accelerated drug approval program may be withdrawn or the labeled indication of the drug changed if trials fail to verify clinical
benefit or do not demonstrate sufficient clinical benefit to justify the risks associated with the drug.
● If our corporate collaborations or license agreements are unsuccessful, or if we fail to form new corporate collaborations or license
agreements, our research and development efforts could be delayed.
● Our success is dependent on securing intellectual property rights and data exclusivity and other regulatory rights (such as orphan
exclusivity, pediatric extensions and supplementary protection certificate) held by us and third parties, and our interest in such
rights is complex and uncertain.
● If a dispute arises regarding the infringement or misappropriation of the proprietary rights of others, such dispute could be costly
and result in delays in our research and development activities, partnering and commercialization activities.
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● If our competitors develop technologies that are more effective than ours, our commercial opportunity will be reduced or
eliminated.
● If product liability lawsuits are successfully brought against us, we may incur substantial liabilities and may be required to limit
commercialization of our products.
PART I
Item 1. Business
Overview
We are a biotechnology company dedicated to developing and providing novel therapies that significantly improve the lives of
patients with hematologic disorders and cancer. We focus on products that address signaling pathways that are critical to disease
mechanisms.
Our first product approved by the FDA is TAVALISSE (fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate) tablets, the only approved oral spleen
tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitor for the treatment of adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have had an
insufficient response to a previous treatment. The product is also commercially available in Europe and the United Kingdom (UK) (as
TAVLESSE), and in Canada, Israel and Japan (as TAVALISSE) for the treatment of chronic ITP in adult patients.
Our second FDA-approved product is REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) capsules for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or
refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a susceptible isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) mutation as detected by an FDA-
approved test. We began our commercialization of REZLIDHIA in December 2022. We in-licensed olutasidenib from Forma Therapeutics,
Inc., now Novo Nordisk (Forma), with exclusive, worldwide rights for its development, manufacturing and commercialization.
We continue to advance the development of our interleukin receptor-associated kinases 1 and 4 (IRAK1/4) inhibitor program, in an
open-label, Phase 1b trial to determine the tolerability and preliminary efficacy of the drug in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic
syndrome (MDS) who are refractory or resistant to prior therapies.
In February 2024, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Blueprint to purchase certain assets comprising the right to
research, develop, manufacture and commercialize GAVRETO (pralsetinib) in the US. GAVRETO (pralsetinib) is a once daily, small
molecule, oral, kinase inhibitor of wild-type rearranged during transfection (RET) and oncogenic RET fusions. GAVRETO is approved by
the FDA for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as detected by an
FDA-approved test. GAVRETO is also approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration response rate, for
the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who
require systemic therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory (if radioactive iodine is appropriate).
We have strategic development collaborations with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson) to
expand our evaluation of REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) in AML and other hematologic cancers, and with Collaborative Network for Neuro-
Oncology Clinical Trials (CONNECT) to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) in combination with
temozolomide as maintenance therapy in newly diagnosed pediatric and young adult patients with high-grade glioma (HGG) harboring an
IDH1 mutation.
We have a receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) inhibitor program in clinical development with our
partner Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly). We also have product candidates in clinical development with partners BerGenBio ASA
(BerGenBio) and Daiichi Sankyo (Daiichi).
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Business Updates
TAVALISSE in ITP
In 2023, we recognized $93.7 million of TAVALISSE net product sales, a 24% increase compared to $75.8 million in 2022. The
increase in our net product sales was primarily driven by the increase in quantities sold as a result of increased number of patients under
therapy, as well as the increase in price per bottle of TAVALISSE, partially offset by the increase in revenue reserves primarily due to
higher government rebates. Typically, our first quarter net sales are impacted by the first quarter reimbursement issues such as the resetting
of co-pays and the Medicare donut hole.
REZLIDHIA in R/R AML with mIDH1
In 2023, we recognized $10.6 million of REZLIDHIA net product sales, compared to $0.9 million in 2022. The increase was
primarily due to increased quantities sold as we began our commercialization of REZLIDHIA in December 2022 following the FDA
approval. Our commercial effort focuses on growing awareness of REZLIDHIA within key institutions, and among targeted healthcare
professionals (HCPs) who manage patients with R/R AML with mIDH1.
We in-licensed olutasidenib from Forma, with exclusive, worldwide rights for development, manufacturing and commercialization
of olutasidenib for any uses, including for the treatment of AML and other malignancies. In accordance with the terms of the license and
transition services agreement, we paid an upfront fee of $2.0 million, with the potential to pay up to $67.5 million additional payments
upon achievement of specified development and regulatory milestones and up to $165.5 million additional payments upon achievement of
certain commercial milestones. In addition, subject to the terms and conditions of the license and transition services agreement, Forma
would be entitled to tiered royalty payments on net sales of licensed products at percentages ranging from low-teens to mid-thirties, as well
as certain portions of our sublicensing revenue, subject to certain standard reductions and offsets. In 2022, certain milestones were met
which entitled Forma to receive a $17.5 million milestone payments. No new milestone was met in 2023.
For further discussions including other recent developments on REZLIDIA (olutasidenib), please refer to the “REZLIDHIA
(olutasidenib) in AML, Other Hematologic Cancers and Glioma” and “Commercial Products – REZLIDHIA in R/R AML with mIDH1”
section s in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, below.
GAVRETO (pralsetinib) in metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC and advanced thyroid cancers
On February 22, 2024, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Blueprint to purchase certain assets comprising the right
to research, develop, manufacture and commercialize GAVRETO (pralsetinib) in the US. Under the terms of the agreement, we agreed to
pay Blueprint a purchase price of $15.0 million, $10.0 million of which is payable upon our first commercial sale of GAVRETO
(pralsetinib) and an additional $5.0 million of which is payable on the first anniversary of the closing date of the agreement, subject to
certain conditions. Blueprint is also eligible to receive up to $97.5 million in future commercial milestone payments and up to $5.0 million
in future regulatory milestone payments, in addition to tiered royalties ranging from 10% to 30%.
Simultaneously and in conjunction with entering into the Asset Purchase Agreement, we also entered into certain supporting
agreements, including a customary transition agreement, pursuant to which, during the transition period, Blueprint will transition regulatory
and distribution responsibility for GAVRETO (pralsetinib) to us. We also agreed to purchase certain drug product inventories from
Blueprint.
We believe GAVRETO will be highly synergistic with our current product portfolio, and we expect to leverage our existing
commercial infrastructure to ensure current and newly prescribed GAVRETO patients have continued access to this important treatment
option. We intend to distribute and market GAVRETO for approved indications in RET fusion-positive NSCLC and advanced thyroid
cancers, and we expect to complete the transition of the asset and to start recognizing product sales in the third quarter of 2024.
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GAVRETO (pralsetinib) is a once daily, small molecule, oral, kinase inhibitor of wild-type RET and oncogenic RET fusions.
Currently, GAVRETO (pralsetinib) is one of only two approved RET inhibitors on the market for patients. GAVRETO is approved by the
FDA for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC as detected by an FDA-approved test. GAVRETO is
also approved for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive
thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory (if radioactive iodine is appropriate). This indication
was approved by the FDA under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this
indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial. Discussions with the FDA regarding
confirmatory requirements are ongoing.
GAVRETO has been co-marketed by Blueprint and Genentech, a member of Roche Group (Roche), to patients in the US since
September 2020 pursuant to a collaboration agreement between Blueprint and Roche, which was terminated effective in February 2024.
The patent portfolio covering pralsetinib contains patents and patent applications directed to compositions of matter for pralsetinib,
including solid forms, formulations, and methods of use and manufacture. Pralsitenib is covered as a composition of matter in a US issued
patent that has an expiration date in November 2036 and subject to extensions. Patents that have been issued or are expected to be issued
covering pralsetinib will have statutory expiration dates between 2036 and 2041. Patent term adjustments, patent term extensions, and
supplementary protection certificates could result in later expiration dates. The FDA granted GAVRETO (pralsetinib) new chemical entity
exclusivity until September 2025 and orphan drug exclusivity until September 2027 with respect to the approval for treatment of adult
patients with metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC as detected by an FDA-approved test. The FDA also granted GAVRETO (pralsetinib)
two orphan drug exclusivities until December 2027 with respect to FDA approval for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years
of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and who are radioactive
iodine-refractory (if radioactive iodine is appropriate), and for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with
advanced or metastatic RET-mutant medullary thyroid carcinoma who require systemic therapy.
RET is involved in the physiological development of some organ systems. RET is a receptor tyrosine kinase that activates multiple
downstream pathways involved in cell proliferation and survival. RET can be activated by mutation or when a portion of the RET gene that
encodes the kinase domain is joined to part of another gene creating a fusion gene that encodes an aberrantly activated RET fusion protein.
RET alterations, such as fusions or mutations, drive the growth of multiple tumor types. It is estimated that over 230,000 adult patients in
the US will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2024. NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer in the US accounting for 80-85% of all
lung cancer diagnoses. RET activating fusions are key disease drivers in NSCLC. RET fusions are implicated in approximately 1-2% of
patents with NSCLC.
GAVRETO (pralsetinib) faces competition for RET fusion-positive NSCLC and advanced thyroid cancers from Lilly’s
selpercatinib. In addition, other commercially available therapies used to treat RET fusion-positive NSCLC include cabozantanib and
platinum-based chemotherapy regimens with or without pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, nivolumab/ipilumumab, cemiplimab or
tremelimumab-durvalumab. Pralsetinib may also face competition from other drug candidates in development for RET-altered cancers, as
well as multi-kinase inhibitors with RET activity being evaluated in clinical trials.
R289, an Oral IRAK1/4 Inhibitor for Hematology-Oncology, Autoimmune, and Inflammatory Diseases
We continue to advance the development of our IRAK1/4 inhibitor program, following the evaluation of a new pro-drug
formulation of R835, R289, in single-ascending and multiple ascending dose studies with positive safety results in 2021. In January 2022,
we received clearance from the FDA on our clinical trial design to explore R289 in lower-risk MDS. The open-label, Phase 1b trial will
determine the tolerability and preliminary efficacy of R289 in patients with lower-risk MDS who are refractory or resistant to prior
therapies. In December 2022, we announced that we dosed the first patient in our Phase 1b trial of R289. The Phase 1b trial of R289 is
expected to enroll approximately 34 patients (up to 24 participants with lower risk MDS who receive study treatment in dose escalation
phase, and up to 10 participants with lower-risk MDS who receive study treatment in the dose expansion phase). The primary objective of
the trial is
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safety, with secondary and exploratory objectives to assess preliminary efficacy and characterize the pharmacokinetic and
pharmacodynamic profile of R289. The safety and efficacy data from this Phase 1b trial, along with the safety and
pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data from the completed first-in-human study in heathy volunteers, are intended to be used to
determine the recommended Phase 2 dose for future clinical development of R289 targeting lower-risk MDS. To date, target enrollment in
the second cohort of the trial has been completed and we are currently enrolling patients in the third cohort. Preliminary results are expected
by the end of 2024.
REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) in AML, Other Hematologic Cancers and Glioma
In December 2023, we entered into a Strategic Collaboration Agreement with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer
Center (MD Anderson), a comprehensive cancer research, treatment, and prevention center. The collaboration will expand our evaluation of
REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) in AML and other hematologic cancers. Under the Strategic Collaboration Agreement, we will jointly lead the
clinical development efforts with MD Anderson to evaluate the potential of olutasidenib to treat newly diagnosed and R/R patients with
AML, higher-risk MDS, and advanced myeloproliferative neoplasms, in combination with other agents. The collaboration will also support
the evaluation of olutasidenib as monotherapy in patients with IDH1 mutated clonal cytopenia of undermined significance and lower-risk
MDS, as well as maintenance therapy in post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. Under the Strategic Collaboration Agreement, we
will provide MD Anderson the study materials and $15.0 million in time-based milestone payments as compensation for services to be
provided for the studies, over the five-year collaboration term, unless terminated earlier as provided for in the agreement. In December
2023, we provided $2.0 million funding to MD Anderson.
In January 2024, we announced our collaboration with Collaborative Network for Neuro-Oncology Clinical Trials (CONNECT),
an international collaborative network of pediatric cancer centers, to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib)
in combination with temozolomide as maintenance therapy in newly diagnosed pediatric and young adult patients with high-grade glioma
(HGG) harboring an IDH1 mutation. Under the collaboration, CONNECT will include olutasidenib in CONNECT’s TarGet-D, a
molecularly guided Phase 2 umbrella clinical trial for HGG. Our sponsored arm will study post-radiotheraphy administration of
olutasidenib in combination with temozolomide followed by olutasidenib monotheraphy as maintenance treatment in newly diagnosed
pediatric and young adult patients (less than 39 years old) with IDH1 mutation positive HGG, including diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, an
aggressive brain tumor with limited treatment options. Under the collaboration, we will provide funding up to $3.0 million and study
material over the four-year collaboration.
Global Strategic Partnership with Lilly
Lilly is continuing to advance R552, an investigational, potent and selective RIPK1 inhibitor. Lilly has initiated the Phase 2a trial
studying R552 in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. The trial plans to enroll 100 patients globally.
RIPK1 is implicated in a broad range of key inflammatory cellular processes and plays a key role in tumor necrosis factor signaling,
especially in the induction of pro-inflammatory necroptosis. The program also includes RIPK1 compounds that cross the blood-brain
barrier (central nervous system (CNS)-penetrants) to address neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis.
Under the Lilly Agreement, we are responsible for 20% of the development costs for R552 in the US, Europe, and Japan, up to a
specified cap. Lilly is responsible for funding the remainder of all development activities for R552 and other non-CNS disease development
candidates. Under the Lilly Agreement, we have the right to opt-out of co-funding the R552 development activities in the US, Europe and
Japan at two different specified times and as a result receive lesser royalties from sales. Prior to us providing our first opt-out notice as
discussed below, we were required to fund our share of the R552 development activities in the US, Europe, and Japan up to a maximum
funding commitment of $65.0 million through April 1, 2024. On September 28, 2023, we entered into an amendment to the Lilly
Agreement which provides, among other things, that if we exercise our first opt-out right, we have the right to opt-in to co-funding of R552
development, upon us providing notice to Lilly within 30 days of certain events, as specified in the Lilly Agreement. If we decide to
exercise our opt-in right, we will be required to continue to share in global development costs, and if we later exercise our second opt-out
right (no later than April 1, 2025), our share in global development costs will be up to a specified cap through December 31, 2025, as
provided for in the Lilly Agreement. On September 29, 2023, we provided
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the first opt-out notice to Lilly. We will continue to fund our share of the R552 development activities up to $22.6 million through April 1,
2024 as provided for in the amended Lilly Agreement. Through December 31, 2023, Lilly billed us $18.6 million of the funding
development costs.
Fostamatinib in Hospitalized COVID-19 patients
We previously announced in November 2022 the top-line results from the FOCUS Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and
efficacy of fostamatinib in hospitalized COVID-19 patients without respiratory failure that have certain high-risk prognostic factors, did not
meet statistical significance in the primary efficacy endpoint of the number of days on oxygen through Day 29. Upon further analysis, we
discovered an error by the biostatistical contract research organization (CRO) in the application of a statistical stratification factor. The
biostatistical CRO misinterpreted receipt of prior COVID-19 treatment of interest 14 days before randomization (regardless of continuation
post randomization), as those medications taken 14 days before the date of randomization and ended prior to the day of randomization.
After correcting for this statistical error, the primary endpoint of the study was met; those who received fostamatinib had lower mean days
on oxygen than those who received placebo (4.8 vs. 7.6 days, p=0.0136). Further, fostamatinib showed significance or trend towards
significance in all secondary endpoints of reducing mortality and morbidity compared to placebo after correcting for the error. The results
were presented at the IDWeek 2023 held on October 11-15, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. During our continued analysis regarding
fostamatinib in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, we provided the updated analysis to the FDA and our partner, the US Department of
Defense (DOD). Given the end of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) in May 2023, and based on feedback from the
FDA, DOD and other advisors regarding the program’s regulatory requirements, costs, timeline and potential for success, we decided not to
submit an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) or sNDA.
The Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Inventions and Vaccines Phase 2/3 trial (ACTIV-4 Host Tissue Trial), conducted and
sponsored by the National Institute of Health (NIH)/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is a randomized, placebo-
controlled trial of therapies, including fostamatinib, targeting the host response to COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. The ACTIV-4 Host
Tissue Trial evaluated fostamatinib in a targeted population of approximately 600 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, 300 fostamatinib
versus 300 placebo. During the first quarter of 2023, an interim analysis of the trial was completed by the Data and Safety Monitoring
Board (DSMB) with a recommendation for the trial to continue. In September 2023, the DSMB recommended that the fostamatinib study
arm of the ACTIV-4 Host Tissue Trial platform cease enrollment. Based on the DSMB’s review of a conditional power analysis, the DSMB
determined that there was an extremely low likelihood of fostamatinib providing benefits related to the primary outcome (oxygen free days)
or other secondary outcomes in patients hospitalized and on oxygen therapy for COVID-19. No safety concerns were identified. The
NIH/NHLBI concurs with the DSMBs recommendation and has asked the trial investigators to cease enrollment, complete follow-up for
participants already enrolled, and complete study closeout. The full study data will be analyzed and disseminated as previously planned.
Patent Infringement Lawsuit
In June 2022, we received a notice letter regarding an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) submitted to the FDA by
Annora Pharma Private Limited (Annora), requesting approval to market a generic version of TAVALISSE. In July 2022, we filed a lawsuit
in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey against Annora and its subsidiaries for infringement of certain of our US patents.
Litigation continues, and no trial date is currently set. For a more detailed discussion of this litigation matter, see “Part I, Item 3, Legal
Proceedings” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Impact of COVID-19 on our Business
The COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacted our business and operations. Although the World Health Organization declared the
end of COVID-19 PHE in May 2023, the degree to which another global pandemic may affect our future business operations and financial
condition will depend on developments that are highly uncertain and beyond our knowledge or control. As such, we cannot ascertain the
full extent of the future impacts it may have on our business. See also “Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K
for additional information on risks and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Strategy
Our goal is to establish ourselves as a successful commercial stage biopharmaceutical company with significant development
capabilities. We aim to expand our commercial business in the US on our own and globally through partnerships. We recently expanded our
hematology and oncology portfolio with our commercialized product REZLIDHIA and our upcoming commercialization of GAVRETO
later this year, which we believe are highly synergistic with and complementary to our existing hematology and oncology focused
commercial infrastructure. We continue to maintain a strong commercial and medical affairs team in the US to enable us to execute
successfully on our commercialization strategy to grow TAVALISSE in chronic ITP, REZLIDHIA in mIDH1 R/R AML, and GAVRETO in
NSCLC and advanced thyroid cancers. For the expansion of fostamatinib outside of the US, we entered into partnerships. We continue our
development of novel therapies designed to significantly improve the lives of patients with hematological disorders and cancer. We will be
focusing on the further development of our products in other indications on our own or through our partners. We aim to expand our
portfolio with additional commercial products and/or additional candidates for our development pipeline, on our own and/or in partnership
with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as academic institutions and government organizations.
In particular, the key elements that we believe are value drivers, which we plan to continue to execute include:
● growing sales of TAVALISSE in chronic ITP and REZLIDHIA in mIDH1 R/R AML;
● successfully commercializing and growing sales of GAVRETO in the US in NSCLC and advanced thyroid cancers; and
● expanding our development pipeline on our own and/or with collaboration partner(s).
Our Product Portfolio
The following table summarizes our portfolio:
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Commercial Products
TAVALISSE/Fostamatinib in ITP
Chronic ITP affects an estimated 81,300 adult patients in the US. In patients with ITP, the immune system attacks and destroys the
body’s own blood platelets, which play an active role in blood clotting and healing. ITP patients can suffer extraordinary bruising, bleeding
and fatigue as a result of low platelet counts. Current therapies for ITP include steroids, blood platelet production boosters that imitate
thrombopoietin (TPO) and splenectomy.
Taken in tablet form, fostamatinib blocks the activation of SYK inside immune cells. ITP is typically characterized by the body
producing antibodies that attach to healthy platelets in the blood stream. Immune cells recognize these antibodies and affix to them, which
activates the SYK enzyme inside the immune cell, and triggers the destruction of the antibody and the attached platelet. When SYK is
inhibited by fostamatinib, it interrupts this immune cell function and allows the platelets to escape destruction. The results of our Phase 2
clinical trial, in which fostamatinib was orally administered to 16 adults with chronic ITP, published in Blood, showed that fostamatinib
significantly increased the platelet counts of certain ITP patients, including those who had failed other currently available agents.
Our Fostamatinib for Immune Thrombocytopenia (FIT) Phase 3 clinical program had a total of 150 ITP patients which were
randomized into two identical multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. The patients were diagnosed with persistent or
chronic ITP, and had blood platelet counts consistently below 30,000 per microliter of blood. Two-thirds of the subjects received
fostamatinib orally at 100 mg twice daily (bid) and the other third received placebo on the same schedule. Subjects were expected to remain
on treatment for up to 24 weeks. At week four of treatment, subjects who failed to meet certain platelet counts and met certain tolerability
thresholds could have their dosage of fostamatinib (or corresponding placebo) increased to 150 mg bid. The primary efficacy endpoint of
this program was a stable platelet response by week 24 with platelet counts at or above 50,000 per microliter of blood for at least four of the
final six qualifying blood draws. In August 2016, we announced the results of the first FIT study, reporting that fostamatinib met the study’s
primary efficacy endpoint. The study showed that 18% of patients receiving fostamatinib achieved a stable platelet response compared to
none receiving a placebo control. In October 2016, we announced the results of the second FIT study, reporting that the response rate (16%
in the treatment group, versus 4% in the placebo group) was consistent with the first study, although the difference was not statistically
significant. In the ITP double-blind studies, the most commonly reported adverse reactions occurring in at least 5% of patients treated with
TAVALISSE were diarrhea, hypertension, nausea, dizziness, increased alanine aminotransferase, increased aspartate aminotransferase,
respiratory infection, rash, abdominal pain, fatigue, chest pain, and neutropenia. Serious adverse drug reactions occurring in at least 1% of
patients treated with TAVALISSE in the ITP double-blind studies were febrile neutropenia, diarrhea, pneumonia, and hypertensive crisis. A
post-hoc analysis from our Phase 3 clinical program in adult patients with chronic ITP, highlighting the potential benefit of using
TAVALISSE in earlier lines of therapy, was published in the British Journal of Haematology in July 2020. In addition, a report describing
the long-term safety and durable efficacy of TAVALISSE with up to five years of treatment was published in Therapeutic Advances in
Hematology in 2021.
The FDA granted our request for orphan drug designation for fostamatinib for the treatment of ITP in August 2015. TAVALISSE
was approved by the FDA in April 2018 for the treatment of ITP in adult patients who have had an insufficient response to a previous
treatment, and successfully launched in the US in May 2018.
In January 2020, the European Commission (EC) granted a centralized MA for fostamatinib (TAVLESSE) valid throughout the
European Union (EU) and in the UK, after the departure of the UK from the EU, for the treatment of chronic ITP in adult patients who are
refractory to other treatments. In December 2022, Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) approved the NDA for
fostamatinib in chronic ITP.
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Competitive landscape for TAVALISSE
Our industry is intensely competitive and subject to rapid and significant technological change. TAVALISSE is competing with
other existing therapies. In addition, a number of companies are pursuing the development of pharmaceuticals that target the same diseases
and conditions that we are targeting. For example, there are existing therapies and drug candidates in development for the treatment of ITP
that may be alternative therapies to TAVALISSE.
Currently, corticosteroids remain the most common first line therapy for ITP, occasionally in conjunction with intravenous
immunoglobulin (IVIg) or anti-Rh(D) to help further augment platelet count recovery, particularly in emergency situations. However, it has
been estimated that frontline agents lead to durable remissions in only a small percentage of newly diagnosed adults with ITP. Moreover,
concerns with steroid-related side effects often restrict therapy to approximately four weeks. As such, many patients progress to persistent
or chronic ITP, requiring other forms of therapeutic intervention. In long-term treatment of chronic ITP, patients are often cycled through
several therapies over time in order to maintain a sufficient response to the disease.
Other approaches to treat ITP are varied in their mechanism of action, and there is no consensus about the sequence of their use.
Options include splenectomy, thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-Ras) and various immunosuppressants (such as rituximab). The
response rate criteria of the above-mentioned options vary, precluding a comparison of response rates for individual therapies.
Even with the above treatment options, a significant number of patients remain severely thrombocytopenic for long durations and
are subject to risk of spontaneous or trauma-induced hemorrhage. The addition of fostamatinib to the currently available treatment options
could be beneficial because it has a different mechanism of action than any of the therapies that are currently available. Fostamatinib is a
potent and relatively selective SYK inhibitor, and its inhibition of Fc receptors and B-cell receptors of signaling pathways make it a
potentially broad immunomodulatory agent.
Other products in the US that are approved by the FDA to increase platelet production through binding to TPO receptors on
megakaryocyte precursors include PROMACTA® (Novartis International AG (Novartis)), Nplate® (Amgen, Inc.) and DOPTELET®
(Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB). In the longer term, we may eventually face competition from potential manufacturers of generic versions
of our marketed products, including the proposed generic version of TAVALISSE that is the subject of an ANDA submitted to the FDA by
Annora, which, if approved and allowed to enter the market, it could result in significant decreases in the revenue derived from sale of
TAVALISSE and thereby materially harm our business and financial condition.
Commercial activities, including sales and marketing
Our marketing and sales efforts are focused on hematologists and hematologist-oncologists in the US who manage chronic adult
ITP patients. We have a fully integrated commercial team consisting of sales, marketing, market access, and commercial operations
functions. Our sales team promotes our products in the US using customary pharmaceutical company practices, and we concentrate our
efforts on hematologists and hematologist-oncologists. Our products are sold initially through third-party wholesale distribution and
specialty pharmacy channels and group purchasing organizations before being ultimately prescribed to patients. To facilitate our
commercial activities in the US, we also enter into arrangements with various third parties, including advertising agencies, market research
firms and other sales-support-related services as needed. We believe that our commercial team and distribution practices are adequate to
ensure that our marketing efforts reach relevant customers and deliver our products to patients in a timely and compliant fashion. Also, to
help ensure that all eligible patients in the US have appropriate access to our products, we have established a reimbursement and patient
support program called Rigel OneCare (ROC). Through ROC, we provide co-pay assistance to qualified, commercially insured patients to
help minimize out-of-pocket costs and provide free product to uninsured or under-insured patients who meet certain established clinical and
financial eligibility criteria. In addition, ROC is designed to provide reimbursement support, such as information related to prior
authorizations, benefits investigations and appeals.
We have entered into various license and commercial agreements to commercialize fostamatinib globally, but we retain the global
rights to fostamatinib outside of the respective territories under such license and commercial agreements. Our collaborative partner Grifols
S.A. (Grifols) launched TAVLESSE in the UK and certain countries in
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Europe including Germany, France, Italy and Spain, and continues a phased rollout across the rest of Europe. Our collaborative partner
Medison Pharma Trading AG (Medison Canada) and Medison Pharma Ltd. (Medison Israel, and together with Medison Canada, Medison)
launched TAVALISSE in Canada and Israel. Further, our collaborative partner Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Kissei) launched
TAVALISSE in Japan.
Fostamatinib in Europe/Turkey
We have a commercialization license agreement with Grifols entered in January 2019, for exclusive rights to commercialize
fostamatinib for human diseases, including chronic ITP and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), and non-exclusive rights to develop,
fostamatinib in their territory. Grifols territory includes Europe, the UK, Turkey, the Middle East, North Africa and Russia (including
Commonwealth of Independent States).
We are responsible for performing and funding certain development activities for fostamatinib for ITP and AIHA and Grifols is
responsible for all other development activities for fostamatinib in such territories. We remain responsible for the manufacturing and supply
of fostamatinib for all development and commercialization activities under the agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, we received
an upfront cash payment of $30.0 million and will be eligible to receive regulatory and commercial milestones of up to $297.5 million. In
January 2020, the EC granted a MA for fostamatinib for the treatment of chronic ITP in adult patients who are refractory to other
treatments. With this approval, we received a $20.0 million non-refundable milestone payment, consisted of a $17.5 million payment due
upon Market Authorization Application (MAA) approval by the EMA of fostamatinib for the first indication and a $2.5 million creditable
advance royalty payment due upon EMA approval of fostamatinib in the first indication. We are also entitled to receive stepped double-
digit royalty payments based on tiered net sales which may reach 30% of net sales of fostamatinib in the Grifols territory.
Fostamatinib in Japan/Asia
We have an exclusive license and supply agreement with Kissei entered in October 2018, to develop and commercialize
fostamatinib in all current and potential indications in Kissei’s territory, which includes Japan, China, Taiwan and the Republic of Korea.
Kissei is a Japan-based pharmaceutical company addressing patients’ unmet medical needs through its research, development and
commercialization efforts, as well as through collaborations with partners.
Under the terms of the agreement, we received an upfront cash payment of $33.0 million, with the potential for an
additional $147.0 million in development and commercial milestone payments, and will receive product transfer price payments in the mid
to upper twenty percent range based on tiered net sales for the exclusive supply of fostamatinib. Kissei receives exclusive rights to
fostamatinib in ITP and all future indications in Kissei’s territory.
In September 2019, Kissei initiated a Phase 3 trial in Japan of fostamatinib in adult Japanese patients with chronic ITP. The
efficacy and safety of orally administered fostamatinib was assessed by comparing it with placebo in a randomized, double-blind
study. Japan has the third highest prevalence of chronic ITP in the world behind the US and Europe. In February 2020, Kissei was granted
orphan drug designation from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for R788 (fostamatinib) in chronic ITP. In December
2021, Kissei reported positive top-line results for a Phase 3 clinical trial, meeting its primary endpoint. The Phase 3 clinical trial showed
that patients receiving fostamatinib achieved a stable platelet response significantly higher than patients receiving a placebo control. Based
on the positive Phase 3 results, in April 2022, Kissei submitted an NDA to Japan’s PMDA for fostamatinib in chronic ITP. With this
milestone event, we received $5.0 million non-refundable and non-creditable payment from Kissei. In December 2022, Japan’s PMDA
approved TAVALISSE for the treatment of chronic ITP. With this milestone event, we received $20.0 million non-refundable and non-
creditable payment from Kissei based on the terms of our collaboration agreement. In April 2023, Kissei launched TAVALISSE for chronic
ITP in Japan.
Fostamatinib in Canada/Israel
We have two exclusive commercial and license agreements with Medison entered in October 2019, to commercialize fostamatinib
in all potential indications in Canada and Israel. Under the terms of the agreements, we received an upfront payment of $5.0 million with
the potential for approximately $35.0 million in regulatory and commercial milestones. In addition, we will receive royalty payments
beginning at 30% of net sales. Under our agreement with Medison for the Canada territory, we have the option to buy back all rights to the
product upon
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regulatory approval in Canada for the indication of AIHA. The buyback provision, if exercised, would require both parties to mutually
agree on commercially reasonable terms for us to purchase back the rights, taking into account Medison’s investment and the value of the
rights, among others. Pursuant to this exclusive commercialization license agreement, in August 2020, we entered into a commercial supply
agreement with Medison.
In November 2020, Health Canada approved the New Drug Submission for TAVALISSE for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in
adult patients with chronic ITP who have had an insufficient response to other treatments. In August 2021, Medison Israel received the
licenses for registrational approval from the Ministry of Health, which event entitled us to receive $0.1 million of non-refundable milestone
payment. In November 2022, Medison Israel made its first commercial sale of TAVALISSE and obtained its national reimbursement in
February 2023.
Fostamatinib in Latin America
In May 2022, we entered into commercial license agreement with Knight Therapeutics International SA (Knight) for the
commercialization of fostamatinib for approved indications in Latin America, consisting of Mexico, Central and South America, and the
Caribbean (Knight territory). Pursuant to such commercial license agreement, we received a $2.0 million one-time, non-refundable, and
non-creditable upfront payment, with potential for up to an additional $20.0 million in regulatory and sales-based commercial milestone
payments, and will receive twenty- to mid-thirty percent, tiered, escalated net-sales based royalty payments for products sold in the Knight
territory. We are also responsible for the exclusive manufacture and supply of fostamatinib for all future development and
commercialization activities under a Commercial and Supply Agreement. In August 2023, Knight submitted the MAA for regulatory
approval in Mexico, Colombia and Brazil for fostamatinib for the treatment of adult patients with ITP who had insufficient response to a
previous treatment.
REZLIDHIA in R/R AML with mIDH1
mIDH1 alterations are seen in AML, MDS, glioma, chondrosarcoma, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. It is estimated that
there are approximately 1,000 adult patients, a well-identified patient population, with mIDH1 R/R AML, part of an AML market estimated
to have an incidence of approximately 20,000 cases in the US and estimated 120,000 cases globally. Despite having approved treatment
options for R/R AML patients who are mIDH1 positive, an unmet need remains.
Olutasidenib, an oral, small molecule drug designed to selectively bind to and inhibit mIDH1, is a treatment option with durable
remissions, reduced QTc potential, and a stable pharmacokinetics profile that enables a consistent drug exposure over time. This targeted
agent has the potential to provide therapeutic benefit by reducing 2-hydroxyglutarate levels and restoring normal cellular differentiation.
IDH1 is a natural enzyme that is part of the normal metabolism of all cells. When mutated, IDH1 activity can promote blood malignancies
and solid tumors. Olutasidenib was designated by the FDA as an orphan drug for the treatment of AML, which provides orphan drug
market exclusivity from the time of marketing approval on December 1, 2022.
REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) is designed to bind to and inhibit mIDH1 to reduce 2-hydroxyglutarate levels and restore normal
cellular differentiation of myeloid cells. REZLIDHIA is a novel, non-intensive monotherapy treatment in the R/R AML setting
demonstrating a CR+CRh rate of 35% in patients with over 90% of those responders in complete remission.
On December 1, 2022, the FDA has approved REZLIDHIA capsules for the treatment of adult patients with R/R AML with IDH1
mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test. On December 22, 2022, we began the commercialization of REZLIDHIA and made it
available to patients. The recommended dosage of REZLIDHIA is 150 mg taken orally twice daily until disease progression or
unacceptable toxicity. The FDA approval was based on the NDA for olutasidenib for the treatment of m1DH1 R/R AML submitted by
Forma, that had a PDUFA action date for the application of February 15, 2023. The NDA application was supported with a Phase 2
registrational trial for olutasidenib in mIDH1 R/R AML. Interim results from the Phase 2 registrational trial were reported at the American
Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in June 2021. The interim results of this trial of 153 patients showed that
olutasidenib demonstrated a favorable tolerability profile as a monotherapy in patients with R/R AML who have a
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susceptible mIDH1, and achieved a complete remission (CR) plus CR with partial hematologic recovery (CRh) rate of 33.3% (30% CR and
3% CRh), the primary efficacy endpoint. While a median duration of CR/CRh was not yet reached, a sensitivity analysis (with a
hematopoietic stem cell transplant, as the end of a response) indicated the median duration of CR/CRh was 13.8 months. The overall
response rate, comprised CR, CRh, Cri, partial response, and morphologic leukemia-free state (MLFS), was 46% and the median duration
of overall response rate (ORR) was 11.7 months. The median overall survival was 10.5 months. For patients with CR/CRh, the median
overall survival was not reached, but the estimated 18-month survival was 87%. The most frequently reported treatment emergent adverse
events were nausea, constipation, increased white blood cell count, decreased red blood cell count, pyrexia, febrile neutropenia, and fatigue.
In November 2022, we announced the presentation of five posters highlighting data from our commercial and clinical hematology-
oncology portfolio at the 64th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition which was held in December 2022.
An updated interim analysis from the Phase 2 registrational trial of olutasidenib in patients with R/R AML demonstrated robust efficacy and
safety results. The registrational cohort of the Phase 2 trial enrolled 153 patients with mIDH1 R/R AML who received olutasidenib
monotherapy 150 mg twice daily. The efficacy evaluable population was 147 patients who received their first dose at least six months prior
to the interim analysis cutoff date of June 18, 2021. The primary endpoint was a CR/CRh defined as less than 5% blasts in the bone
marrow, no evidence of disease, and partial recovery of peripheral blood counts (platelets >50,000/microliter and absolute neutrophil count
>500/microliter). The results from the updated interim analysis of patients with mIDH1 R/R AML demonstrated a 35% CR+CRh rate with
a median duration of 25.9 months. The ORR a secondary end point, was 48%, and was defined as the rate of CR, CRh, CR with incomplete
blood count recovery (Cri), partial remission (which required recovery of neutrophil and platelet counts consistent with a CR), or MLFS.
Olutasidenib was effective in a broad range of patients including those with prior high-intensity chemotherapy and/or post-venetoclax. The
abstract concluded that the observed activity is clinically meaningful and represents a therapeutic advance in the treatment of this patient
population. In this pivotal cohort, olutasidenib was well tolerated with an adverse event profile largely characteristic of symptoms or
conditions experienced by patients undergoing treatment for AML or of the underlying disease itself.
In November 2022, we also announced the publication of data in The Lancet Haematology, which summarizes the Phase 1 results
of the Phase 1/2 trial of olutasidenib. The objectives of the first phase of the multi-center, open-label Phase 1/2 trial were to assess the
safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile, and clinical activity of olutasidenib, both as monotherapy and in combination with
azacitidine, in patients with treatment-naïve or R/R AML or MDS harboring IDH1 mutations. The published data suggest that olutasidenib,
with or without azacitidine, was well-tolerated and was associated with improvements in clinical efficacy endpoints in patients with mIDH1
AML. This trial showed that olutasidenib has the potential to provide an additional treatment option for mIDH1 AML.
In January 2023, we announced that REZLIDHIA has been added by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) to the
latest NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for AML. REZLIDHIA is now included as a recommended
targeted therapy for adult patients with R/R AML with IDH1 mutation.
In February 2023, we announced peer-reviewed publication data in Blood Advances, which summarize clinical results from the
Phase 2 registrational trial of REZLIDHIA in patients with mIDH1 R/R AML. The published data demonstrate that REZLIDHIA induced
durable remissions and transfusion independence with a well-characterized safety profile. The observed efficacy is clinically meaningful
and represents a therapeutic advance in this poor prognosis patient population with limited treatment options. REZLIDHIA demonstrated
both a high rate of response and an extended median duration of complete response of 28.1 months, which is more than a year longer than
what is reported with the Standard of Care (SoC). In June 2023, we announced the second REZLIDHIA publication in Blood Advances, a
review article examining the preclinical and clinical development, and the positioning of olutasidenib in the mIDH1 AML treatment
landscape. The review concluded that the approval of REZLIDHIA is a critical addition to the mIDH1 AML treatment landscape. Further,
the available data support the use of REZLIDHIA as monotheraphy in R/R AML patients who have failed intensive chemotheraphy or
venetoclax plus hypomethylating agents (HMA) combination therapy.
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In June 2023, we announced presentation of data from an analysis from the Phase 2 study of REZLIDHIA in 17 patients with
mIDH1 AML who were previously treated with venetoclax. Data was featured in a poster presentation at the European Hematology
Association 2023 Hybrid Congress. The data support olutasidenib induced durable remissions in patients with mIDH1 AML in this poor-
prognosis patient population who were R/R to venetoclax-based treatment.
Competitive landscape for REZLIDHIA
There is currently one other product approved in the US for patients with IDH1 mutation. The FDA granted approval to
TIBSOVO® (ivosidenib), an oral targeted IDH1 mutation inhibitor, (i) in July 2018, for adult patients with R/R AML with a susceptible
IDH1 mutation, (ii) in May 2019, for newly diagnosed AML with a susceptible IDH1 mutation who are at least 75 years old or who have
comorbidities that preclude use of intensive induction chemotherapy, (iii) in August 2021, for adult patients with previously treated, locally
advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with an IDH1 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test, (iv) in May 2022, in combination
with azacitidine (azacitidine for injection) for newly diagnosed AML with a susceptible IDH1 mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved
test in adults 75 years or older, or who have comorbidities that preclude use of intensive induction chemotherapy, and (v) in October 2023,
for adult patients with R/R MDS with a susceptible IDH1 mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test. In addition, some clinicians may
utilize non-targeted treatments for patients with mIDH1 R/R AML, including use of venetoclax combinations, hypomethylating agents,
other chemotherapy regimens, or investigational agents that may be available to them.
Commercial activities, including sales and marketing
We believe REZLIDHIA is highly synergistic with our existing hematology-oncology focused commercial and medical affairs
infrastructure. Our commercial effort focuses on growing awareness of REZLIDHIA within key institutions, and among targeted HCPs who
manage patients with R/R AML with mIDH1. We plan to enter collaborations with third parties to commercialize REZLIDHIA outside of
US.
GAVRETO (pralsetinib) in metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC and advanced thyroid cancers
Please refer to related discussions above under “Business Updates”, titled “GAVRETO (pralsetinib) in metastatic RET fusion-
positive NSCLC and advanced thyroid cancers” in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Clinical Stage Programs
R289, an Oral IRAK1/4 Inhibitor for Hematology-Oncology, Autoimmune, and Inflammatory Diseases
During the second quarter of 2018, we selected R835, the active metabolite of R289, a proprietary molecule from our IRAK1/4
inhibitor program, for human clinical trials. This investigational candidate is an orally administered, potent and selective inhibitor of
IRAK1 and IRAK4 that blocks inflammatory cytokine production in response to toll-like receptor (TLR) and the interleukin-1 receptor (IL-
1R) family signaling. TLRs and IL-1Rs play a critical role in the innate immune response and dysregulation of these pathways can lead to a
variety of inflammatory conditions. R835 prevents cytokine release in response to TLR and IL-1R activation in vitro. R835 is active in
multiple rodent models of inflammatory disease including psoriasis, arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and gout. Preclinical studies show
that R835 inhibits both the IRAK1 and IRAK4 signaling pathways, which play a key role in inflammation and immune responses to tissue
damage. Dual inhibition of IRAK1 and IRAK4 allows for more complete suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine release than inhibition
of either one individually.
In October 2019, we announced results from a Phase 1 clinical trial of R835 in healthy subjects to assess safety, tolerability,
pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics. The Phase 1 trial was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in 91 healthy
subjects, ages 18 to 55. The Phase 1 trial showed positive tolerability and PK data as well as established proof-of-mechanism by
demonstrating the inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production in response to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge.
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We continue to advance the development of our IRAK1/4 inhibitor program, following the evaluation of a new pro-drug
formulation of R835, R289, in single-ascending and multiple ascending dose studies with positive safety results in 2021. In January 2022,
we received clearance from the FDA on our clinical trial design to explore R289 in lower-risk MDS. The open-label, Phase 1b trial will
determine the tolerability and preliminary efficacy of R289 in patients with lower-risk MDS who are refractory or resistant to prior
therapies. In December 2022, we announced that we dosed the first patient in our Phase 1b trial of R289. The Phase 1b trial of R289 is
expected to enroll approximately 34 patients (up to 24 participants with lower risk MDS who receive study treatment in dose escalation
phase, and up to 10 participants with lower-risk MDS who receive study treatment in the dose expansion phase). The primary objective of
the trial is safety, with secondary and exploratory objectives to assess preliminary efficacy and characterize the pharmacokinetic and
pharmacodynamic profile of R289. The safety and efficacy data from this Phase 1b trial, along with the safety and
pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data from the completed first-in-human study in heathy volunteers, are intended to be used to
determine the recommended Phase 2 dose for future clinical development of R289 targeting lower-risk MDS. To date, target enrollment in
the second cohort of the trial has been completed and we are currently enrolling patients in the third cohort. Preliminary results are expected
by the end of 2024.
Fostamatinib in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2
primarily infects the upper and lower respiratory tract and can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Additionally, some patients
develop other organ dysfunction including myocardial injury, acute kidney injury, shock resulting in endothelial dysfunction and
subsequently micro and macrovascular thrombosis. Much of the underlying pathology of SARS-CoV-2 is thought to be secondary to a
hyperinflammatory immune response associated with increased risk of thrombosis. SYK is involved in the intracellular signaling pathways
of many different immune cells. The SYK inhibition may improve outcomes in patients with COVID-19 via inhibition of key Fc gamma
receptor and c-type lectin receptor mediated drivers of pathology, such as inflammatory cytokine release by monocytes and macrophages,
production of NETs by neutrophils, and platelet aggregation. Furthermore, SYK inhibition in neutrophils and platelets may lead to
decreased thromboinflammation, alleviating organ dysfunction in critically ill patients with COVID-19.
Rigel-led Phase 3 Trial. In November 2020, we launched our FOCUS Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of
fostamatinib in hospitalized COVID-19 patients without respiratory failure that have certain high-risk prognostic factors. In January 2021,
we were awarded $16.5 million from the DOD’s Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear
Defense to support this Phase 3 clinical trial. This multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, adaptive design study randomly assigns
either fostamatinib plus SoC or matched placebo plus SoC (1:1) to targeted evaluable patients. Treatment is administered orally twice daily
for 14 days with follow up to day 60. In December 2021, we expanded the inclusion criteria to include patients with more severe disease
(NIAID Ordinal Scale 6) to more accurately reflect the clinically predominant patient population hospitalized with COVID-19 and help
speed enrollment. In collaboration with the FDA and DOD, we also updated the primary endpoint for the trial from progression to severe
disease within 29 days, to the number of days on oxygen through day 29. This endpoint allows for closer comparison of the results with
earlier results from the NIH/NHLBI Phase 2 clinical trial with fostamatinib and various other NIH-sponsored trials, such as the ACTIV-4
Host Tissue Trial, which uses a similar outcome measure as a primary endpoint. In July 2022, we completed enrollment with 280 patients.
The trial had originally targeted a total of 308 patients; however, we determined the trial would be sufficiently powered with 280 patients to
potentially provide a clinically meaningful result and determine the efficacy and safety of fostamatinib in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
We previously announced in November 2022 the top-line results from the FOCUS Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy
of fostamatinib in hospitalized COVID-19 patients without respiratory failure that have certain high-risk prognostic factors did not meet
statistical significance in the primary efficacy endpoint of the number of days on oxygen through Day 29. Upon further analysis, we
discovered an error by the biostatistical CRO in the application of a statistical stratification factor. The biostatistical CRO misinterpreted
receipt of prior COVID-19 treatment of interest 14 days before randomization (regardless of continuation post randomization), as those
medications taken 14 days before the date of randomization and ended prior to the day of randomization. After correcting for this statistical
error, the primary endpoint of the study was met; those who received fostamatinib had lower mean days on oxygen than those who received
placebo (4.8 vs. 7.6 days, p=0.0136). Further, fostamatinib showed significance or trend towards significance in all secondary endpoints of
reducing mortality and morbidity compared to
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placebo after correcting for the error. The results were recently presented at the IDWeek 2023 held on October 11-15, 2023 in Boston,
Massachusetts. During our continued analysis regarding fostamatinib in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, we provided the updated analysis
to the FDA and our partner, the DOD. Given the end of the federal COVID-19 PHE in May 2023, and based on feedback from the FDA,
DOD and other advisors regarding the program’s regulatory requirements, costs, timeline and potential for success, we decided not to
submit an EUA or sNDA.
NIH/NHLBI-sponsored Phase 2 Trial. In September 2020, we announced a Phase 2 clinical trial sponsored by the NIH/NHLBI to
evaluate the safety of fostamatinib for the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. This multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled
trial randomly assigned fostamatinib or matched placebo (1:1) to 59 evaluable patients. Treatment was administered orally twice daily for
14 days, and a follow-up period to day 60. The primary endpoint of this trial was cumulative incidence of Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)
through day 29. The trial also included multiple secondary endpoints designed to assess the early efficacy and clinically relevant endpoints
of disease course. The trial completed the enrollment in March 2021. In April 2021, we announced that the Phase 2 clinical trial met its
primary endpoint of safety. Fostamatinib reduced the incidence of SAEs by half. By day 29, there were three SAEs in the fostamatinib
plus SoC group of thirty patients compared to six SAEs in the placebo plus SoC group of twenty-nine patients (p=0.23). Of these, there was
a reduction for the disease related SAE of hypoxia in the fostamatinib group compared to placebo (1 vs 3, respectively; p=0.29). The data
from the NIH/NHLBI-Sponsored Phase 2 trial was published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, an official publication of the Infectious
Disease Society of America in September 2021. In May 2021, the NIH/NHLBI Phase 2 clinical data were submitted as part of a request for
an EUA from the FDA for fostamatinib as a treatment for hospitalized patients with COVID-19. In August 2021, the FDA informed us that
the clinical data submitted from the NIH/NHLBI-sponsored Phase 2 trial of fostamatinib to treat hospitalized patients suffering from
COVID-19 was insufficient for an EUA.
ACTIV-4 Host Tissue Phase 2/3 Trial. In June 2021, we announced that fostamatinib had been selected for the NIH ACTIV-4 Host
Tissue Trial in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The ACTIV-4 Host Tissue Trial, initiated and funded by NHLBI, is a randomized,
placebo-controlled trial of therapies, including fostamatinib, targeting the host response to COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. The master
protocol for this trial was designed to be flexible in the number of study arms, the use of a single placebo group, and the stopping and
adding of new therapies. Eligible participants include patients hospitalized for COVID-19 with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2
infection and a new need for oxygen therapy. The primary outcome is oxygen-free days through day 28. Secondary outcomes include 28-
day hospital mortality, use of mechanical ventilation, and severity of disease as measured by World Health Organization (WHO) scale
scores. The ACTIV-4 Host Tissue Trial is evaluating fostamatinib in a targeted population of approximately 600 hospitalized patients with
COVID-19, 300 fostamatinib versus 300 placebo. During the first quarter of 2023, an interim analysis of the trial was completed by the
DSMB with a recommendation for the trial to continue. In September 2023, the DSMB recommended that the fostamatinib study arm of the
ACTIV-4 Host Tissue Trial platform cease enrollment. Based on the DSMB’s review of a conditional power analysis, the DSMB
determined that there was an extremely low likelihood of fostamatinib providing benefits related to the primary outcome (oxygen free days)
or other secondary outcomes in patients hospitalized and on oxygen therapy for COVID-19. No safety concerns were identified. The
NIH/NHLBI concurs with the DSMBs recommendation and has asked the trial investigators to cease enrollment, complete follow-up for
participants already enrolled, and complete study closeout. The full study data will be analyzed and disseminated as previously planned.
Imperial College of London Phase 2 Trial. In July 2020, we announced a Phase 2 clinical trial sponsored by Imperial College of
London to evaluate the efficacy of fostamatinib for the treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia. This is a two-stage, open label, controlled
clinical trial with patients randomized (1:1:1) to fostamatinib plus SoC, ruxolitinib plus SoC, or SoC alone. Treatment was administered
twice daily for 14 days and patients receive a follow-up assessment at day 14 and day 28 after the first dose. The primary endpoint of this
trial is progression from mild to severe COVID-19 pneumonia within 14 days in hospitalized patients (WHO COVID-19 Severity Scale 3-
4). In April 2022, Imperial College of London completed a pre-planned interim analysis of the primary endpoint, patients progressing from
mild or moderate (modified WHO COVID-19 scale 3-4) to severe disease (modified WHO COVID-19 scale ≥5) within 14 days, in the
Phase 2 MATIS trial. The independent data monitoring committee determined that the fostamatinib plus SoC arm did not meet the
prespecified criteria for continuation to the next stage of the trial. No safety concerns were identified. The trial remains blinded and
Imperial College of London plans to share results with us and scientific community once the trial is complete.
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Fostamatinib in warm AIHA (wAIHA)
AIHA is a rare, serious blood disorder where the immune system produces antibodies that result in the destruction of the body’s
own red blood cells. Symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, jaundice or enlarged spleen. Research has shown
that inhibiting SYK with fostamatinib may reduce the destruction of red blood cells.
We conducted a wAIHA Phase 3 clinical trial of fostamatinib, known as the FORWARD study that was initiated in March 2019.
The clinical trial protocol calls for a placebo-controlled study of 90 patients with primary or secondary wAIHA who have failed at least one
prior treatment. The primary endpoint was a durable hemoglobin response, defined as hemoglobin >10 g/dL and >2 g/dL increase from
baseline and durability measure, with the response not being attributed to rescue therapy. In June 2022, we announced the top-line efficacy
and safety data from the study. The trial did not demonstrate statistical significance in the primary efficacy endpoint of durable hemoglobin
response in the overall study population. Across the trial’s overall patient population, fostamatinib was generally well-tolerated. The safety
profile of the product was consistent with prior clinical experience and no new safety issues were discovered. The most common adverse
events (≥10%) with fostamatinib and placebo were diarrhea, hypertension, fatigue, pyrexia, nausea, and dyspnea. Treatment-related SAEs
were 6.7% (3/45) for fostamatinib and 4.4% (2/45) for placebo. There were five deaths on the trial (2 with fostamatinib and 3 with
placebo), all of which were determined to be unrelated to study drug. The safety results were consistent with the overall safety profile data
collected to date, which includes more than 5,000 patients across multiple diseases. We conducted an in-depth analysis of these data to
better understand differences in patient characteristics and outcomes and submitted these findings to the FDA. In October 2022, we
announced that we received guidance from the FDA’s review of these findings. Based on the result of the trial and the guidance from the
FDA, we did not file an sNDA for this indication. Of the 90 patients that completed the FORWARD study, 71 (79%) enrolled in the open-
label extension study, with the last patient visit in December 2023.
Partnered Clinical Programs
R552 – Lilly
Lilly is continuing to advance R552 and has initiated the Phase 2a trial studying R552 in adult patients with moderately to severely
active rheumatoid arthritis. The trial plans to enroll 100 patients globally. RIPK1 is implicated in a broad range of key inflammatory
cellular processes and plays a key role in tumor necrosis factor signaling, especially in the induction of pro-inflammatory necroptosis. The
program also includes RIPK1 compounds that cross the blood-brain barrier (CNS-penetrants) to address neurodegenerative diseases such as
Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
BGB324 – BerGenBio
We have an exclusive, worldwide research, development and commercialization agreement with BerGenBio for our investigational
AXL receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, R428 (now referred to as bemcentinib (BGB324). In February 2023, BerGenBio announced
positive data from the Phase 2 trial of bemcentinib in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with second-line NSCLC. The treatment
with bemcentinib in combination with pembrolizumab demonstrated long survival benefit and sustained disease control, particularly in
patients with AXL TPS > 5, substantiating the relevance of AXL as a target and bemcentinib’s selective inhibition capabilities in NSCLC.
Also in March 2023, BerGenBio announced its first patient dosed in a Phase 1B/2A trial evaluating bemcentinib in first-line NSCLC
patients harboring STK11 mutations.
DS-3032 – Daiichi
DS-3032 is an investigational oral selective inhibitor of the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) protein investigated by Daiichi in
three Phase 1 clinical trials for solid and hematological malignancies including AML, acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid
leukemia in blast phase, lymphoma and MDS. Preliminary safety and efficacy data from a Phase 1 trial of DS-3032 suggests that DS-3032
may be a promising treatment for hematological malignancies including R/R AML and high-risk MDS. In September 2020, worldwide
rights to DS-3032 (milademetan)
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were out-licensed from Daiichi to Rain Oncology Inc., formerly Rain Therapeutics Inc. (Rain).
Rain had initiated a Phase 3 trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of milademetan for the treatment of patients with unresectable
or metastatic dedifferentiated liposarcoma, a rare cancer originating from fat cells located in the soft tissues of the body, in 2021. In May
2023, Rain announced that the trial did not meet its primary endpoint of progression free survival by blinded independent central review
compared to the standard of care. Based on the topline results, Rain does not expect to pursue further development of milademetan in
dedifferentiated liposarcoma.
In December 2023, Rain announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Pathos Al, Inc. (Pathos), and the
transaction was completed in January 2024. Pathos has continued interest in further developing milademetan for cancer patients using its
propriety PathOS Platform.
Research, Preclinical and Clinical Development Programs
We have retained a selected team of experts in drug discovery and preclinical development to leverage our existing proprietary
collection of inhibitors, small-molecule compound libraries and large database of associated phenotypic and biochemical assay results of
therapeutic interest. We maintain leading expertise on specific areas of operation such as inhibition of SYK, IRAK1/4, RIPK1 and mIDH1
kinases to assist clinical development and commercial affairs, as well as to expand and explore additional opportunities for such inhibitors
in the clinical space. Our preclinical operations involve collaborations with clinical research organizations, leading investigators from
universities and research organizations around the world, and strategic collaborations with other pharmaceutical companies.
We have assembled a team of experts in drug development to design and implement clinical trials and to analyze the data derived
from these trials. The clinical development group possesses expertise in project management and regulatory affairs. We work with external
clinical research organizations with expertise in managing clinical trials, drug formulation, and the manufacture of clinical trial supplies to
support our drug development efforts.
We also have strategic development collaborations with MD Anderson and CONNECT to conduct evaluation of REZLIDHIA
(oluatasidenib) in AML, other hematologic cancers and glioma.
Commercialization and Sponsored Research and License Agreements
For a discussion of our Commercialization and Sponsored Research and License, see “Note 4 – Sponsored Research and License
Agreements and Government Contracts” to our “Notes to Financial Statements” contained in “Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Intellectual Property
We are able to protect our technology from unauthorized use by third parties only to the extent that it is covered by valid and
enforceable patents or is effectively maintained as a trade secret. Accordingly, patents and other proprietary rights are an essential element
of our business. We own or have exclusive license to an extensive portfolio of pending patent applications and issued and active patents in
the US, as well as corresponding pending foreign patent applications and issued foreign patents. Our policy is to file patent applications to
protect technology, inventions and improvements to inventions that are commercially important to the development of our business.
We seek US and international patent protection for a variety of technologies, including target molecules that are associated with
disease states identified in our screens and lead compounds that can affect disease pathways. We also rely upon trade secret rights to protect
other technologies that may be used to discover and validate targets and that may be used to identify and develop novel drugs. We seek
protection, in part, through confidentiality and proprietary information agreements. We are a party to various license agreements that give
us rights to use technologies in our research and development.
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We currently hold a number of issued patents in the US, as well as corresponding applications that allow us to pursue patents in
other countries, some of which have been allowed and/or granted and others currently being prosecuted that we expect to be granted.
Specifically, in most cases where we hold a US issued patent, the subject matter is covered at least by an application filed under the Patent
Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which is then used or has been used to pursue protection in certain countries that are members of the treaty. Our
patents extend for varying periods according to the date of patent filing or grant and the legal term of patents in the various countries where
patent protection is obtained. Some of these patents may be eligible for patent term extensions, depending on their subject matter and length
of time required to conduct clinical trials.
Our material patents relate to fostamatinib, an oral SYK inhibitor, that is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in TAVALISSE, and
olutasidenib, an oral mIDH1 inhibitor that is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in REZLIDHIA. These patents will expire at various
dates from 2026 to 2032 for fostamatinib, from 2035 to 2039 for olutasidenib and from 2036 to 2041 for pralsetinib.
Fostamatinib. Fostamatinib is covered as a composition of matter in the US Patent No. 7,449,458 (’458 patent) for which the US
Patent and Trademark Office granted a patent term extension on December 21, 2023. Accordingly, the term of the ’458 patent has been
extended to September 2031. Additional patents covering fostamatinib composition of matter, methods for use, formulations, methods for
making and intermediates expire at various dates from 2023 to 2041. As of December 31, 2023, we owned 7 pending patent applications
and 43 issued and active patents in the US for fostamatinib. Corresponding applications have been filed in foreign jurisdictions under the
PCT, and are at various stages of prosecution. Of note, patents covering fostamatinib as a composition of matter and in compositions for use
treating various diseases are issued in Europe and Japan, as well as in other jurisdictions abroad.
Olutasidenib. Olutasidenib is covered as a composition of matter in a US issued patent that has an expected expiration date of
December 2036, after taking into account patent term extension rules. Additional patents covering olutasidenib compositions of matter,
methods for use, solid forms, methods for making and intermediates expire at various dates from 2035 to 2042. Several corresponding
applications have been filed in foreign jurisdictions under the PCT and are at various stages of prosecution. In all, we have exclusive
license to 9 pending patent applications and 17 issued and active patents in the US for olutasidenib, as well as corresponding pending
foreign patent applications and issued foreign patents.
Pralsetinib. Please refer to related discussions above under “Business Updates”, titled “GAVRETO (pralsetinib) in metastatic RET
fusion-positive NSCLC and advanced thyroid cancers” in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Competition
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are intensely competitive and subject to rapid and significant technological
change. Many of the drugs that we are attempting to discover will be competing with existing therapies. In addition, a number of companies
are pursuing the development of pharmaceuticals that target the same diseases and conditions that we are targeting.
We face, and will continue to face, intense competition from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as from
academic and research institutions and government agencies, both in the US and abroad. Some of these competitors are pursuing the
development of pharmaceuticals that target the same diseases and conditions as our research programs. Our major competitors include fully
integrated pharmaceutical companies that have extensive drug discovery efforts and are developing novel small molecule and biologics
pharmaceuticals. We also face significant competition from organizations that are pursuing the same or similar technologies, including the
discovery of targets that are useful in compound screening, as the technologies used by us in our drug discovery efforts.
Competition may also arise from:
● new or better methods of target identification or validation;
● generic version of our products or of products with which we compete;
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● other drug development technologies and methods of preventing or reducing the incidence of disease;
● new small molecules; or
● other classes of therapeutic agents.
Our competitors or their collaborative partners may utilize discovery technologies and techniques or partner with collaborators in
order to develop products more rapidly or successfully than we or our collaborators are able to do. Many of our competitors, particularly
large pharmaceutical companies, have substantially greater financial, technical and human resources and larger research and development
staffs than we do. In addition, academic institutions, government agencies and other public and private organizations conducting research
may seek patent protection with respect to potentially competitive products or technologies and may establish exclusive collaborative or
licensing relationships with our competitors.
We believe that our ability to compete is dependent, in part, upon our ability to create, maintain and license scientifically advanced
technology and upon our and our collaborators’ ability to develop and commercialize pharmaceutical products based on this technology, as
well as our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, obtain patent protection or otherwise develop proprietary technology or
processes and secure sufficient capital resources for the expected substantial time period between technological conception and commercial
sales of products based upon our technology. The failure by any of our collaborators or us, including our commercial team, in any of those
areas may prevent the successful commercialization of our potential drug targets.
Many of our competitors, either alone or together with their collaborative partners, have significantly greater experience than we
do in:
● identifying and validating targets;
● screening compounds against targets; and
● undertaking preclinical testing and clinical trials.
Accordingly, our competitors may succeed in obtaining patent protection, identifying or validating new targets or discovering new
drug compounds before we do.
Our competitors might develop technologies and drugs that are more effective or less costly than any that are being developed by
us or that would render our technology and product candidates obsolete and noncompetitive. In addition, our competitors may succeed in
obtaining the approval of the FDA or other regulatory agencies for product candidates more rapidly. Companies that complete clinical trials,
obtain required regulatory agency approvals and commence commercial sale of their drugs before us may achieve a significant competitive
advantage, including certain patent and FDA marketing exclusivity rights that would delay or prevent our ability to market certain products.
Any drugs resulting from our research and development efforts, or from our joint efforts with our existing or future collaborative partners,
might not be able to compete successfully with competitors’ existing or future products or obtain regulatory approval in the US or
elsewhere.
We face and will continue to face intense competition from other companies for commercial and collaborative arrangements with
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, for establishing relationships with academic and research institutions and for licenses to
additional technologies. These competitors, either alone or with their collaborative partners, may succeed in developing technologies or
products that are more effective than ours.
Our ability to compete successfully will depend, in part, on our ability to:
● identify and validate targets;
● discover candidate drug compounds that interact with the targets we identify;
● attract and retain scientific and product development personnel;
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● obtain patent or other proprietary protection for our new drug compounds and technologies;
● enter commercialization agreements for our new drug compounds; and
● obtain and maintain an appropriate reimbursement price and positive recommendations by HTA bodies.
ITP
There are existing therapies and drug candidates in development for the treatment of ITP that may be alternative therapies to
TAVALISSE. Currently, corticosteroids remain the most common first line therapy for ITP, occasionally in conjunction with intravenous
immuglobulin (IVIg) or anti-Rh(D) as added agents to help further augment platelet count recovery, particularly in emergency situations.
However, it has been estimated that frontline agents lead to durable remissions in only a small percentage of newly-diagnosed adults with
ITP. Moreover, concerns with steroid-related side effects often restrict therapy to approximately four weeks. As such, many patients
progress to persistent or chronic ITP, requiring other forms of therapeutic intervention.
The FDA can approve an ANDA for a generic version of a branded drug without the ANDA applicant undertaking the clinical
testing necessary to obtain approval to market a new drug. In September 2019, the FDA published product-specific bioequivalence
guidance on fostamatinib disodium to let potential ANDA applicants understand the data the FDA would expect to see for approval of a
generic version of TAVALISSE. The earliest an ANDA may be filed by a generic company was April 17, 2022. The ANDA process can
result in generic competition if the patents at issue are not upheld or if the generic competitor is found not to infringe our patents.
Other approaches to treat ITP are varied in their mechanism of action, and there is no consensus about the sequence of their use.
Options include splenectomy, TPO-Ras, and various immunosuppressants (such as rituximab). The response rate criteria of the above-
mentioned options vary, precluding a comparison of response rates for individual therapies. According to the most recent ITP guideline
from the ASH, there was a lack of evidence to support strong recommendations for various management approaches. In general, strategies
that avoided medication side effects were favored. A large focus was placed on shared decision-making especially with regard to second-
line therapy.
Even with the above treatment options, a significant number of patients remain severely thrombocytopenic for long durations and
are subject to risk of spontaneous or trauma-induced hemorrhage. The addition of fostamatinib to the treatment options could be beneficial
since it has a different mechanism of action than the TPO agonists. Fostamatinib is a potent and relatively selective SYK inhibitor, and its
inhibition of Fc receptors and B-cell receptors signaling pathways make it a potentially broad immunomodulatory agent.
Other products in the US that are approved by the FDA to increase platelet production through binding and TPO receptors on
megakaryocyte precursors include PROMACTA (Novartis), Nplate (Amgen, Inc.) and DOPTELET (Dova Pharmaceuticals).
AML with IDH1 Mutation
There is currently one other product approved in the US for patients with IDH1 mutation. TIBSOVO (ivosidenib), an oral targeted
IDH1 mutation inhibitor, is an FDA-approved drug for (i) adult patients with R/R AML with a susceptible IDH1 mutation, (ii) newly
diagnosed AML with a susceptible IDH1 mutation who are at least 75 years old or who have comorbidities that preclude use of intensive
induction chemotherapy, (iii) for adult patients with previously treated, locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with an IDH1
mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test, and (iv) in combination with azacitidine (azacitidine for injection), for newly diagnosed
AML with a susceptible IDH1 mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test in adults 75 years or older, or who have comorbidities that
preclude use of intensive induction chemotherapy. TIBSOVO is a registered trademark of Servier Pharmaceuticals LLC, a wholly owned,
indirect subsidiary of Les Laboratoires Servier. In addition, some clinicians may utilize non-targeted treatments for patients with mIDH1
R/R AML, including use of venetoclax combinations, hypomethylating agents, other chemotherapy regimens, or investigational agents that
may be available to them.
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Metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC and advanced thyroid cancers
Please refer to related discussions above under “Business Updates”, titled “GAVRETO (pralsetinib) in metastatic RET fusion-
positive NSCLC and advanced thyroid cancers”.
Government Regulation
Government authorities in the US, at the federal, state and local level, and in other countries and jurisdictions, extensively
regulate, among other things, the research, development, testing, manufacture, quality control, approval, packaging, storage, recordkeeping,
labeling, advertising, promotion, distribution, marketing, sampling, tracking and tracing, sales, post-approval monitoring and reporting, and
import and export of pharmaceutical products. The processes for obtaining regulatory approvals in the US and in foreign countries and
jurisdictions, along with subsequent compliance with applicable statutes and regulations, such as those governing personal information and
information security, require the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources.
Review and Approval of Drugs in the US
In the US, the FDA approves and regulates drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) and implementing
regulations. The failure to comply with requirements under the FDCA and other applicable laws at any time during the product
development process, approval process or after approval may subject an applicant and/or sponsor to a variety of administrative or judicial
sanctions, including refusal by the FDA to approve pending applications, withdrawal of an approval, imposition of a clinical hold, issuance
of warning letters and other types of letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution,
injunctions, fines, refusals of government contracts, restitution, disgorgement of profits, or civil or criminal investigations and penalties.
A drug product candidate must be approved by the FDA through the new drug application (NDA). An applicant seeking approval
to market and distribute a new drug product in the US must typically undertake the following:
● completion of preclinical laboratory tests, animal studies and formulation studies in compliance with the FDA’s good
laboratory practice regulations;
● submission to the FDA of an IND, which must take effect before human clinical trials may begin;
● approval by an independent institutional review board (IRB) for each clinical site before each clinical trial may be initiated;
● performance of adequate and well-controlled human clinical trials in accordance with good clinical practices (GCP) to
establish the safety and efficacy of the proposed drug product for each indication;
● preparation and submission to the FDA of an NDA requesting marketing for one or more proposed indications;
● review by an FDA advisory committee, if requested by the FDA;
● satisfactory completion of one or more FDA inspections of the manufacturing facility or facilities at which the product, or
components thereof, are produced to assess compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), requirements
and to assure that the facilities, methods and controls are adequate to preserve the product’s identity, strength, quality and
purity;
● satisfactory completion of FDA audits of clinical trial sites to assure compliance with GCPs and the integrity of the clinical
data;
● payment of user fees and securing FDA approval of the NDA; and
● compliance with any post-approval requirements, including the potential requirement to implement a Risk Evaluation and
Mitigation Strategy, or REMS, and potentially post-market requirement, or PMR, and commitment, or PMC, studies.
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Before an applicant begins testing a compound with potential therapeutic value in humans, the drug candidate enters the
preclinical testing stage. Preclinical studies include laboratory evaluation as well as in vitro and animal studies to assess product chemistry,
formulation, and toxicity, as well as the safety and activity of the drug for initial testing in humans and to establish a rationale for
therapeutic use. The results of the preclinical tests, together with manufacturing information, analytical data, any available clinical data or
literature and plans for clinical studies, among other things, are submitted to the FDA as part of an IND. Some long-term preclinical testing,
such as animal tests of reproductive adverse events and carcinogenicity, and long-term toxicity studies, may continue after the IND is
submitted.
An IND is an exemption from the FDCA that allows an unapproved new drug to be shipped in interstate commerce for use in an
investigational clinical trial and a request for FDA authorization to administer an investigational drug to humans. In support of the IND,
applicants must submit a protocol for each clinical trial and any subsequent protocol amendments. In addition, the results of the preclinical
tests, together with manufacturing information, analytical data, any available clinical data or literature, among other things, are submitted to
the FDA as part of an IND. The FDA requires a 30-day waiting period after the submission of each IND before clinical trials may begin. At
any time during this 30-day period, or thereafter, the FDA may raise concerns or questions about the conduct of the trials as outlined in the
IND and impose a clinical hold or partial clinical hold. In this case, the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding concerns
before clinical trials can begin or resume. An IRB representing each institution participating in the clinical trial must review and approve
the plan for any clinical trial before it commences at that institution, and the IRB must conduct continuing review and reapprove the study
at least annually. An IRB can suspend or terminate approval of a clinical trial.
Clinical trials involve the administration of the investigational product to human subjects under the supervision of qualified
investigators in accordance with GCP requirements, which include, among other things, the requirement that all research subjects provide
their informed consent in writing before their participation in any clinical trial. Human clinical trials are typically conducted in sequential
phases, which may overlap or be combined:
● Phase 1. The drug is initially introduced into a small number of healthy human subjects or, in certain indications such as
cancer, patients with the target disease or condition and tested for safety, dosage tolerance, absorption, metabolism,
distribution, excretion and, if possible, to gain an early indication of its effectiveness and to determine optimal dosage.
● Phase 2. The drug is administered to a limited patient population to identify possible adverse effects and safety risks, to
preliminarily evaluate the efficacy of the product for specific targeted diseases and to determine dosage tolerance and optimal
dosage.
● Phase 3. These clinical trials are commonly referred to as “pivotal” studies, which denote a study that presents the data that
the FDA or other relevant regulatory agency will use to determine whether or not to approve a drug. The drug is administered
to an expanded patient population, generally at geographically dispersed clinical trial sites, in well-controlled clinical trials to
generate enough data to statistically evaluate the efficacy and safety of the product for approval, identify adverse effects,
establish the overall risk-benefit profile of the product and to provide adequate information for the labeling of the product.
● Phase 4. Post-approval studies may be conducted after initial marketing approval. These studies are used to gain additional
experience from the treatment of patients in the intended therapeutic indication.
In most cases the FDA requires at least two adequate and well-controlled Phase 3 clinical trials to demonstrate the efficacy of the
drug. A single Phase 3 trial with other confirmatory evidence may be sufficient in rare instances, such as where the study is a large
multicenter trial demonstrating internal consistency and a statistically very persuasive finding of a clinically meaningful effect on mortality,
irreversible morbidity or prevention of a disease with a potentially serious outcome and confirmation of the result in a second trial would be
practically or ethically impossible.
Concurrent with clinical trials, companies often complete additional animal studies and must also develop additional information
about the chemistry and physical characteristics of the drug as well as finalize a process for manufacturing the product in commercial
quantities in accordance with current good manufacturing practices (cGMP)
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requirements. The manufacturing process must be capable of consistently producing quality batches of the drug candidate and, among other
things, must develop methods for testing the identity, strength, quality and purity of the final drug. Additionally, appropriate packaging
must be selected and tested, and stability studies must be conducted to demonstrate that the drug candidate does not undergo unacceptable
deterioration over its shelf life.
The FDA or the sponsor or the data monitoring committee may suspend or terminate a clinical trial at any time on various grounds,
including a finding that the research subjects are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk.
Review and Approval of Drugs in the EU and the UK
Similar rules governing clinical trials to those in place in the US apply in the EU and the UK, with a clinical trial application
required to be submitted for each clinical trial to each EU Member State’s national competent authority and an independent Ethics
Committee. Following the UK’s exit from the EU, commonly referred to as Brexit, and the end of the transition period that was in place
until the end of 2020, clinical trials that take place in the UK will be seen by the EMA as trials that have taken place in a “third country”
and will only be considered during the course of a marketing authorization application if they are carried out on a basis that is in line with
the regulations governing clinical trials in the EU. As of January 31, 2022, clinical trials in the EU must be conducted in accordance with
the requirements of the EU Clinical Trials Regulation (EU) No 536/2014 (CTR) that has amended the system of approval for clinical trials
in the EU. Under the CTR as of January 31, 2023, sponsors must apply for authorizations through the Clinical Trials Information System
(CTIS), the new clinical trials portal and database that allows a coordinated and streamlined application and authorization process for
clinical trials and ethical approvals throughout the EU. The UK has not applied the CTR, and is currently revising its own clinical trials
framework, and therefore its regulatory framework on clinical trials is not aligned with the EU CTR. This may result in trials that take place
in the UK potentially carrying less weight when applying for a marketing authorization in the EU.
Review of an NDA by the FDA
If clinical trials are successful, the next step in the drug development process is the preparation and submission to the FDA of an
NDA. The NDA is the vehicle through which drug applicants formally propose that the FDA approve a new drug for marketing and sale in
the US for one or more indications. The NDA must contain a description of the manufacturing process and quality control methods, as well
as results of preclinical tests, toxicology studies, clinical trials and proposed labeling, among other things. The submission of most NDAs is
subject to an application user fee and the sponsor of an approved NDA is also subject to annual program user fees. These fees are typically
increased annually.
Following submission of an NDA, the FDA conducts a preliminary review of an NDA to determine whether the application is
sufficiently complete to permit substantive review. The FDA has 60 days from its receipt of an NDA to determine whether the application
will be accepted for filing based on the agency’s threshold determination that it is sufficiently complete to permit substantive review. The
FDA may request additional information rather than accept an NDA for filing. In this event, the application must be resubmitted with the
additional information. The resubmitted application is also subject to review before the FDA accepts it for filing. Once the submission is
accepted for filing, the FDA begins an in-depth substantive review. The FDA has agreed to goals to review and act within ten months from
filing for standard review NDAs and within six months for NDAs that have been designated for “priority review.”
Before approving an NDA, the FDA typically will inspect the facility or facilities where the product is or will be manufactured.
The FDA will not approve an application unless it determines that the manufacturing processes and facilities are in compliance with cGMP
requirements and adequate to assure consistent production of the product within required specifications. Additionally, before approving an
NDA, the FDA will typically inspect one or more clinical sites to assure compliance with GCP. In addition, as a condition of approval, the
FDA may require an applicant to develop a REMS. REMS use risk minimization strategies beyond the professional labeling to ensure that
the benefits of the product outweigh the potential risks. To determine whether a REMS is needed, the FDA will consider the size of the
population likely to use the product, seriousness of the disease or condition to be treated by the drug, expected benefit of the product,
expected duration of treatment, seriousness of known or potential adverse events, and whether the product is a new molecular entity.
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The FDA is required to refer an application for a novel drug to an advisory committee or explain why such referral was not made.
Typically, an advisory committee is a panel of independent experts, including clinicians and other scientific experts, that reviews, evaluates
and provides a recommendation as to whether the application should be approved and under what conditions. The FDA is not bound by the
recommendations of an advisory committee, but it considers such recommendations carefully when making decisions.
On the basis of the FDA’s evaluation of the NDA and accompanying information, including the results of the inspection of the
manufacturing facilities, the FDA may issue an approval letter or a complete response letter. An approval letter authorizes commercial
marketing of the product with specific prescribing information for specific indications. A complete response letter generally outlines the
deficiencies in the submission and may require substantial additional testing or information in order for the FDA to reconsider the
application. If and when those deficiencies have been addressed to the FDA’s satisfaction in a resubmission of the NDA, the FDA will issue
an approval letter. The FDA intends to review such resubmissions in two or six months depending on the type of information included.
Even with submission of this additional information, the FDA ultimately may decide that the application does not satisfy the regulatory
criteria for approval.
If the FDA approves a product, it may limit the approved indications for use for the product, require that contraindications,
warnings or precautions be included in the product labeling, require that post-approval studies, including Phase 4 clinical trials, be
conducted to further assess the drug’s safety after approval, require testing and surveillance programs to monitor the product after
commercialization, or impose other conditions, including distribution restrictions or other risk management mechanisms, including REMS,
which can materially affect the potential market and profitability of the product. The FDA may prevent or limit further marketing of a
product based on the results of post-market studies or surveillance programs. After approval, many types of changes to the approved
product, such as adding new indications, manufacturing changes and additional labeling claims, are subject to further testing requirements
and submission to FDA of an sNDA, which may require FDA review and approval prior to implementation. An NDA supplement for a new
indication typically requires clinical data similar to that in the original application, and the FDA uses the same procedures and actions in
reviewing NDA supplements as it does in reviewing NDAs.
Expedited approval pathways
The FDA is authorized to designate certain products for expedited review if they are intended to address an unmet medical need in
the treatment of a serious or life-threatening disease or condition. These programs are referred to as Fast Track designation, Breakthrough
Therapy designation and Priority Review designation. In addition, accelerated approval offers the potential for approval based on a
surrogate or intermediate clinical endpoint. In May 2014, the FDA published a final Guidance for Industry titled “Expedited Programs for
Serious Conditions Drugs and Biologics,” which provides guidance on the FDA programs that are intended to facilitate and expedite
development and review of new drug candidates as well as threshold criteria generally applicable to concluding that a drug candidate is a
candidate for these expedited development and review programs.
The FDA may designate a product for Fast Track review if it is intended, whether alone or in combination with one or more other
products, for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening disease or condition, and nonclinical or clinical data demonstrate the potential to
address unmet medical needs for such a disease or condition. For Fast Track products, sponsors may have greater interactions with the FDA
and the FDA may initiate review of sections of a Fast Track product’s application before the application is complete. This rolling review
may be available if the FDA determines, after preliminary evaluation of clinical data submitted by the sponsor, that a Fast Track product
may be effective. The sponsor must also provide, and the FDA must approve, a schedule for the submission of the remaining information
and the sponsor must pay applicable user fees. However, the FDA’s review clock for a Fast Track application does not begin until the last
section of the application is submitted. In addition, the Fast Track designation may be withdrawn by the FDA if the FDA believes that the
designation is no longer supported by data emerging in the clinical trial process.
A product may be designated as a Breakthrough Therapy if it is intended, either alone or in combination with one or more other
products, to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the product may
demonstrate substantial improvement over existing available therapies on one or more
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clinically significant endpoints, such as substantial treatment effects observed early in clinical development. The FDA may take certain
actions with respect to Breakthrough Therapies, including holding meetings with the sponsor throughout the development process;
providing timely advice to the product sponsor regarding development and approval; involving more senior staff in the review process;
assigning a cross disciplinary project lead for the review team; rolling review; and, taking other steps to design the clinical trials in an
efficient manner.
FDA intends to review applications for standard review drug products within ten months of the 60-day filing date; and, applications
for priority review drugs within six months. Priority review can be applied to drugs that the FDA determines treat a serious condition, and if
approved, would offer a significant improvement in safety or effectiveness. The FDA determines, on a case-by-case basis, whether the
proposed product represents a significant improvement when compared with other available therapies. Significant improvement may be
illustrated by evidence of increased effectiveness in the treatment of a condition, elimination or substantial reduction of a treatment limiting
product reaction, documented enhancement of patient compliance that may lead to improvement in serious outcomes, and evidence of
safety and effectiveness in a new subpopulation.
Accelerated approval pathway
The FDA may grant accelerated approval to a drug for a serious or life-threatening condition that provides a meaningful therapeutic
advantage to patients over available treatments based upon a determination that the drug has an effect on a surrogate endpoint that is
reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit. The FDA may also grant accelerated approval for such drug for such a condition when the
product has an effect on an intermediate clinical endpoint that can be measured earlier than an effect on irreversible morbidity or mortality
(IMM) and that is reasonably likely to predict an effect on IMM or other clinical benefit, taking into account the severity, rarity or
prevalence of the condition and the availability or lack of alternative treatments. Drugs granted accelerated approval must meet the same
statutory standards for safety and effectiveness as those granted traditional approval.
For the purposes of accelerated approval, a surrogate endpoint is a marker, such as a laboratory measurement, radiographic image,
physical sign or other measure that is thought to predict clinical benefit but is not itself a measure of clinical benefit. Surrogate endpoints
can often be measured more easily or more rapidly than clinical endpoints. An intermediate clinical endpoint is a measurement of a
therapeutic effect that is considered reasonably likely to predict the clinical benefit of a drug, such as an effect on IMM. The FDA has
limited experience with accelerated approvals based on intermediate clinical endpoints but has indicated that such endpoints generally may
support accelerated approval where the therapeutic effect measured by the endpoint is not itself a clinical benefit and basis for traditional
approval, if there is a basis for concluding that the therapeutic effect is reasonably likely to predict the ultimate clinical benefit of a drug.
The accelerated approval pathway is most often used in settings in which the course of a disease is long, and an extended period of time is
required to measure the intended clinical benefit of a drug, even if the effect on the surrogate or intermediate clinical endpoint occurs
rapidly. Thus, accelerated approval has been used extensively in the development and approval of drugs for treatment of a variety of
cancers in which the goal of therapy is generally to improve survival or decrease morbidity and the duration of the typical disease course
requires lengthy and sometimes large trials to demonstrate a clinical or survival benefit.
The accelerated approval pathway is contingent on a sponsor’s agreement to conduct, in a diligent manner, additional post-
approval confirmatory studies to verify and describe the drug’s clinical benefit. As a result, a drug candidate approved on this basis is
subject to rigorous post-marketing compliance requirements, including the completion of Phase 4 or post-approval clinical trials to confirm
the effect on the clinical endpoint. Failure to conduct required post-approval studies, or confirm a clinical benefit during post-marketing
studies, would allow the FDA to withdraw the drug from the market on an expedited basis. In addition, all promotional materials for drugs
approved under accelerated regulations are subject to prior review by the FDA.
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Post-Approval Requirements
Drugs manufactured or distributed pursuant to FDA, EMA and MHRA approvals are subject to pervasive and continuing
regulation by the FDA, EMA and MHRA and other national competent authorities in the EU including, among other things, requirements
relating to recordkeeping, periodic reporting, product sampling and distribution, tracking and tracing, advertising and promotion and
reporting of adverse experiences with the product. After approval, most changes to the approved product, such as adding new indications or
other labeling claims, are subject to prior FDA review and approval. In addition, drug manufacturers and other entities involved in the
manufacture and distribution of approved drugs are required to register their establishments with the FDA and state agencies, and are
subject to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA and these state agencies for compliance with cGMP requirements. Changes to the
manufacturing process are strictly regulated and often require prior FDA approval before being implemented. FDA regulations also require
investigation and correction of any deviations from cGMP and impose reporting and documentation requirements upon the sponsor and any
third-party manufacturers that the sponsor may decide to use. Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money, and effort
in the area of production and quality control to maintain cGMP compliance.
Once an approval is granted, the FDA may withdraw the approval if compliance with regulatory requirements and standards is not
maintained or if problems occur after the product reaches the market. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with a product,
including adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or with manufacturing processes, or failure to comply with regulatory
requirements, may result in revisions to the approved labeling to add new safety information; imposition of post-market studies or clinical
trials to assess new safety risks; or imposition of distribution or other restrictions under a REMS program.
The FDA strictly regulates marketing, labeling, advertising and promotion of products that are placed on the market. Drugs may be
promoted only for the approved indications and consistent with the provisions of the approved label. The FDA and other agencies actively
enforce the laws and regulations prohibiting the promotion of off-label uses, and a company that is found to have improperly promoted off-
label uses may be subject to significant liability. However, physicians may, in their independent medical judgment, prescribe legally
available products for off-label uses. The FDA does not regulate the behavior of physicians in their choice of treatments but the FDA does
restrict manufacturer’s communications on the subject of off-label use of their products.
In addition, the distribution of prescription pharmaceutical products is subject to the Prescription Drug Marketing Act, or PDMA,
and its implementing regulations, as well as the Drug Supply Chain Security Act, or DSCSA, which regulate the distribution and tracing of
prescription drugs and prescription drug samples at the federal level, and set minimum standards for the regulation of drug distributors by
the states. The PDMA, its implementing regulations and state laws limit the distribution of prescription pharmaceutical product samples,
and the DSCA imposes requirements to track and trace drug products, ensure accountability in distribution and to identify and remove
counterfeit and other illegitimate products from the market.
Many jurisdictions, including the EU and the UK, require each marketing authorization holder, national competent authority and
the EMA to operate a pharmacovigilance system to ensure that the safety of all medicines is monitored throughout their use. The overall EU
pharmacovigilance system operates through cooperation between the EU Member States, EMA and the EC.
Orphan Drug Designation and Exclusivity
Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may designate a drug product as an “orphan drug” if it is intended to treat a rare disease or
condition, generally meaning that it affects fewer than 200,000 individuals in the US, or more in cases in which there is no reasonable
expectation that the cost of developing and making a drug product available in the US for treatment of the disease or condition will be
recovered from sales of the product. A company must request orphan drug designation before submitting an NDA for the drug and rare
disease or condition. Orphan drug designation does not shorten the goal dates for the regulatory review and approval process, although it
does convey certain advantages such as tax benefits and exemption from the application fee. After the FDA grants Orphan drug designation,
the name of the drug and its potential orphan-designated use are disclosed publicly by the FDA.
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If a product with orphan designation receives the first FDA approval for the disease or condition for which it has such designation,
the product generally will receive orphan drug exclusivity. Orphan drug exclusivity means that the FDA may not approve another sponsor’s
marketing application for the same drug for the same indication for seven years, except in certain limited circumstances. Orphan exclusivity
does not block the approval of a different drug for the same rare disease or condition, nor does it block the approval of the same drug for
different indications. If a drug designated as an orphan drug ultimately receives marketing approval for an indication broader than what was
designated in its orphan drug application, it may not be entitled to exclusivity. Orphan exclusivity will not bar approval of another product
under certain circumstances, including if a subsequent product with the same drug for the same indication is shown to be clinically superior
to the approved product on the basis of greater efficacy or safety, or providing a major contribution to patient care, or if the company with
orphan drug exclusivity is not able to meet market demand.
In the EU and UK, under Regulation (EC)141/2000 and the UK Human Medicines Regulation 2012 (as amended), respectively,
medicinal products may be granted an orphan drug designation if they are used to treat or prevent life-threatening or chronically debilitating
conditions that affect no more than five in 10,000 people in the EU/ UK and for which there is no satisfactory method of diagnosis,
prevention or treatment when the application is made, or when the medicinal product is of significant benefit to those affected by the
condition. In addition, orphan drug designation can be granted to drugs used to treat or prevent life-threatening or chronically debilitating
conditions which, for economic reasons, would be unlikely to be developed without incentives.
The application for orphan designation must be submitted to and approved by the EMA in respect of the EU or to the MHRA for
Great Britain before an application is made for marketing authorization for the product. Medicinal products which benefit from orphan
status, which they successfully maintain post-grant of the marketing authorization, can benefit from up to ten years of market exclusivity in
respect of the approved indication. This prevents regulatory authorities in the EU or Great Britain, as the case may be, from granting
marketing authorizations for similar medicinal products for the same therapeutic indication, unless another applicant can show that the
similar medicinal product in question is safer, more effective or clinically superior to the orphan-designated product or if the marketing
authorization holder consents to the second orphan medicinal product application, or where the marketing authorization holder cannot
supply the needs of the market.
The ten-year market exclusivity may be reduced to six years if, at the end of the fifth year, it is established that the product no
longer meets the criteria for orphan designation, for example, if the product is sufficiently profitable not to justify the maintenance of
market exclusivity. Conversely, the 10-year exclusivity period can be further extended by 2 years, when pediatric studies are conducted in
accordance with an agreed pediatric investigation plan (PIP) and in completion of all the legal requirements.
However, the general pharmaceutical legislative framework, as well as the framework applicable to orphan and pediatric medicinal
products in the EU, is under review. The EC expects to publish its position on this in March 2023. Although the final proposals are not yet
formally known, it is expected that there will be a reduction in applicable regulatory exclusivities which will significantly affect all
medicinal products that will be authorized after the legislative changes have taken effect, including a reduction in the 10-year orphan
market exclusivity, which will be modulated according to certain parameters.
Pediatric studies and exclusivity
Under the Pediatric Research Equity Act of 2003, an NDA or supplement thereto must contain data that are adequate to assess the
safety and effectiveness of the drug product for the claimed indications in all relevant pediatric subpopulations, and to support dosing and
administration for each pediatric subpopulation for which the product is safe and effective. With enactment of the Food and Drug
Administration Safety and Innovation Act of 2012 (the FDASIA), sponsors must also submit pediatric study plans prior to the assessment
data.
Those plans must contain an outline of the proposed pediatric study or studies the applicant plans to conduct, including study
objectives and design, any deferral or waiver requests, and other information required by regulation. The applicant, the FDA and the FDA’s
internal review committee must then review the information submitted, consult with each other and agree upon a final plan. The FDA or the
applicant may request an amendment to the plan at any time.
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The FDA may, on its own initiative or at the request of the applicant, grant deferrals for submission of some or all pediatric data until
after approval of the product for use in adults, or full or partial waivers from the pediatric data requirements. Additional requirements and
procedures relating to deferral requests and requests for extension of deferrals are contained in FDASIA. Unless otherwise required by
regulation, the pediatric data requirements do not apply to products with orphan designation.
Pediatric exclusivity is another type of non-patent marketing exclusivity in the United States and, if granted, provides for the
attachment of an additional six months of marketing protection to the term of any existing regulatory exclusivity, including the non-
patent and orphan exclusivity. This six-month exclusivity may be granted if an NDA sponsor submits pediatric data that fairly respond to a
written request from the FDA for such data. The data do not need to show the product to be effective in the pediatric population studied;
rather, if the clinical trial is deemed to fairly respond to the FDA’s request, the additional protection is granted. If reports of requested
pediatric studies are submitted to and accepted by the FDA within the statutory time limits, whatever statutory or regulatory periods of
exclusivity or patent protection cover the product are extended by six months. This is not a patent term extension, but it effectively extends
the regulatory period during which the FDA cannot approve another application.
In the EU and the UK, a six-month extension to a supplementary protection certificate may be granted, subject to certain
circumstances, upon the completion of an agreed pediatric investigation plan (PIP). However, within the EU, regulatory protections
afforded to medicinal products such as data exclusivity, marketing protection, market exclusivity for orphan indications and pediatric
extensions are currently under review and could be curtailed in future years.
ANDA for generic drugs
In 1984, with passage of the Hatch-Waxman Amendments to the FDCA, Congress established an abbreviated regulatory scheme
allowing the FDA to approve generic drugs that are shown to contain the same active ingredients as, and to be bioequivalent to, drugs
previously approved by the FDA pursuant to NDAs. To obtain approval of a generic drug, an applicant must submit an ANDA to the
agency. An ANDA is a comprehensive submission that contains, among other things, data and information pertaining to the active
pharmaceutical ingredient, bioequivalence, drug product formulation, specifications and stability of the generic drug, as well as analytical
methods, manufacturing process validation data and quality control procedures. ANDAs are “abbreviated” because they generally do not
include preclinical and clinical data to demonstrate safety and effectiveness. Instead, in support of such applications, a generic manufacturer
may rely on the preclinical and clinical testing previously conducted for a drug product previously approved under an NDA, known as the
reference listed drug (RLD).
Specifically, in order for an ANDA to be approved, the FDA must find that the generic version is identical to the RLD with respect
to the active ingredients, the route of administration, the dosage form and the strength of the drug. An applicant may submit an ANDA
suitability petition to request the FDA’s prior permission to submit an abbreviated application for a drug that differs from the RLD in route
of administration, dosage form, or strength, or for a drug that has one different active ingredient in a fixed combination drug product (i.e., a
drug product with multiple active ingredients). At the same time, the FDA must also determine that the generic drug is “bioequivalent” to
the innovator drug. Under the statute, a generic drug is bioequivalent to a RLD if “the rate and extent of absorption of the drug do not show
a significant difference from the rate and extent of absorption of the listed drug.” Upon approval of an ANDA, the FDA indicates whether
the generic product is “therapeutically equivalent” to the RLD in its publication “Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence
Evaluations,” also referred to as the “Orange Book.” Physicians and pharmacists may consider a therapeutic equivalent generic drug to be
fully substitutable for the RLD. In addition, by operation of certain state laws and numerous health insurance programs, the FDA’s
designation of therapeutic equivalence often results in substitution of the generic drug without the knowledge or consent of either the
prescribing physician or patient.
505(b)(2) NDA
As an alternative path to FDA approval for modifications to formulations or uses of products previously approved by the FDA
pursuant to an NDA, an applicant may submit an NDA under Section 505(b)(2) of the FDCA. Section 505(b)(2) was enacted as part of the
Hatch-Waxman Amendments and permits the filing of an NDA where at least some of the information required for approval comes from
studies not conducted by, or for, the applicant, and for
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which the applicant has not obtained a right of reference. If the 505(b)(2) applicant can establish that reliance on the FDA’s previous
findings of safety and effectiveness is scientifically and legally appropriate, it may eliminate the need to conduct certain preclinical studies
or clinical trials of the new product. The FDA may also require companies to perform additional bridging studies or measurements,
including clinical trials, to support the change from the previously approved reference drug. The FDA may then approve the new drug
candidate for all, or some, of the label indications for which the reference drug has been approved, as well as for any new indication sought
by the 505(b)(2) applicant.
Hatch-Waxman patent certification and the 30-month stay
In seeking approval for a drug through an NDA, applicants are required to list with the FDA each patent whose claims cover the
applicant’s product. Upon approval of a drug, each of the patents listed in the application for the drug is then published in the FDA’s Orange
Book.
When an ANDA applicant files its application with the FDA, the applicant is required to certify to the FDA concerning any patents
listed for the reference product in the Orange Book, except for patents covering methods of use for which the ANDA applicant is not
seeking approval. To the extent that the Section 505(b)(2) applicant is relying on studies conducted for an already approved product, the
applicant is required to certify to the FDA concerning any patents listed for the approved product in the Orange Book to the same extent
that an ANDA applicant would. Specifically, the applicant must certify that (i) the required patent information has not been filed; (ii) the
listed patent has expired; (iii) the listed patent has not expired but will expire on a particular date and approval is sought after patent
expiration; or (iv) the listed patent is invalid or will not be infringed by the new product. The ANDA applicant may also elect to submit a
statement certifying that its proposed ANDA label does not contain (or carve out) any language regarding the patented method-of-use rather
than certify to a listed method-of-use patent, known as a Section VIII statement. If the applicant does not challenge the listed patents, the
ANDA application will not be approved until all the listed patents claiming the referenced product have expired. A certification that the new
product will not infringe the already approved product’s listed patents, or that such patents are invalid, is called a Paragraph IV
certification. If the ANDA applicant has provided a Paragraph IV certification to the FDA, the applicant must also send notice of the
Paragraph IV certification to the NDA and patent holders once the ANDA has been accepted for filing by the FDA. The NDA and patent
holders may then initiate a patent infringement lawsuit in response to the notice of the Paragraph IV certification. The filing of a patent
infringement lawsuit within 45 days of the receipt of a Paragraph IV certification automatically prevents the FDA from approving the
ANDA until the earlier of 30 months, expiration of the patent, settlement of the lawsuit, or a decision in the infringement case that is
favorable to the ANDA applicant.
Patent term extension
After NDA approval, owners of relevant drug patents may apply for up to a five-year patent extension, which permits patent term
restoration as compensation for the patent term lost during the FDA regulatory process. The allowable patent term extension is typically
calculated as one-half the time between the effective date of an IND application and the submission date of a NDA, plus the time between
NDA submission date and the NDA approval date up to a maximum of five years. The time can be shortened if the FDA determines that the
applicant did not pursue approval with due diligence. The total patent term after the extension may not exceed 14 years from the date of
product approval. Only one patent applicable to an approved drug is eligible for extension and only those claims covering the approved
drug, a method for using it, or a method for manufacturing it may be extended and the application for the extension must be submitted prior
to the expiration of the patent in question. However, we may not be granted an extension because of, for example, failing to exercise due
diligence during the testing phase or regulatory review process, failing to apply within applicable deadlines, failing to apply prior to
expiration of relevant patents or otherwise failing to satisfy applicable requirements.
Exclusivity under the Hatch-Waxman Amendments
In addition, under the Hatch-Waxman Amendments, the FDA may not approve an ANDA or 505(b)(2) NDA referencing a
particular drug until any applicable period of non-patent exclusivity for the RLD has expired. The FDCA provides a period of five years
of non-patent data exclusivity for a new drug containing a new chemical entity (NCE). For the purposes of this provision, an NCE is a drug
that contains no active moiety that has previously been approved by
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the FDA in any other NDA. An active moiety is the molecule or ion responsible for the physiological or pharmacological action of the drug
substance. In cases where such NCE exclusivity has been granted, an ANDA or 505(b)(2) NDA may not be submitted to the FDA until the
expiration of five years from the date the NDA is approved, unless the submission is accompanied by a Paragraph IV certification, in which
case the applicant may submit its application four years following the original product approval.
The FDCA also provides for a period of three years of exclusivity if the NDA includes reports of one or more new clinical
investigations, other than bioavailability or bioequivalence studies, that were conducted by or for the applicant and are essential to the
approval of the application. This three-year exclusivity period often protects changes to a previously approved drug product, such as a new
dosage form, route of administration, combination or indication. Three-year exclusivity would be available for a drug product that contains
a previously approved active moiety, provided the statutory requirement for a new clinical investigation is satisfied. Unlike five-year NCE
exclusivity, an award of three-year exclusivity does not block the FDA from accepting ANDAs or 505(b)(2) NDAs seeking approval for
generic versions of the drug as of the date of approval of the original drug product; it does, however, block the FDA from approving
ANDAs or 505(b)(2) NDAs during the period of exclusivity. The FDA typically makes decisions about awards of data exclusivity shortly
before a product is approved.
FDA EUA
Section 564 of the FDCA (21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3) allows the FDA to authorize the shipment of drugs, biological products
(including vaccines), or medical devices that either lack required approval, licensure, or clearance (unapproved products), or are approved
but are to be used for unapproved ways to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious diseases or conditions in the event of an emergency declaration
by the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Secretary.
On February 4, 2020, then-HHS Secretary Alex M. Azar II determined that a public health emergency exists for COVID-19 and
declared that it justifies the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for COVID-19, pursuant to Section 564 of the FDCA. On
March 2, 2020, March 24, 2020, and March 27, 2020, Secretary Azar issued corresponding declarations for personal respiratory protective devices;
for medical devices, including alternative products used as medical devices; and, for drugs and biological products. The determination and these
declarations were published in the Federal Register on February 7, 2020, March 10, 2020, March 27, 2020, and April 1, 2020, respectively.
While the emergency determination and declaration are effective, the FDA may authorize the use of an unapproved product or an
unapproved use of an approved product if it concludes that:
•
•
•
•
•
an agent referred to in the emergency declaration could cause a serious or life-threatening disease or condition;
it is reasonable to believe that the authorized product may be effective in diagnosing, treating, or preventing that disease or
condition or a serious or life-threatening disease or condition caused by an approved product or a product marketed under an
EUA;
the known and potential benefits of the authorized product, when used for that disease or condition, outweigh known and
potential risks, taking into consideration the material threat of agents identified in the emergency declaration;
there is no adequate, approved, and available alternative to the authorized product for diagnosing, preventing, or treating the
relevant disease or condition;
any other criteria prescribed by the FDA is satisfied.
Medical products that are granted an EUA are only permitted to commercialize their products under the terms and conditions
provided in the authorization. The FDCA authorizes FDA to impose such conditions on an EUA as may be necessary to protect the public health.
Consequently, postmarketing requirements will vary across EUAs. In addition, FDA has, on occasion, waived requirements for drugs marketed
under an EUA.
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Generally, EUAs for unapproved products or unapproved uses of approved products require that manufacturers distribute
factsheets for healthcare providers, addressing significant known and potential benefits and risk, and the extent to which benefits and risks
are unknown, and the fact that FDA has authorized emergency use; and, distribution of factsheets for recipients of the product, addressing
significant known and potential benefits and risk, and the extent to which benefits and risks are unknown, the option to accept or refuse the
product, the consequences of refusing, available alternatives, and the fact that FDA has authorized emergency use.
Generally, EUAs for unapproved products and, per FDA’s discretion, EUAs for unapproved uses of approved products, include
requirements for adverse event monitoring and reporting, and other recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Note, however, that
approved products are already subject to equivalent requirements.
In addition, FDA may include various requirements in an EUA as a matter of discretion as deemed necessary to protect the public
health, including restrictions on which entities may distribute the product, and how to perform distribution (including requiring that
distribution be limited to government entities), restrictions on who may administer the product, requirements for collection and analysis of
safety and effectiveness data, waivers of cGMP, and restrictions applicable to prescription drugs or restricted devices (including advertising
and promotion restrictions).
The FDA may revoke an EUA where it is determined that the underlying health emergency no longer exists or warrants such
authorization, if the conditions for the issuance of the EUA are no longer met, or if other circumstances make revocation appropriate to
protect the public health or safety.
On May 11, 2023, the COVID-19 PHE declared under the Public Health Services Act expired. FDA officials have stated that this
will not impact FDA’s ability to authorize medical countermeasures for emergency use, such that existing EUAs will remain in effect and
the agency may continue to issue new EUAs going forward when criteria for issuance are met. This is nonetheless subject to change.
Pharmaceutical Coverage, Pricing and Reimbursement
In the US and other countries, patients who are prescribed treatments for their conditions and providers performing the prescribed
services generally rely on third-party payors to reimburse all or part of the associated healthcare costs. Third-party payors include federal
and state government health programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, commercial health insurers, managed care organizations, and other
organizations. Significant uncertainty exists as to the coverage and reimbursement status of products approved by the FDA and other
government authorities. For example, in the US, there have been several recent US Congressional inquiries and proposed federal legislation
designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to drug pricing, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient
programs, reduce the cost of drugs under Medicare, and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for drugs. This
includes the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which addressed several drug price reporting and transparency measures, such as a
new requirement for prescription drug plan sponsors and Medicare Advantage organizations to develop tools to display Medicare Part D
prescription drug benefit information in real time and for insurance companies and employer-based health plans to report information on
pharmacy benefit and drug costs to the Secretaries of the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury. Additionally,
on March 11, 2021, Congress enacted the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which included among its provisions a sunset of the
provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (collectively, the
Affordable Care Act) that capped pharmaceutical manufacturers’ rebate liability under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (MDRP). Under
the Affordable Care Act, manufacturers’ rebate liability was capped at 100% of the average manufacturer price for a covered outpatient
drug. As of January 1, 2024, manufacturers’ MDRP rebate liability is no longer capped, potentially resulting in a manufacturer paying more
in MDRP rebates than it receives on the sale of certain covered outpatient drugs. In August 2022, President Biden signed into law the
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), which implements substantial changes to the Medicare program, including drug pricing reforms and
changes to the Medicare Part D benefit design. Among other reforms, the IRA imposes inflation rebates on drug manufacturers for products
reimbursed under Medicare Parts B and D if the prices of those products increase faster than inflation; implements changes to the Medicare
Part D benefit that, beginning in 2025, will cap beneficiary annual out-of-pocket spending at $2,000, while imposing new discount
obligations for pharmaceutical manufacturers; and, beginning in 2026, establishes a “maximum fair price” for a fixed number of
pharmaceutical and biological products covered under
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Medicare Parts B and D following a price negotiation process with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS has also
taken steps to implement the IRA, including: on February 9, 2023, issuing guidance that further clarified the scope of the Medicare Part B
and Part D inflationary rebates, including a detailed discussion of which Part B and Part D products are eligible for such rebates and how
the rebates are calculated; on June 30, 2023, issuing guidance detailing the requirements and parameters of the first round of price
negotiations, to take place during 2023 and 2024, for products subject to the “maximum fair price” provision that would become effective
in 2026; on August 29, 2023, releasing the initial list of ten drugs subject to price negotiations; on November 17, 2023, releasing guidance
outlining the methodology for identifying certain manufacturers eligible to participate in a phase-in period where discounts on applicable
products will be lower than those required by the Medicare Part D Manufacturer Discount Program; and on December 14, 2023, releasing a
list of 48 Medicare Part B products that had an adjusted coinsurance rate based on the inflationary rebate provisions of the IRA for the time
period of January 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024.
At the state level, legislatures are increasingly passing legislation and implementing regulations designed to control
pharmaceutical and biological product pricing, including limitations on reimbursement, discounts, restrictions on certain product access and
marketing, cost disclosure (including disclosures for certain price increases or launches of costly drugs), and transparency measures, and, in
some cases, to encourage importation from other countries and bulk purchasing. Thus, even if a product candidate is approved, sales of the
product will depend, in part, on the extent to which third-party payors provide coverage and establish adequate reimbursement levels for the
product. It is likely that additional state and federal healthcare reform measures will be adopted in the future, any of which could limit the
amounts that federal and state governments will pay for healthcare products and services, which could result in reduced demand for a
pharmaceutical manufacturer’s products or additional pricing pressure.
In order to secure coverage and reimbursement for any product that might be approved for sale, a company may need to conduct
expensive pharmacoeconomic studies in order to demonstrate the medical necessity and cost-effectiveness of the product, in addition to the
costs required to obtain FDA or other comparable marketing approvals. Nonetheless, product candidates may not be considered medically
necessary or cost effective. A decision by a third-party payor not to cover a product candidate could reduce physician utilization once the
product is approved and have an adverse effect on sales, results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, a payor’s decision to
provide coverage for a product does not imply that adequate reimbursement will be approved at a rate that covers our costs, including
research, development, manufacture, sale and distribution. Further, one payor’s determination to provide coverage for a drug product does
not assure that other payors will also provide coverage and reimbursement for the product, and the level of coverage and reimbursement
can differ significantly from payor to payor.
The containment of healthcare costs also has become a priority of federal, state and foreign governments and the prices of drugs
have been a focus in this effort. Governments and third-party payors have shown significant interest in implementing cost-containment
programs, including price controls, restrictions on reimbursement and requirements for substitution of generic products. Increasingly, the
third-party payors who reimburse patients or healthcare providers, such as government and private insurance plans, are requiring that drug
companies provide them with predetermined discounts from list prices, and are seeking to reduce the prices charged or the amounts
reimbursed for medical products. Adoption of price controls and cost-containment measures, and adoption of more restrictive policies in
jurisdictions with existing controls and measures, could further limit a company’s revenue generated from the sale of any approved
products. Coverage policies and third-party reimbursement rates may change at any time. Even if favorable coverage and reimbursement
status is attained for one or more products for which a company or its collaborators receive marketing approval, less favorable coverage
policies and reimbursement rates may be implemented in the future.
In the EU, pricing and reimbursement methods can differ in each Member State. Some Member States and the UK may require
that health technology assessments (HTA) be completed to obtain reimbursement or pricing approval. The outcome of HTA assessments is
decided on a national basis and some Member States may decide not to reimburse the use of medicines or may reduce the rate of
reimbursement. In December 2021, the EU adopted a new Regulation on Health Technology Assessment which allows Member States to
carry out joint clinical assessments and operate joint clinical consultations. It is expected that the new Regulation will come into effect in
2025.
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Healthcare and Privacy Law and Regulation
Healthcare providers and third-party payors play a primary role in the recommendation and prescription of drug products that are
granted marketing approval. Arrangements with providers, consultants, third-party payors and customers are subject to broadly applicable
federal and state fraud and abuse laws, anti-kickback laws, false claims laws, laws requiring reporting of payments to physicians and
teaching physicians and other healthcare providers, patient privacy laws and regulations and other healthcare laws and regulations that may
constrain business and/or financial arrangements. Restrictions under applicable healthcare laws and regulations, include the following:
● the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, which is a criminal law that prohibits, among other things, persons and entities from
knowingly and willfully soliciting, offering, paying, receiving or providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, in cash or in
kind, to induce or reward either the referral of an individual for, or the purchase, order or recommendation of, any good or
service, for which payment may be made, in whole or in part, under a federal healthcare program such as Medicare and
Medicaid. The term “remuneration” has been broadly interpreted to include anything of value. The intent standard under the
federal Anti-Kickback Statute was amended by the Affordable Care Act to a stricter standard such that a person or entity no
longer needs to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation. The
federal Anti-Kickback Statute has been interpreted to apply to arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers on the
one hand and prescribers, pharmacies, purchasers, and formulary managers on the other, including, for example,
consulting/speaking arrangements, discount and rebate offers, grants, charitable contributions, and patient support offerings,
among others. A conviction for violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute can result in criminal fines and/or imprisonment
and requires mandatory exclusion from participation in federal health care programs. Exclusion may also be imposed if the
government determines that an entity has committed acts that are prohibited by the federal Anti-Kickback Statute. Although
there are a number of statutory exceptions and regulatory safe harbors to the federal Anti-Kickback Statute protecting certain
common business arrangements and activities from prosecution or regulatory sanctions, the exceptions and safe harbors are
drawn narrowly, and practices that involve remuneration to those who prescribe, purchase, or recommend pharmaceutical and
biological products, including certain discounts, or engaging such individuals as speakers or consultants, may be subject to
scrutiny if they do not fit squarely within an exception or safe harbor. Moreover, a claim including items or services resulting
from a violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the federal civil
False Claims Act;
● the federal civil and criminal false claims laws and civil monetary penalty laws, including the civil False Claims Act, which
prohibits, among other things, (i) knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, claims for payment of government funds
that are false or fraudulent; (ii) knowingly making, or using or causing to be made or used, a false record or statement
material to a false or fraudulent claim; (iii) knowingly making, using or causing to made or used a false record or statement
material to an obligation to pay money to the government; or (iv) knowingly concealing or knowingly and improperly
avoiding, decreasing, or concealing an obligation to pay money to the federal government. Private individuals, commonly
known as “whistleblowers,” can bring FCA qui tam actions, on behalf of the government and may share in amounts paid by
the entity to the government in recovery or settlement. Pharmaceutical companies have been investigated and/or subject to
government enforcement actions asserting liability under the FCA in connection with their alleged off-label promotion of
drugs, purportedly concealing price concessions in the pricing information submitted to the government for government price
reporting purposes, and allegedly providing free product to customers with the expectation that the customers would bill
federal healthcare programs for the product. In addition, a claim including items or services resulting from a violation of the
federal Anti-Kickback Statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the FCA. Moreover, manufacturers can
be held liable under the FCA even when they do not submit claims directly to government payors if they are deemed to
“cause” the submission of false or fraudulent claims. FCA liability is potentially significant in the healthcare industry because
the statute provides for treble damages and significant mandatory penalties per false or fraudulent claim or statement for
violations. Such per-claim penalties are currently set at $13,946 to $27,894 per false claim or statement for penalties assessed
after January 15, 2024, with respect to violations occurring after November 2, 2015. Criminal
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penalties, including imprisonment and criminal fines, are also possible for making or presenting a false, fictitious or
fraudulent claim to the federal government;
● the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, which imposes criminal and civil liability
for, among other things, executing or attempting to execute a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program, including
any third-party payors, knowingly and willfully embezzling or stealing from a healthcare benefit program, willfully
obstructing a criminal investigation of a healthcare offense, and knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up
a material fact or making any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or representations, or making false
statements relating to healthcare benefits, items or services. Similar to the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, a person or entity
does not need to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it to have committed a violation;
● HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, and their respective
implementing regulations, which impose HIPAA-covered entities and their business associates obligations, including
mandatory contractual terms, with respect to safeguarding the privacy, security, accessibility and transmission of individually
identifiable health information, including protected health information (PHI). While the vast majority of HIPAA obligations
do not apply to pharmaceutical companies, the requirements inform privacy and security practices across the industry and
may impact interactions with health care providers. Moreover, HITECH created new tiers of civil monetary penalties,
amended HIPAA to make civil and criminal penalties directly applicable to business associates, and gave state attorneys
general new authority to file civil actions for damages or injunctions in federal courts to enforce HIPAA laws and seek
attorneys’ fees and costs associated with pursuing federal civil actions;
● the federal payment transparency tracking and reporting requirements known as the federal Physician Payments Sunshine
Act, implemented as the Open Payments Program, which requires certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics and
medical supplies, among others, to report annually to CMS, within the DHHS, information related to payments and other
transfers of value made by that entity to US-licensed physicians (defined to include doctors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists
and chiropractors), physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, anesthesiologist assistants, certified
registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives, and teaching hospitals, as well as ownership and investment interests
held by physicians and their immediate family members. Failure to timely, accurately, and completely submit the required
information for all payments, transfers of value and ownership or investment interests may result in civil monetary penalties;
● state laws that require the reporting of certain pricing information, including information pertaining to and justifying price
increases, prohibit prescription drug price gouging; or impose payment caps on certain pharmaceutical products deemed by
the state to be “high cost”; and
● analogous state and foreign laws and regulations, such as state anti-kickback and false claims laws, which may be broader in
scope than analogous federal laws and may apply to sales or marketing arrangements and claims involving healthcare items
or services regardless of payor.
Some state, local and foreign laws require pharmaceutical companies to comply with the pharmaceutical industry’s voluntary
compliance guidelines and the relevant compliance guidance promulgated by the federal government, restrict payments that may be made
to healthcare providers and other potential referral sources, and/or require drug manufacturers to report information related to payments and
transfers of value made to physicians and other health care providers or entities or marketing expenditures. In addition, there are state and
local laws that require registration of sales representatives; state laws that require drug manufacturers to report information related to drug
pricing; data privacy and security laws and regulations in foreign jurisdictions that may be more stringent than those in the US (such as the
EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR), which became effective in May 2018); federal and state laws governing the privacy
and security of personal information (including health information) many of which differ from each other in significant ways and may not
have the same effect, thus complicating compliance efforts; and state laws related to insurance fraud in the case of claims involving private
insurers.
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Efforts to ensure that our business arrangements will comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations will involve
substantial costs. It is possible that governmental and enforcement authorities will conclude that our business practices may not comply
with current or future statutes, regulations or case law interpreting applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations. If
any such actions are instituted against us, and we are not successful in defending ourselves or asserting our rights, those actions could have
a significant impact on our business, including the imposition of civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, disgorgement,
monetary fines, individual imprisonment, additional reporting obligations and oversight if we become subject to a corporate integrity
agreement or other agreement to resolve allegations of non-compliance with these laws, possible exclusion from participation in federal
healthcare programs, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, and curtailment or restructuring of our
operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations.
Healthcare Reform
The US federal and state governments continue to propose and pass legislation designed to reduce the cost of healthcare. In March
2010, the US Congress enacted the Affordable Care Act, which included changes to the coverage and payment for drug products under
government health care programs. This law was designed to expand access to health insurance coverage for uninsured and underinsured
individuals while containing overall healthcare costs. There have been numerous judicial and Congressional challenges to certain aspects of
the Affordable Care Act, as well as efforts to repeal or replace certain aspects of the Affordable Care Act. For example, the Tax Cuts and
Jobs Act of 2017 included a provision that repealed the tax-based shared responsibility payment imposed by the Affordable Care Act on
certain individuals who fail to maintain qualifying health coverage for all or part of a year that is commonly referred to as the “individual
mandate.” Further, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 fully repealed the Affordable Care Act’s mandated “Cadillac” tax on
certain high-cost employer-sponsored health coverage and the medical device excise tax on non-exempt medical devices, and also
eliminated the health insurer tax. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (BBA) amended the Affordable Care Act to increase from 50% to
70% the point-of-sale discount that is owed by pharmaceutical manufacturers who participate in Medicare Part D and to close the coverage
gap in most Medicare drug plans, commonly referred to as the “donut hole.” Under the IRA, this coverage gap will be eliminated beginning
January 1, 2025. The IRA also requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to pay 10% of the negotiated price of brands, biologics, and
biosimilar products, when Medicare Part D beneficiaries are in the initial coverage phase, and 20% of the negotiated price during the
catastrophic phase of Medicare Part D coverage. In December 2018, CMS published a new final rule permitting further collections and
payments to and from certain Affordable Care Act qualified health plans and health insurance issuers under the Affordable Care Act risk
adjustment program in response to the outcome of federal district court litigation regarding the method CMS uses to determine this risk
adjustment. On June 17, 2021, the US Supreme Court dismissed the most recent judicial challenge to the Affordable Care Act brought by
several states without specifically ruling on the constitutionality of the law. It is unclear how future actions before the Supreme Court, other
such litigation, and the healthcare reform measures of the Biden administration will impact the Affordable Care Act.
Other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted in the US since the Affordable Care Act was enacted. In August 2011,
the Budget Control Act of 2011, among other things, created measures for spending reductions by Congress. A Joint Select Committee on
Deficit Reduction, tasked with recommending a targeted deficit reduction of at least $1.2 trillion for the years 2013 through 2021, was
unable to reach required goals, thereby triggering the legislation’s automatic reduction to several government programs. This includes
aggregate reductions of Medicare payments to providers of 2% per fiscal year, which went into effect in April 2013, and, due to subsequent
legislative amendments, will remain in effect through the first six months of the fiscal year 2032 sequestration order, unless additional
Congressional action is taken (with the exception of a temporary suspension, and later a temporary reduction, instituted during the
COVID-19 pandemic that expired on July 1, 2022). In January 2013, former President Obama signed into law the American Taxpayer
Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA), which, among other things, further reduced Medicare payments to several providers, including hospitals and
cancer treatment centers, and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three
to five years.
In addition, there has been heightened governmental scrutiny in the US of pharmaceutical pricing practices in light of the rising
cost of prescription drugs and biologics. Such scrutiny has resulted in several congressional inquiries and proposed and enacted federal and
state legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to
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product pricing, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, and reform government program
reimbursement methodologies for products. For example, on March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of
2021 into law, which among other changes, eliminates the statutory Medicaid drug rebate cap, currently set at 100% of a drug’s average
manufacture price, for single source and innovator multiple source drugs, beginning January 1, 2024. The American Rescue Plan Act also
temporarily increased premium tax credit assistance for individuals eligible for subsidies under the Affordable Care Act for 2021 and 2022
and removed the 400% federal poverty level limit that otherwise applies for purposes of eligibility to receive premium tax credits. The IRA
extended this increased tax credit assistance and removal of the 400% federal poverty limit through 2025. The Biden administration has
also taken executive actions to address drug pricing and other healthcare policy changes. For example, in response to a July 9, 2021
Executive Order from President Biden that included several prescription drug initiatives, on September 9, 2021, the DHHS issued a
Comprehensive Plan for Addressing High Drug Prices that identified potential legislative policies and administrative tools that Congress
and the agency can pursue in order to make drug prices more affordable and equitable, improve and promote competition throughout the
prescription drug industry, and foster scientific innovation. Additionally, on September 12, 2022, President Biden issued an Executive
Order to promote biotechnology and biomanufacturing innovation. The Order noted several methods through which the Biden
Administration would support the advancement of biotechnology and biomanufacturing in healthcare, and instructed the DHHS to submit,
within 180 days of the Order, a report assessing how to use biotechnology and biomanufacturing to achieve medical breakthroughs, reduce
the overall burden of disease, and improve health outcomes. In August 2022, President Biden signed into law the IRA, which implements
substantial changes to the Medicare program, including drug pricing reforms and changes to the Medicare Part D benefit design. Among
other reforms, the IRA imposes inflation rebates on drug manufacturers for products reimbursed under Medicare Parts B and D if the prices
of those products increase faster than inflation; implements changes to the Medicare Part D benefit that, beginning in 2025, will cap benefit
annual out-of-pocket spending at $2,000, while imposing new discount obligations for pharmaceutical manufacturers; and, beginning in
2026, establishes a “maximum fair price” for a fixed number of pharmaceutical and biological products covered under Medicare Parts B
and D following a price negotiation process with CMS. On October 14, 2022 President Biden issued an Executive Order on Lowering
Prescription Drug Costs for Americans, which instructed the Secretary of the DHHS to consider whether to select for testing by the CMS
Innovation Center new health care payment and delivery models that would lower drug costs and promote access to innovative drug
therapies for beneficiaries enrolled in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. On February 14, 2023, the DHHS issued a report in response
to the October 14, 2022, Executive Order, which, among other things, selects three potential drug affordability and accessibility models to
be tested by the CMS Innovation Center. Specifically, the report addresses: (1) a model that would allow Part D Sponsors to establish a
“high-value drug list” setting the maximum co-payment amount for certain common generic drugs at $2; (2) a Medicaid-focused model that
would establish a partnership between CMS, manufacturers, and state Medicaid agencies that would result in multi-state outcomes-based
agreements for certain cell and gene therapy drugs; and (3) a model that would adjust Medicare Part B payment amounts for Accelerated
Approval Program drugs to advance the developments of novel treatments. It remains to be seen how these drug pricing initiatives will
affect the broader pharmaceutical industry. At the state level, legislatures have increasingly passed legislation and implemented regulations
designed to control pharmaceutical and biological product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts,
restrictions on certain product access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures, and, in some cases, designed to encourage
importation from other countries and bulk purchasing. For example, several recently passed state laws require disclosures to state agencies
and/or commercial purchasers with respect to price increases and new product launches that exceed certain pricing thresholds as identified
in the relevant statutes. Some of these laws and regulations contain ambiguous requirements that government officials have not yet
clarified. Given the lack of clarity in the laws and their implementation, our reporting actions could be subject to the penalty provisions of
the pertinent federal and state laws and regulations. Some states have also established prescription drug affordability boards that are tasked
with identifying certain high-cost prescription products that may pose affordability challenges for consumers and payors, conducting cost
reviews on such products, and, in some circumstances, imposing upper payment limits on such products.
Policy changes, including potential modification or repeal of all or parts of the Affordable Care Act or the implementation of new
health care legislation, could result in significant changes to the health care system, which may prevent us from being able to generate
revenue, attain profitability or commercialize our drugs. We expect that additional state and federal healthcare reform measures will be
adopted in the future, any of which could limit the amounts that federal and state governments will pay for healthcare products and
services, which could result in reduced demand or lower pricing for our product candidates, or additional pricing pressures.
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Outside the US, ensuring adequate coverage and payment for our products will face challenges. Pricing of prescription
pharmaceuticals is subject to governmental control in many countries. Pricing negotiations with governmental authorities can extend well
beyond the receipt of regulatory approval for a product and may require us to conduct a clinical trial that compares the cost effectiveness of
our product candidates or products to other available therapies. The conduct of such a clinical trial could be expensive and result in delays
in our commercialization efforts. Third-party payors are challenging the prices charged for medical products and services, and many third-
party payors limit reimbursement for newly approved health care products. Recent budgetary pressures in many EU countries are also
causing governments to consider or implement various cost-containment measures, such as price freezes, increased price cuts and rebates.
If budget pressures continue, governments may implement additional cost-containment measures. Cost-control initiatives could decrease
the price we might establish for products that we may develop or sell, which would result in lower product revenues or royalties payable to
us. There can be no assurance that any country that has price controls or reimbursement limitations for pharmaceutical products will allow
favorable reimbursement and pricing arrangements for any of our products.
Scientific and Medical Advisors
We utilize scientists, key opinion leaders and physicians to advise us on scientific and medical matters as part of our ongoing
commercialization activities and research and product development efforts, including experts in clinical trial design, preclinical
development work, chemistry, biology, immunology, oncology and immuno-oncology. Certain of our consultants receive non-employee
options to purchase our common stock and certain of our scientific and medical advisors receive honorarium for time spent assisting us.
Manufacturing and Raw Materials
We currently do not have the manufacturing capabilities or experience necessary to produce our products or any product
candidates for clinical trials. We currently use one active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturer and one finished goods manufacturer for
each of our products. We do not own or operate manufacturing or distribution facilities or resources for clinical or commercial production
and distribution of our product for commercial use or for preclinical and clinical trials. We assign internal personnel to manage and oversee
third parties working on our behalf under contract. These third parties manufacture raw materials, the active pharmaceutical ingredients and
finished drug product for commercial distribution and for use in clinical studies. We currently rely on and will continue to rely on these
third-party contract manufacturers to produce sufficient quantities of our products.
Human Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2023, we have 147 full-time employees. Of these employees, 83 were engaged in commercial activities, 37
were engaged in research and development activities, and 27 were engaged in general and administrative activities. We also engage
temporary employees and consultants. In November 2021, we exited our early-stage research to focus our resources on our mid to late-
stage development programs and commercial efforts, which resulted in elimination of positions primarily in our research organization. In
October 2022, we made an additional reduction in our workforce primarily in our development and administration groups.
None of our employees are represented by a collective bargaining arrangement, and we believe our relationship with our
employees is good. We aim to provide a stimulating and rewarding work environment, with recognition for accomplishments and the
opportunity to advance our employees’ careers while sharing in the excitement of our growth and success. We know that our success
depends on the experience, intellect, and talent of our highly motivated team, and we truly value the people who make our organization
great. We provide a collaborative work environment that is both personally fulfilling and enables our employees to work together to achieve
the purpose and goals of the organization. Our human capital efforts focus on maintaining a sufficient number of skilled employees in each
respective department. Recruiting and retaining experienced and qualified sales and marketing personnel to successfully commercialize our
product and scientific personnel to continue to perform research and development work in the future will be critical to our business success.
Our ability to recruit, develop and retain highly skilled talent is a significant determinant of our success. To facilitate talent attraction,
retention, and development, we strive to be an inclusive, diverse, and safe workplace with opportunities for our employees to grow and
develop in their careers,
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supported by competitive compensation, opportunities for equity ownership, development opportunities that enable continued learning and
growth and employment packages that promote well-being across all aspects of our employees’ lives, including health care, retirement
planning and paid time off.
The health, safety, and wellness of our employees is a priority in which we have always invested and intend to continue to do. We
provide our employees with access to a variety of innovative, flexible, and convenient health and wellness programs. Additionally, we offer
programs to help support employees physical and mental health by providing tools and resources to help them improve or maintain their
health status, encourage engagement in healthy behaviors, and offer choices where possible so they are customized to meet their needs.
We provide compensation and benefits programs to help meet the needs of our employees. In addition to base compensation,
these programs include annual bonuses, Stock Award Plans, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, 401(k), healthcare and insurance benefits,
paid time off, health and fitness benefits and various additional employee programs. We have robust annual performance review processes
for reviewing employees’ performance and pay.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
Our approach to ESG factors is consistent with our mission and our corporate values. We are committed to conducting our
business in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner that promotes the health of patients, our employees, our community and the
environment. ESG oversight is exercised both at the Board level and through our executive leadership. The Corporate Governance, Health
Care Compliance Oversight and Nominating Committee has oversight responsibility over our ESG strategy and policies and is briefed by
management on matters related to ESG as appropriate. For more information and the latest on our ESG efforts, please refer to our Proxy
Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC. Additionally, our full ESG report is available on our
website at www.rigel.com/investors/esg. Information in our ESG Report is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive office is currently located at 611 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 900, South San Francisco, CA 94080. Prior to
expiration of our previous lease agreement in January 2023, our principal executive office was in 1180 Veterans Boulevard, South San
Francisco, California 94080. Our telephone number is (650) 624-1100.
Available Information
We electronically file with the SEC our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on
Form 8-K, proxy and information statements, and amendments to such reports and statements filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. We make copies of these reports available free of charge on or through our website at www.rigel.com, as soon
as reasonably practicable after we electronically file these reports with, or furnish them to, the SEC. The information found on our website
is not part of or incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The SEC also maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding
issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
In evaluating our business, you should carefully consider the following risks, as well as the other information contained in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K. These risk factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking
statements we have made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and those we may make from time to time. If any of the following risks
actually occurs, our business, financial condition and operating results could be harmed. The risks and uncertainties described below are
not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently see as immaterial, may also
harm our business.
Risks Related to Our Business and Our Industry
If the market opportunities for our products and product candidates are smaller than we believe they are, our revenues may be adversely
affected, and our business may suffer.
Certain of the diseases that our products and our other product candidates being developed to address are in underserved and
underdiagnosed populations. Our projections of both the number of people who have these diseases, as well as the subset of people with
these diseases who will seek treatment utilizing our products or product candidates, may not be accurate. If our estimates of the prevalence
or number of patients potentially on therapy prove to be inaccurate, the market opportunities for our products and our other product
candidates may be smaller than what we believe they are, our prospects for generating expected revenue may be adversely affected and our
business may suffer.
We may need to continue to increase the size of our organization and we may encounter difficulties with managing our growth, which
could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
While we have substantially increased the size of our organization particularly in our sales force in the third quarter of 2021, we also
implemented two separate reductions in workforce in November 2021 and October 2022, and may need to add additional qualified
personnel and resources to support our commercial activities and expected growth. Our current infrastructure may be inadequate to support
our development and commercialization efforts and expected growth. Future growth will impose significant added responsibilities on
members of management, including the need to identify, recruit, maintain and integrate additional employees, and may take time away from
running other aspects of our business, including commercialization of our products and development of our other product candidates.
Our future financial performance and our ability to sustain successful commercialization of our products and our ability to
commercialize other product candidates that may receive regulatory approval will depend, in part, on our ability to manage any future
growth effectively. In particular, as we continue to commercialize our products, we will need to support the training and ongoing activities
of our sales force and will likely need to continue to expand the size of our employee base for managerial, operational, financial and other
resources. To that end, we must be able to successfully:
● manage our development efforts effectively;
● integrate additional management, administrative and manufacturing personnel;
● further develop our marketing and sales organization; and
● maintain sufficient administrative, accounting and management information systems and controls.
We may not be able to accomplish these tasks or successfully manage our operations and, accordingly, may not achieve our research,
development, and commercialization goals. Our failure to accomplish any of these goals, including as a result of business or other
interruptions resulting from a potential pandemic or global economic slowdown, could adversely affect our business and operations.
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Our strategy to expand our hematology and oncology pipeline on our own, or through acquisitions or in-licensing of early or late-stage
products or companies, or through partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as academic institutions
and government organizations, may not be successful.
Our business is focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapies that significantly improve the lives of
patients with hematologic disorders and cancer. In this regard, we continue to pursue internal drug discovery efforts or partnerships with
pharmaceutical and biotech companies, as well as academic institutions and government organizations, with the goal of identifying new
product candidates to advance into clinical trials. Our discovery efforts to identify new product candidates require substantial technical,
financial and human resources. These discovery efforts may initially show promise in identifying potential product candidates, yet
ultimately fail to yield product candidates for clinical development for a number of reasons. For example, potential product candidates may,
on later stage clinical trial, be shown to have inadequate efficacy, harmful side effects, suboptimal pharmaceutical profiles or other
characteristics suggesting that they are unlikely to be commercially viable products.
Apart from our discovery efforts, we continue to seek to broaden and diversify our product portfolio through acquisition or in-
licensing of a product. This strategy is dependent on our ability to successfully identify and acquire or in-license relevant product
candidates. In July 2022, we entered into a license and transition services agreement with Forma for an exclusive license to develop,
manufacture and commercialize olutasidenib, a proprietary inhibitor of mIDH1, for any uses worldwide, including for the treatment of
AML and other malignancies. On December 1, 2022, the FDA approved REZLIDHIA capsules for the treatment of adult patients with R/R
AML with a susceptible IDH1 mutations as detected by an FDA-approved test. REZLIDHIA is our second commercial product and we
believe is highly synergistic with our existing hematology-oncology focused commercial and medical affairs infrastructure. Further, in
February 2024, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Blueprint to purchase certain assets comprising the right to research,
develop, manufacture and commercialize GAVRETO (pralsetinib), Blueprint’s proprietary RET inhibitor of tyrosine kinase for the
treatment of metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC and advanced thyroid cancer, in the US. Simultaneously and in connection with
entering into the Asset Purchase Agreement, we also entered into certain supporting agreements with Blueprint, including a customary
transition agreement, pursuant to which, during a transition period, Blueprint will transition regulatory and distribution responsibility for
pralsetinib to us. We expect to complete the transition of the asset and to start recognizing product sales in the third quarter of 2024. The in-
licensing and acquisition of a product is a highly competitive area, and many other companies are pursuing the same or similar product
candidates to those that we may consider attractive. In particular, larger companies with more well-established and diverse revenue streams
may have a competitive advantage over us due to their size, financial resources and more extensive clinical development and
commercialization capabilities. Furthermore, companies that perceive us to be a competitor may be unwilling to assign or license rights to
us. The success of this strategy depends partly upon our ability to identify, select and acquire or in-license promising product candidates
and technologies. The process of proposing, negotiating and implementing a license or acquisition of a product candidate is lengthy and
complex, and we may be unable to in-license or acquire the rights to any such products, product candidates or technologies from third
parties for several reasons. We may also be unable to in-license or acquire additional relevant product candidates on acceptable terms.
Further, even if we identify acquisition or in-licensing targets, we may not be able to complete the transactions or we may determine after
due diligence investigation not to pursue identified targets. Even if we succeed in our efforts to obtain rights to suitable product candidates,
the success of our investments in these areas, our investment strategy will remain subject to the inherent risks associated with the
development and commercialization of the product, and with the competitive business environment in which we operate
In addition, acquisitions and in-licensing may entail numerous operational, financial and legal risks, including:
● potential failure of the due diligence process to identify significant problems, liabilities or other shortcomings or challenges of
an acquired or licensed product candidate or technology, including problems, liabilities or other shortcomings or challenges
with respect to intellectual property, product quality, partner disputes or issues and other legal and financial contingencies and
known and unknown liabilities;
● inability to integrate the target company or in-licensed asset successfully into our existing business, inability to maintain the
key business relationships of the target,
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● in an in-licensing or an asset acquisition of a product that is commercially available in the market, we may not be able to
successfully transition the existing patients who are dependent to the acquired or in-licensed product, or successfully enter
into a reimbursement coverage contracts that the existing patients were previously dependent into, or successfully enter into a
contract with contract manufacturers to continue the production of the in-licensed or acquired product;
● assumption of unknown or contingent liabilities or incurrence of unanticipated expenses;
● exposure to known and unknown liabilities, including possible intellectual property infringement claims, violations of laws,
tax liabilities and commercial disputes;
● incurrence of substantial debt, dilutive issuances of securities or depletion of cash to pay for acquisitions;
● incurrence of large one-time expenses and acquiring intangible assets that could result in significant future amortization
expense and significant write-offs;
● higher than expected acquisition and integration costs; and
● inability to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies;
There is a high risk that drug discovery and development efforts might not generate successful product candidates.
We currently have product candidates in the clinical testing stage and may further pursue to expand our clinical testing efforts. In
our industry, it is statistically unlikely that the limited number of compounds that we have identified as potential product candidates will
actually lead to successful product development efforts. We have invested a significant portion of our efforts and financial resources into
clinical development. Our ability to generate product revenue, which will not occur until after regulatory approval, if ever, will depend on
the successful development, regulatory approval and eventual commercialization of our product candidates.
Our compounds in clinical trials and our future leads for potential drug compounds are subject to the risks and failures inherent in
the development of pharmaceutical products. These risks include, but are not limited to, the inherent difficulty in selecting the right drug
and drug target and avoiding unwanted side effects, as well as unanticipated problems relating to product development, testing, enrollment,
obtaining regulatory approvals, obtaining and maintaining reimbursement in national markets and positive recommendation from HTA
bodies, maintaining regulatory compliance, manufacturing, competition and costs and expenses that may exceed current estimates. In future
clinical trials, we or our partners may discover additional side effects and/or a higher frequency of side effects than those observed in
previously completed clinical trials. The results of preliminary and mid-stage clinical trials do not necessarily predict clinical or commercial
success, and larger later-stage clinical trials may fail to confirm the results observed in the previous clinical trials. Similarly, a clinical trial
may show that a product candidate is safe and effective for certain patient populations in a particular indication, but other clinical trials may
fail to confirm those results in a subset of that population or in a different patient population, which may limit the potential market for that
product candidate. With respect to our own compounds in development, we have established anticipated timelines with respect to the
initiation of clinical trials based on existing knowledge of the compounds. However, we cannot provide assurance that we will meet any of
these timelines for clinical development. Additionally, the initial results of a completed earlier clinical trial of a product candidate do not
necessarily predict final results and the results may not be repeated in later clinical trials.
Because of the uncertainty of whether the accumulated preclinical evidence (PK, pharmacodynamic, safety and/or other factors) or
early clinical results will be observed in later clinical trials, we can make no assurances regarding the likely results from our future clinical
trials or the impact of those results on our business. For example, we initiated our FORWARD study, a Phase 3 pivotal trial of fostamatinib
in patients with wAIHA in March 2019, completed the enrollment in November 2021 and completed the treatment period for the last
patient under the trial in April 2022. In June 2022, we announced top-line efficacy and safety data results of our FORWARD study, and the
results of the trial did not demonstrate statistical significance in the primary efficacy endpoint of durable hemoglobin response in the
overall study population. We conducted an in-depth analysis of these data to better understand differences in patient characteristics and
outcomes and submitted these findings to the FDA. In October 2022, we announced that we received guidance from the FDA’s review of
these findings. Based on the result of the trial and the guidance from the FDA, we
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did not file an sNDA for this indication. Further, we may experience errors in the analysis of our clinical trial results. For example, we
conducted our Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate safety and efficacy of fostamatinib in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, which we launched
in November 2020 and completed the enrollment on this trial in July 2022. We previously announced in November 2022 the top-line results
did not meet statistical significance in the primary efficacy endpoint. Upon further analysis, we discovered an error by the biostatistical
CRO in the application of a statistical stratification factor. After correcting for this statistical error, the primary endpoint of the study was
met. However, given the end of the federal COVID-19 PHE in May 2023, and based on feedback from the FDA, DOD and other advisors
regarding the program’s regulatory requirements, costs, timeline and potential for success, we decided not to submit an EUA or sNDA.
If the results of our clinical trials fail to meet the primary efficacy endpoints, or otherwise do not ultimately meet the requirements
for an NDA approval by the FDA, the commercial prospects of our business may be harmed, our ability to generate product revenues may
be delayed or eliminated or we may be forced to undertake other strategic alternatives that are in our shareholders’ best interests, including
cost reduction measures. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or engage in a strategic transaction on commercially reasonable
terms or at all, we may be required to implement further cost reduction strategies which could significantly impact activities related to our
commercial efforts and/or research and development of our future product candidates, and could significantly harm our business, financial
condition and results of operations. In addition, these cost reduction strategies could cause us to further curtail our operations or take other
actions that would adversely impact our shareholders.
We are subject to federal and state healthcare fraud and abuse laws, false claims laws and other federal and state healthcare laws, and
the failure to comply with such laws could result in substantial penalties. Our employees, independent contractors, consultants,
principal investigators, CROs, commercial partners and vendors may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including
noncompliance with regulatory standards and requirements.
Our business operations and current and future arrangements with investigators, healthcare professionals, consultants, third-party
payors and customers, may expose us to broadly applicable federal, state and foreign fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and
regulations including anti-kickback and false claims laws, data privacy and security laws, and transparency reporting laws. These laws may
constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we conduct our operations, including how we research,
market, sell and distribute any product for which we have obtained regulatory approval, or for which we obtain regulatory approval in the
future. In particular, the promotion, sales and marketing of healthcare items and services, as well as certain business arrangements in the
healthcare industry, are subject to extensive laws and regulations intended to prevent fraud, misconduct, bribery kickbacks, self-dealing and
other abusive or inappropriate practices. These laws and regulations may restrict or prohibit a wide range of pricing, discounting, marketing
and promotion, including promoting off-label uses of our products, certain commission compensation, certain customer incentive programs,
certain patient support offerings, and other business arrangements generally. Activities subject to these laws also involve the improper use
or misrepresentation of information obtained in the course of patient recruitment for clinical trials, creating fraudulent data in our
preclinical studies or clinical trials or illegal misappropriation of drug product, which could result in regulatory sanctions and cause serious
harm to our reputation. See “Part I, Item 1, Business – Government Regulation – Healthcare and Privacy Law and Regulation and
Healthcare Reform” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for more information on the healthcare laws and regulations that may affect our
ability to operate.
We are also exposed to the risk of fraud, misconduct or other illegal activity by our employees, independent contractors,
consultants, principal investigators, CROs, commercial partners and vendors. Misconduct by these parties could include intentional,
reckless and/or negligent conduct that fails to: comply with the laws of the FDA and other similar foreign regulatory bodies; provide true,
complete and accurate information to the FDA and other similar foreign regulatory bodies; comply with manufacturing standards we have
established; comply with federal and state data privacy, security, fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations in the US and
similar foreign fraudulent misconduct laws; or report financial information or data accurately or to disclose unauthorized activities to us. It
is not always possible to identify and deter employee misconduct, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent inappropriate conduct
may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or other
actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to be in compliance with such laws or regulations.
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We are also subject to the risk that a person or government could allege such fraud or other misconduct, even if none occurred.
Efforts to ensure that our business arrangements will comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations will involve substantial costs.
It is possible that governmental and enforcement authorities will conclude that our business practices may not comply with current or future
statutes, regulations or case law interpreting applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations. If any such actions are
instituted against us, and we are not successful in defending ourselves or asserting our rights, those actions could have a significant impact
on our business, including the imposition of significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, disgorgement, monetary fines,
imprisonment, additional reporting obligations and oversight if we become subject to a corporate integrity agreement or other agreement to
resolve allegations of non-compliance with these laws, possible exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal
healthcare programs, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, and curtailment or restructuring of our
operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations.
We are subject to stringent and evolving privacy and information security laws, regulations, rules, policies, and contractual obligations,
and changes in such laws, regulations, rules, policies, contractual obligations and our actual or perceived failure to comply with such
requirements could subject us to significant investigations, fines, penalties and claims, any of which may have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.
We are subject to, or affected by, various federal, state and foreign laws, rules, directives, and regulations, as well as regulatory
guidance, policies and contractual obligations relating to privacy and information security, governing the acquisition, collection, access,
use, disclosure, processing, modification, retention, storage, transfer, destruction, protection, and security (collectively, “processing”) of
personal information and other sensitive information about individuals. The global privacy and information security landscape is evolving
rapidly, and implementation standards and enforcement practices are likely to continue to develop for the foreseeable future and may result
in conflicting or inconsistent compliance obligations. Legislators and regulators are increasingly adopting or amending privacy and
information security laws, rules, directives, and regulations that may create uncertainty in our business, affect our or our collaborators’,
service providers’ and contractors’ ability to operate in certain jurisdictions or to process personal information, transfer data internationally,
necessitate the acceptance of more onerous obligations in our contracts, result in enforcement actions, litigation or other liability or impose
additional costs on us. The cost of compliance with these laws, regulations and standards is high and is likely to increase in the future. Any
failure or perceived failure by us or our collaborators, service providers and contractors to comply with federal, state or foreign laws or
regulations, our internal policies and procedures or our contracts governing the processing of personal information could result in negative
publicity, diversion of management time and effort and proceedings against us by governmental entities or others. In many jurisdictions,
enforcement actions, litigation, and other consequences for noncompliance with privacy and information security laws and regulations are
rising. Compliance with applicable privacy and information security laws and regulations, as well as regulatory guidance, policies and
contractual obligations, is a rigorous and time-intensive process, and we may be required to put in place additional mechanisms to ensure
compliance with the new privacy and information security requirements. If we fail to comply with any such obligations, we may face
significant investigations, fines, penalties and claims that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of
operations, ability to process personal information and income from certain business initiatives.
In the US, these obligations include various federal, state, and local statutes, rules, and regulations relating to privacy and data
security. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has authority under Section 5 of the FTC Act to regulate unfair or deceptive or practices,
and has used this authority to initiate enforcement actions against companies that implement inadequate controls around privacy and
information security in violation of their externally facing policies. The FTC has recently brought several cases alleging violations of
Section 5 of the FTC Act with respect to health information, and has proposed rulemaking on privacy and data security, including with
respect to the Health Breach Notification Rule. The US federal government has also enacted statutes to address privacy and information
security issues impacting particular industries or activities, including the following laws and regulations: the Electronic Communications
Privacy Act, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the Health Information
Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the CAN-SPAM Act, and other laws and
regulations. In addition, state legislatures have enacted statutes to address privacy and information security issues, including the California
Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (the CCPA), and similar state laws such as Virginia’s Consumer Data Protection Act and the Colorado
Privacy Act. For example, the CCPA, as
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amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) in 2020, establishes a privacy framework applicable to for-profit entities that are
doing business in California, including an expansive definition of personal information and data privacy rights for California residents, and
authorizes potentially severe statutory damages and creates a private right of action for certain data security breaches. The CCPA also
requires businesses subject to the law to provide disclosures to California residents and to provide them with rights with respect to their
personal information, including the right to opt out of the sale of such information. Moreover the CPRA, among other things, impose new
requirements relating to data minimization and correction, and gives California residents additional rights over their personal information,
including the right to opt-out of the use of their personal information in online behavioral advertising and to opt-out of certain types of
consumer. The CPRA also provides for penalties for CPRA violations concerning California residents under the age of 16, and establishes a
new California Privacy Protection Agency to implement and enforce the law. Although there are limited exemptions for clinical trial and
other research-related data under the CCPA, the CCPA and other similar laws could impact our business depending on how it will be
interpreted by the new California Privacy Protection Agency. As we expand our operations, the CCPA may increase our compliance costs
and potential liability. Additionally, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah and Virginia passed comprehensive state privacy laws, which became
effective on July 1, 2023, July 1, 2023, December 31, 2023, and January 1, 2023, respectively. Several states have also passed similar
privacy laws that will become effective in 2024 or later, including Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, Tennessee and
Texas. Multiple other states and the federal government are considering enacting similar legislation. Other states have passed state privacy
laws to impose enhanced privacy and cybersecurity obligations for consumer health data, such as, the Washington My Health My Data Act
and Nevada’s Consumer Health Data Privacy Law. Many states also have in place data security laws requiring companies to maintain
certain safeguards with respect to the processing of personal information, and all states require companies to notify individuals or
government regulators in the event of a data breach impacting such information. New privacy laws add additional complexity,
requirements, restrictions and potential legal risk. Accordingly, compliance programs may require additional investment in resources, and
could impact availability of previously useful data.
Internationally, our operations abroad may also be subject to increased scrutiny or attention from foreign data protection
authorities. For example, our clinical trial programs and research collaborations outside the US may implicate foreign data protection laws,
including those in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and/or the UK (collectively, Europe). Many jurisdictions have established or
are in the process of establishing privacy and data security legal frameworks with which we, our collaborators, service providers, including
our CROs, and contractors must comply. For example, in the EU, the collection, use, disclosure, transfer and other processing of personal
data (i.e., data which identifies an individual or from which an individual is identifiable) is governed by the EU General Data Protection
Regulation 2016/679 (the EU GDPR), which came into direct effect in all EU Member States on and from May 25, 2018. The UK has
implemented the EU GDPR as the UK GDPR which sits alongside the UK Data Protection Act 2018 (the UK GDPR, together with the EU
GDPR, the GDPR). The GDPR has direct effect where an entity is established in the European Economic Area (EEA) or the UK (as
applicable) and has extraterritorial effect, including where an entity established outside of the EEA or the UK processes personal data in
relation to offering goods or services to individuals in the EEA and/or the UK or monitoring their behavior.
The GDPR imposes obligations on controllers, including, among others:
● accountability and transparency requirements, requiring controllers to demonstrate and record compliance with the GDPR and
to provide more detailed information to data subjects regarding processing of their personal data;
● requirements to process personal data lawfully including specific requirements for obtaining valid consent where consent is
the lawful basis for processing;
● obligations to consider data protection when any new products or services are developed and designed (including e.g., to limit
the amount of personal data processed);
● obligations to comply with data protection rights of data subjects including a right: (i) of access to, erasure of, or rectification
of personal data, (ii) to restriction of processing or to withdraw consent to processing, and (iii) to object to processing or to
ask for a copy of personal data to be provided to a third party; and
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● an obligation to report personal data breaches to: (i) the data supervisory authority without undue delay (and no later than 72
hours after discovering the personal data breach, where feasible), unless the personal data breach is unlikely to result in a risk
to the data subjects’ rights and freedoms; and (ii) to affected data subjects, where the personal data breach is likely to result in
a high risk to their rights and freedoms.
In addition, the EU GDPR prohibits the international transfer of personal data from the EEA to jurisdictions that the European
Commission does not recognize as having ‘adequate’ data protection laws unless a data transfer mechanism has been put in place or a
derogation under the EU GDPR can be relied on. In July 2020, the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) in its Schrems II judgement limited
how organizations could lawfully transfer personal data from the EEA to the US by invalidating the EU-US Privacy Shield for purposes of
international transfers and imposing further restrictions on the use of standard contractual clauses (EU SCCs), including a requirement for
companies to carry out a transfer privacy impact assessment (TIAs). A TIA, among other things, assesses laws governing access to personal
data in the recipient country and considers whether supplementary measures that provide privacy protections additional to those provided
under EU SCCs will need to be implemented to ensure an ‘essentially equivalent’ level of data protection to that afforded in the EEA.
On October 7, 2022, US President Biden introduced an Executive Order to facilitate a new Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy
Framework (DPF) and on July 10, 2023, the European Commission adopted its Final Implementing Decision granting the U.S. adequacy
(Adequacy Decision) for EU-US transfers of personal data for entities self-certified to the DPF. Entities relying on EU SCCs for transfers to
the U.S. are also able to rely on the analysis in the Adequacy Decision as support for their TIA regarding the equivalence of U.S. national
security safeguards and redress. This may have implications for our cross-border data flows and has and may in the future result in
increased compliance costs.
The UK GDPR also imposes similar restrictions on transfers of personal data from the UK to jurisdictions that the UK
Government does not consider adequate, including the US. The UK Government has published its own form of the EU SCCs, known as the
International Data Transfer Agreement and an International Data Transfer Addendum to the new EU SCCs. The UK Information
Commissioner’s Office has also published its version of the TIA and guidance on international transfers, although entities may choose to
adopt either the EU or UK style TIA. Further, on September 21, 2023, the UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
established a UK-US data bridge (i.e., a UK adequacy decision) and adopted UK regulations to implement the UK-U.S. data bridge (“UK
Adequacy Regulations”). The UK Adequacy Regulations have now been passed in the UK Parliament, and personal data may be transferred
from the UK under the UK-U.S. data bridge through the UK extension to the DPF, from October 12, 2023 to organizations self-certified
under the DPF.
The GDPR imposes fines for serious breaches of up to the higher of 4% of the organization’s annual worldwide turnover or €20m
(under the EU GDPR) or £17.5m (under the UK GDPR). The GDPR identifies a list of points to consider when determining the level of
fines for data supervisory authorities to impose (including the nature, gravity and duration of the infringement). Data subjects also have a
right to compensation, as a result of an organization’s breach of the GDPR which has affected them, for financial or non-financial losses
(e.g., distress).
Privacy and data protection compliance has and may in the future require substantial amendments to our procedures and policies
and the changes could adversely impact our business by increasing operational and compliance costs or impact business practices. Further,
there is a risk that the amended policies and procedures will not be implemented correctly or that individuals within the business will not be
fully compliant with the new procedures. If there are breaches of these measures, we could face significant litigation, government
investigations, administrative and monetary sanctions as well as reputational damage which may have a material adverse effect on our
operations, financial condition and prospects. There is a risk that we could be impacted by a cybersecurity incident that results in loss or
unauthorized disclosure of personal data, potentially resulting in us facing harms similar to those described above.
Additionally, other countries outside of Europe have enacted or are considering enacting similar cross-border data transfer
restrictions and laws requiring local data residency, with strict requirements and limitations for processing personal information, which
could increase the cost and complexity of delivering our services and operating our business. For example, Brazil enacted the General Data
Protection Law, New Zealand enacted the New Zealand Privacy Act, China released its Personal Information Protection Law, which went
into effect November 1, 2021, and Canada
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introduced the Digital Charter Implementation Act. As with the EU GDPR, these laws are broad and may increase our compliance burdens,
including by mandating potentially burdensome documentation requirements and granting certain rights to individuals to control how we
collect, use, disclose, retain, and process personal information about them.
We publish privacy policies and other documentation regarding our collection, processing, use and disclosure of personal
information and/or other confidential information. Although we endeavor to comply with our published policies and other documentation,
we may at times fail to do so or may be perceived to have failed to do so. Moreover, despite our efforts, we may not be successful in
achieving compliance if our employees, collaborators, contractors, service providers or vendors fail to act in accordance with our published
policies and documentation. Such failures can subject us to potential foreign, local, state and federal action if they are found to be
deceptive, unfair, or misrepresentative of our actual practices. Moreover, trial participants or research subjects about whom we or our
partners obtain information, as well as the providers who share this information with us, may contractually limit our ability to use and
disclose the information or exercise their right to do so under applicable privacy legislation. Claims that we have violated individuals’
privacy rights or failed to comply with data protection laws or applicable privacy policies and documentation, even if we are not found
liable, could be expensive and time-consuming to defend and could result in adverse publicity that could harm our business.
In addition to data privacy requirements, cybersecurity requirements are laid down in various laws in the EU and the UK, the key
ones being: (i) the GDPR (as discussed in detail above), which requires controllers and processors to implement appropriate technical and
organizational measures to safeguard personal data to a level of security appropriate to the data protection risk; and (ii) the UK Network
and Information Systems Regulation 2018 (NIS Regulations), and the the EU Network and Information Systems Security 1 Directive
(“NISD1”) as implemented into EU Member State law (and as updated by the EU Network and Information Systems Security 2 Directive
(NISD2)).
The GDPR does not provide for a specific set of cybersecurity requirements or measures to be implemented, but rather requires a
controller or processor to implement appropriate cyber and data security measures in accordance with the then-current risk, the state of the
art, the costs of implementation and the nature, scope, context and purposes of the processing. The GDPR however does explicitly require
that controllers notify personal data breaches, within the meaning of the GDPR, without undue delay and in any event within 72 hours after
becoming aware of it, to the relevant data protection supervisory authority, unless the breach is unlikely to result in a risk to the rights and
freedoms of individuals. In addition, controllers are required to notify the individuals concerned of any personal data breach, without undue
delay, when the personal data breach is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals. Processors are required to
notify the controller without undue delay after becoming aware of a personal data breach.
In the UK, the NIS Regulations apply to ‘operators of essential services’ (OES) and ‘relevant digital service providers’ (RDSP)
and it was announced in January 2022, that the NIS Regulations will be updated to also cover ‘managed service providers’ (MSP) and
potentially other digital service providers. The NIS Regulations require that appropriate and proportionate technical and organizational
measures are implemented to manage the risk of network and information systems, and impose requirements related to incident handling
and notification in relation to incidents with significant disruptive effect. Under the NIS Regulations, the UK’s data protection supervisory
authority, the Information Commissioner’s Office, may issue fines of up to £17 million and take other action following non-compliance.
In the EU, the NISD1 applies to ‘operators of essential services’ (OES) and ‘digital service providers’ (DSP) and an updated
version of NISD1 has been adopted and entered into force on January 17, 2023, called NISD2. The NISD2 will take full effect following
implementation into national EU Member State law (i.e., by October 17, 2024). Under the NISD1, OESs and DSPs are required to
implement appropriate and proportionate technical and organizational measures to manage the risk of network and information systems,
and adhere to incident handling and notification requirements regarding incidents with significant disruptive effect. Importantly, under the
NISD2, more stringent cybersecurity and incident reporting requirements are imposed on ‘essential’ and ‘important’ entities, which include
ICT managed service providers (MSP), cloud service providers as well as entities carrying out research and development activities of
medicinal products, and certain specific medical device manufacturers. Our entities may be in scope of the NISD2 where they qualify as a
MSP, cloud provider, R&D entity and/or medical device manufacturer within the meaning of NISD2 and offer those services in the EU.
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The NISD2 empowers the EU Member States to define all rules regarding penalties applicable to infringements, provided that they
are effective, proportionate, and dissuasive. NISD2 states that any maximum fine which national implementing law provides for should at
least be set at €10 million or 2% of total worldwide turnover, whichever is higher, where essential entities are concerned. Other sanctions
may include (i) a temporary suspension to provide services in the EU (by suspending relevant authorizations/certifications); (ii) an order to
make public certain elements of the infringement and/or inform customers; and (iii) injunctions to immediately cease infringing conduct.
Importantly, NISD2 also provides that senior members of staff can be held personally liable, and face administrative fines or be temporarily
suspended from exercising managerial functions at the legal representative or chief executive officer level.
In addition, the EU Critical Entities Resilience Directive (CER) entered into force on January 17, 2023 and will take full effect
following implementation into national EU Member State law (i.e., by October 17, 2024 – coinciding with the NISD2). The CER is aimed
at strengthening the resilience of ‘critical infrastructure’ against specific threats including cyber incidents, natural hazards, terrorist attacks,
insider threats, and sabotage. The scope of CER includes entities designated as ‘critical’ under CER and includes (among other things) the
health sector and the manufacturers of medical devices as ‘essential services.’ The CER imposes cybersecurity and resilience requirements
in particular in relation to incidents with so-called ‘significant disruptive effects’ – which are incidents that are able to significantly impact
the continuation of the critical infrastructure service offering in the EU. Requirements include to: (i) identify relevant risks that may
significantly disrupt the provision of essential services (i.e., pursuant to a risk assessment); (ii) take appropriate and proportionate technical,
security and organizational measures to ensure resilience (i.e., based on the outcome of the risk assessment); and (iii) notify disruptive
incidents to the competent authorities within 24 hours after becoming aware of an incident. The CER is enforceable on a national EU
Member State level by the competent authorities, and allows EU Member States to set penalties as long as they are effective, proportionate,
and dissuasive. Our entities may be in scope of the CER where they qualify as critical entities within the meaning of CER.
In the EU, a number of new laws related to digital data and AI have also recently entered into force, are expected to enter into
force in the foreseeable future, or have been proposed and are being considered. We are still assessing the scope of application, impact, and
risk of these recent EU laws on our business, and will continue to assess this moving forward, including for example: (i) the EU’s Data
Act– expected to come into force in the first quarter to second quarter of 2024 – which seeks to, among other things regulate the use of, and
access to, data generated through connected (or Internet-of-Things) devices and introduces a new means for public sector bodies to access,
use and re-use private sector data; and (ii) the proposed European Health Data Space Regulation (EHDS) – expected to be agreed in the
third quarter of 2024 – which seeks to , among other things, provide individuals with more control over their electronic health data (EHD),
enable cross-border sharing of EHD between national EU healthcare systems and facilitate the sharing of EHD for secondary research
purposes.
The EU has also developed a standalone law to govern the offering and use of AI systems in the EU (the AI Act) which reached
political agreement on December 8, 2023 and is expected to be adopted and enter into force during the first quarter to second quarter of
2024. The AI Act imposes regulatory requirements onto AI system providers, importers, distributors, and users of AI systems, in accordance
with the level of risk involved with the AI system (“unacceptable”, “high”, “limited”, and “minimal” risk). Unacceptable-risk AI systems
are banned from being offered and used in the EU, and high-risk AI systems (which include AI used as part of medical devices in certain
instances) are subject to a set of regulatory requirements under the AI Act including to establish quality and post-marketing monitoring and
risk assessment systems, requirements related to the training of AI systems and training data, and requirements related to human oversight.
Limited-risk AI systems are subject mainly to transparency requirements only and minimal-risk AI systems are not subject to obligations
under the AI Act. In the most recent iteration of the AI Act’s text, general-purpose AI systems have also been made subject to a number of
requirements – mostly akin to the requirements that apply to high-risk AI systems under the AI Act.
Currently, the AI Act is expected to enter into application (i.e. be enforceable) in a gradual manner – depending on the regulatory
requirement in question, and ranging anywhere from 6 to 36 months following adoption and entry into force of the AI Act (i.e., between
fourth quarter of 2024 to first quarter of 2027). Non-compliance with the AI Act may be subject to regulatory fines of up to 7% of annual
worldwide turnover. In parallel, the EU has proposed revisions to the EU Product Liability Directive and has introduced a new EU AI
Liability Directive to facilitate claims for damages brought by EU users of AI systems.
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The UK has adopted a “soft law” approach to AI regulation meaning it has not adopted formal legislation to regulate AI but has
adopted soft law guidelines in the form of a White Paper.
Further, many jurisdictions impose mandatory clinical trial information obligations on sponsors. In the EU, such obligations arise
under the Transparency Regulation No 1049/ 2001, EMA Policy 0043, EMA Policy 0070 and the Clinical Trials Regulation No 536/2014,
all of which impose on sponsors the obligation to make publicly available certain information stemming from clinical studies. In the EU,
the transparency framework provides EU-based parties the right to submit an access to documents request to the EMA for information
included in the MAA dossier for approved medicinal products. Only very limited information is exempted from disclosure, i.e.,
commercially confidential information (which is construed increasingly narrowly) and protected personal data. It is possible for competitors
to access and use this data in their own research and development programs anywhere in the world, once this data is in the public domain.
Enhanced governmental and public scrutiny over, or investigations or litigation involving, pharmaceutical manufacturer donations to
patient assistance programs may require us to modify our programs and could negatively impact our business practices, harm our
reputation, divert the attention of management and increase our expenses.
To help patients afford our products, we have a manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance program that helps financially needy
patients in the US access our therapies. This type of program has become the subject of enforcement scrutiny in recent years. For example,
some pharmaceutical manufacturers have been named in lawsuits challenging the legality of their patient assistance programs under a
variety of federal and state laws. In addition, certain state and federal enforcement authorities have pursued investigations and settlements
and members of Congress have initiated inquiries about manufacturer-sponsored patient support programs, including, for example,
manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs, co-payment assistance programs, and manufacturer contributions to independent
charitable patient assistance programs. Moreover, the DHHS, Office of the Inspector General continues to publish advisory opinions and
other agency guidance on the topic of patient assistance, which reflects the government’s continued scrutiny of manufacturer sponsored or
supported patient assistance programs. Numerous organizations, including pharmaceutical manufacturers, have been subject to ongoing
litigation, enforcement activities and settlements related to their patient support programs and certain of these organizations have entered
into, or have otherwise agreed to, significant civil settlements with applicable enforcement authorities. It is possible that future legislation
may be proposed that would establish requirements or restrictions with respect to these programs and/or support that would affect
pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Our patient assistance program could become the target of similar inquiries, litigation, enforcement, and/or legislative proposals. If
we are deemed not to have complied with laws or regulations in the operation of, or our interactions with, these programs, we could be
subject to damages, fines, penalties or other criminal, civil or administrative sanctions or enforcement actions. We cannot ensure that our
compliance controls, policies and procedures will be sufficient to protect against acts of our employees, business partners or vendors that
may violate the laws or regulations of the jurisdictions in which we operate. A government investigation could negatively impact our
business practices, harm our reputation, divert the attention of management and increase our expenses.
If manufacturers obtain approval for generic versions of our products, or of products with which we compete, our business may be
harmed.
Under the FDCA, the FDA can approve an ANDA for a generic version of a branded drug without the ANDA applicant
undertaking the clinical testing necessary to obtain approval to market a new drug. Generally, in place of such clinical studies, an ANDA
applicant usually needs only to submit data demonstrating that its product has the same active ingredient(s), strength, dosage form and route
of administration and that it is bioequivalent to the branded product. In September 2019, the FDA published product-specific
bioequivalence guidance on fostamatinib disodium to let potential ANDA applicants understand the data FDA would expect to see for
approval of a generic version of our products.
The FDCA requires that an applicant for approval of a generic form of a branded drug certify either that its generic product does
not infringe any of the patents listed by the owner of the branded drug in the FDA’s Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence
Evaluations (referred to as the “Orange Book”) or that those patents are not enforceable. This process is known as a paragraph IV
challenge. Upon notice of a paragraph IV challenge, a patent
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owner has 45 days to bring a patent infringement suit in federal district court against the company seeking ANDA approval of a product
covered by one of the owner’s patents. If this type of suit is commenced, the FDCA provides a 30-month stay on the FDA’s approval of the
competitor’s application. If the litigation is resolved in favor of the ANDA applicant or the challenged patent expires during the 30-month
stay period, the stay is lifted, and the FDA may thereafter approve the application based on the standards for approval of ANDAs. Once an
ANDA is approved by the FDA, the generic manufacturer may market and sell the generic form of the branded drug in competition with the
branded medicine.
The ANDA process can result in generic competition if the patents at issue are not upheld or if the generic competitor is found not
to infringe the owner’s patents. If this were to occur with respect to our products or products with which it competes, our business would be
harmed.
In June 2022, we received a notice letter regarding an ANDA submitted to the FDA by Annora, requesting approval to market a
generic version of TAVALISSE. The notice letter included a Paragraph IV certification with respect to our US Patent Nos. 7,449,458;
8,263,122; 8,652,492; 8,771,648 and 8,951,504, which are listed in the Orange Book. The notice letter asserts that these patents will not be
infringed by Annora’s proposed product, are invalid and/or are unenforceable. Annora’s notice letter does not provide a Paragraph IV
certification against our other patents listed in the Orange Book. On July 25, 2022, we filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the
District of New Jersey against Annora and its affiliates, Hetero Labs Ltd., and Hetero USA, Inc., for infringement of our US patents
identified in Annora’s Paragraph IV certification. On September 21, 2022, Annora and its affiliates answered and counterclaimed for
declaratory judgment of non-infringement and invalidity of the ’458, ’122, ’492, ’648, and ’504 patents. We filed an answer to Annora’s
counterclaims on October 12, 2022. Annora served invalidity and non-infringement contentions on December 31, 2022. We filed an answer
to Annora’s invalidity and non-infringement contentions in March 2023. Litigation continues, and no trial date is currently set. We intend to
vigorously enforce and defend our intellectual property related to TAVALISSE. We cannot be assured that such lawsuit will prevent the
introduction of a generic version of TAVALISSE for any particular length of time, or at all. If an ANDA from Annora or any other generic
manufacturer is approved, and a generic version of TAVALISSE is introduced, whether following the expiration of our patents, the
invalidation of our patents as a result of any litigation, or the determination that the proposed generic product does not infringe on our
patents, our sales of TAVALISSE would be adversely affected. In addition, we cannot predict what additional ANDAs could be filed by
Annora or other potential generic competitors requesting approval to market generic forms of our products, which would require us to incur
significant additional expense and result in distraction for our management team, and if approved, result in significant decreases in the
revenue derived from sales of our marketed products and thereby materially harm our business and financial condition.
Unforeseen safety issues could emerge with our products that could require us to change the prescribing information to add warnings,
limit use of the product, and/or result in litigation. Any of these events could have a negative impact on our business.
Discovery of unforeseen safety problems or increased focus on a known problem could impact our ability to commercialize our
products and could result in restrictions on its permissible uses, including withdrawal of the medicine from the market.
If we or others identify additional undesirable side effects caused by our products after approval:
● regulatory authorities may require the addition of labeling statements, specific warnings, contraindications, or field alerts to
physicians and pharmacies;
● regulatory authorities may withdraw their approval of the product and require us to take our approved drugs off the market or
suspend their commercialization until the identified issues have been satisfactorily addressed;
● we may be required to change the way the product is administered, conduct additional clinical trials, change the labeling of
the product, or implement a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS);
● we may have additional limitations on how we promote our drugs;
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● third-party payors may limit coverage or reimbursement for our products;
● sales of our products may decrease significantly;
● we may be subject to litigation or product liability claims; and
● our reputation may suffer.
Any of these events could prevent us from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of our products and could substantially
increase our operating costs and expenses, which in turn could delay or prevent us from generating significant revenue from sale of our
products.
Side effects and toxicities associated with our products, as well as the warnings, precautions and requirements listed in the
prescribing information for our products, could affect the willingness of physicians to prescribe, and patients to utilize, our products and
thus harm commercial sales of our products. For example, for REZLIDHIA, the FDA approved label contains a boxed warning describing
the risk of differentiation syndrome, which can be fatal, in patients receiving the drug. This and other restrictions could limit the
commercial success of the product.
If a safety issue emerges post-approval, we may become subject to costly product liability litigation by our customers, their
patients or payors. Product liability claims could divert management’s attention from our core business, be expensive to defend, and result
in sizable damage awards against us that may not be covered by insurance. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against claims that
our products caused injuries, we will incur substantial liabilities. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:
● decreased demand for any product candidates or products that we may develop;
● the inability to commercialize any products that we may develop;
● injury to our reputation and significant negative media attention;
● withdrawal of patients from clinical studies or cancellation of studies;
● significant costs to defend the related litigation;
● substantial monetary awards to patients; and
● loss of revenue.
We currently hold $10.0 million in product liability insurance coverage, which may not be adequate to cover all liabilities that we
may incur. Insurance coverage is increasingly expensive. We may not be able to obtain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or in
amounts adequate to satisfy any liability or associated costs that may arise in the future. These events could harm our business and results
of operations and cause our stock price to decline.
Our business could be materially and adversely affected by pandemics as a result of their potential impacts on our sales force and
commercialization efforts, supply chain, regulatory, clinical development and corporate development activities and other business
operations, in addition to the impact of a global economic slowdown.
Pandemics may result in extended travel and other restrictions in order to reduce the spread of diseases. Government measures
taken in response to pandemics could have a significant impact, both direct and indirect, on our business and commerce, as significant
reductions in business related activities may occur, supply chains may be disrupted, and manufacturing and clinical development activities
may be curtailed or suspended.
For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed reduced patient-doctor interactions and our representatives had fewer
visits with health care providers, which negatively affected our product sales. Physicians with practices severely impacted by the COVID-
19 pandemic, or a pandemic occurring in the future, and who currently prescribe our products, may eventually decide to close their
independent practices and join a larger medical organization
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with a practice that does not prescribe our products. Additionally, a pandemic, including COVID-19 or any resurgence thereof, may impact
commercial-related activities, such as our marketing programs, speaker bureaus, and market access initiatives which may be required to be
conducted virtually, delayed or cancelled, all of which occurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic,
we had to deploy resources to enable our field-based employees to continue to engage with health care providers in hybrid virtual and in-
person interactions, which may be required in the event a pandemic occurs in the future.
With respect to clinical development, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we took measures to implement remote and virtual
approaches, including remote patient monitoring where possible and working with our investigators for appropriate care of these patients in
a safe manner. Due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, we experienced a number of our clinical trial investigators either paused,
postponed or delayed new patient enrollment and restricted site visits of existing patients enrolled. In the event that a global pandemic, or a
resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, occurs in the future, we may need to make decisions on a country-by-country basis to minimize
risk to the patients and clinical trial sites. We may also rely heavily on our clinical trial investigators to inform us of the best course of
action with respect to resuming enrollment/screening, considering the ability of sites to ensure patient safety or data integrity. We
experienced slower than anticipated enrollment in some of our clinical trials due to adverse effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and in the
future, we may experience adverse impacts of a global pandemic on our clinical trials, including the timing thereof, or our ability to
continue to treat patients enrolled in our trials, enroll and assess new patients, supply study drugs and obtain complete data points in
accordance with study protocol.
Pandemics may cause significant disruption in the supply chain for our commercial products. We rely on third parties to, among
other things, manufacture and ship our commercial product, raw materials and product supply for our clinical trials, perform quality testing
and supply other goods and services to help manage our commercial activities, our clinical trials and our operations in the ordinary course
of business. While we have engaged actively with various elements of our supply chain and distribution channel, including our customers,
contract manufacturers, and logistics and transportation provider to meet demand for our products and to remain informed of any
challenges within our supply chain, we may face disruptions to our supply chain and operations, and associated delays in the manufacturing
and supply of our products. Such supply disruptions would adversely impact our ability to generate sales of and revenues from our products
and our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects could be adversely affected.
Pandemics may affect our collaboration and licensing partners for the commercialization of our products globally, as well as our
ability to advance our various clinical stage programs. We cannot predict the impact of such disruptions on our partners’ ability to advance
commercialization of our products in the market and the timing of enrollment and completion of various clinical trials being conducted by
our collaboration partners.
Health regulatory agencies globally may experience prolonged disruptions in their operations as a result of pandemics. For
example, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA delayed inspections and evaluations of certain drug manufacturing facilities and
clinical research sites We cannot predict whether, and when, health regulatory agencies will decide to pause or resume inspections due to
pandemics. Any de-prioritization of our clinical trials or delay in regulatory review resulting from such disruptions could materially affect
the completion of our clinical trials.
In addition, as seen in the COVID-19 pandemic, pandemics could result in a significant disruption of global financial markets. We
could experience an inability to access additional capital or an impact on liquidity, which could in the future negatively affect our capacity
for certain corporate development transactions or our ability to make other important, opportunistic investments, or we may not be able to
meet the requirements under our Credit and Security Agreement (Credit Agreement) with MidCap Financial Trust (MidCap). While we
expect pandemics to adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects in the future periods, the
extent of the impact on our ability to generate sales of and revenues from our approved products, our ability to continue to secure new
collaborations and support existing collaboration efforts with our partners, our clinical development and regulatory efforts, our corporate
development objectives and the value of and market for our common stock, will depend on future circumstances that are highly uncertain
and cannot be predicted with confidence at this time, such as the ultimate duration and severity of pandemics, travel restrictions,
quarantines, social distancing and business closure requirements in the US and other countries, and the effectiveness of actions taken
globally to contain and treat diseases. To the extent
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pandemics adversely affect our business and results of operations, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks and
uncertainties described elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section.
If we fail to comply with our reporting and payment obligations under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program or other governmental
pricing programs in the US, we could be subject to additional rebate or discount requirements, fines, sanctions and exposure under
other laws which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We participate in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, as administered by the CMS, the 340B Drug Pricing Program, as
administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration, and other federal and state government drug pricing programs in the
US, and we may participate in additional government pricing programs in the future. These programs generally require us to pay rebates or
otherwise provide discounts to government payors in connection with drugs that are dispensed to beneficiaries/recipients of these programs.
In some cases, such as with the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, the rebates are based on pricing metrics that we report on a monthly and
quarterly basis to the government agencies that administer the programs. Pricing requirements and rebate/discount calculations are
complex, vary among products and programs, and are often subject to interpretation by governmental or regulatory agencies and the courts.
The requirements of these programs, including, by way of example, their respective terms and scope, change frequently. Responding to
current and future changes may increase our costs, and the complexity of compliance will be time consuming. Invoicing for rebates is
provided in arrears, and there is frequently a time lag of up to several months between the sales to which rebate notices relate and our
receipt of those notices, which further complicates our ability to accurately estimate and accrue for rebates related to the Medicaid program
as implemented by individual states. Thus, there can be no assurance that we will be able to identify all factors that may cause our discount
and rebate payment obligations to vary from period to period, and our actual results may differ significantly from our estimated allowances
for discounts and rebates. Changes in estimates and assumptions may have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and
financial condition.
In addition, the DHHS, Office of Inspector General and other governmental enforcement and administrative bodies have increased
their focus on pricing requirements for products, including, but not limited to the methodologies used by manufacturers to calculate average
manufacturer price and best price for compliance with reporting requirements under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. We are liable for
errors associated with our submission of pricing data and for any overcharging of government payors. Failure to make necessary
disclosures and/or to identify overpayments could result in allegations against us under the federal False Claims Act and other laws and
regulations. Any required refunds to the US government or response to a government investigation or enforcement action would be
expensive and time consuming and could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition,
in the event that CMS were to terminate our rebate agreement, no federal payments would be available under Medicaid for our covered
outpatient drugs or under Medicare Part B for any of our products that may be reimbursed under Part B.
Finally, we may be affected by developments relating to the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Recently, multiple manufacturers have
implemented policies to reduce diversion and inappropriate claims for discounts and rebates by contract pharmacies affiliated with 340B-
eligible entities. The DHHS has sent several of these manufacturers letters claiming that the policies violate the 340B statue and referring
the manufacturers for potential enforcement action. Manufacturers have challenged these letters in federal court, and the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Third Circuit has ruled in favor of several manufacturers; other challenges are still pending. Further, Arkansas and
Louisiana recently enacted laws requiring manufacturers to ship 340B drugs to certain contract pharmacies and imposing penalties on
manufacturers that do not comply. Both laws have been challenged in federal court. Other states are considering similar laws. It is unclear
how this pending litigation, recent and proposed legislation, or future administrative action relating to the 340B program will impact our
business.
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Even for those product candidates that have or may receive regulatory approval, they may fail to achieve the degree of market
acceptance by physicians, patients, third-party payors and others in the medical community necessary for commercial success, in which
case we may not generate significant revenues or become profitable.
For our product candidates that have or may receive regulatory approval, they may nonetheless fail to gain sufficient market
acceptance by physicians, hospital administrators, patients, third-party payors and others in the medical community. The degree of market
acceptance of our product candidates, if approved for commercial sale, will depend on a number of factors, including the following:
● relative convenience and ease of administration;
● the willingness of the target patient population to try new therapies and of physicians to prescribe these therapies;
● the willingness of physicians to change their current treatment practices;
● any additional support that may be required to administer the treatment to patients;
● the willingness of hospitals and hospital systems to include our product candidates as treatment options;
● demonstration of efficacy and safety in clinical trials;
● the prevalence and severity of any side effects;
● the ability to offer product candidates for sale at competitive prices;
● the price we charge for our product candidates;
● the strength of marketing and distribution support; and
● the availability of third-party coverage and adequate reimbursement and the willingness of patients to pay out-of-pocket in the
absence of such coverage and adequate reimbursement.
Efforts to educate the physicians, patients, third-party payors and others in the medical community on the benefits of our product
candidates may require significant resources and may not be successful. If any of our product candidates are approved, but do not achieve
an adequate level of acceptance, we may not generate significant product revenue and we may not become profitable on a sustained basis.
We will need additional capital in the future to sufficiently fund our operations and research.
We have consumed substantial amounts of capital to date as we continue our research and development activities, including
preclinical studies and clinical trials and for the commercialization of our products. We may seek another collaborator or licensee in the
future for further clinical development and commercialization of our products, as well as our other clinical programs, which we may not be
able to obtain on commercially reasonable terms or at all. We believe that our existing capital resources will be sufficient to support our
current and projected funding requirements, including the continued commercialization of our products through at least the next 12 months.
We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could utilize our available capital resources sooner than
we currently expect. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with commercial launch, the development of our product
candidates and other research and development activities, we are unable to estimate with certainty our future product revenues, our
revenues from our current and future collaborative partners, the amounts of increased capital outlays and operating expenditures associated
with our current and anticipated clinical trials and other research and development activities.
We will continue to need additional capital and the amount of future capital needed will depend largely on the success of our
commercialization of our products, and the success of our internally developed programs as they proceed in later and more expensive
clinical trials, including any additional clinical trials that we may decide to conduct with respect to our products. While we intend to
opportunistically seek access to additional funds through public or private
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equity offerings or debt financings, we do not know whether additional financing will be available when needed, or that, if available, we
will obtain financing on reasonable terms. Our ability to raise additional capital, including our ability to secure new collaborations and
continue to support existing collaboration efforts with our partners, may also be adversely impacted by potential worsening global
economic conditions and the recent disruptions to, and volatility in, the credit and financial markets in the US and worldwide resulting from
the COVID-19 pandemic and the global tensions arising from the Russia-Ukraine war and the Hamas-Israel war. Unless and until we are
able to generate a sufficient amount of product, royalty or milestone revenue, which may never occur, we expect to finance future cash
needs through public and/or private offerings of equity securities, debt financings or collaboration and licensing arrangements, as well as
through proceeds from the exercise of stock options and interest income earned on the investment of our cash balances and short-term
investments. To the extent we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities in the future, our stockholders could at that time
experience substantial dilution. In addition, we have a significant number of stock options outstanding. To the extent that outstanding stock
options have been or may be exercised or other shares issued, our stockholders may experience further dilution. Further, we may choose to
raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or
future operating plans. Our credit facility with MidCap includes certain covenants that may restrict our business, and any other debt
financing that we are able to obtain in the future may involve operating covenants that restrict our business. To the extent that we raise
additional funds through any new collaboration and licensing arrangements, we may be required to refund certain payments made to us,
relinquish some rights to our technologies or product candidates or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us.
We have indebtedness in the form of a term loan pursuant to the Credit Agreement with MidCap, which could adversely affect our
financial condition and our ability to respond to changes in our business. Further, if we are unable to satisfy certain conditions of the
Credit Agreement, we will be unable to draw down the remainder of the facility.
We entered into a Credit Agreement with MidCap on September 27, 2019, amended on March 29, 2021, February 11, 2022, and
July 27, 2022. The Credit Agreement provides for a $60.0 million term loan credit facility. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding
principal balance of the loan was $60.0 million, and no remaining funds were available under the term loan credit facility. Under the Credit
Agreement, we are required to repay amounts due when there is an event of default for the term loans that results in the principal, premium,
if any, and interest, if any, becoming due prior to the maturity date for the term loans. The Credit Agreement also contains a number of
other affirmative and restrictive covenants. See “Note 10 – Debt” to our “Notes to Financial Statements” contained in “Part II, Item 8,
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details of the Credit Agreement. These
and other terms in the Credit Agreement have to be monitored closely for compliance and could restrict our ability to grow our business or
enter into transactions that we believe would be beneficial to our business. Our business may not generate cash flow from operations in the
future sufficient to service our debt and support our growth strategies. If we are unable to generate such cash flow, we may be required to
adopt one or more alternatives, such as restructuring our debt or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly
dilutive. Our ability to refinance our indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. We may not
be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on our current
debt obligations. In addition, we cannot be sure that additional financing will be available when required or, if available, will be on terms
satisfactory to us. Further, even if we are able to obtain additional financing, we may be required to use such proceeds to repay a portion of
our debt.
Our indebtedness may have other adverse effects, such as:
● our vulnerability to adverse general economic conditions and heightened competitive pressures;
● dedication of a portion of our cash flow from operations to interest payments, limiting the availability of cash for other
operational purposes;
● limited flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and industry; and
● our inability to obtain additional financing in the future.
Our Credit Agreement with MidCap contains a mandatory prepayment provision that gives MidCap and/or its
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agent the right to demand payment of the outstanding principal and additional interest and fees in the event of default. We may not have
enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to repay the term loan with additional interest and fees prior
to maturity.
We rely and may continue to rely on two distribution facilities for the sale of our products and potential sale of any of our product
candidates.
Our distribution operations for the sale of our products are currently concentrated in two distribution centers owned by a third-
party logistics provider. Additionally, our distribution operations, if and when we launch any of our product candidates in the future, may
also be concentrated in such distribution centers owned by a third-party logistics provider. Any errors in inventory level management and
unforeseen inventory shortage could adversely affect our business. In addition, any significant disruption in the operation of the facility due
to natural disaster or severe weather, or events such as fire, accidents, power outages, system failures, or other unforeseen causes, could
devalue or damage a significant portion of our inventories and could adversely affect our product distribution and sales until such time as
we could secure an alternative facility. Further, climate change may increase both the frequency and severity of extreme weather conditions
and natural disasters, which may affect our business operations. If we encounter difficulties with any of our distribution facilities, whether
due to the potential future impacts of a global pandemic (including as a result of disruptions of global shipping and the transport of
products) or otherwise, or other problems or disasters arise, we cannot ensure that critical systems and operations will be restored in a
timely manner or at all, and this would have an adverse effect on our business. In addition, growth could require us to further expand our
current facility, which could affect us adversely in ways that we cannot predict.
Forecasting potential sales for any of our product candidates will be difficult, and if our projections are inaccurate, our business may be
harmed, and our stock price may be adversely affected.
Our business planning requires us to forecast or make assumptions regarding product demand and revenues for any of our product
candidates if they are approved despite numerous uncertainties. These uncertainties may be increased if we rely on our collaborators or
other third parties to conduct commercial activities in certain geographies and provide us with accurate and timely information. Actual
results may differ materially from projected results for various reasons, including the following, as well as risks identified in other risk
factors:
● the efficacy and safety of any of our product candidates, including as relative to marketed products and product candidates in
development by third parties;
● pricing (including discounting or other promotions), reimbursement, product returns or recalls, competition, labeling, adverse
events and other items that impact commercialization;
● the rate of adoption in the particular market, including fluctuations in demand for various reasons;
● potential future impacts, if any, due to a global pandemic;
● lack of patient and physician familiarity with the drug;
● lack of patient use and physician prescribing history;
● lack of commercialization experience with the drug;
● actual sales to patients may significantly differ from expectations based on sales to wholesalers; and
● uncertainty relating to when the drug may become commercially available to patients and rate of adoption in other territories.
We expect that our revenues from sales of any of our products will continue to be based in part on estimates, judgment and
accounting policies. Any incorrect estimates or disagreements with regulators or others regarding such estimates or accounting policies may
result in changes to our guidance, projections or previously reported results. We make estimates for provisions for sales discounts, returns
and allowances. Our estimates are based on available customer and payor data received from the specialty pharmacies and distributors, as
well as third party market research data. In
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part, our estimates are dependent on our distribution channel and payor mix. If actual results in the future vary from our estimates, we
adjust these estimates, which would affect our net product revenue and earnings in the period such variances become known. Expected and
actual product sales and quarterly and other results may greatly fluctuate, including in the near-term, and such fluctuations can adversely
affect the price of our common stock, perceptions of our ability to forecast demand and revenues, and our ability to maintain and fund our
operations.
We do not and will not have access to all information regarding fostamatinib and product candidates we licensed to Lilly, Kissei, Grifols,
Medison and Knight.
We do not and will not have access to all information regarding fostamatinib and other product candidates, including potentially
material information about commercialization plans, medical information strategies, clinical trial design and execution, safety reports from
clinical trials, safety reports, regulatory affairs, process development, manufacturing and other areas known by Lilly, Kissei, Grifols,
Medison and Knight. In addition, we have confidentiality obligations under our respective agreements with Lilly, Kissei, Grifols, Medison
and Knight. Thus, our ability to keep our shareholders informed about the status of fostamatinib and other product candidates will be
limited by the degree to which Lilly, Kissei, Grifols, Medison and/or Knight keep us informed and allows us to disclose such information to
the public. If Lilly, Kissei, Grifols, Medison and/or Knight fail to keep us informed about commercialization efforts related to fostamatinib,
or the status of the clinical development or regulatory approval pathway of other product candidates licensed to them, we may make
operational and/or investment decisions that we would not have made had we been fully informed, which may adversely affect our business
and operations.
Our future funding requirements will depend on many uncertain factors.
Our future funding requirements will depend upon many factors, many of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited
to:
● the costs to commercialize our products in the US, or any other future product candidates, if any such candidate receives
regulatory approval for commercial sale;
● the progress and success of our clinical trials and preclinical activities (including studies and manufacture of materials) of our
product candidates conducted by us;
● our ability to secure patent and regulatory protection;
● our ability to secure a favorable price or a positive HTA assessment;
● potential future impacts, if any, of a global pandemic;
● the costs and timing of regulatory filings and approvals by us and our collaborators;
● the progress of research and development programs carried out by us and our collaborative partners;
● any changes in the breadth of our research and development programs;
● the ability to achieve the events identified in our collaborative agreements that may trigger payments to us from our
collaboration partners;
● our ability to acquire or license other technologies or compounds that we may seek to pursue;
● our ability to manage our growth;
● competing technological and market developments;
● the costs and timing of obtaining, enforcing and defending our patent and other intellectual property rights; and
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● expenses associated with any unforeseen litigation, including any arbitration and securities class action lawsuits.
Insufficient funds may require us to delay, scale back or eliminate some or all of our commercial efforts and/or research and
development programs, to reduce personnel and operating expenses, to lose rights under existing licenses or to relinquish greater or all
rights to product candidates at an earlier stage of development or on less favorable terms than we would otherwise choose or may adversely
affect our ability to operate as a going concern.
Our success as a company is uncertain due to our history of operating losses and the uncertainty of any future profitability.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized loss from operations of $20.5 million primarily due to higher operating and
non-operating expenses, partly offset by our net product sales and collaboration revenues. We have historically incurred losses from
operations each year since we were incorporated in June 1996 other than in fiscal year 2010, due in large part to the significant research and
development expenditures required to identify and validate new product candidates and pursue our development efforts, and the costs of
our ongoing commercial efforts for our products. We expect to continue to incur losses from operations, at least in the next 12 months, and
there can be no assurance that we will generate annual operating income in the foreseeable future. Currently, our potential sources of
revenues are our sales of our products, upfront payments, research and development contingent payments and royalty payments pursuant to
our collaboration arrangements, which may never materialize if our collaborators do not achieve certain events or generate net sales to
which these contingent payments are dependent on. If our future drug candidates fail or do not gain regulatory approval, or if our drugs do
not achieve sustainable market acceptance, we may not be profitable. As of December 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of
approximately $1.4 billion. The extent of our future losses or profitability, if any, is highly uncertain.
If our corporate collaborations or license agreements are unsuccessful, or if we fail to form new corporate collaborations or license
agreements, our research and development efforts could be delayed.
Our strategy depends upon the formation and sustainability of multiple collaborative arrangements and license agreements with
third parties now and in the future. We rely on these arrangements for not only financial resources, but also for expertise we need now and
in the future relating to clinical trials, manufacturing, sales and marketing, and for licenses to technology rights. To date, we have entered
into several such arrangements with corporate collaborators; however, we do not know if these collaborations or additional collaborations
with third parties, if any, will dedicate sufficient resources or if any development or commercialization efforts by third parties will be
successful. In addition, our corporate collaborators may delay clinical trials, provide insufficient funding for a clinical trial program, stop a
clinical trial or abandon a drug candidate or development program. Should a collaborative partner fail to develop or commercialize a
compound or product to which it has rights from us for any reason, including corporate restructuring, such failure might delay our ongoing
research and development efforts, because we might not receive any future payments, and we would not receive any royalties associated
with such compound or product. We may seek another collaborator or licensee in the future for clinical development and commercialization
of our products, as well as our other clinical programs, which we may not be able to obtain on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If
we are unable to form new collaborations or enter into new license agreements, our research and development efforts could be delayed. In
addition, the continuation of some of our partnered drug discovery and development programs may be dependent on the periodic renewal of
our corporate collaborations.
Each of our collaborations could be terminated by the other party at any time, and we may not be able to renew these
collaborations on acceptable terms, if at all, or negotiate additional corporate collaborations on acceptable terms, if at all. If these
collaborations terminate or are not renewed, any resultant loss of revenues from these collaborations or loss of the resources and expertise
of our collaborative partners could adversely affect our business.
Conflicts also might arise with collaborative partners concerning proprietary rights to particular compounds. While our existing
collaborative agreements typically provide that we retain milestone payments, royalty rights and/or revenue sharing with respect to drugs
developed from certain compounds or derivative compounds, any such payments or royalty rights may be at reduced rates, and disputes
may arise over the application of payment provisions or derivative payment provisions to such drugs, and we may not be successful in such
disputes. For example, in September 2018, BerGenBio served us with a notice of arbitration seeking declaratory relief related to the
interpretation of provisions
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under our June 2011 license agreement, particularly as they relate to the rights and obligations of the parties in the event of the license or
sale of a product in the program by BerGenBio and/or the sale of BerGenBio to a third party. The arbitration panel dismissed four of the six
declarations sought by BerGenBio, and we thereafter consented to one of the remaining declarations requested by BerGenBio. On February
27, 2019, the arbitration panel issued a determination granting the declaration sought by BerGenBio on the remaining issue, and held that in
the event of a sale of shares by BerGenBio’s shareholders where there is no monetary benefit to BerGenBio, we would not be entitled to a
portion of the proceeds from such a sale. In this circumstance where the revenue share provision is not triggered, the milestone and royalty
payment provisions remain in effect. While we do not believe that the determination will have an adverse effect on our operations, cash
flows or financial condition, we can make no assurance regarding any such impact. Additionally, the management teams of our
collaborators may change for various reasons including due to being acquired. Different management teams or an acquiring company of our
collaborators may have different priorities which may have adverse results on the collaboration with us.
We are also a party to various license agreements that give us rights to use specified technologies in our research and development
processes. The agreements pursuant to which we have in-licensed technology permit our licensors to terminate the agreements under certain
circumstances. If we are not able to continue to license these and future technologies on commercially reasonable terms, our product
development and research may be delayed or otherwise adversely affected.
If conflicts arise between our collaborators or advisors and us, any of them may act in their self-interest, which may be adverse to our
stockholders’ interests.
If conflicts arise between us and our corporate collaborators or scientific advisors, the other party may act in its self-interest and
not in the interest of our stockholders. Some of our corporate collaborators are conducting multiple product development efforts within
each disease area that is the subject of the collaboration with us or may be acquired or merged with a company having a competing
program. In some of our collaborations, we have agreed not to conduct, independently or with any third party, any research that is
competitive with the research conducted under our collaborations. Our collaborators, however, may develop, either alone or with others,
products in related fields that are competitive with the products or potential products that are the subject of these collaborations. Competing
products, either developed by our collaborators or to which our collaborators have rights, may result in their withdrawal of support for our
product candidates.
If any of our corporate collaborators were to breach or terminate its agreement with us or otherwise fail to conduct the
collaborative activities successfully and in a timely manner, the preclinical or clinical development or commercialization of the affected
product candidates or research programs could be delayed or terminated. We generally do not control the amount and timing of resources
that our corporate collaborators devote to our programs or potential products. We do not know whether current or future collaborative
partners, if any, might pursue alternative technologies or develop alternative products either on their own or in collaboration with others,
including our competitors, as a means for developing treatments for the diseases targeted by collaborative arrangements with us.
Our success is dependent on intellectual property rights held by us and third parties, and our interest in such rights is complex and
uncertain.
Our success will depend to a large part on our own, our licensees’ and our licensors’ ability to obtain and defend patents for each
party’s respective technologies and the compounds and other products, if any, resulting from the application of such technologies. For
example, fostamatinib is covered as a composition of matter in a US issued patent that has an expected expiration date of September 2031
(including the patent term extension granted on December 21, 2023) and olutasidenib is covered as a composition of matter in a US issued
patent that has an expected expiration date of December 2036, after taking into account patent term extension rules.
In the future, our patent position might be highly uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions, and the cost to defend
may also be significant. For example, we may be involved in post-grant proceedings before the US Patent and Trademark Office. Post-grant
proceedings are complex and expensive legal proceedings and there is no assurance we will be successful in any such proceedings. A post-
grant proceeding could result in our losing our patent rights and/or our freedom to operate and/or require us to pay significant royalties.
Additionally, third parties may challenge the validity, enforceability or scope of our issued patents, which may result in such patents being
narrowed,
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invalidated or held unenforceable through interference, opposition or invalidity proceedings before the US Patent and Trademark Office or
non-US patent offices. Any successful opposition to our patents could deprive us of exclusive rights necessary for the successful
commercialization of our products or our other product candidates. Oppositions could also be filed to complementary patents, such as
formulations, methods of manufacture and methods of use, that are intended to extend the patent life of the overall portfolio beyond the
patent life covering the composition of matter. A successful opposition to any such complementary patent could impact our ability to extend
the life of the overall portfolio beyond that of the related composition of matter patent.
An adverse outcome may allow third parties to use our intellectual property without a license and/or allow third parties to
introduce generic and other competing products, any of which would negatively impact our business. For example, in June 2022, we
received a notice letter from Annora advising that it has filed an ANDA with the FDA for a generic version of TAVALISSE and asserting
that certain patents related to TAVALISSE that are listed in the Orange Book will not be infringed by Annora’s proposed product, are
invalid and/or are unenforceable. In July 2022, we filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey against Annora and
its subsidiaries for infringement of those US patents. In September 2022, Annora and its subsidiaries answered and counterclaimed for
declaratory judgment of non-infringement and invalidity of those patents. We filed an answer to Annora’s counterclaims on October 12,
2022. Annora served invalidity and non-infringement contentions on December 31, 2022. We filed an answer to Annora’s invalidity and
non-infringement contentions in March 2023. Litigation continues, and no trial date is currently set. We intend to vigorously enforce and
defend our intellectual property rights related to TAVALISSE. Should Annora or any other third parties receive FDA approval of an ANDA
for a generic version of fostamatinib or a 505(b)(2) NDA with respect to fostamatinib, and if our patents covering fostamatinib were held to
be invalid (or if such competing generic versions of fostamatinib were found to not infringe our patents), then they could introduce generic
versions of fostamatinib or other such 505(b)(2) products before our patents expire, and the resulting competition would negatively affect
our business, financial condition and results of operations. Please also see the risk factor entitled, “If manufacturers obtain approval for
generic versions of our products, or of products with which we compete, our business may be harmed.” In the future, there might be other
claims that are subject to substantial uncertainties and unascertainable damages or other remedies, and the cost to defend may also be
significant.
Additional uncertainty may result because no consistent policy regarding the breadth of legal claims allowed in biotechnology
patents has emerged to date. Accordingly, we cannot predict the breadth of claims allowed in our or other companies’ patents.
Because the degree of future protection for our proprietary rights is uncertain, we cannot assure that:
● we were the first to make the inventions covered by each of our pending patent applications;
● we were the first to file patent applications for these inventions;
● others will not independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our technologies;
● any of our pending patent applications will result in issued patents;
● any patents issued to us or our collaborators will provide a basis for commercially viable products or will provide us with any
competitive advantages or will not be challenged by third parties;
● we will develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable;
● we will obtain a supplementary protection certificate that will extend the protection afforded by the patent to the product with
a marketing authorization; or
● the patents of others will not have a negative effect on our ability to do business.
We rely on trade secrets to protect technology where we believe patent protection is not appropriate or obtainable; however, trade
secrets are difficult to protect. While we require employees, collaborators and consultants to enter into confidentiality agreements, we may
not be able to adequately protect our trade secrets or other proprietary
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information in the event of any unauthorized use or disclosure or the lawful development by others of such information.
We are a party to certain in-license agreements that are important to our business, and we generally do not control the prosecution
of in-licensed technology. Accordingly, we are unable to exercise the same degree of control over this intellectual property as we exercise
over our internally developed technology. Moreover, some of our academic institution licensors, research collaborators and scientific
advisors have rights to publish data and information in which we have rights. If we cannot maintain the confidentiality of our technology
and other confidential information in connection with our collaborations, our ability to receive patent protection or protect our proprietary
information may otherwise be impaired. In addition, some of the technology we have licensed relies on patented inventions developed
using US government resources.
The US government retains certain rights, as defined by law, in such patents, and may choose to exercise such rights. Certain of
our in-licenses may be terminated if we fail to meet specified obligations. If we fail to meet such obligations and any of our licensors
exercise their termination rights, we could lose our rights under those agreements. If we lose any of our rights, it may adversely affect the
way we conduct our business. In addition, because certain of our licenses are sublicenses, the actions of our licensors may affect our rights
under those licenses.
If a dispute arises regarding the infringement or misappropriation of the proprietary rights of others, such dispute could be costly and
result in delays in our research and development activities, partnering and commercialization activities.
Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to operate without infringing or misappropriating the proprietary rights of others.
There are many issued patents and patent applications filed by third parties relating to products or processes that are similar or identical to
our licensors or ours, and others may be filed in the future. There may also be copyrights or trademarks that third parties hold. There can be
no assurance that our activities, or those of our licensors, will not violate intellectual property rights of others. We believe that there may be
significant litigation in the industry regarding patent and other intellectual property rights, and we do not know if our collaborators or we
would be successful in any such litigation. Any legal action against our collaborators or us claiming damages or seeking to enjoin
commercial activities relating to the affected products, our methods or processes could:
● require our collaborators or us to obtain a license to continue to use, manufacture or market the affected products, methods or
processes, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all;
● prevent us from using the subject matter claimed in the patents held by others;
● subject us to potential liability for damages;
● consume a substantial portion of our managerial and financial resources; and
● result in litigation or administrative proceedings that may be costly, whether we win or lose.
Our effective tax rate may fluctuate, and we may incur obligations in tax jurisdictions in excess of accrued amounts.
We are subject to taxation in numerous US states and territories. As a result, our effective tax rate is derived from a combination of
applicable tax rates in the various places that we operate. In preparing our financial statements, we estimate the amount of tax that will
become payable in each of such places. Nevertheless, our effective tax rate may be different than experienced in the past due to numerous
factors, including passage of the newly enacted federal income tax law, changes in the mix of our profitability from state to state, the results
of examinations and audits of our tax filings, our inability to secure or sustain acceptable agreements with tax authorities, changes in
accounting for income taxes and changes in tax laws. Any of these factors could cause us to experience an effective tax rate significantly
different from previous periods or our current expectations and may result in tax obligations in excess of amounts accrued in our financial
statements.
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Our ability to use net operating losses (NOLs) and certain other tax attributes is uncertain and may be limited.
Our ability to use our federal and state NOLs to offset potential future taxable income and related income taxes that would
otherwise be due is dependent upon our generation of future taxable income before the expiration dates of the NOLs, and we cannot predict
with certainty when, or whether, we will generate sufficient taxable income to use all of our NOLs. Federal NOLs generated prior to 2018
will continue to be governed by the NOL carryforward rules as they existed prior to the adoption of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act),
which means that generally they will expire 20 years after they were generated if not used prior thereto. Many states have similar laws.
Accordingly, our federal and state NOLs could expire unused and be unavailable to offset future income tax liabilities. Under the Tax Act as
modified by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), federal NOLs incurred in tax years beginning after
December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2021 may be carried back to each of the five tax years preceding such loss, and NOLs arising in
tax years beginning after December 31, 2020 may not be carried back. Moreover, federal NOLs generated in tax years ending after
December 31, 2017 may be carried forward indefinitely, but the deductibility of such federal NOLs may be limited to 80% of current year
taxable income for tax years beginning after January 1, 2021. Under A.B. 85, our California NOL carryforwards are suspended for tax years
2020, 2021, and 2022, but the period to use these carryovers was extended. Further, the Tax Act requires the taxpayers to capitalize
Research and Experimental (R&E) expenditures under Section 174 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (Code), effective for taxable
years beginning after December 31, 2021, which will reduce our NOLs beginning in 2022. R&E expenditures attributable to US-based
research must be amortized over a period of 5 years and R&E expenditures attributable to research conducted outside of the US must be
amortized over a period of 15 years.
In addition, utilization of NOLs to offset potential future taxable income and related income taxes that would otherwise be due is
subject to annual limitations under the “ownership change” provisions of Sections 382 and 383 of the Code and similar state provisions,
which may result in the expiration of NOLs before future utilization. In general, under the Code, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership
change,” generally defined as a greater than 50% change (by value) in its equity ownership over a three-year period, the corporation’s
ability to use its pre-change NOLs and other pre-change tax attributes (such as research and development credit carryforwards) to offset its
post-change taxable income or taxes may be limited. Our equity offerings and other changes in our stock ownership, some of which are
outside of our control, may have resulted or could in the future result in an ownership change. Although we have completed studies to
provide reasonable assurance that an ownership change limitation would not apply, we cannot be certain that a taxing authority would reach
the same conclusion. If, after a review or audit, an ownership change limitation were to apply, utilization of our domestic NOLs and tax
credit carryforwards could be limited in future periods and a portion of the carryforwards could expire before being available to reduce
future income tax liabilities. Moreover, our ability to utilize our NOLs is conditioned upon us achieving profitability and generating US
federal taxable income.
Because we expect to be dependent upon collaborative and license agreements, we might not meet our strategic objectives.
Our ability to generate revenue in the near term depends on the timing of recognition of certain upfront payments, achievement of
certain payment triggering events with our existing collaboration agreements and our ability to enter into additional collaborative
agreements with third parties. Our ability to enter into new collaborations and the revenue, if any, that may be recognized under these
collaborations is highly uncertain. If we are unable to enter into one or more new collaborations, our business prospects could be harmed,
which could have an immediate adverse effect on our ability to continue to develop our compounds and on the trading price of our stock.
Our ability to enter into a collaboration may be dependent on many factors, such as the results of our clinical trials, competitive factors and
the fit of one of our programs with another company’s risk tolerance, including toward regulatory issues, patent portfolio, clinical pipeline,
the stage of the available data, particularly if it is early, overall corporate goals and financial position.
To date, a portion of our revenues have been related to the research or transition phase of each of our collaborative agreements.
Such revenues are for specified periods, and the impact of such revenues on our results of operations is at least partially offset by
corresponding research costs. Following the completion of the research or transition phase of each collaborative agreement, additional
revenues may come only from payments triggered by milestones and/or the achievement of other contingent events, and royalties, which
may not be paid, if at all, until certain conditions are met. This risk is heightened due to the fact that unsuccessful research efforts may
preclude us from
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receiving any contingent payments under these agreements. Our receipt of revenues from collaborative arrangements is also significantly
affected by the timing of efforts expended by us and our collaborators and the timing of lead compound identification. We have received
payments from our current collaborations including Lilly, Grifols, Kissei, Medison, Knight, BerGenBio, and Daiichi. Under several
agreements, future payments may not be earned until the collaborator has advanced product candidates into clinical testing, which may
never occur or may not occur until sometime well into the future. If we are not able to generate revenue under our collaborations when and
in accordance with our expectations or the expectations of industry analysts, this failure could harm our business and have an immediate
adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock.
Our business requires us to generate meaningful revenue from royalties and licensing agreements. To date, we have not recognized
material amount of revenue from royalties for the commercial sale of drugs, and we do not know when we will be able to generate such
meaningful revenue in the future.
Securities class action lawsuits or other litigation could result in substantial damages and may divert management’s time and attention
from our business.
We have been subject to class action lawsuits in the past and we may be subject to lawsuits in the future, such as those that might
occur if there was to be a change in our corporate strategy. These and other lawsuits are subject to inherent uncertainties, and the actual
costs to be incurred relating to the lawsuit will depend upon many unknown factors. The outcome of litigation is necessarily uncertain, and
we could be forced to expend significant resources in the defense of such suits, and we may not prevail. Monitoring and defending against
legal actions is time-consuming for our management and detracts from our ability to fully focus our internal resources on our business
activities. In addition, we may incur substantial legal fees and costs in connection with any such litigation. We have not established any
reserves for any potential liability relating to any such potential lawsuits. It is possible that we could, in the future, incur judgments or enter
into settlements of claims for monetary damages. A decision adverse to our interests on any such actions could result in the payment of
substantial damages, or possibly fines, and could have an adverse effect on our cash flow, results of operations and financial position.
If our competitors develop technologies that are more effective than ours, our commercial opportunity will be reduced or eliminated.
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are intensely competitive and subject to rapid and significant technological
change. Many of the drugs that we are attempting to discover will be competing with existing therapies. In addition, a number of companies
are pursuing the development of pharmaceuticals that target the same diseases and conditions that we are targeting. For example, the
commercialization of new pharmaceutical products is highly competitive, and we face substantial competition with respect to our products
in which there are existing therapies and drug candidates in development for the treatment of hematologic disorders and cancer that may be
alternative therapies to our products. Many of our competitors, including a number of large pharmaceutical companies that compete directly
with us, have significantly greater financial resources and expertise commercializing approved products than we do. Also, many of our
competitors are large pharmaceutical companies that will have a greater ability to reduce prices for their competing drugs in an effort to
gain market share and undermine the value proposition that we might otherwise be able to offer to payors. We face, and will continue to
face, intense competition from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as from academic and research institutions and
government agencies, both in the US and abroad. Some of these competitors are pursuing the development of pharmaceuticals that target
the same diseases and conditions as our research programs. Our competitors including fully integrated pharmaceutical companies have
extensive drug discovery efforts and are developing novel small-molecule pharmaceuticals. We also face significant competition from
organizations that are pursuing the same or similar technologies, including the discovery of targets that are useful in compound screening,
as the technologies used by us in our drug discovery efforts.
Competition may also arise from:
● new or better methods of target identification or validation;
● generic versions of our products or of products with which we compete;
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● other drug development technologies and methods of preventing or reducing the incidence of disease;
● new small molecules; or
● other classes of therapeutic agents.
Our competitors or their collaborative partners may utilize discovery technologies and techniques or partner with collaborators in
order to develop products more rapidly or successfully than we or our collaborators are able to do. Many of our competitors, particularly
large pharmaceutical companies, have substantially greater financial, technical and human resources and larger research and development
staffs than we do. In addition, academic institutions, government agencies and other public and private organizations conducting research
may seek patent protection with respect to potentially competitive products or technologies and may establish exclusive collaborative or
licensing relationships with our competitors.
We believe that our ability to compete is dependent, in part, upon our ability to create, maintain and license scientifically-advanced
technology and upon our and our collaborators’ ability to develop and commercialize pharmaceutical products based on this technology, as
well as our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, obtain patent protection or otherwise develop proprietary technology or
processes, secure effective market access by ensuring competitive pricing and reimbursement in territories of interest, and secure sufficient
capital resources for the expected substantial time period between technological conception and commercial sales of products based upon
our technology. The failure by any of our collaborators or us in any of those areas may prevent the successful commercialization of our
potential drug targets.
Many of our competitors, either alone or together with their collaborative partners, have significantly greater experience than we
do in:
● identifying and validating targets;
● screening compounds against targets; and
● undertaking preclinical testing and clinical trials.
Accordingly, our competitors may succeed in obtaining patent protection, identifying or validating new targets or discovering new
drug compounds before we do.
Our competitors might develop technologies and drugs that are more effective or less costly than any that are being developed by
us or that would render our technology and product candidates obsolete and noncompetitive. In addition, our competitors may succeed in
obtaining the approval of the FDA or other regulatory agencies for product candidates more rapidly. Companies that complete clinical trials,
obtain required regulatory agency approvals and commence commercial sale of their drugs before us may achieve a significant competitive
advantage, including certain patent and FDA marketing exclusivity rights that would delay or prevent our ability to market certain products.
Any drugs resulting from our research and development efforts, or from our joint efforts with our existing or future collaborative partners,
might not be able to compete successfully with competitors’ existing or future products or obtain regulatory approval in the US or
elsewhere.
We face and will continue to face intense competition from other companies for collaborative arrangements with pharmaceutical
and biotechnology companies, for establishing relationships with academic and research institutions and for licenses to additional
technologies. These competitors, either alone or with their collaborative partners, may succeed in developing technologies or products that
are more effective than ours.
Our ability to compete successfully will depend, in part, on our ability to:
● identify and validate targets;
● discover candidate drug compounds that interact with the targets we identify in a safe and efficacious way;
● attract and retain scientific and product development personnel;
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● recruit subjects into our clinical trials;
● obtain and maintain required regulatory approvals;
● obtain patent or other proprietary protection for our new drug compounds and technologies;
● obtain access to manufacturing resources of the sufficient standard and scale;
● enter commercialization agreements for our new drug compounds; and
● obtain and maintain appropriate reimbursement price and positive recommendations by HTA bodies.
Our stock price may be volatile, and our stockholders’ investment in our common stock could decline in value.
The market prices for our common stock and the securities of other biotechnology companies have been highly volatile and may
continue to be highly volatile in the future. The following factors, in addition to other risk factors described in this section, may have a
significant impact on the market price of our common stock:
● the progress and success of our clinical trials and preclinical activities (including studies and manufacture of materials) of our
product candidates conducted by us;
● our ability to continue to sell our products in the US;
● our ability to enter into partnering opportunities across our pipeline;
● the receipt or failure to receive the additional funding necessary to conduct our business;
● selling of our common stock by large stockholders;
● presentations of detailed clinical trial data at medical and scientific conferences and investor perception thereof;
● announcements of technological innovations or new commercial products by our competitors or us;
● the announcement of regulatory applications, such as Annora’s ANDA, seeking approval of generic versions of our marketed
products;
● developments concerning proprietary rights, including patents;
● developments concerning our collaborations;
● publicity regarding actual or potential medical results relating to products under development by our competitors or us;
● regulatory developments in the US and foreign countries;
● changes in the structure of healthcare payment systems;
● litigation or arbitration;
● economic and other external factors or other disaster or crisis; and
● period-to-period fluctuations in financial results.
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If we fail to continue to meet the listing standards of Nasdaq, our common stock may be delisted, which could have a material adverse
effect on the liquidity of our common stock.
Our common stock is currently listed on the Nasdaq Global Market. The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq) has requirements
that a company must meet in order to remain listed on Nasdaq. In particular, Nasdaq rules require us to maintain a minimum bid price of
$1.00 per share of our common stock (the “Bid Price Requirement”). If the closing bid price of our common stock falls below $1.00 per
share for 30 consecutive trading days or we do not meet other listing requirements, we would fail to be in compliance with Nasdaq listing
standards. There can be no assurance that we will continue to meet the Bid Price Requirement, or any other requirement in the future.
On November 22, 2022, we received a deficiency letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq notifying us that,
for the last 30 consecutive business days, the bid price for our common stock had closed below the Bid Price Requirement. On January 5,
2023, we received notification from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq that we had regained compliance with the Bid Price
Requirement because the closing bid price of our common stock closed at $1.00 or more for over 10 consecutive business days from
December 13, 2022 to January 4, 2023.
On November 27, 2023, we again received a deficiency letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq notifying us
that, for the last 30 consecutive business days, the bid price for our common stock had closed below the Bid Price Requirement. On
December 12, 2023, we received notification from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq that we had regained our compliance
with the Bid Price Requirement because the closing bid price of our common stock closed at $1.00 or more for over 10 consecutive
business days from November 28, 2023 to December 11, 2023.
Although we have regained compliance, the Nasdaq may in the future initiate the delisting process with a notification letter if we
were to again fall out of compliance. If we were to receive such a notification, we would be afforded a grace period of 180 calendar days to
regain compliance with the Bid Price Requirement. In order to regain compliance, shares of our common stock would need to maintain a
minimum closing bid price of at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive trading days. We would be required to notify
Nasdaq of our intent to cure the minimum bid price deficiency, which may include, if necessary, seeking stockholder approval to implement
a reverse stock split. Any reverse stock split may not be approved by our stockholders, or if approved the market price per share of our
common stock after the reverse stock split may not remain unchanged or increase in proportion to the reduction in the number of common
stock outstanding before the reverse stock split.
Additionally, we may be unable to meet other applicable Nasdaq listing requirements, including maintaining minimum levels of
stockholders’ equity or market values of our common stock in which case, our common stock could be delisted. If our common stock were
to be delisted, the liquidity of our common stock would be adversely affected and the market price of our common stock could decrease.
The withdrawal of the UK from the EU may adversely impact our ability to obtain regulatory approvals of our product candidates in the
UK, result in restrictions or imposition of taxes and duties for importing our product candidates into the UK, and may require us to
incur additional expenses in order to develop, manufacture and commercialize our product candidates in the UK.
Following the result of a referendum in 2016, the UK left the EU on January 31, 2020, commonly referred to as Brexit. Pursuant
to the formal withdrawal arrangements agreed between the UK and the EU, the UK was subject to a transition period until December 31,
2020, or the Transition Period, during which EU rules continued to apply. A trade and cooperation agreement (Trade Agreement) that
outlines the future trading relationship between the UK and the EU was agreed to in December 2020 and has been approved by each EU
member state and the UK.
Since a significant proportion of the regulatory framework in the UK applicable to our business and our product candidates is
derived from EU directives and regulations, Brexit has had, and will continue to have, a material impact upon the regulatory regime with
respect to the development, manufacture, importation, approval and commercialization of our product candidates in the UK or the EU.
Great Britain (made up of England, Scotland, and Wales) is no longer covered by the EEA’s procedures for the grant of marketing
authorizations (Northern Ireland will be covered by such procedures). The UK Government and the EU recently adopted a new agreement,
the “Windsor Framework” which will
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replace the Northern Ireland Protocol. According to the Windsor Framework, medicinal products intended for the UK market including
Northern Ireland will be authorized by the MHRA, and will bear a “UK only” label. This means that Medicinal products placed on the
market in Northern Ireland will no longer need to be compliant with EU law. These new measures will be implemented from January 1,
2025.
A separate marketing authorization will be required to market drugs in Great Britain. The MHRA has launched the Innovative
Licensing and Access Pathway, or ILAP, a new accelerated assessment procedure for marketing authorization applications facilitating the
interaction with pricing authorities and HTA bodies and aiming to enable companies to enter the UK market faster. On January 1st 2024, the
MHRA launched a new International Recognition Procedure for Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) marketing authorization
applications whereby the MHRA will, when considering such applications, recognize the approval of medicines by trusted reference
regulators in Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Singapore, Japan, United States and EU following its own abbreviated assessment. Any delay
in obtaining, or an inability to obtain, any marketing approvals would delay or prevent us from commercializing our product candidates in
the UK or the EU and restrict our ability to generate revenue and achieve and sustain profitability.
While the Trade Agreement provides for the tariff-free trade of medicinal products between the UK and the EU, there may be
additional non-tariff costs to such trade which did not exist prior to the end of the Transition Period. Further, should the UK diverge from
the EU from a regulatory perspective in relation to medicinal products, tariffs could be put into place in the future. We could therefore,
both now and in the future, face significant additional expenses (when compared to the position prior to the end of the Transition Period) to
operate our business, which could significantly and materially harm or delay our ability to generate revenues or achieve profitability of our
business. Any further changes in international trade, tariff and import/export regulations as a result of Brexit or otherwise may impose
unexpected duty costs or other non-tariff barriers on us. These developments, or the perception that any of them could occur, may
significantly reduce global trade and, in particular, trade between the impacted nations and the UK. It is also possible that Brexit may
negatively affect our ability to attract and retain employees, particularly those from the EU.
Orphan designation in Great Britain following Brexit is granted on an essentially identical basis as in the EU but is based on the
prevalence of the condition in Great Britain. It is therefore possible that conditions that are currently designated as orphan conditions in
Great Britain will no longer be, and conditions that are not currently designated as orphan conditions in the EU will be designated as such
in Great Britain.
In April 2023, the European Commission adopted a wide ranging proposal for a new Directive and a new Regulation. If made into
law, this proposal will revise and replace the existing general pharmaceutical legislation. This change will likely result in significant
changes to the pharmaceutical industry. In particular, it is expected that the new Directive and Regulations will, if made into law, affect the
duration of the period of regulatory protection afforded to medicinal products including regulatory data protection (also called “data
exclusivity”), marketing exclusivity afforded to orphan medicinal products, as well as the conditions of eligibility to the orphan designation.
If product liability lawsuits are successfully brought against us, we may incur substantial liabilities and may be required to limit
commercialization of our products.
The testing and marketing of medical products and the sale of any products for which we obtain marketing approval exposes us to
the risk of product liability claims. Product liability claims might be brought against us by consumers, health care providers, pharmaceutical
companies or others selling or otherwise coming into contact with our products. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product
liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit commercialization of our products. We carry product liability
insurance that is limited in scope and amount and may not be adequate to fully protect us against product liability claims. If and when we
obtain marketing approval for our product candidates, we intend to expand our insurance coverage to include the sale of commercial
products; however, we may be unable to obtain product liability insurance on commercially reasonable terms or in adequate amounts. Our
inability to obtain sufficient product liability insurance at an acceptable cost to protect against potential product liability claims could
prevent or inhibit the commercialization of pharmaceutical products we develop, alone or with corporate collaborators. We, or our
corporate collaborators, might not be able to obtain insurance at a reasonable cost, if at all. While under various circumstances we are
entitled to be indemnified against losses by our corporate collaborators, indemnification may not be available or adequate should any claim
arise.
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We depend on various scientific consultants and advisors for the success and continuation of our research and development efforts.
We work extensively with various scientific consultants and advisors. The potential success of our drug discovery and
development programs depends, in part, on continued collaborations with certain of these consultants and advisors. We, and various
members of our management and research staff, rely on certain of these consultants and advisors for expertise in our research, regulatory
and clinical efforts. Our scientific advisors are not our employees and may have commitments to, or consulting or advisory contracts with,
other entities that may limit their availability to us. We do not know if we will be able to maintain such consulting agreements or that such
scientific advisors will not enter into consulting arrangements with competing pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies, any of which
may have a detrimental impact on our research objectives and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results
of operations.
While we have a strong compliance process in place to ensure we are complying with all requirements of law, our consulting or
advisory contracts with our scientific consultants and advisors may be scrutinized under the Anti-Kickback Statute, the UK Bribery Act
2010, and other similar national and state-level legislation, which prohibit, among other things, companies from offering or paying anything
of value as remuneration for ordering, purchasing, or recommending the ordering or purchasing of pharmaceutical and biological products
that may be paid for, in whole or in part, by Medicare, Medicaid, or another federal healthcare program. Although there are several
statutory exceptions and regulatory safe harbors that may protect these arrangements from prosecution or regulatory sanctions, our
consulting and advising contracts may be subject to scrutiny if they do not fit squarely within an available exception or safe harbor.
If we use biological and hazardous materials in a manner that causes injury or violates laws, we may be liable for damages, penalties or
fines.
Our research and development activities involve the controlled use of potentially harmful biological materials as well as hazardous
materials, chemicals, animals, and various radioactive compounds. We cannot completely eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or
injury from the use, storage, handling or disposal of these animals and materials. In the event of contamination or injury, we could be held
liable for damages that result or for penalties or fines that may be imposed, and such liability could exceed our resources. We are also
subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the use, storage, handling and disposal of these materials and specified
waste products. The cost of compliance with, or any potential violation of, these laws and regulations could be significant.
Our information technology systems, or those used by our CROs or other contractors or consultants, may fail or suffer other
breakdowns, cyber-attacks, or information security breaches.
We are dependent upon information technology systems, infrastructure, and data to operate our business. While we believe our
cybersecurity measures are adequate, our cybersecurity risk management, strategy and governance may be found to be inadequate that
could harm our business. We rely on third-party vendors and their information technology systems. Despite the implementation of security
measures, our recovery systems, security protocols, network protection mechanisms and other security measures and those of our CROs
and other contractors and consultants are vulnerable to compromise from natural disasters; terrorism; war; telecommunication and electric
failures; traditional computer hackers; malicious code (such as computer viruses or worms); employee error, theft or misuse; denial-of-
service attacks; cyber-attacks by sophisticated nation-state and nation-state supported actors including ransomware; or other system
disruptions. We receive, generate and store significant and increasing volumes of personal (including health), confidential and proprietary
information. There can be no assurance that we, or our collaborators, CROs, third-party vendors, contractors and consultants will be
successful in efforts to detect, prevent, protect against or fully recover systems or data from all breakdowns, service interruptions, attacks or
breaches. Any breakdown, cyber-attack or information security breach could result in a disruption of our drug development programs or
other aspects of our business. For example, the loss of clinical trial data from completed or ongoing clinical trials for a product candidate
could result in delays in our regulatory approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data. To the extent
that any disruption or security breach were to result in a loss of or damage to our data or applications, or inappropriate disclosure of
personal, confidential or proprietary information, we could incur liability, incur significant remediation or litigation costs, result in product
development delays, disrupt key business operations, cause loss of revenue and divert attention of management and key information
technology resources.
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Hackers and data thieves are increasingly sophisticated and operate large-scale and complex automated attacks, including on
companies within the healthcare industry. As the cyber-threat landscape evolves, these threats are likely growing in frequency,
sophistication and intensity and are increasingly difficult to detect. The costs of maintaining or upgrading our cyber-security systems at the
level necessary to keep up with our expanding operations and prevent against potential attacks are increasing. Cyber threats may be generic,
or they may be targeted against our information systems. Our network and storage applications and those of our contract manufacturing
organizations, collaborators, contractors, CROs or vendors may be subject to unauthorized access or processing by hackers or breached due
to operator or other human error, theft, malfeasance or other system disruptions. We may be unable to anticipate or immediately detect
information security incidents and the damage caused by such incidents. These data breaches and any unauthorized access, processing or
disclosure of our information or intellectual property could compromise our intellectual property and expose our sensitive business
information. Such attacks, such as in the case of a ransomware attack, also may interfere with our ability to continue to operate and may
result in delays and shortcomings due to an attack that may encrypt our or our service providers’ or partners’ systems unusable.
Additionally, because our services involve the processing of personal information and other sensitive information about individuals we are
subject to various laws, regulations, industry standards, and contractual requirements related to such processing. Any event that leads to
unauthorized access, processing or disclosure of personal information, including personal information regarding our clinical trial
participants or employees, could harm our reputation and business, compel us to comply with federal and/or state breach notification laws
and foreign law equivalents, subject us to investigations and mandatory corrective action, and otherwise subject us to liability under laws,
regulations or contracts that protect the privacy and security of personal information, which could disrupt our business, damage our
reputation with our stakeholders, result in increased costs or loss of revenue, lead to negative publicity or result in significant financial
exposure. The CCPA, in particular, includes a private right of action for California consumers whose personal information is impacted by a
data security incident resulting from a company’s failure to maintain reasonable security procedures, and hence may result in civil litigation
in the event of a security breach impacting such information. In addition, legislators and regulators in the US have enacted and are
proposing new and more robust privacy and cybersecurity laws and regulations in response to increasing broad-based cyberattacks,
including the CCPA and New York SHIELD Act. Notably, on July 26, 2023, the SEC adopted a final rule on cybersecurity risk
management, strategy, governance and incident disclosure (the “SEC Cyber Rule”). The SEC Cyber Rule requires public companies to
make current disclosures about material cybersecurity incidents as well as annual disclosures of material information about their
cybersecurity risk management, strategy and governance. The SEC Cyber Rule became effective on September 5, 2023. New data security
laws add additional complexity, requirements, restrictions and potential legal risk, and compliance programs may require additional
investment in resources, and could impact strategies and availability of previously useful data.
The costs to respond to a security breach and/or to mitigate any identified security vulnerabilities could be significant, our efforts
to address these issues may not be successful, and these issues could result in interruptions, delays, negative publicity, loss of customer
trust, and other harms to our business and competitive position. Remediation of any potential security breach may involve significant time,
resources, and expenses. We could be required to fundamentally change our business activities and practices in response to a security
breach and our systems or networks may be perceived as less desirable, which could negatively affect our business and damage our
reputation.
A security breach may cause us to breach our contracts with third parties. Our agreements with relevant stakeholders such as
collaborators may require us to use legally required, industry-standard or reasonable measures to safeguard personal information. A security
breach could lead to claims by relevant stakeholders that we have failed to comply with such contractual obligations, or require us to
cooperate with these stakeholders in their own compliance efforts related to the security breach. In addition, any non-compliance with our
data privacy obligations in our contracts or our inability to flow down such obligations from relevant stakeholders to our vendors may cause
us to breach our contracts. As a result, we could be subject to legal action or the relevant stakeholders could end their relationships with us.
There can be no assurance that the limitations of liability in our contracts would be enforceable or adequate or would otherwise protect us
from liabilities or damages.
We may not have adequate insurance coverage for security incidents or breaches. The successful assertion of one or more large
claims against us that exceeds our available insurance coverage, or results in changes to our insurance policies (including premium
increases or the imposition of large deductible or co-insurance requirements), could have an
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adverse effect on our business. In addition, we cannot be sure that our existing insurance coverage will continue to be available on
acceptable terms or that our insurers will not deny coverage as to any future claim.
Future equity issuances or a sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock may cause the price of our common stock to
decline.
Because we will continue to need additional capital in the future to continue to expand our business and our research and
development activities, among other things, we may conduct additional equity offerings. For example, on August 3, 2021, a new automatic
shelf registration statement was filed by us as a well-known seasoned issuer (WKSI). The automatic shelf registration statement was filed to
register, among other securities, the sale of up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $100.0 million of shares of our common stock that
may be issued and sold from time to time under our Open Market Sale Agreement with Jefferies LLC (Jefferies), and a base prospectus
which covers the offering, issuance, and sale by us of the securities identified above from time to time in one or more offerings. On
March 1, 2022, we filed a post-effective amendment to the automatic shelf registration statement immediately after filing our Annual
Report Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 because we no longer qualified as a WKSI upon filing of such Annual Report.
The post-effective amendment was declared effective on May 3, 2022. The post-effective amendment registers, among other securities, a
base prospectus which covers the offering, issuance, and sale by us of up to $250.0 million in the aggregate of the securities identified from
time to time in one or more offerings, which include the $100.0 million of shares of our common stock that may be offered, issued and sold
under the Open Market Sale Agreement.
We may also in the future enter into underwriting or sales agreements with financial institutions for the offer and sale of any
combination of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and warrants in one or more offerings. If we or our stockholders sell, or if it
is perceived that we or they will sell, substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, the market price of our common stock
could fall. A decline in the market price of our common stock could make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in
the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate. In addition, future sales by us of our common stock may be dilutive to existing
stockholders. Furthermore, if we obtain funds through a credit facility or through the issuance of debt or preferred securities, these
securities would likely have rights senior to the rights of our common stockholders, which could impair the value of our common stock.
Risks Related to Clinical Development and Regulatory Approval
Enacted or future legislation, and/or potentially unfavorable pricing regulations or other healthcare reform initiatives, may increase the
difficulty and cost for us to obtain regulatory approval of our product candidates and/or commercialize our products or our product
candidates, once approved, and affect the prices we may set or obtain.
The regulations that govern, among other things, regulatory approvals, coverage, pricing and reimbursement for new drug
products vary widely from country to country. In the US and some foreign jurisdictions, there have been a number of legislative and
regulatory changes and proposed changes regarding the healthcare system that could prevent or delay regulatory approval of our product
candidates, restrict or regulate post-approval activities and affect our ability to successfully sell our products, or any product candidates for
which we obtain regulatory approval in the future. In particular, in March 2010, the Affordable Care Act was enacted, which substantially
changed the way health care is financed by both governmental and private insurers, and continues to significantly impact the US
pharmaceutical industry. On June 17, 2021, the US Supreme Court dismissed the most recent judicial challenge to the Affordable Care Act
brought by several states without specifically ruling on the constitutionality of the law. It is unclear how future actions before the Supreme
Court, other such litigation, and the healthcare reform measures of the Biden administration will impact the Affordable Care Act and our
business.
There have been, and likely will continue to be, legislative and regulatory proposals at the foreign, federal and state levels directed
at broadening the availability of healthcare and containing or lowering the cost of healthcare. We cannot predict the initiatives that may be
adopted in the future. The continuing efforts of the government, insurance companies, managed care organizations and other payors of
healthcare services to contain or reduce the costs of healthcare and/or impose price controls may adversely affect, for example:
● the demand for our products, or our product candidates, if we obtain regulatory approval;
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● our ability to set a price that we believe is fair for our products;
● our ability to generate revenue and achieve or maintain profitability;
● the level of taxes that we are required to pay; and
● the availability of capital.
Any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare or other government programs may result in a similar reduction in payments from
private payors, which may adversely affect our future profitability.
In the US, the EU and other potentially significant markets for our current and future products, government authorities and third-
party payors are increasingly attempting to limit or regulate the price of medical products and services, particularly for new and innovative
products and therapies, which has resulted in lower average selling prices. In the US, there have been several Congressional inquiries and
federal legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to drug pricing, review the relationship between pricing and
manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs, and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for drugs.
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law, which, among other changes,
eliminates the statutory Medicaid drug rebate cap, currently set at 100% of a drug’s average manufacture price, for single source and
innovator multiple source drugs, beginning January 1, 2024. The American Rescue Plan Act also temporarily increased premium tax credit
assistance for individuals eligible for subsidies under the Affordable Care Act for 2021 and 2022 and removed the 400% federal poverty
level limit that otherwise applies for purposes of eligibility to receive premium tax credits. IRA extended this increased tax credit assistance
and removal of the 400% federal poverty limit through 2025. Additionally, beginning in April 2013, the Budget Control Act of 2011 created
an automatic reduction of Medicare payments to providers of up to 2%. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this reduction was
temporarily suspended from May 1, 2020 through March 31, 2022, with subsequent reductions to 1% from April 1, 2022 until June 30,
2022. The 2% reduction was then reinstated and has been in effect since July 1, 2022, and will remain in effect through the first six months
of fiscal year 2032 sequestration order, unless additional Congressional action is taken. Moreover, on June 16, 2022, the Federal Trade
Commission issued a policy statement stating its intent to increase enforcement scrutiny of “exclusionary rebates” to PBMs and other
intermediaries that “foreclose competition.” On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the IRA, which, among other reforms,
allows Medicare to: beginning in 2026, establish a “maximum fair price” for a fixed number of pharmaceutical and biological products
covered under Medicare Parts B and D following a price negotiation with CMS; beginning in 2023, penalize drug companies that raise
prices for products covered under Medicare Parts B and D faster than inflation; and beginning in 2025, impose new discount obligations on
pharmaceutical and biological manufacturers for products covered under Medicare Part D. CMS has recently taken steps to implement the
IRA. First, on June 9, 2023, CMS released a list of 43 Medicare Part B products that had an adjusted coinsurance rate based on the
inflationary rebate provisions of the IRA for the time period of July 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023. Additionally, on June 30, 2023, CMS
issued guidance detailing the requirements and parameters of the first round of price negotiations for products subject to the “maximum fair
price” provision. On August 29, 2023, CMS released the initial list of ten drugs subject to price negotiations. This negotiation process will
occur during 2023 and 2024 and result in maximum prices that will be effective beginning in 2026. None of our products were listed among
the first ten products slated for the program as announced on August 29, 2023. On November 17, 2023, CMS released guidance outlining
the methodology for identifying certain manufacturers eligible to participate in a phase-in period where discounts on applicable products
will be lower than those required by the Medicare Part D Manufacturer Discount Program. Most recently, on December 14, 2023, CMS
released a list of 48 Medicare Part B products that had adjusted coinsurance rates based on the inflationary rebate provisions of the IRA for
the time period of January 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024 and also issued revised guidance for manufacturers in the Medicare Part B and D
drug discount programs. While it remains to be seen how the drug pricing provisions imposed by the IRA will affect the broader
pharmaceutical industry, several pharmaceutical manufacturers and other industry stakeholders have challenged the law, including through
lawsuits brought against the DHHS, the Secretary of the DHHS, CMS, and the CMS Administrator challenging the constitutionality and
administrative implementation of the IRA’s drug price negotiation provisions.
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The Biden administration has also taken executive action to address drug pricing and other healthcare policy changes. For
example, on September 12, 2022, President Biden issued an Executive Order to promote biotechnology and biomanufacturing innovation.
The Order noted several methods through which the Biden Administration would support the advancement of biotechnology and
biomanufacturing in healthcare, and instructed the DHHS to submit, within 180 days of the Order, a report assessing how to use
biotechnology and biomanufacturing to achieve medical breakthroughs, reduce the overall burden of disease, and improve health outcomes.
On October 14, 2022, President Biden issued an Executive Order on Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for Americans which instructed the
Secretary of the DHHS to consider whether to select for testing by the CMS Innovation Center new health care payment and delivery
models that would lower drug costs and promote access to innovative drug therapies for beneficiaries enrolled in the Medicare and
Medicaid programs. On February 14, 2023, the DHHS issued a report in response to the October 14, 2022, Executive Order, which, among
other things, selects three potential drug affordability and accessibility models to be tested by the CMS Innovation Center. Specifically, the
report addresses: (1) a model that would allow Part D Sponsors to establish a “high-value drug list” setting the maximum co-payment
amount for certain common generic drugs at $2; (2) a Medicaid-focused model that would establish a partnership between CMS,
manufacturers, and state Medicaid agencies that would result in multi-state outcomes-based agreements for certain cell and gene therapy
drugs; and (3) a model that would adjust Medicare Part B payment amounts for Accelerated Approval Program drugs to advance the
developments of novel treatments.
Other proposed administrative actions may affect our government pricing responsibilities. For example, CMS has issued proposals
to amend the existing Medicaid Drug Rebate Program regulations. In addition, there are pending legal and legislative developments relating
to the 340B Drug Pricing Program, including ongoing litigation challenging federal enforcement actions against manufacturers and recently
introduced and enacted state legislation. It remains to be seen how these drug pricing initiatives will affect the broader pharmaceutical
industry.
At the state level, individual states are increasingly aggressive in passing legislation and implementing regulations designed to
control pharmaceutical and biological product pricing. Specifically, several U.S. states and localities have enacted legislation requiring
pharmaceutical companies to establish marketing compliance programs, file periodic reports, and/or make periodic public disclosures on
sales, marketing, pricing, clinical trials, and other activities. Other state laws prohibit certain marketing-related activities including the
provision of gifts, meals or other items to certain healthcare providers, and restrict the ability of manufacturers to offer co-pay support to
patients for certain prescription drugs. Several state laws require disclosures related to state agencies and/or commercial purchasers with
respect to price increases and new product launches that exceed certain thresholds as identified in the relevant statutes. Another emerging
trend at the state level is the establishment of prescription drug affordability boards, some of which will prospectively permit certain states
to establish upper payment limits for drugs that the state has determined to be “high-cost.” Some of these laws and regulations contain
ambiguous requirements that government officials have not yet clarified. Given the lack of clarity in the laws and their implementation, our
reporting actions could be subject to the penalty provisions of the pertinent federal and state laws and regulations.
Furthermore, the increased emphasis on managed healthcare in the US and on country and regional pricing and reimbursement
controls in the EU and the UK will put additional pressure on product pricing, reimbursement and usage, which may adversely affect our
sales and results of operations. These pressures can arise from rules and practices of managed care groups, judicial decisions and
governmental laws and regulations related to Medicare, Medicaid, healthcare reform, pharmaceutical reimbursement policies and pricing in
general. Legislative and regulatory proposals have been made to expand post-approval requirements and restrict sales and promotional
activities for pharmaceutical products.
We cannot predict the likelihood, nature, or extent of health reform initiatives that may arise from future legislation or
administrative action. However, we expect these initiatives to increase pressure on drug pricing. Further, certain broader legislation that is
not targeted to the health care industry may nonetheless adversely affect our profitability. If we or any third parties we may engage are
slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or if we or such third parties
are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, our product candidates may lose any regulatory approval that may have been obtained and
we may not achieve or sustain profitability.
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See “Part I, Item 1 – Business – Government Regulation – Healthcare Reform” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Regulatory approval for any approved product is limited by the FDA, the EC and other regulators to those specific indications and
conditions for which clinical safety and efficacy have been demonstrated, and we may incur significant liability if it is determined that
we are promoting the “off-label” use of our products or any of our future product candidates if approved.
Any regulatory approval is limited to those specific diseases, indications and patient populations for which a product is deemed to
be safe and effective by the FDA, the EC and other regulators. For example, the FDA-approved label for TAVALISSE is only approved for
use in adults with ITP who have had an insufficient response to other treatments and for REZLIDHIA is only approved for use in adult
patients with R/R AML with a susceptible IDH1 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test. In addition to the FDA approval required
for new formulations, any new indication for an approved product also requires FDA approval. If we are not able to obtain FDA approval
for any desired future indications for our products and product candidates, our ability to effectively market and sell our products may be
reduced and our business may be adversely affected.
While physicians may choose to prescribe drugs for uses that are not described in the product’s labeling and for uses that differ
from those tested in clinical studies and approved by the regulatory authorities, our ability to promote the products is limited to those
indications and patient populations that are specifically approved by the FDA. These “off-label” uses are common across medical
specialties and may constitute an appropriate treatment for some patients in varied circumstances. We have implemented compliance and
monitoring policies and procedures, including a process for internal review of promotional materials, to deter the promotion of our products
for off-label uses. We cannot guarantee that these compliance activities will prevent or timely detect off-label promotion by sales
representatives or other personnel in their communications with health care professionals, patients and others, particularly if these activities
are concealed from us. Regulatory authorities in the US generally do not regulate the behavior of physicians in their choice of treatments.
Regulatory authorities do, however, restrict communications by pharmaceutical companies on the subject of off-label use. If our
promotional activities fail to comply with the FDA’s or other competent national authority’s regulations or guidelines, we may be subject to
warnings from, or enforcement action by, these regulatory authorities. In addition, our failure to follow FDA rules and guidelines relating to
promotion and advertising may cause the FDA to issue warning letters or untitled letters, suspend or withdraw an approved product from
the market, require a recall or institute fines, which could result in the disgorgement of money, operating restrictions, injunctions or civil or
criminal enforcement, and other consequences, any of which could harm our business.
Notwithstanding the regulatory restrictions on off-label promotion, the FDA and other regulatory authorities allow companies to
engage in truthful, non-misleading and non-promotional scientific exchange concerning their products. We engage in medical education
activities and communicate with investigators and potential investigators regarding our clinical trials. If the FDA or other regulatory or
enforcement authorities determine that our communications regarding our marketed product are not in compliance with the relevant
regulatory requirements and that we have improperly promoted off-label uses, or that our communications regarding our investigational
products are not in compliance with the relevant regulatory requirements and that we have improperly engaged in pre-approval promotion,
we may be subject to significant liability, including civil and administrative remedies as well as criminal sanctions.
Delays in clinical testing could result in increased costs to us.
We may not be able to initiate or continue clinical studies or trials for our product candidates if we are unable to locate and enroll a
sufficient number of eligible patients to participate in these clinical trials as required by the FDA or other regulatory authorities, whether
due to the impacts of a global pandemic, global tensions arising from the Russian-Ukrainian war and Hamas-Israel war or otherwise. Even
if we are able to enroll a sufficient number of patients in our clinical trials, if the pace of enrollment is slower than we expect, the
development costs for our product candidates may increase and the completion of our clinical trials may be delayed, or our clinical trials
could become too expensive to complete. Significant delays in clinical testing could negatively impact our product development costs and
timing. Our estimates regarding timing are based on a number of assumptions, including assumptions based on past experience with
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our other clinical programs. If we are unable to enroll the patients in these trials at the projected rate, the completion of the clinical program
could be delayed and the costs of conducting the program could increase, either of which could harm our business.
Clinical trials can be delayed for a variety of reasons, including delays in obtaining regulatory approval to commence a study,
delays from scaling up of a study, delays in reaching agreement on acceptable clinical trial agreement terms with prospective clinical sites,
delays in obtaining institutional review board approval to conduct a study at a prospective clinical site or delays in recruiting subjects to
participate in a study. In addition, we typically rely on third-party clinical investigators to conduct our clinical trials and other third-party
organizations to oversee the operations of such trials and to perform data collection and analysis. The clinical investigators are not our
employees, and we cannot control the amount or timing of resources that they devote to our programs. Failure of the third-party
organizations to meet their obligations, whether due to the potential future impacts of a global pandemic, the global tensions arising from
the Russian-Ukrainian war and Hamas-Israel war or otherwise, could adversely affect clinical development of our products. As a result, we
may face additional delaying factors outside our control if these parties do not perform their obligations in a timely fashion. For example,
any number of those issues could arise with our clinical trials causing a delay. Delays of this sort could occur for the reasons identified
above or other reasons. If we have delays in conducting the clinical trials or obtaining regulatory approvals, our product development costs
will increase. For example, we may need to make additional payments to third-party investigators and organizations to retain their services
or we may need to pay recruitment incentives. If the delays are significant, our financial results and the commercial prospects for our
product candidates will be harmed, and our ability to become profitable will be delayed. Moreover, these third-party investigators and
organizations may also have relationships with other commercial entities, some of which may compete with us. If these third-party
investigators and organizations assist our competitors at our expense, it could harm our competitive position.
Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, for several of our development programs, we experienced disruption or delay in
our ability to enroll and assess patients, maintain patient enrollment, supply study drugs, report trial results, or interact with regulators,
ethics committees or other important agencies due to limitations in employee resources or otherwise. In addition, in the event that a global
pandemic occurs in the future, some patients in our clinical trial may not be able or willing to comply with clinical trial protocols if
quarantines impede patient movement or interrupt healthcare services. Similarly, our ability to recruit and retain patients and principal
investigators and site staff may be adversely affected if a global pandemic continues and persists for an extended period of time, and we
may experience significant disruptions to our clinical development timelines, which would adversely affect our business, financial
condition, results of operations and growth prospects in the future.
We have conducted in the past and are currently conducting or may conduct in the future clinical trials in the US and outside the
US including Ukraine, Russia and Israel. Recent actions taken by the Russian Federation in Ukraine and surrounding areas have
destabilized the region and caused the adoption of comprehensive sanctions by, among others, the EU, the US and the UK, which restrict a
wide range of trade and financial dealings with Russia and Russian persons, as well as certain regions in Ukraine. Also, the recent global
tensions arising from the Hamas-Israel war may result in disruptions in the broader global economic environment. Further, some patients
may not be able to comply with clinical trial protocols if the conflict impedes patient movement or interrupts healthcare services. In
addition, clinical trial site initiation and patient enrollment may be delayed, and we may not be able to access sites for initiation and
monitoring in regions affected by the Russian-Ukrainian war or the Hamas-Israel war including due to the prioritization of hospital
resources away from clinical trials or as a result of warfare, violence, government-imposed curfews, or events or other governmental
actions that restrict movement. We could also experience disruptions in our supply chain or limits our ability to obtain sufficient materials
for our drug products in certain regions.
Public perception of the risk-benefit balance for our COVID-19 product candidates may be affected by adverse events in clinical trials
involving our product candidate or other COVID-19 treatments.
Negative perception of the efficacy, safety, or tolerability of any investigational medicines that we develop, or of other products
similar to products we are developing, such as fostamatinib for the treatment of COVID-19, could adversely affect our ability to conduct
our business, advance our investigational medicines, or obtain regulatory approvals.
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Adverse events in clinical trials of our investigational medicines or in clinical trials of others developing similar products,
including other COVID-19 treatments, could result in a decrease in the perceived benefit of one or more of our programs, increased
regulatory scrutiny, decreased confidence by patients and clinical trial collaborators in our investigational medicines, and less demand for
any product that we may develop. If and when they are used in clinical trials, our developmental candidates and investigational medicines
could result in a greater quantity of reportable adverse events, including suspected unexpected serious adverse reactions, other reportable
negative clinical outcomes, manufacturing reportable events or material clinical events that could lead to clinical delay or hold by the FDA
or applicable regulatory authority or other clinical delays, any of which could negatively impact the perception of one or more of our
programs, as well as our business as a whole. In addition, responses by US, state, or foreign governments to negative public perception may
result in new legislation or regulations that could limit our ability to develop any investigational medicines or commercialize any approved
products, obtain or maintain regulatory approval, or otherwise achieve profitability. More restrictive statutory regimes, government
regulations, or negative public opinion would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and
prospects and may delay or impair the development of our investigational medicines and commercialization of any approved products or
demand for any products we may develop.
We lack the capability to manufacture compounds for clinical development, and we rely on and intend to continue relying on third
parties for commercial supply, manufacturing and distribution if any of our product candidates which receive regulatory approval and
we may be unable to obtain required material or product in a timely manner, at an acceptable cost or at a quality level required to
receive regulatory approval.
We currently do not have the manufacturing capabilities or experience necessary to produce our products or any product
candidates for clinical trials. We currently use one active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturer and one finished goods manufacturer for
each of our products. We do not currently have, nor do we plan to acquire the infrastructure or capability to supply, manufacture or
distribute preclinical, clinical or commercial quantities of drug substances or products. For each clinical trial of our unpartnered product
candidates, we rely on third-party manufacturers for the active pharmaceutical ingredients, as well as various manufacturers to manufacture
starting components, excipients and formulated drug products. Our ability to develop our product candidates, and our ability to
commercially supply our products will depend, in part, on our ability to successfully obtain the active pharmaceutical ingredients and other
substances and materials used in our product candidates from third parties and to have finished products manufactured by third parties in
accordance with regulatory requirements and in sufficient quantities for preclinical and clinical testing and commercialization. If we fail to
develop and maintain supply relationships with these third parties, we may be unable to continue to develop or commercialize our product
candidates.
We rely and will continue to rely on certain third parties, including those located outside the US, as our limited source of the
materials they supply or the finished products they manufacture. The drug substances and other materials used in our product candidates are
currently available only from one or a limited number of suppliers or manufacturers and certain of our finished product candidates are
manufactured by one or a limited number of contract manufacturers. Any of these existing suppliers or manufacturers may:
● fail to supply us with product on a timely basis or in the requested amount due to unexpected damage to or destruction of
facilities or equipment or otherwise;
● fail to increase manufacturing capacity and produce drug product and components in larger quantities and at higher yields in a
timely or cost-effective manner, or at all, to sufficiently meet our commercial needs;
● be unable to meet our production demands due to issues related to their reliance on sole-source suppliers and manufacturers;
● supply us with product that fails to meet regulatory requirements;
● become unavailable through business interruption or financial insolvency;
● lose regulatory status as an approved source;
● be unable or unwilling to renew current supply agreements when such agreements expire on a timely basis,
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on acceptable terms or at all; or
● discontinue production or manufacturing of necessary drug substances or products.
Our current and anticipated future dependence upon these third-party manufacturers may adversely affect our ability to develop
and commercialize product candidates on a timely and competitive basis, which could have an adverse effect on sales, results of operations
and financial condition. If we were required to transfer manufacturing processes to other third-party manufacturers and we were able to
identify an alternative manufacturer, we would still need to satisfy various regulatory requirements. Satisfaction of these requirements
could cause us to experience significant delays in receiving an adequate supply of our products and products in development and could be
costly. Moreover, we may not be able to transfer processes that are proprietary to the manufacturer, if any. These manufacturers may not be
able to produce material on a timely basis or manufacture material at the quality level or in the quantity required to meet our development
timelines and applicable regulatory requirements and may also experience a shortage in qualified personnel. Our third-party manufacturers
import certain materials from China to produce our products. The tensions between the US and China have led to a series of tariffs and
sanctions being imposed by the US on imports from China mainland, as well as other business restrictions. Such tensions could adversely
impact us and our third-party manufacturers. We may not be able to maintain or renew our existing third-party manufacturing
arrangements, or enter into new arrangements, on acceptable terms, or at all. Our third-party manufacturers could terminate or decline to
renew our manufacturing arrangements based on their own business priorities, at a time that is costly or inconvenient for us. If we are
unable to contract for the production of materials in sufficient quantity and of sufficient quality on acceptable terms, our planned clinical
trials may be significantly delayed. Manufacturing delays could postpone the filing of our investigational new drug (IND) applications
and/or the initiation or completion of clinical trials that we have currently planned or may plan in the future.
Drug manufacturers are subject to ongoing periodic unannounced inspection by the FDA, the Drug Enforcement Administration,
the European Medicines Agency, national competent authorities in the EU and UK and other federal and state government and regulatory
agencies to ensure strict compliance with cGMP and other government regulations and corresponding foreign standards. We do not have
control over third-party manufacturers’ compliance with these regulations and standards and they may not be able to comply. Switching
manufacturers may be difficult because the number of potential manufacturers is limited. It may be difficult or impossible for us to find a
replacement manufacturer quickly on acceptable terms, or at all. Additionally, if we are required to enter into new supply arrangements, we
may not be able to obtain approval from the FDA of any alternate supplier in a timely manner, or at all, which could delay or prevent the
clinical development and commercialization of any related product candidates. Failure of our third-party manufacturers or us to comply
with applicable regulations, whether due to the impacts of a global pandemic or otherwise, could result in sanctions being imposed on us,
including fines, civil penalties, delays in or failure to grant marketing approval of our product candidates, injunctions, delays, suspension or
withdrawal of approvals, license revocation, seizures or recalls of products and compounds, operating restrictions and criminal
prosecutions, warning or similar letters or civil, criminal or administrative sanctions against us, any of which could adversely affect our
business.
Any product for which we have obtained regulatory approval, or for which we obtain approval in the future, is subject to, or will be
subject to, extensive ongoing regulatory requirements by the FDA, EMA, MHRA and other comparable regulatory authorities, and if we
fail to comply with regulatory requirements or if we experience unanticipated problems with our products, we may be subject to
penalties, we may be unable to generate revenue from the sale of such products, our potential for generating positive cash flow will be
diminished, and the capital necessary to fund our operations will be increased.
We commercialize our products in the US and we have entered into commercialization agreements with third parties to
commercialize fostamatinib outside the US. Any product for which we have obtained regulatory approval, or for which we obtain
regulatory approval in the future, along with the manufacturing processes and practices, post-approval clinical research, product labeling,
advertising and promotional activities for such product, are subject to continual requirements of, and review by, the FDA, the EMA and
other comparable international regulatory authorities. These requirements include submissions of safety and other post-marketing
information and reports, registration and listing requirements, cGMP requirements relating to manufacturing, quality control, quality
assurance and corresponding maintenance of records and documents, requirements regarding the distribution of samples to physicians,
import and
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export requirements and recordkeeping. If we or our suppliers encounter manufacturing, quality or compliance difficulties with respect to
our products or any of our product candidates, when and if approved, whether due to the impacts of a global pandemic (including as a result
of disruptions of global shipping and the transport of products) or otherwise, we may be unable to obtain or maintain regulatory approval or
meet commercial demand for such products, which could adversely affect our business, financial conditions, results of operations and
growth prospects.
Promotional communications with respect to prescription drugs are subject to a variety of legal and regulatory restrictions and
must be consistent with the information in the product’s approved labeling. Thus, we will not be able to promote any products we develop
for indications or uses for which they are not approved.
In addition, the FDA often requires post-marketing testing and surveillance to monitor the effects of products. The FDA, the EMA
and other comparable international regulatory agencies may condition approval of our product candidates on the completion of such post-
marketing clinical studies. These post-marketing studies may suggest that a product causes undesirable side effects or may present a risk to
the patient. Additionally, the FDA may require REMS to help ensure that the benefits of the drug outweigh its risks. A REMS may be
required to include various elements, such as a medication guide or patient package insert, a communication plan to educate healthcare
providers of the drug’s risks, limitations on who may prescribe or dispense the drug, requirements that patients enroll in a registry or
undergo certain health evaluations or other measures that the FDA deems necessary to ensure the safe use of the drug.
Discovery after approval of previously unknown problems with any of our products, manufacturers or manufacturing processes, or
failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may result in actions such as:
● restrictions on our ability to conduct clinical trials, including full or partial clinical holds on ongoing or planned trials;
● restrictions on product manufacturing processes;
● restrictions on the marketing of a product;
● restrictions on product distribution;
● requirements to conduct post-marketing clinical trials;
● untitled or warning letters or other adverse publicity;
● withdrawal of products from the market;
● refusal to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications that we submit;
● recall of products;
● refusal to permit the import or export of our products;
● product seizure;
● fines, restitution or disgorgement of profits or revenue;
● refusal to allow us to enter into supply contracts, including government contracts;
● injunctions; or
● imposition of civil or criminal penalties.
If such regulatory actions are taken, the value of our company and our operating results will be adversely affected. Additionally, if
the FDA, the EMA or any other comparable international regulatory agency withdraws its approval of a product that is or may be approved,
we will be unable to generate revenue from the sale of that product in the relevant jurisdiction, our potential for generating positive cash
flow will be diminished and the capital necessary to fund our operations will be increased. Accordingly, we continue to expend significant
time, money and effort in all areas
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of regulatory compliance, including manufacturing, production, product surveillance, post-marketing studies and quality control.
If any of our third-party contractors fail to perform their responsibilities to comply with FDA rules and regulations, the marketing and
sales of our products could be delayed and we may be subject to enforcement action, which could decrease our revenues.
Conducting our business requires us to manage relationships with third-party contractors. As a result, our success depends partially
on the success of these third parties in performing their responsibilities to comply with FDA rules and regulations. Although we pre-qualify
our contractors and we believe that they are fully capable of performing their contractual obligations, we cannot directly control the
adequacy and timeliness of the resources and expertise that they apply to these activities.
If any of our partners or contractors fail to perform their obligations in an adequate and timely manner, or fail to comply with the
FDA’s rules and regulations, then the marketing and sales of our products could be delayed. The FDA may also take enforcement actions
against us based on compliance issues identified with our contractors. If any of these events occur, we may incur significant liabilities,
which could decrease our revenues. For example, sales and medical science liaison or MSL personnel, including contractors, must comply
with FDA requirements for the advertisement and promotion of products.
If we are unable to obtain regulatory approval to market products in the US and foreign jurisdictions, we will not be permitted to
commercialize products we or our collaborative partners may develop.
We cannot predict whether regulatory clearance will be obtained for any product that we, or our collaborative partners, hope to
develop. Satisfaction of regulatory requirements typically takes many years, is dependent upon the type, complexity and novelty of the
product and requires the expenditure of substantial resources. Of particular significance to us are the requirements relating to research and
development and testing.
Before commencing clinical trials in humans in the US, we, or our collaborative partners, will need to submit and receive approval
from the FDA of an IND application. Clinical trials are subject to oversight by institutional review boards and the FDA and:
● must be conducted in conformance with the FDA’s good clinical practices and other applicable regulations;
● must meet requirements for institutional review board oversight;
● must meet requirements for informed consent;
● are subject to continuing FDA and regulatory oversight;
● may require large numbers of test subjects; and
● may be suspended by us, our collaborators or the FDA at any time if it is believed that the subjects participating in these trials
are being exposed to unacceptable health risks or if the FDA finds deficiencies in the IND or the conduct of these trials.
While we have stated that we intend to file additional INDs for future product candidates, this is only a statement of intent, and we
may not be able to do so because we may not be able to identify potential product candidates. In addition, the FDA may not approve any
IND we or our collaborative partners may submit in a timely manner, or at all.
Before receiving FDA approval to market a product, we must demonstrate with substantial clinical evidence that the product is
safe and effective in the patient population and the indication that will be treated. Data obtained from preclinical and clinical activities are
susceptible to varying interpretations that could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approvals. In addition, delays or rejections may be
encountered based upon additional government regulation from future legislation or administrative action or changes in FDA policy during
the period of product development, clinical trials and FDA regulatory review. Failure to comply with applicable FDA or other applicable
regulatory requirements may result in criminal prosecution, civil penalties, recall or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of
production or
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injunction, adverse publicity, as well as other regulatory action against our potential products or us. Additionally, we have limited
experience in conducting and managing the clinical trials necessary to obtain regulatory approval.
If regulatory approval of a product is granted, this approval will be limited to those indications or disease states and conditions for
which the product is demonstrated through clinical trials to be safe and efficacious. We cannot assure that any compound developed by us,
alone or with others, will prove to be safe and efficacious in clinical trials and will meet all of the applicable regulatory requirements
needed to receive marketing approval.
Outside the US, our ability, or that of our collaborative partners, to market a product is contingent upon receiving a marketing
authorization from the appropriate regulatory authorities. This foreign regulatory approval process typically includes all of the risks and
costs associated with FDA approval described above and may also include additional risks and costs, such as the risk that such foreign
regulatory authorities, which often have different regulatory and clinical trial requirements, interpretations and guidance from the FDA,
may require additional clinical trials or results for approval of a product candidate, any of which could result in delays, significant
additional costs or failure to obtain such regulatory approval. There can be no assurance, however, that we or our collaborative partners will
not have to provide additional information or analysis, or conduct additional clinical trials, before receiving approval to market product
candidates.
We have an orphan drug designation from the FDA for fostamatinib for the treatment of ITP and wAIHA, and for olutasidenib for the
treatment of AML, but we may not be able to obtain additional orphan drug designations in the future, or maintain the orphan drug
designations or exclusivity for the approved drugs for the treatment of respective indications, or we may be unable to maintain the
benefits associated with orphan drug designations, including the potential for market exclusivity.
We have an orphan drug designation in the US for fostamatinib for the treatment of ITP and wAIHA, and for olutasidenib for the
treatment of AML. Also, pralsetinib has orphan drug designations in the US for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic RET fusion-
positive NSCLC as detected by an FDA-approved test, for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with
advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory (if
radioactive iodine is appropriate), and for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic
RET-mutant medullary thyroid carcinoma who require systemic therapy. We may seek orphan drug designation for other product candidates
in the future. Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may grant orphan drug designation to a drug or biologic intended to treat a rare disease
or condition, which is defined as one occurring in a patient population of fewer than 200,000 in the US, or a patient population greater than
200,000 in the US where there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing the drug will be recovered from sales in the US. In
the US, orphan drug designation entitles a party to financial incentives such as opportunities for grant funding towards clinical trial costs,
tax advantages and user-fee waivers. In addition, if a product that has orphan drug designation subsequently receives the first FDA approval
for the disease for which it has such designation, the product is entitled to orphan drug exclusivity, which means that the FDA may not
approve any other applications, including a full NDA, to market the same drug for the same indication for seven years, except in limited
circumstances, such as a showing of clinical superiority to the product with orphan drug exclusivity or where the manufacturer is unable to
assure sufficient product quantity. At this time, we do not have nor will we seek to apply for orphan drug designation in the EU or the UK
in the foreseeable future.
We cannot assure that any future application for orphan drug designation with respect to any other product candidate will be
granted. If we are unable to obtain orphan drug designation with respect to other product candidates in the US, we will not be eligible to
obtain the period of market exclusivity that could result from orphan drug designation or be afforded the financial incentives associated
with orphan drug designation. Even though we have received orphan drug designation for fostamatinib for the treatment of ITP and wAIHA
in the US, we may not be the first to obtain marketing approval for the orphan-designated indication due to the uncertainties associated with
developing pharmaceutical products or we might not maintain our orphan drug designation. In addition, exclusive marketing rights in the
US for fostamatinib for the treatment of ITP, wAIHA or any future product candidate may be limited if we seek approval for an indication
broader than the orphan-designated indication or may be lost if the FDA later determines that the request for designation was materially
defective or if the manufacturer is unable to assure sufficient quantities of the product to meet the needs of patients with the rare disease or
condition. Further, even if we obtain orphan drug exclusivity for a product, that exclusivity may not effectively protect the product from
competition because different drugs with different active moieties can be approved for the same condition. Even after an orphan product is
approved,
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the FDA can subsequently approve the same drug with the same active moiety for the same condition if the FDA concludes that the later
drug is safer, more effective, or makes a major contribution to patient care. Orphan drug designation neither shortens the development time
or regulatory review time of a drug nor gives the drug any advantage in the regulatory review or approval process.
In addition, Congress is considering updates to the orphan drug provisions of the FDCA in response to a recent 11th Circuit
decision. Any changes to the orphan drug provisions could change our opportunities for, or likelihood of success in obtaining, orphan drug
exclusivity and would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects.
Risks Related to Commercialization
Our prospects are highly dependent on our commercial products. To the extent that the commercial success of our products in the US is
diminished or is not commercially successful, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected, and
the price of our common stock may decline.
We are focusing a significant portion of our activities and resources on our products, and we believe our prospects are highly
dependent on, and a significant portion of the value of our company relates to, our ability to sustain successful commercialization of our
products in the US. We have also entered into exclusive commercialization agreements with third parties to commercialize fostamatinib
outside the US, and we plan to further enter partnership with existing or other third parties to commercialize our products outside the US in
the future.
Sustained successful commercialization of our products is subject to many risks and uncertainties, including the impact of a global
pandemic on the successful commercialization in the US, as well as the successful commercialization efforts for our products through our
collaborative partners. There are numerous examples of unsuccessful product launches and failures to meet high expectations of market
potential, including by pharmaceutical companies with more experience and resources than us.
There are many factors that could cause the commercialization of our products to be unsuccessful, including a number of factors
that are outside our control. The commercial success of our products depends on the extent to which patients and physicians accept and
adopt our products to treat the related diseases. We also do not know how physicians, patients and payors will respond to our future price
increases of our products. Physicians may not prescribe our products and patients may be unwilling to use our products if coverage is not
provided or reimbursement is inadequate to cover a significant portion of the cost. Our products compete, and may in the future compete,
with currently existing therapies, including generic drugs, and products currently under development. Our competitors, particularly large
pharmaceutical companies, may deploy more resources to market, sell and distribute their products. If our efforts are not appropriately
resourced to adequately promote our products, the commercial potential of our sales may be diminished. Additionally, any negative
development for our products in clinical development in additional indications may adversely impact the commercialization and potential
of fostamatinib. Thus, significant uncertainty remains regarding the commercial potential of our products.
Market acceptance of our products will depend on a number of factors, including:
● the timing of market introduction of the product as well as competitive products;
● the clinical indications for which the product is approved;
● acceptance by physicians, the medical community and patients of the product as a safe and effective treatment;
● potential future impacts, if any, due to the effects of a global pandemic and the global tensions arising from the Russian-
Ukrainian war and Hamas-Israel war;
● the ability to distinguish safety and efficacy from existing, less expensive generic alternative therapies, if any;
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● the convenience of prescribing, administrating and initiating patients on the product and the length of time the patient is on
the product;
● the potential and perceived value and advantages of the product over alternative treatments;
● the cost of treatment in relation to alternative treatments, including any similar generic treatments;
● pricing and the availability of coverage and adequate reimbursement by third-party payors and government authorities;
● a positive HTA concluding that the product is cost-effective and the HTA bodies issuing a positive recommendation for the
use of the product as a first or second line of treatment for the granted therapeutic indication;
● the prevalence and severity of adverse side effects; and
● the effectiveness of sales and marketing efforts.
If we are unable to sustain anticipated level of sales growth from our products, or if we fail to achieve anticipated product royalties
and collaboration milestones, we may need to reduce our operating expenses, access other sources of cash or otherwise modify our business
plans, which could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, during 2021, we
experienced lower than anticipated sales of our products due to continuing impacts of physician and patient access issues created by the
COVID-19 pandemic. From time to time, our net product sales are negatively impacted by the decrease in level of inventories remaining at
our distribution channels.
We also may not be successful entering into arrangements with third parties to sell and market one or more of our product
candidates or may be unable to do so on terms that are favorable to us. We likely will have little control over such third parties, including
Kissei’s development and commercialization of fostamatinib in all indications in Japan, China, Taiwan, and the Republic of Korea, Grifols’
commercialization of fostamatinib in Europe and Turkey, Medison for future commercialization of fostamatinib in Canada and Israel, and
Knight for commercialization of fostamatinib in Latin America. As a consequence of our license agreements with Kissei, Grifols, Medison
and Knight, we rely heavily upon their regulatory, commercial, medical affairs, market access and other expertise and resources for
commercialization of fostamatinib in their respective territories outside of the US. We cannot control the amount of resources that our
partners dedicate to the commercialization of fostamatinib, and our ability to generate revenues from the commercialization of fostamatinib
by our partners depends on their ability to achieve market acceptance of fostamatinib in its approved indications in their respective
territories.
Furthermore, foreign sales of fostamatinib by our partners could be adversely affected by the imposition of governmental controls, political
and economic instability, outbreaks of pandemic diseases, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, trade restrictions or barriers and changes in
tariffs and escalating global trade and political tensions. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased travel restrictions
and extended shutdowns of certain businesses in the US and around the world. If our collaborators are unable to successfully complete
clinical trials, delay commercialization of fostamatinib or do not invest the resources necessary to successfully commercialize fostamatinib
in international territories where it has been approved, this could reduce the amount of revenue we are due to receive under these license
agreements, resulting in harm to our business and operations. If we do not establish and maintain sales and marketing capabilities
successfully, either on our own or in collaboration with third parties, we will not be successful in commercializing our product candidates.
Even if we, or any of our collaborative partners, are able to continue to commercialize our products or any product candidate that we,
or they, develop, the product may become subject to unfavorable pricing regulations, third-party payor reimbursement practices or
labeling restrictions, all of which may vary from country to country and any of which could harm our business.
The commercial success of any product for which we have obtained regulatory approval, or for which we obtain regulatory
approval in the future will depend substantially on the extent to which the costs of our product or product
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candidates are or will be paid by third-party payors, including government health care programs and private health insurers. There is a
significant trend in the health care industry by public and private payors to contain or reduce their costs, including by taking the following
steps, among others: decreasing the portion of costs payors will cover, ceasing to provide full payment for certain products depending on
outcomes, and/or not covering certain products at all. If payors implement any of the foregoing with respect to our products, it would have
an adverse impact on our revenue and results of operations. If coverage is not available, or reimbursement is limited, we, or any of our
collaborative partners, may not be able to successfully commercialize our products or any of our product candidates in some jurisdictions.
Even if coverage is provided, the approved reimbursement amount may not be at a rate that covers our costs, including research,
development, manufacture, sale and distribution. In the US, no uniform policy of coverage and reimbursement for products exists among
third-party payors; therefore, coverage and reimbursement levels for products can differ significantly from payor to payor. As a result, the
coverage determination process is often a time consuming and costly process that may require us to provide scientific, clinical or other
support for the use of our products to each payor separately, with no assurance that coverage and adequate reimbursement will be applied
consistently or obtained in the first instance.
There is significant uncertainty related to third-party payor coverage and reimbursement of newly approved drugs. Marketing
approvals, pricing and reimbursement for new drug products vary widely from country to country. Some countries require approval of the
sale price of a drug before it can be marketed, which could delay market entry (or, if pricing is not approved, we may be unable to sell at all
in a country where we have received regulatory approval for a product. In many countries, the pricing review period begins after marketing
or product licensing approval is granted. In some countries, the proposed pricing for a drug must be approved before it may be lawfully
marketed). In addition, authorities in some countries impose additional obligations, such as HTAs, which assess the performance of a drug
in comparison with its cost. The outcome of HTA assessments is judged on a national basis and some payors may not reimburse the use of
our products or may reduce the rate of reimbursement for our products and as a result, revenue from such products may decrease.
In some foreign markets, prescription pharmaceutical pricing remains subject to continuing governmental control even after initial
approval is granted. As a result, we, or any of our collaborative partners, might obtain marketing approval for a product in a particular
country, but then be subject to price regulations that delay commercial launch of the product, possibly for lengthy time periods, which may
negatively impact the revenues we are able to generate from the sale of the product in that country. In particular, we cannot predict to what
extent the effects of a global pandemic, depending on its scale and duration, may disrupt global healthcare systems and access to our
products or result in a widespread loss of individual health insurance coverage due to unemployment, a shift from commercial payor
coverage to government payor coverage, or an increase in demand for patient assistance and/or free drug programs, any of which would
adversely affect access to and demand for our products and our net sales. Adverse pricing limitations may also hinder our ability or the
ability of any future collaborators to recoup our or their investment in one or more product candidates, even if our product candidates obtain
marketing approval. Further, even if favorable coverage and reimbursement status is attained for one or more products for which we or our
collaborative partners receive regulatory approval, less favorable coverage policies and reimbursement rates may be implemented in the
future.
Patients who are provided medical treatment for their conditions generally rely on third-party payors to reimburse all or part of the
costs associated with their treatment. Therefore, our ability, and the ability of any of our collaborative partners, to successfully
commercialize our products or any of our product candidates will depend in part on the extent to which coverage and adequate
reimbursement for these products and related treatments will be available from third-party payors.
Additionally, the labeling ultimately approved for any of our product candidates for which we have or may obtain regulatory
approval may include restrictions on their uses and may be subject to ongoing FDA or international regulatory authority requirements
governing the labeling, packaging, storage, distribution, safety surveillance, advertising, promotion, record-keeping and reporting of safety
and other post-market information. If we or any of our collaborative partners do not timely obtain or comply with the labeling approval by
the FDA or international regulatory authorities on any of our product candidates, it may delay or inhibit our ability to successfully
commercialize our products and generate revenues.
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If we are unable to successfully market and distribute our products and retain experienced commercial personnel, our business will be
substantially harmed.
We continuously expend significant time and resources to maintain a sales force that is credible and compliant with applicable
laws in marketing our products. In addition, we must continually train our sales force to ensure that an appropriate and compliant message
about our products is being delivered. If we are unable to effectively train our sales force and equip them with compliant and effective
materials, including medical and sales literature to help them appropriately inform and educate health care providers regarding the potential
benefits and proper administration of our products, our efforts to successfully commercialize our products could be put in jeopardy, which
would negatively impact our ability to generate product revenues.
We have established our distribution, sales, marketing and market access capabilities, all of which will be necessary to
successfully commercialize our products. As a result, we will be required to expend significant time and resources to market, sell, and
distribute our products to hematologists and hematologist-oncologists. There is no guarantee that the marketing strategies we have
developed, or the distribution, sales, marketing and market access capabilities that we have developed will be successful. Particularly, we
are dependent on third-party logistics, specialty pharmacies and distribution partners in the distribution of our products. If they are unable
to perform effectively or if they do not provide efficient distribution of the medicine to patients, our business may be harmed.
Maintaining our sales, marketing, market access and product distribution capabilities requires significant resources, and there are
numerous risks involved with managing our commercial team, including our potential inability to successfully train, retain and incentivize
adequate numbers of qualified and effective sales and marketing personnel. We are also competing for talent with numerous commercial
and pre-commercial-stage oncology-focused biotechnology companies seeking to build out their commercial organizations, as well as other
large pharmaceutical organizations that have extensive, well-funded and more experienced sales and marketing operations, and we may be
unable to maintain or adequately scale our commercial organization as a result of such competition. If we cannot maintain effective sales,
marketing, market access and product distribution capabilities, we may be unable to realize the commercial potential of our products. Also,
to the extent that the commercial opportunities for our products grow over time, we may not properly judge the requisite size and
experience of our current commercialization teams or the level of distribution necessary to market and sell our products, which could have
an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to successfully develop or commercialize our product candidates if problems arise in the clinical testing and
approval process.
The activities associated with the research, development and commercialization of our products and other product candidates in
our pipeline must undergo extensive clinical trials, which can take many years and require substantial expenditures, subject to extensive
regulation by the FDA and other regulatory agencies in the US and by comparable authorities in other countries. The process of obtaining
regulatory approvals in the US and other foreign jurisdictions is expensive, and lengthy, if approval is obtained at all.
Our clinical trials may fail to produce results satisfactory to the FDA or regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions. The regulatory
process also requires preclinical testing, and data obtained from preclinical and clinical activities are susceptible to varying interpretations.
The FDA has substantial discretion in the approval process and may refuse to approve any NDA or sNDA and decide that our data is
insufficient for approval and require additional preclinical, clinical or other studies. Varying interpretations of the data obtained from
preclinical and clinical testing could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval of our products for any individual, additional indications.
For example, in June 2022, we announced that the top-line results from our Phase 3 trial in wAIHA did not demonstrate statistical
significance in the primary efficacy endpoint of durable hemoglobin response in the overall study population. While we conducted an in-
depth analysis of these data to better understand differences in patient characteristics and outcomes and submitted these findings to the
FDA, in October 2022, we announced that we received guidance from the FDA’s of these findings. Based on the result of the trial and the
guidance from the FDA, we did not file an sNDA for wAIHA.
It is also possible that we could experience delays in the timing of our interactions with regulatory authorities due to absenteeism
by governmental employees or the diversion of regulatory authority efforts and attention to approval of other therapeutics, or other public
health emergencies including a global pandemic, which could delay or limit our
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ability to make planned regulatory submissions or develop and commercialize our product candidates on anticipated timelines.
In addition, delays or rejections may be encountered based upon changes in regulatory policy for product approval during the
period of product development and regulatory agency review, which may cause delays in the approval or rejection of an application for our
products or for our other product candidates.
Commercialization of our product candidates depends upon successful completion of extensive preclinical studies and clinical
trials to demonstrate their safety and efficacy for humans. Preclinical testing and clinical development are long, expensive and uncertain
processes.
In connection with clinical trials of our product candidates, we may face the following risks among others:
● the product candidate may not prove to be effective;
● the product candidate may cause harmful side effects;
● the clinical results may not replicate the results of earlier, smaller trials;
● we or third parties with whom we collaborate, may be significantly impacted by force majeure events;
● we, or the FDA or similar foreign regulatory authorities, may delay, terminate or suspend the trials;
● our results may not be statistically significant;
● patient recruitment and enrollment may be slower than expected;
● patients may drop out of the trials or otherwise not enroll; and
● regulatory and clinical trial requirements, interpretations or guidance may change.
We do not know whether we will be permitted to undertake clinical trials of potential products beyond the trials already concluded
and the trials currently in process. It will take us or our collaborative partners several years to complete any such testing, and failure can
occur at any stage of testing. Interim results of trials do not necessarily predict final results, and acceptable results in early trials may not be
repeated in later trials. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical industry, including biotechnology companies, have suffered
significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials, even after achieving promising results in earlier trials.
Further, evolving FDA standards may cause additional setbacks. In 2023, FDA published guidance documents and a final rule
which all concern clinical trial requirements. In June 2023, FDA published a draft guidance, E6(R3) Good Clinical Practice, which seeks to
unify standards for clinical trial data for the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements of Pharmaceuticals for
Human Use member countries and regions. In August 2023, FDA published a guidance document, Informed Consent, Guidance for IRBs,
Clinical Investigators, and Sponsors, which supersedes past guidance and finalizes draft guidance on informed consent. Further, in
December 2023, FDA published a final rule, Institutional Review Board Waiver or Alteration of Informed Consent for Minimal Risk
Clinical Investigations, which allows exceptions from informed consent requirements when a clinical investigation poses no more than
minimal risk to the human subject and includes appropriate safeguards to protect the rights, safety, and welfare of human subjects.
Alterations to clinical trial requirements may affect recruitment and retention of patients and may hinder or delay a clinical trial.
Further, changes to data requirements may cause FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities to disagree with data from preclinical
studies or clinical trials, and may require further studies. Changes to trial requirements or trial data may increase costs and delay product
development.
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General Risk Factors
Global economic conditions could adversely impact our business.
Deterioration in the macroeconomic economy could lead to losses or defaults by our customers or suppliers, which in turn, could
have a material adverse effect on our current and/or projected business operations and results of operations and financial condition. The
global financial markets and economy are currently, and have from time to time experienced extreme volatility and disruptions, including
severely diminished liquidity and credit availability, rising interest and inflation rates, declines in consumer confidence, declines in
economic growth, increases in unemployment rates and uncertainty about economic stability.
Any significant deterioration in the US economy would likely affect the operation of our business and ability to raise capital. In
addition, US debt ceiling and budget deficit concerns have increased the possibility of additional credit-rating downgrades and economic
slowdowns, or a recession in the US. Although US lawmakers passed legislation to raise the federal debt ceiling on multiple occasions,
ratings agencies have lowered or threatened to lower the long-term sovereign credit rating on the US. The impact of this or any further
downgrades to the US government’s sovereign credit rating or its perceived creditworthiness could adversely affect the US and global
financial markets and economic conditions.
The global financial markets and economy may also be adversely affected by the current or anticipated impact of military conflict,
including the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, and the Hamas-Israel war, terrorism or other geopolitical events. Sanctions imposed by the
US and other countries in response to such conflicts, including the Russian-Ukrainian war and the Hamas-Israel war, may also adversely
impact the financial markets and the global economy, and any economic countermeasures by the affected countries or others could
exacerbate market and economic instability.
The US government has indicated its intent to alter its approach to international trade policy and in some cases to renegotiate, or
potentially terminate, certain existing bilateral or multi-lateral trade agreements and treaties with foreign countries. In addition, the US
government has initiated or is considering imposing tariffs on certain foreign goods. Related to this action, certain foreign governments,
including China, have instituted or are considering imposing tariffs on certain US goods. It remains unclear what the US Administration or
foreign governments will or will not do with respect to tariffs or other international trade agreements and policies. A trade war or other
governmental action related to tariffs or international trade agreements or policies has the potential to disrupt our research activities, affect
our suppliers and/or the US or global economy or certain sectors thereof and, thus, could adversely impact our businesses.
Bank failures or other events affecting financial institutions could adversely impact our liquidity and other business.
Financial institutions have recently experienced, and may experience in the future, industry instability and failures which have led
to disruptions in access to bank deposits or lending commitments. In 2023, the closures of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank
and their placement into receivership with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), as well as the FDIC’s seizure and sale of
First Republic Bank, created bank-specific and broader financial institution liquidity risk and concerns. On March 12, 2023, federal
regulators announced that the FDIC would complete its resolution of SVB in a manner that fully protects all depositors. On March 27,
2023, First Citizens Bank (FCB) announced that it has entered into an agreement with FDIC to purchase all of the asset and liabilities of
SVB. Customers of SVB automatically become customers of FCB following the acquisition.
We maintain a depository relationship with SVB/FCB and other banking institutions. All of our cash deposits are accessible to us,
and we do not anticipate any losses with respect to such funds. Since the March 2023 financial institution failure, there has been a
heightened risk and greater focus on the potential failures of other banks in the future. If these banks fail in the future, we may not be able
to immediately (or ever) recover our cash in excess of the FDIC insured limits which would adversely impact our operating liquidity and
could negatively impact our operations, results of operations and financial performance. Although we believe our exposure is limited, if in
the future any of the financial institutions that we maintain depository or lending relationships were to be placed into receivership, we may
be unable to access such funds to meet our working capital requirements. In addition, if any of our customers, suppliers or other parties
with whom we conduct business are unable to access funds, such parties’ ability to pay their obligations to us or to enter into new
commercial arrangements requiring additional payments to us could be adversely affected. Although
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we assess our banking and customer relationships as we believe necessary or appropriate, our access to funding sources and other credit
arrangements in amounts adequate to finance or capitalize our current and projected future business operations could be significantly
impacted by factors that affect us, the financial institutions with which we have credit agreement or arrangements directly, or the financial
services industry or economy in general.
Shareholder activism and private securities-related litigation could cause material disruption to our business.
Publicly traded companies have increasingly become subject to campaigns by our stakeholders, including investors, and more
recently regulatory organizations advocating corporate actions such as actions related to ESG matters, impacts of climate change, financial
restructuring, increased borrowing, dividends, share repurchases and even sales of assets or the entire company. Responding to proxy
contests and other actions by such activist investors or others in the future could be costly and time-consuming, disrupt our operations and
divert the attention of our Board of Directors and senior management from the pursuit of our business strategies, which could adversely
affect our results of operations and financial condition.
There's a growing emphasis from select investors, regulators, and other stakeholders on corporate responsibility, particularly
regarding ESG factors. Some investors and advocacy groups utilize these factors to shape investment strategies, potentially opting out of
investing in our company if they perceive our corporate responsibility policies as insufficient. Third-party providers offering corporate
responsibility ratings and reports have surged to meet rising investor demand, with numerous organizations evaluating companies on ESG
matters, and these evaluations receive widespread attention. A low ESG or sustainability rating from such providers could lead certain
investors to overlook our common stock in favor of competitors. Institutional investors, in particular, use these ratings to compare
companies, and any perceived lag in our ESG efforts might prompt voting decisions or other actions to hold our board accountable.
Furthermore, evolving assessment criteria for corporate responsibility practices may raise expectations, compelling us to undertake costly
initiatives to meet new standards. Failure to meet these evolving criteria could reinforce the perception of inadequate corporate
responsibility policies. Non-compliance could also lead to reputational damage if our procedures or standards fall short of stakeholder
expectations.
Securities-related class action lawsuits and/or derivative lawsuits have often been brought against companies, including
biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies, that experience volatility in the market price of their securities. It is possible that such
lawsuit will be filed, or allegations from stockholders with this matter. Such lawsuits and any other related lawsuits are subject to inherent
uncertainties, and the actual defense and disposition costs will depend upon many unknown factors. The outcome of such lawsuits is
necessarily uncertain. We could be forced to expend significant resources in the defense of the pending lawsuits and any additional
lawsuits, and we may not prevail.
Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law may make an acquisition of us, which may be beneficial to
our stockholders, more difficult.
Provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could make
it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders. These provisions:
● establish that members of the board of directors may be removed only for cause upon the affirmative vote of stockholders
owning a majority of our capital stock;
● authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that could be issued by our board of directors to increase the number
of outstanding shares and thwart a takeover attempt;
● limit who may call a special meeting of stockholders;
● prohibit stockholder action by written consent, thereby requiring all stockholder actions to be taken at a meeting of our
stockholders;
● establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters that can
be acted upon at stockholder meetings;
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● provide for a board of directors with staggered terms; and
● provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by a resolution of our board of directors.
In addition, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL), which imposes certain restrictions relating to
transactions with major stockholders, may discourage, delay or prevent a third party from acquiring us.
Our bylaws designate a state or federal court located within the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for substantially all
disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes
with us or our current or former directors, officers, stockholders, or other employees.
Our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State
of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of us under Delaware law,
(ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty by any current or former director, officer, or other employee of ours that is
owed to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers, or other employees arising
pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws (as either may be amended
from time to time), (iv) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine, or (v) any other action asserting an
“internal corporate claim,” as defined under Section 115 of the DGCL. The forgoing provisions do not apply to any claims arising under the
Securities Act and, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States will
be the sole and exclusive forum for resolving any action asserting a claim arising under the Securities Act.
These choice of forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for
disputes with us or any of our current or former directors, officers, or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such
claims. There is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such provisions, and the enforceability of similar choice of forum
provisions in other companies’ charter documents has been challenged in legal proceedings. It is possible that a court could find these types
of provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable, and if a court were to find the choice of forum provision to be inapplicable or
unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our
business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Increasing use of social media could give rise to liability and may harm our business.
We and our employees are increasingly utilizing social media tools and our website as a means of communication. Despite our
efforts to monitor evolving social media communication guidelines and comply with applicable laws, regulations and national and EU
codes of conduct, there is risk that the unauthorized use of social media by us or our employees to communicate about our products or
business, sharing of publications in unintended audiences in other jurisdictions, or any inadvertent promotional activity or disclosure of
material, nonpublic information through these means, may cause us to be found in violation of applicable laws and regulations, which may
give rise to liability and result in harm to our business. In addition, there is also risk of inappropriate disclosure of sensitive information,
which could result in significant legal and financial exposure and reputational damages that could potentially have an adverse impact on our
business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, negative posts or comments about us or our products on social media
could seriously damage our reputation, brand image and goodwill.
Our future success depends on our ability to attract and retain key employees and relationships.
We are highly dependent on the commercial, research and development, clinical, business development, financial and legal
expertise of our executive officers, as well as the other principal members of our management. We expect to continue hiring and retaining
qualified personnel which is critical to our success. Replacing key employees and executive officers may be difficult and may take an
extended period of time because of the limited number of individuals in our industry with the breadth of skills and experience required to
successfully develop, gain regulatory approval of and commercialize drugs. Competition to hire from this limited pool is intense, and we
may be unable to hire, train, retain or motivate these key personnel on acceptable terms given the competition among numerous
pharmaceutical and
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biotechnology companies for similar personnel. In particular, our research programs depend on our ability to attract and retain highly
skilled chemists, other scientists, and development, regulatory and clinical personnel. If we lose the services of any of our key personnel,
our research and development efforts could be seriously and adversely affected. Our employees can terminate their employment with us at
any time.
Our facilities are located near known earthquake fault zones, and the occurrence of an earthquake or other catastrophic disaster could
cause damage to our facilities and equipment, which could require us to cease or curtail operations.
Our facilities are located in the San Francisco Bay Area near known earthquake fault zones and are vulnerable to significant
damage from earthquakes. We are also vulnerable to damage from other types of disasters, including fires, floods, power loss,
communications failures and similar events. If any disaster were to occur, our ability to operate our business at our facilities would be
seriously, or potentially completely, impaired, and our research could be lost or destroyed. In addition, the unique nature of our research
activities and of much of our equipment could make it difficult for us to recover from a disaster. The insurance we maintain may not be
adequate to cover our losses resulting from disasters or other business interruptions.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
Risk Management and Strategy
Cybersecurity and privacy incidents in the pharmaceutical industry are growing in frequency and severity, prompting organizations
to invest heavily in people, processes, and technology to bolster their cybersecurity risk management capabilities.
We assess the integrity of our information technology and cybersecurity platforms to help ensure proper safety measures are
implemented. We understand the extensive responsibility associated with safeguarding our systems and data. Our processes for assessing,
identifying, and managing material risks from cybersecurity threats include:
● Detection and Prevention: We utilize various securities tools and technologies designed to prevent, identify, protect, detect,
escalate, respond and recover from cyber threats in a timely manner. Our approach includes real-time monitoring, threat analysis,
and regular security evaluations to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
● User Training & Education: We realize that human error can be a significant cybersecurity risk, so we have implemented
education and training programs for our staff to raise awareness about cybersecurity best practices. By promoting a culture of
security consciousness, we empower our staff to identify potential threats and respond effectively, in a way that is designed to
enhance the overall cybersecurity posture of our organization.
● Incidence Response and Business Continuity: We have comprehensive Incidence Response and Business Continuity plans in place
designed to ensure the continuity, availability and accessibility of our systems and data, even in the face of unforeseen events such
as natural disasters or cyber incidents, which plans and systems we test regularly.
We rely upon the capacity, availability and security of our information technology hardware and software infrastructure. We
maintain comprehensive compliance and security programs designed to help safeguard and ensure the integrity of the confidential
information we possess, which includes both organization and technical control measures. We routinely conduct employee
trainings on important information security procedures and test and measure compliance with these security measures. In addition,
we maintain cyber insurance policies that mitigate the financial risk of any potential incident.
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We engage consultants, auditors, and other third parties in connection with such processes. We work with third-party service
providers to assist us in our cybersecurity risk management to identify areas that may potentially impact our business, develop and
implement control framework to mitigate such cybersecurity risks, and to be prepared to respond to and report (as required)
applicable cybersecurity incidents.
We face a number of risks including the growing threat of cybersecurity attacks. Despite our implementation of security measures
to combat the threats of cybersecurity attacks, any system failure, accident or security breach could result in disruptions to our
operations. To the extent that any disruption, cybersecurity attack or other security breach results in a loss or damage to our data or
inappropriate disclosure of confidential information, our business could be harmed. In addition, we may be required to incur
significant costs to protect against damaged caused by these disruptions or security breaches in the future.
While we have not, as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, experienced cybersecurity challenges (including any
previous cybersecurity incidents) that have materially affected us, our business strategy, our results of operations or our financial condition,
there can be no guarantee that we will not experience such an incident in the future. For additional information regarding risks from
cybersecurity threats, please refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this annual report on Form 10-K.
Governance
Our Corporate Governance, Healthcare Compliance Oversight, and Nominating committee oversees our cybersecurity risk
management. This committee periodically reviews and assesses the risk exposure of our risks related to data privacy, technology and
information security, including cyber-security, and back-up of information systems and makes recommendations to our Board of Director
pertaining to monitoring and minimizing findings in such assessment. This committee periodically reports to the Board of Directors.
While the Corporate Governance, Healthcare Compliance Oversight, and Nominating committee oversees our cybersecurity risk
management, our management also plays an integral role in cybersecurity oversight. Our management is responsible for day-to-day risk
management processes. This includes periodic updates from the Executive Director of Information Technology who has over 23 years of
work experience in the life science industry, and holds an undergraduate degree in Industrial Technology. The Executive Director of
Information Technology is responsible for managing the daily measures of safeguarding the information technology infrastructure from
potential threats and vulnerabilities, which includes monitoring the prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation of cybersecurity
incidents. Additionally, we have established a Crisis Management Team (CMT), which is a team of cross-functional participants who are
prepared to review and assess any potential cybersecurity incidents. The CMT team is led by our CFO and our General Counsel who will
advise the Corporate Governance, Healthcare Compliance Oversight, and Nominating committee of the Board accordingly in the event of
any incident. We believe this division of responsibilities is the most effective approach for addressing our cybersecurity risks and that the
Board leadership structure supports this approach.
Item 2. Properties
We have a sublease agreement with Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Atara) entered in October 2022, to sublease approximately 13,670
rentable square feet of office space located at 611 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 900, South San Francisco, California, which lease commenced
in November 2022 and shall expire in May 2025. This leased facility is currently held as our Headquarters. We believe that this leased
facility is in good operating condition and is adequate for all our present and near term uses.
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Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may be a party or subject to legal proceedings and claims, either asserted or unasserted, which arise in the
ordinary course of business. Some of these proceedings that we may be involved in the future are claims that are subject to substantial
uncertainties and unascertainable damages or other remedies.
Our threshold for disclosing material environmental legal proceedings involving a government authority where potential monetary
sanctions are involved is $1.0 million.
In June 2022, we received a notice letter regarding an ANDA submitted to the FDA by Annora, requesting approval to market a
generic version of TAVALISSE. The notice letter included a Paragraph IV certification with respect to our US Patent Nos. 7,449,458;
8,263,122; 8,652,492; 8,771,648 and 8,951,504, which are listed in the FDA’s Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence
Evaluations (referred to as the “Orange Book”). The notice letter asserts that these patents will not be infringed by Annora’s proposed
product, are invalid and/or are unenforceable. Annora’s notice letter does not provide a Paragraph IV certification against our other patents
listed in the Orange Book. On July 25, 2022, we filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey against Annora and
its affiliates, Hetero Labs Ltd., and Hetero USA, Inc., for infringement of our US patents identified in Annora’s Paragraph IV certification.
On September 21, 2022, Annora and its affiliates answered and counterclaimed for declaratory judgment of non-infringement and invalidity
of the ’458, ’122, ’492, ’648, and ’504 patents. We served an answer to Annora’s counterclaims in October 2022. Annora served invalidity
and non-infringement contentions in December 2022. We served an answer to Annora’s invalidity and non-infringement contentions in
March 2023. Litigation continues, and no trial date is currently set. We intend to vigorously enforce and defend our intellectual property
related to TAVALISSE.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
Our common stock commenced trading publicly on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “RIGL” on December 7, 2000.
PART II
Holders
As of February 28, 2024, there were approximately 89 holders of record of our common stock.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock and currently do not plan to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable
future.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
None.
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Performance Measurement Comparison
The graph below shows the cumulative total stockholder return of an investment of $100 (and the reinvestment of any dividends
thereafter) on December 31, 2018 in (i) our common stock, (ii) the Nasdaq Composite Index and (iii) the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index. The
Nasdaq Biotechnology Index is a modified-capitalization weighted index that includes securities of Nasdaq-listed companies classified
according to the Industry Classification Benchmark as either Biotechnology or Pharmaceuticals and which also meet other eligibility
criteria. Our stock price performance shown in the graph below is based upon historical data and is not indicative of future stock price
performance.
The following graph and related information shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or be deemed to be “filed” with the SEC,
nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by
reference into such filing.
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Among Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the Nasdaq Composite Index
and the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index
Item 6. [Reserved]
Not applicable.
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our “Notes to Financial Statements” contained in Part II, Item 8 of
this Form 10-K. This section of this Form 10-K discusses 2023 and 2022 items and 2023 and 2022 year-to-year comparisons. This section
does not discuss 2021 items and 2022 to 2021 year-to-year comparisons. Discussions of 2021 items and 2022 to 2021 year-to-year
comparisons can be found in the “Part II, Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Result of Operations”
of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Overview
We are a biotechnology company dedicated to developing and providing novel therapies that significantly improve the lives of
patients with hematologic disorders and cancer. We focus on products that address signaling pathways that are critical to disease
mechanisms.
Our first product approved by the FDA is TAVALISSE (fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate) tablets, the only approved oral SYK
inhibitor for the treatment of adult patients with chronic ITP who have had an insufficient response to a previous treatment. The product is
also commercially available in Europe and the UK (as TAVLESSE), and in Canada, Israel and Japan (as TAVALISSE) for the treatment of
chronic ITP in adult patients.
Our second FDA-approved product is REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) capsules for the treatment of adult patients with R/R AML with
a susceptible IDH1 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test. We began our commercialization of REZLIDHIA in December 2022.
We in-licensed olutasidenib from Forma, with exclusive, worldwide rights for its development, manufacturing and commercialization.
We continue to advance the development of our IRAK1/4 inhibitor program, in an open-label, Phase 1b trial to determine the
tolerability and preliminary efficacy of the drug in patients with lower-risk MDS who are refractory or resistant to prior therapies.
In February 2024, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Blueprint to purchase certain assets comprising the right to
research, develop, manufacture and commercialize GAVRETO (pralsetinib) in the US. GAVRETO (pralsetinib) is a once daily, small
molecule, oral, kinase inhibitor of wild-type RET and oncogenic RET fusions. GAVRETO is approved by the FDA for the treatment of
adult patients with metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC as detected by an FDA-approved test. GAVRETO is also approved under
accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration response rate, for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of
age and older with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and who are radioactive
iodine-refractory (if radioactive iodine is appropriate).
We have strategic development collaborations with the MD Anderson to expand our evaluation of REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) in
AML and other hematologic cancers, and with CONNECT to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) in
combination with temozolomide as maintenance therapy in newly diagnosed pediatric and young adult patients with HGG harboring an
IDH1 mutation.
We have a RIPK1 inhibitor program in clinical development with our partner Lilly. We also have product candidates in clinical
development with partners BerGenBio and Daiichi.
For discussions of recent business updates, please refer to “Part I, Item 1, Business – Business Updates” of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
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Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the
financial statements and accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we
believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of
assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different
assumptions or conditions.
Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in “Note 1- Description of Business and Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies” in the “Notes to Financial Statements” contained in “Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”
of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We believe our critical accounting estimates which require subjective and complex judgments include
estimates around our product sales allowances and discounts; estimates around accounting for collaboration arrangements; and estimates
around research and development accruals.
Product Sales Allowances and Discounts
Our revenues from product sales are recognized at net sales price when our customers, the specialty distributors, obtain control of
our product, which occurs at a point in time, upon delivery to such specialty distributors. Under the revenue recognition guidance, we are
required to estimate the transaction price, including variable consideration that is subject to a constraint, in our contracts with our
customers. Variable considerations are included in the transaction price to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the
amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. Revenue from product sales is recorded net of certain variable considerations
which includes estimated government-mandated rebates and chargebacks, PBM rebates, distribution fees, estimated product returns and
other deductions.
Provisions for sales discounts, returns and allowances are provided for in the period the related revenue is recorded. Our estimates
are based on available customer and payor data received from the specialty pharmacies and distributors, as well as third-party market
research data. Actual amounts of consideration ultimately received may differ from our estimates. If actual results in the future vary from
our estimates, we will adjust these estimates, which would affect net product revenue and earnings in the period such variances become
known.
Contract Revenues from Collaborations
In the normal course of business, we conduct research and development programs independently and in connection with our
corporate collaborators, pursuant to which we license certain rights to our intellectual property to third parties. The terms of these
arrangements typically include payment to us for a combination of one or more of the following: upfront license fees; development,
regulatory and commercial milestone payments; product supply services; and royalties on net sales of licensed products.
Upfront License Fees: If the license to our intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other performance obligations
identified in the arrangement, we recognize revenues from upfront license fees allocated to the license when the license is transferred to the
licensee and the licensee is able to use and benefit from the license. For licenses that are bundled with other promises, we determine
whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time. If the combined performance obligation is
satisfied over time, we use judgment in determining the appropriate method of measuring progress for purposes of recognizing revenue
from the up-front license fees. We evaluate the measure of progress each reporting period and, if necessary, adjust the measure of
performance and related revenue recognition.
For arrangements that require us to share in the development costs but to which we do not participate in the co-development work,
the portion of the upfront fee attributed to our share in the future development costs is excluded from the transaction price. If such share in
the development costs is payable beyond 12 months from the delivery of the corresponding license, a significant financing component is
deemed to exist. If a significant financing component is identified, we adjust the transaction price by reducing the upfront fee by the net
present value of our share in future development costs over the expected commitment period. Such discounted amount will be reported as a
liability in the balance sheet, with a corresponding interest expense being accreted based on a discount rate applied over the expected
commitment period.
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Development, Regulatory or Commercial Milestone Payments: At the inception of each arrangement that includes payments based
the achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial or launch events, we evaluate whether the milestones are considered
probable of being achieved and estimate the amount to be included in the transaction price using the most likely amount method. If it is
probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur, the associated milestone value is included in the transaction price. Milestone
payments that are not within our or the licensee’s control, such as regulatory approvals, are not considered probable of being achieved until
uncertainty associated with the approvals has been resolved. The transaction price is then allocated to each performance obligation, on a
relative standalone selling price basis, for which we recognize revenue as or when the performance obligations under the contract are
satisfied. At the end of each subsequent reporting period, we re-evaluate the probability of achieving such development and regulatory
milestones and any related constraint, and if necessary, adjust our estimate of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments are
recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis, and are recorded as part of contract revenues from collaborations during the period of adjustment.
Product Supply Services: Arrangements that include a promise for future supply of drug product for either clinical development or
commercial supply at the licensee’s discretion are generally considered as options. We assess if these options provide a material right to the
licensee and if so, they are accounted for as separate performance obligations.
Sales-based Milestone Payments and Royalties: For arrangements that include sales-based royalties, including milestone payments
based on the volume of sales, we determine whether the license is deemed to be the predominant item to which the royalties or sales-based
milestones relate to and if such is the case, we recognize revenue at the later of (i) when the related sales occur, or (ii) when the
performance obligation to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied).
Research and Development Accruals
We have various contracts with third parties related to our research and development activities. Costs that are incurred but not
billed to us as of the end of the period are accrued. We make estimates of the amounts incurred in each period based on the information
available to us and our knowledge of the nature of the contractual activities generating such costs. Clinical trial contract expenses are
accrued based on units of activity. Expenses related to other research and development contracts, such as research contracts, toxicology
study contracts and manufacturing contracts are estimated to be incurred generally on a straight-line basis over the duration of the contracts.
Raw materials and study materials not related to our approved drug, purchased for us by third parties are expensed at the time of purchase.
We make significant judgments and estimates in determining the accrual balance in each reporting period. As actual costs become
known, we adjust our accruals. Although we do not expect our estimates to be materially different from amounts actually incurred, such
estimates for the status and timing of services performed relative to the actual status and timing of services performed may vary and could
result in us reporting amounts that are too high or too low in any particular period. Variations in assumptions used to estimate accruals
including, but not limited to, the number of patients enrolled, the rate of patient enrollment and the actual services performed may result in
adjustments in research and development accruals in future periods. Changes in these estimates that result in material changes to our
accruals could materially affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements, see “Note 1- Description of Business and Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies”, in the “Notes to Financial Statements” contained in “Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”
of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Results of Operations
Revenues
Year Ended December 31,
2022
2023
2021
Aggregate Change
2023 from 2022 2022 from 2021
Product sales, net
Contract revenues from collaborations
Government contracts
Total revenues
$ 104,294
11,488
1,100
$ 116,882
$
76,718
39,024
4,500
$ 120,242
$
(in thousands)
$
63,010
75,726
10,500
$ 149,236
$
$
27,576
(27,536)
(3,400)
(3,360) $
13,708
(36,702)
(6,000)
(28,994)
The following table summarizes revenues from each of our customers who individually accounted for 10% or more (wherein *
denotes less than 10%) of the total net product sales and revenues from collaborations:
McKesson Specialty Care Distribution Corporation
Cardinal Healthcare
ASD Healthcare and Oncology Supply
Kissei
Lilly
2023
Year Ended December 31,
2022
2021
43%
25%
21%
*
*
31%
19%
17%
24%
*
20%
*
17%
*
48%
Revenue from product sales is related to our sale of our products in the US, net of chargebacks, discounts and fees, government
and other rebates and returns. TAVALISSE net product sales in 2023 was $93.7 million, increased by $17.9 million or 24% compared to
$75.8 million in 2022. The increase was primarily due to increased quantities sold as a result of increased number of patients under therapy,
as well as higher price per bottle, partially offset by increased revenue reserves primarily due to higher government rebates. REZLIDHIA
net product sales in 2023 was $10.6 million, increased by $9.7 million compared to $0.9 million in 2022. The increase was primarily due to
increased quantities sold as we began our commercialization of REZLIDHIA in December 2022.
Following table summarizes our revenues by collaborative partners for the periods presented:
Year Ended December 31,
Aggregate Change
2023
2022
2021
2023 from 2022
2022 from 2021
Grifols
Kissei
Medison
Knight
Lilly
Daiichi
Other third party
Total revenues from collaborations
$
8,782
2,186
520
—
—
—
—
$ 11,488
$
2,989
27,569
5,726
2,000
740
—
—
$ 39,024
$
(in thousands)
2,955
$
341
75
—
66,555
1,800
4,000
$ 75,726
$
5,793
(25,383)
(5,206)
(2,000)
(740)
—
—
(27,536)
$
$
34
27,228
5,651
2,000
(65,815)
(1,800)
(4,000)
(36,702)
In 2023, contract revenues from collaborations consisted of revenue from Grifols of $8.8 million related to the delivery of drug
supplies and earned royalty, revenue from Kissei of $2.2 million related to the delivery of drug supplies, and revenue from Medison of $0.5
million related to the delivery of drug supplies, earned royalty and milestone revenue. In 2022, contract revenues from collaborations
consisted of $27.6 million in revenue from Kissei primarily related to the $25.0 million milestone revenue associated with the NDA
application and approval of fostamatinib for the treatment of patients with chronic ITP in Japan and delivery of drug supplies, $5.7 million
in revenue from Medison related to the release of outstanding financing liability associated with the buy-back option, $3.0 million in
revenue from Grifols related to the delivery of drug supplies, earned royalty and recognition of deferred revenue associated with research
and
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development services, $2.0 million in revenue related to our license agreement with Knight, and $0.7 million in revenue related to our
license agreement with Lilly.
Government contracts revenue was related to the income we recognized from the government award granted to us by the DOD in
January 2021 to support our Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fostamatinib in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, and
the award granted to us by Biomedical Advanced Research and Development (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for
the Preparedness and Response at the DHHS in August 2023 for our evaluation of fostamatinib in mitigating the impact of long-term
respiratory distress. During the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, we recognized $1.0 million, $4.5 million and $10.5
million, respectively, of revenue from the award granted by the DOD. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2023, we
recognized $0.1 million of revenue from the award granted by BARDA.
Our potential future revenues may include product sales, payments from our collaboration partners and from new collaboration
partners with whom we enter into agreements in the future, if any, and from existing government grants and any future grants we may be
entitled to, if any, the timing and amount of which is unknown at this time. Our net product sales may be impacted by changes to the
government program rebates and new private payor rebate contracts we entered or may enter in the future. As of December 31, 2023, we
have deferred revenue of $1.4 million associated with our collaboration agreement with Kissei, which amount will be recognized as
revenue upon satisfaction of our remaining performance obligation.
Cost of Product Sales
Cost of product sales
December 31,
Aggregate Change
2023
2022
2021
2023 from 2022
2022 from 2021
$ 7,110 $ 1,749 $
(in thousands)
1,083 $
5,361 $
666
The cost of product sales includes the cost of inventories sold to specialty distributors and to our collaborative partners.
Inventories sold for the periods presented include inventory quantities acquired or produced prior to the FDA approval of the product, and
do not reflect the full cost of the inventories sold, since such costs incurred prior to FDA approval were previously expensed and charged to
research and development expense. In particular, we still utilize active pharmaceutical ingredient with zero cost for our TAVALISSE
inventories, which we expect to utilize for the next 2 to 3 years. As such, we recognize lower cost of product sales in the periods where we
sell inventory quantities acquired or produced prior to the FDA approval of the product. As we acquire or produce more FDA approved
inventory quantities in the future, our inventory cost in the balance sheet and cost of product sales will reflect the full cost of acquiring or
producing such products. Cost of product sales may also include reserves for potential excess, dated or obsolete inventories based upon
assumptions about future demand and market conditions, as well as product shelf life. Further, following the approval of REZLIDHIA, we
recognize amortization expense from capitalized intangible asset and royalty expense on REZLIDHIA sales within cost of sales.
The increase in cost of product sales in 2023 compared to 2022 was due to $2.5 million increase as a result of higher amortization
expense due to the timing of capitalization of intangible assets and higher royalty expense due to the timing of commercialization of
REZLIDHIA, $2.8 million due to higher inventory reserves and increased delivery of drug supplies pursuant to our supply agreements with
our collaborative partners, and $0.1 million due to increased quantities sold for TAVALISSE and REZLIDHIA.
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Research and Development Expense
Research and development expense
Stock-based compensation expense included in research
and development expense
Year Ended December 31,
Aggregate Change
2023
2022
2021
2023 from 2022
2022 from 2021
(in thousands)
$ 24,522 $ 60,272 $ 65,237 $
(35,750) $
(4,965)
$
2,094
$
2,168
$
1,700
$
(74)
$
468
Stock-based compensation expense included within research and development expense in 2023 include incremental stock-based
compensation charge of approximately $0.5 million as a result of modification of certain stock option grants.
The decrease in research and development expense in 2023 compared to 2022 was primarily due to decreased clinical trial related
expenses of $14.2 million due to the timing of trial completion activities of our Phase 3 clinical trials of fostamatinib for the treatment of
hospitalized high-risk patients with COVID-19 and wAIHA, as well as decreased clinical trial related expenses of $5.7 million due to the
timing of trial activities of our IRAK1/4 inhibitor program. In addition, research and development expense in the year ended December 31,
2022 include $4.5 million upfront and milestone payments to Forma that were recorded as in-process research and development (IPR&D).
Further, personnel-related costs decreased by $2.7 million, consultants and third-party services decreased by $2.3 million, and other
research and development expense including allocated facilities and laboratory costs decreased by $6.4 million.
Our research and development expenditures include costs related to preclinical and clinical trials, scientific personnel, supplies,
equipment, consultants, sponsored research, stock-based compensation, and allocated facility costs. In 2022, our research and development
expense also include upfront payment and pre-regulatory approval milestone payment related to our in-licensed agreement with Forma. We
expect to continue to incur significant research and development expense as we continue our activities in our clinical studies including our
IRAK1/4 inhibitor program; our collaborative partnerships with MD Anderson and CONNECT to evaluate REZLDHIA (olutasidenib) in
AML, other hematologic cancers and glioma; and any other clinical programs we may pursue in the future.
In November 2021, we exited our early-stage research to focus our resources on our mid to late-stage development programs and
our commercialization efforts. In October 2022, we announced further reduction in our workforce resulting to elimination of certain
positions primarily in development as well as administration group. We continue to expect cost savings on our research and development
costs because of this reduction in workforce. We believe that this strategy strengthens our ability to execute on near-term value drivers, such
as growing product sales, expanding the addressable market for our products, and advancing our other clinical trials.
We do not track fully burdened research and development costs separately for each of our drug candidates. We review our research
and development expense by focusing on three categories: research, development, and other. Our research team is focused on identifying
and evaluating product candidates in our focused range of therapeutic indications that can be developed into small molecule therapeutics in
our own proprietary programs or with potential collaborative partners. “Research” expenses relate primarily to personnel expenses, lab
supplies, fees to third-party research consultants and compounds. Our development group leads the implementation of our clinical and
regulatory strategies and prioritizes disease indications in which our compounds may be studied in clinical trials. “Development” expenses
relate primarily to clinical trials, personnel expenses, costs related to our regulatory filings, lab supplies and fees to third-party research
consultants. “Other” expenses primarily consist of allocated facilities costs and allocated stock-based compensation expense relating to
personnel in research and development groups. “Other” expenses also include the upfront payment to Forma and pre-regulatory approval
milestone recorded as research and development expense in 2022.
In addition to reviewing the three categories of research and development expense described in the preceding paragraph, we
principally consider qualitative factors in making decisions regarding our research and development programs, which include enrollment in
clinical trials and the results thereof, the clinical and commercial potential for our drug candidates and competitive dynamics. We also make
our research and development decisions in the context of our overall business strategy, which includes the evaluation of potential
collaborations for the development of our drug candidates.
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Preclinical testing and clinical development are long, expensive and uncertain processes, and we cannot reliably predict the timing
of such clinical trial activities. In general, biopharmaceutical development involves a series of steps, beginning with identification of a
potential target and including, among others, proof of concept in animals and Phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials in humans. Significant delays
in clinical testing could materially impact our product development costs and timing of completion of the clinical trials. We do not know
whether planned clinical trials will begin on time, will need to be halted or revamped or will be completed on schedule, or at all. Clinical
trials can be delayed for a variety of reasons, including delays in obtaining regulatory approval to commence a trial, delays from scale up,
delays in reaching agreement on acceptable clinical trial agreement terms with prospective clinical sites, delays in obtaining institutional
review board approval to conduct a clinical trial at a prospective clinical site or delays in recruiting subjects to participate in a clinical trial.
We currently do not have reliable estimates of total costs for a particular drug candidate to reach the market. Our potential products
are subject to a lengthy and uncertain regulatory process that may involve unanticipated additional clinical trials and may not result in
receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals. Failure to receive the necessary regulatory approvals would prevent us from commercializing
the product candidates affected. In addition, clinical trials of our potential products may fail to demonstrate safety and efficacy, which could
prevent or significantly delay regulatory approval.
The following table presents our total research and development expense by category:
Categories:
Research
Development
Other
2023
Year Ended December 31,
2022
2021
From January 1, 2007*
to December 31, 2023
$
$
1,773
19,655
3,094
24,522
$
$
3,051
45,501
11,720
60,272
$
$
8,195
49,557
7,485
65,237
$
$
269,056
562,475
277,250
1,108,781
* We started tracking research and development expense by category on January 1, 2007.
“Other” expenses in 2023, 2022 and 2021 consisted of allocated facilities costs of $1.0 million, $5.0 million and $5.8 million,
respectively, and stock-based compensation expense of $2.1 million, $2.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively. “Other” expenses in 2022
also include upfront payment and pre-regulatory approval milestone payments of $4.5 million related to our in-license agreement with
Forma.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Selling, general and administrative expense
Stock-based compensation expense included in selling,
general and administrative expense
Year Ended December 31,
Aggregate Change
2023
2022
2021
2023 from 2022
2022 from 2021
(in thousands)
$ 105,741 $ 112,451 $ 91,891 $
(6,710) $
20,560
$
6,712
$
10,217
$
7,337
$
(3,505)
$
2,880
Stock-based compensation expense included within selling, general and administrative expense in 2022 include incremental stock-
based compensation charges of approximately $1.4 million as a result of modifications of certain stock option grants.
The decrease in selling, general and administrative expense in 2023 compared to 2022 was partly due to lower stock-based
compensation expense of $3.5 million due to stock option modifications as discussed above, as well as lower stock-based compensation
expense related to our time-based and performance-based stock awards. In addition, other various sales, general and administrative costs
including allocated facilities expenses decreased by $2.8 million, and consulting and other third-party services decreased by $0.9 million.
These decreases were partially offset by the increase in commercial related expenses of $0.5 million.
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We expect to incur significant selling, general and administrative expenses, as we expect our commercial related expenses to
increase as we continue to expand our commercial activities of our products. We continue to deploy resources to enable our field-based
employees to engage with healthcare providers. These engagements have enabled our field team to cover existing prescribers, as well as
develop relationships with new prescribers to identify appropriate patients for our products.
Restructuring charges
Restructuring charges
Stock-based compensation expense included in restructuring
charges
$
$
Year Ended December 31,
Aggregate Change
2023
2022
2021
2023 from 2022
2022 from 2021
— $ 1,320 $
(in thousands)
3,521 $
(1,320) $
(2,201)
— $
— $
449 $
— $
(449)
Restructuring charges in 2022 comprised cash severance, bonus and related employee benefits and taxes of affected employees
related to our reduction in workforce primarily in development and administration groups during the fourth quarter of 2022.
Interest Income and Expense
Interest income
Interest expense
Year Ended December 31,
Aggregate Change
2023
2022
2021
2023 from 2022
2022 from 2021
684 $
$ 2,272 $
$ (6,872) $ (3,707) $
(in thousands)
47 $
(4,860) $
1,588 $
(3,165) $
637
1,153
Interest income is related to our interest-bearing cash and investment balances. The increase in interest income in 2023 compared
to 2022 was primarily driven by higher interest rates.
Interest expense comprised primarily of interest on the outstanding term loan with MidCap. The increase in interest expense in
2023 compared to 2022 was primarily due to higher interest expense on our term loan with Midcap of $3.9 million driven by higher
outstanding term loan balance, as well as higher interest rates. The increase in interest expense was partly offset by the interest expense
recognized in 2022 related to the accretion of financing liability with Lilly of $0.7 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had approximately $56.9 million and $58.2 million, respectively, in cash, cash equivalents
and short-term investments. We continue to maintain investment portfolios primarily in money market funds, US treasury bills,
government-sponsored enterprise securities, and corporate bonds and commercial paper. Cash in excess of immediate requirements is
invested with regard to liquidity and capital preservation. We view our investments portfolio as available-for-sale and are available for use
in current operations. Wherever possible, we seek to minimize the potential effects of concentration and degrees of risk. We continue to
monitor the impact of the changes in the conditions of the credit and financial markets to our investment portfolio and assess if future
changes in our investment strategy are necessary.
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Following summarizes our cash flow activity for the periods presented:
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities
Investing activities
Financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
2023
Year Ended December 31,
2022
(in thousands)
2021
$
$
(5,743)
(4,297)
18,367
8,327
$
$
(73,758)
72,777
6,550
5,569
$
$
5,878
(80,036)
62,675
(11,483)
Net cash used in operating activities in 2023 was primarily due to payments of our operating expenses, partially offset by the
proceeds from sales of our products, cash receipt from our collaboration partners, including the $20.0 million regulatory milestone payment
from Kissei received in January 2023, and cash received from government awards. Net cash used in operating activities in 2022 was
primarily due to payments of our operating expenses, partially offset by the proceeds from sales of our products, cash received from
collaboration partners and government award.
Net cash used in investing activities in 2023 comprised payment of milestone obligations to Forma recorded as intangible assets of
$15.0 million, partially offset by net maturities of short-term investments of $10.4 million and proceeds from sale of property and
equipment of $0.3 million. Net cash provided by investing activities in 2022 comprised net maturities of short-term investments of $72.3
million and proceeds from sale of property and equipment of $0.9 million, partially offset by capital expenditures of $0.5 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities in 2023 was primarily due to the net cash proceeds from term loan financing (Tranche 5)
of $20.0 million and proceeds from exercise of stock options and participation in the Purchase Plan of $1.0 million, partially offset by our
cost share payments to Lilly of $2.6 million. Net cash provided by financing activities in 2022 was primarily due to the net cash proceeds
from term loan financing (Tranche 3 and 4) of $19.5 million and proceeds from exercises of stock options and participation in the Purchase
Plan of $2.1 million, partially offset by our cost share payments to Lilly of $15.1 million.
We believe that our existing capital resources are sufficient to support our current and projected funding requirements, including
the continued commercialization of our products, through at least the next 12 months from the date of issuance of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K. We used estimates and assumptions that may differ from actual, and we could utilize our available capital resources sooner than
we currently expect. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with commercializing our products, the development of
our product candidates and other research and development activities, we are unable to estimate with certainty our future product revenues,
our revenues from our current and future collaborative partners, the amounts of increased capital outlays and operating expenditures
associated with our current and anticipated clinical trials and other research and development activities.
Capital Resources
Since inception, we have financed our operations primarily through sales of equity securities, debt financing, from sales of our
products, government grants, and contract payments under our collaboration agreements.
Under our existing collaboration agreements that we entered in the ordinary course of business, we received or may be entitled to
receive upfront cash payments, payments contingent upon specified events achieved by such partners and royalties on any net sales of
products sold by such partners under the agreements. As of December 31, 2023, total future contingent payments to us under our existing
agreements, excluding terminated agreements, could exceed $1.3 billion if all potential product candidates achieved all of the payment
triggering events under all of our current agreements. This estimated future contingent amount does not include any estimated royalties that
could be due to us if the partners successfully commercialize any of the licensed products. Future events that may trigger payments to us
under the agreements are based solely on our partners’ future efforts and achievements of specified development, regulatory and/or
commercial events. See further discussion in “Note 4 - Sponsored Research and License Agreements and Government Contracts” to
our “Notes to Financial Statements” contained in “Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
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In August 2020, we entered into an Open Market Sale Agreement with Jefferies LLC (Jefferies), as a sole agent, pursuant to which
we may sell from time to time, through Jefferies, shares of our common stock in sales deemed to be “at-the-market offerings” as defined in
Rule 415 under the Securities Act, subject to conditions specified in the Open Market Sale Agreement, including maintaining an effective
registration statement covering the sale of shares under the Open Market Sale Agreement. We have a shelf registration statement filed with
the SEC that was declared effective on May 3, 2022, which registered, among other securities, a base prospectus which covers the offering,
issuance, and sale by us of up to $250.0 million in the aggregate of the securities identified from time to time in one or more offerings,
which include the $100.0 million of shares of our common stock that may be offered, issued and sold under the Open Market Sale
Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, we have not sold any shares of common stock under such Open Market Sale Agreement.
We have a Credit Agreement with MidCap entered in September 2019, and subsequently amended in March 2021 (First
Amendment), in February 2022 (Second Amendment) and in July 2022 (Third Amendment). The Credit Agreement provides for $60.0
million term loan credit facility, which was fully funded as of December 31, 2023.
Our operations will require significant additional funding in the foreseeable future. Unless and until we can generate sufficient
cash from our operating activities, we may choose to raise additional funds through public and/or private offerings of equity securities, debt
financings, or from other sources. However, certain external factors such as global pandemics, the global tensions arising from the Russia-
Ukraine war and Hamas-Israel war, political and economic legislations, and other factors may continue to rapidly evolve which could
significantly disrupt the global financial markets. Our ability to raise additional funds may be adversely impacted by potential worsening of
global economic conditions and volatility in the credit and financial markets in the US and worldwide. We could experience an inability to
access additional funds, which could in the future negatively affect our capacity for certain corporate development transactions or our
ability to make important, opportunistic investments. To the extent that we raise additional funds through the sale of equity, our
shareholders’ ownership interest may experience substantial dilution. Our current credit facility with MidCap and any debt financing that
we can obtain in the future may involve operating covenants that may restrict our business. To the extent that we raise additional funds
through collaboration and licensing arrangements, we may be required to relinquish some of our rights to our technologies or product
candidates or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us.
Our future funding requirements will depend upon many factors, including, but not limited to:
● the ongoing costs to commercialize our products, or any other future product candidates, if any such candidate receives
regulatory approval for commercial sale;
● our ability to generate expected revenue from our commercialization efforts;
● the progress and success of our clinical trials and preclinical activities (including studies and manufacture of materials) of our
product candidates conducted by us;
● our ability to secure and maintain our patent protection and regulatory rights;
● our ability to meet operating covenants under our current and future credit facilities, if any;
● our ability to enter into partnering opportunities across our pipeline within and outside the US;
● the costs and timing of regulatory filings and approvals by us and our collaborators;
● the progress of research and development programs carried out by us and our collaborative partners;
● any changes in the breadth of our research and development programs;
● the ability to achieve the events identified in our collaborative agreements that may trigger payments to us from our
collaboration partners;
● our ability to acquire or license other technologies or compounds that we may seek to pursue;
● our ability to manage our growth;
● competing technological and market developments;
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● the costs and timing of obtaining, enforcing and defending our patent and other intellectual property rights, including
regulatory rights such as regulatory data exclusivities; and
● expenses associated with any unforeseen litigation, including any arbitration and securities class action lawsuits.
Insufficient funds may require us to delay, scale back or eliminate some or all of our commercial efforts and/or research or
development programs, to lose rights under existing licenses or to relinquish greater or all rights to product candidates at an earlier stage of
development or on less favorable terms than we would otherwise choose or may adversely affect our ability to operate as a going concern.
Material Cash Requirements
We conduct our commercial activities and research and development programs internally and through third parties that include,
among others, arrangements with vendors, consultants, CROs and universities. We have contractual arrangements with these parties,
however our contracts with them are cancelable generally on reasonable notice within one year and our obligations under these contracts
are primarily based on services performed. We do not have any purchase commitments under any collaboration arrangements.
We have agreements with certain clinical research organizations to conduct our clinical trials including our recent strategic
development collaborations with MD Anderson and CONNECT, as well as with third parties relative to our commercialization of our
products. The timing of payments for any amounts owed under the respective agreements will depend on various factors including, but not
limited to, patient enrollment and other progress of the clinical trials, and various activities related to commercialization. We expect that we
will continue to enter into contracts in the normal course of business with various third parties who support our clinical trials, support our
preclinical research studies, and provide other services related to our operating purposes as well as our commercialization of our products.
We can terminate these agreements at any time, and if terminated, we would not be liable for the full amount of the respective agreements.
Instead, we will be liable for services provided through the termination date plus certain cancellation charges, if any, as defined in each of
the respective agreements. In addition, these agreements may, from time to time, be subjected to amendments as a result of any change
orders executed by the parties.
As discussed in detail in “Note 4 - Sponsored Research and License Agreements and Government Contracts” to our “Notes to
Financial Statements” contained in “Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K,
pursuant to the amended Lilly Agreement, and us providing the first opt-out notice to Lilly on September 29, 2023, we are responsible for
funding the development costs for R552 in the US, Europe, and Japan, up to $22.6 million through April 1, 2024. Through December 31,
2023, Lilly billed us $18.6 million of the funding development costs, of which $0.8 million is outstanding as of December 31, 2023. The
amended Lilly Agreement, however, provides us the right to opt-in to co-funding the R552 development, upon us providing notice to Lilly
within 30 days of certain events, as specified in the Lilly Agreement. If we decide to exercise our opt-in right, we will be required to
continue to share in global development costs, and if we later exercise our second opt-out right (no later than April 1, 2025), our share in
global development costs will be up to a specified cap through December 31, 2025, as provided for in the Lilly Agreement.
Additionally, as discussed in detail in “Note 4 – Sponsored Research and License Agreements and Government Contracts” of
our “Notes to Financial Statements” contained in “Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K, pursuant to our license and transition services agreement, Forma is entitled to potential development and regulatory milestone
payments of up to $67.5 million, commercial milestone payments of up to $165.5 million, and tiered royalty payments. In 2022, certain
milestones were met which entitled Forma to receive $17.5 million milestone payments, of which, $2.5 million was paid in the fourth
quarter of 2022 and $15.0 million was paid in the first quarter of 2023. No new milestone was met during the year ended December 31,
2023.
Pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement with Blueprint entered in February 2024, we agreed to pay Blueprint a purchase price of
$15.0 million, $10.0 million of which is payable upon our first commercial sale of GAVRETO (pralsetinib) and an additional $5.0 million
of which is payable on the first anniversary of the closing date of the agreement, subject to certain conditions. Blueprint is also eligible to
receive up to $97.5 million in future commercial
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milestone payments and up to $5.0 million in future regulatory milestone payments, in addition to tiered royalties ranging from 10% to
30%. Simultaneously and in conjunction with entering into the Asset Purchase Agreement, we also entered into certain supporting
agreements, including a customary transition agreement, pursuant to which, during the transition period, Blueprint will transition regulatory
and distribution responsibility for GAVRETO (pralsetinib) to us. We also agreed to purchase certain drug product inventories from
Blueprint.
As of December 31, 2023, we have a contractual commitment related to our facilities leased facilities of $1.0 million, with
approximately $0.7 million payable within 12 months. See “Note 11 – Leases” to our “Notes to Financial Statements” contained in “Part II,
Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussions of our leases.
As discussed above, we have a contractual commitment with respect to our credit facility with MidCap. Under the amended Credit
Agreement, the term loans mature on September 1, 2026, and the interest-only period is through October 1, 2024. The interest rate
applicable to the term loans under the amended Credit Agreement is the sum of one-month SOFR, plus an adjustment of 0.11448%, subject
to 1.50% applicable floor, plus applicable margin of 5.65%. A final payment fee of 2.5% of principal is due at maturity date of the term
loans. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding principal amount of the loan was $60.0 million, and no principal payments are due within
12 months. We are also obligated to pay annual administrative fees. As of December 31, 2023, future interest calculated using the base
interest rate as per the Credit Agreement, and the final fee payments associated with the credit facility amounted to $9.4 million, with
approximately $4.4 million payable within 12 months.
We are also subject to claims related to the patent protection of certain of our technologies, as well as purported securities class
action lawsuit, other litigations, and other contractual agreements. We are required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or
outcomes to these matters as well as potential ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of reserves required, if any, for
these contingencies is made after careful analysis of each individual matter. We do not have other material contractual commitments with
respect to matters discussed above.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. These risks primarily include interest rate sensitivities
related to our investments and borrowings. Our cash equivalents and short-term investments consists of money market funds, US treasury
bills, government-sponsored enterprise securities, and corporate bonds and commercial paper. Our cash equivalents and short-terms
investments are invested in high-grade securities, and as a result, we believe represent a minimal credit risk. The goals of our investment
policy are liquidity and capital preservation; we do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes and have not used any
derivative financial instruments to manage our interest rate exposure. If interest rates were to increase or decrease by 100 basis points, the
fair value of our cash equivalents and short-term investments would increase or decrease by an immaterial amount.
The outstanding principal balance of our loan from Midcap bears interest at an annual rate of one-month SOFR, plus an
adjustment of 0.11448%, subject to 1.50% applicable floor, plus applicable margin of 5.65%. Accordingly, our interest expense under the
MidCap Credit Agreement is subject to changes in SOFR. Fluctuations in SOFR above the contractual floor rate may have a material effect
on our interest payment obligations in the future.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42)
Balance Sheets
Statements of Operations
Statements of Comprehensive Loss
Statements of Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity
Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Financial Statements
Supplementary Data
105
Page
106
108
109
110
111
112
113
141
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the
related statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders’ (deficit) equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial
statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of
its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated
March 5, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the
Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be
independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our
audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud,
and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was
communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the
financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit
matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical
audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the account or disclosure to which it relates.
Product Sales Allowances and Discounts
Description of the
Matter
As described in Note 1 to the financial statements, revenue from product sales is recorded net of adjustments for
estimated government-mandated and/or privately-negotiated rebates and chargebacks, distribution fees, estimated
product returns, and other deductions. Provisions for these adjustments are recorded in the period in which the
related revenue is recorded and are presented either as a reduction of accounts receivable or as an accrued liability
in the Company’s
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balance sheet. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has recorded net liabilities for product sales allowances
and discounts of $15.7 million.
Auditing product sales allowances and discounts involved evaluation of management’s subjective judgments
regarding the reasonableness of estimated payor and channel mix applied to product sales during the period. These
estimates are based on available customer and payor data received from specialty pharmacies and distributors and
reflect management’s judgments regarding adjustments to historical trends. The Company has a limited history
upon which to base such estimates, and changes in the estimated payor and channel mix can have a material effect
on the amount of variable consideration recognized.
How We Addressed
the Matter in Our
Audit
We tested the Company’s internal controls over the process for estimating and recording product sales allowances
and discounts. Our testing included controls over management’s review of significant assumptions, such as payor
mix and channel mix, and other inputs such as product sold, contractual terms, discount rates, historical data and
expected channel inventory levels, used in the estimates.
To test the Company’s provisions for allowances and discounts, our audit procedures included, among others,
evaluating the methodologies and assumptions used and the underlying data used by the Company. We evaluated
the assumptions used by management against historical trends, evaluated the change in estimated accruals from
prior periods, and assessed the historical accuracy of the Company’s estimates against actual results over material
ending accrual balances. We performed substantive analytical procedures on material ending accrual balances by
assessing whether the accrued balance is reasonable relative to historical payment lag and sales activity.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1998.
San Francisco, California
March 5, 2024
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RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Accounts receivable, net
Inventories
Prepaid and other current assets
Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
Intangible asset, net
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Accrued compensation
Accrued research and development
Revenue reserves and refund liability
Other accrued liabilities
Lease liabilities, current portion
Deferred revenue
Loans payable, net, current portion
Other long-term liabilities, current portion
Total current liabilities
Long-term portion of lease liabilities
Long-term portion of loans payable, net
Other long-term liabilities
Total liabilities
Commitments
Stockholders’ deficit:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and
outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized; 174,825,610 and
173,398,645 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022,
respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Accumulated deficit
Total stockholders’ deficit
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
108
As of December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
$
32,786
24,147
30,550
5,522
6,261
99,266
165
13,878
861
3,055
117,225
7,142
8,676
3,513
15,684
5,334
692
1,355
7,229
3,642
53,267
285
52,373
39,944
145,869
24,459
33,747
40,320
9,118
8,259
115,903
857
14,949
1,930
640
134,279
22,508
8,866
7,708
12,145
6,485
1,133
1,369
—
4,997
65,211
972
39,448
42,264
147,895
—
—
175
1,378,723
8
(1,407,550)
(28,644)
117,225
$
174
1,368,822
(153)
(1,382,459)
(13,616)
134,279
$
$
$
$
RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Table of Contents
Revenues:
Product sales, net
Contract revenues from collaborations
Government contracts
Total revenues
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product sales
Research and development
Selling, general and administrative
Restructuring charges
Total costs and expenses
Loss from operations
Interest income
Interest expense
Loss before income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Net loss
Net loss per share, basic and diluted
Weighted average shares used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
109
Year Ended December 31,
2022
2023
2021
104,294
11,488
1,100
116,882
7,110
24,522
105,741
—
137,373
(20,491)
2,272
(6,872)
(25,091)
—
(25,091)
(0.14)
174,017
$
$
$
76,718
39,024
4,500
120,242
1,749
60,272
112,451
1,320
175,792
(55,550)
684
(3,707)
(58,573)
—
(58,573)
(0.34)
172,406
$
$
$
63,010
75,726
10,500
149,236
1,083
65,237
91,891
3,521
161,732
(12,496)
47
(4,860)
(17,309)
605
(17,914)
(0.11)
170,492
$
$
$
Table of Contents
RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(In thousands)
Net loss
Other comprehensive gain (loss):
Net unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investments
Comprehensive loss
2023
Year Ended December 31,
2022
2021
(25,091)
$
(58,573)
$
(17,914)
161
(24,930)
$
(51)
(58,624)
$
(98)
(18,012)
$
$
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
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RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY
(In thousands, except number of shares)
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
1,339,833
—
—
$
$
Balance as of January 1, 2021
Net loss
Net change in unrealized loss on short-term investments
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options and
participation in Purchase Plan
Stock-based compensation expense
Balance as of December 31, 2021
Net loss
Net change in unrealized loss on short-term investments
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options and
participation in Purchase Plan
Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted
stock units (RSUs)
Stock-based compensation expense
Balance as of December 31, 2022
Net loss
Net change in unrealized gain on short-term investments
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options and
participation in Purchase Plan
Issuance of common stock upon vesting of RSUs
Stock-based compensation expense
Balance as of December 31, 2023
Common Stock
Shares
169,316,782
—
—
2,285,444
—
171,602,226
—
—
1,580,169
216,250
—
173,398,645
—
—
991,959
435,006
—
174,825,610
Amount
$
$
169
—
—
3
—
172
—
—
2
—
—
174
—
—
1
—
—
175
4,772
9,585
1,354,190
—
—
2,122
—
12,510
1,368,822
—
—
1,048
—
8,853
1,378,723
$
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
(4)
—
(98)
—
—
(102)
—
(51)
—
—
—
(153)
—
161
Accumulated
Deficit
(1,305,972)
(17,914)
$
$
—
—
—
(1,323,886)
(58,573)
—
—
—
—
(1,382,459)
(25,091)
—
$
8
$
(1,407,550)
$
Total
Stockholders’
(Deficit) Equity
34,026
(17,914)
(98)
4,775
9,585
30,374
(58,573)
(51)
2,124
—
12,510
(13,616)
(25,091)
161
1,049
—
8,853
(28,644)
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
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Table of Contents
RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
Operating activities
Net loss
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense
Loss (gain) on sale and disposal of fixed assets
Depreciation and amortization
Non-cash interest expense
Net amortization and accretion of discount on short-term investments and term loan
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net
Inventories
Prepaid and other current assets
Other assets
Right-of-use assets
Accounts payable
Accrued compensation
Accrued research and development
Revenue reserves and refund liability
Other accrued liabilities
Lease liability
Deferred revenue
Other current and long-term liabilities
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
Investing activities
Maturities of short-term investments
Purchases of short-term investments
Purchases of intangible asset
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
Purchases of property and equipment
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
Financing activities
Year Ended December 31,
2022
2021
2023
$ (25,091) $
(58,573) $
(17,914)
8,806
266
1,238
—
(479)
9,770
1,172
1,998
56
1,069
(366)
(190)
(4,195)
3,539
(1,151)
(1,128)
(14)
(1,043)
(5,743)
41,650
(31,206)
(15,000)
259
—
(4,297)
12,385
(138)
998
682
(63)
(24,848)
(2,377)
(847)
334
7,773
3,788
(1,824)
(2,676)
4,230
1,709
(8,546)
(1,227)
(4,538)
(73,758)
9,486
—
1,162
3,139
287
501
(4,875)
6,633
(150)
8,192
41
1,098
5,495
1,850
(24)
(8,621)
(422)
—
5,878
101,228
(28,894)
62,050
(141,459)
—
893
(450)
72,777
—
(627)
(80,036)
Net proceeds from term loan financing
Net proceeds from issuances of common stock upon exercise of options and participation in
Purchase Plan
Cost share advance from a collaboration partner
Cost share payments to a collaboration partner
Net cash provided by financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Interest paid
Purchases of intangible asset included within accounts payable
19,950
19,542
—
1,049
—
(2,632)
18,367
8,327
24,459
32,786
$
2,124
—
(15,116)
6,550
5,569
18,890
24,459
5,848
$
— $
2,495
15,000
$
$
$
4,775
57,900
—
62,675
(11,483)
30,373
18,890
1,500
—
$
$
$
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
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RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, “Rigel,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and “common stock” refers to
Rigel’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share.
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Description of Business
We are a biotechnology company dedicated to developing and providing novel therapies that significantly improve the lives of
patients with hematologic disorders and cancer. We focus on products that address signaling pathways that are critical to disease
mechanisms.
Our first product approved by the FDA is TAVALISSE (fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate) tablets, the only approved oral SYK
inhibitor for the treatment of adult patients with chronic ITP who have had an insufficient response to a previous treatment. The product is
also commercially available in Europe and the UK (as TAVLESSE), and in Canada, Israel and Japan (as TAVALISSE) for the treatment of
chronic ITP in adult patients.
Our second FDA-approved product is REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) capsules for the treatment of adult patients with R/R AML with
a susceptible IDH1 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test. We began our commercialization of REZLIDHIA in December 2022.
We in-licensed olutasidenib from Forma, with exclusive, worldwide rights for its development, manufacturing and commercialization.
We continue to advance the development of our IRAK1/4 inhibitor program, in an open-label, Phase 1b trial to determine the
tolerability and preliminary efficacy of the drug in patients with lower-risk MDS who are refractory or resistant to prior therapies.
In February 2024, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Blueprint to purchase certain assets comprising the right to
research, develop, manufacture and commercialize GAVRETO (pralsetinib) in the US. GAVRETO (pralsetinib) is a once daily, small
molecule, oral, kinase inhibitor of wild-type RET and oncogenic RET fusions. GAVRETO is approved by the FDA for the treatment of
adult patients with metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC as detected by an FDA-approved test. GAVRETO is also approved under
accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration response rate, for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of
age and older with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and who are radioactive
iodine-refractory (if radioactive iodine is appropriate).
We have strategic development collaborations with the MD Anderson to expand our evaluation of REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) in
AML and other hematologic cancers, and with CONNECT to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) in
combination with temozolomide as maintenance therapy in newly diagnosed pediatric and young adult patients with HGG harboring an
IDH1 mutation.
We have a RIPK1 inhibitor program in clinical development with our partner Lilly. We also have product candidates in clinical
development with partners BerGenBio and Daiichi.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting
principles (US GAAP). Any reference in these notes to applicable accounting guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative US GAAP
included in the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC), and Accounting Standards Update (ASU) issued by the Financial Accounting
Standards Board (FASB). We manage our operations as one business segment for purposes of assessing performance, making operating
decisions, and allocating resources, and our chief operating decision maker is our chief executive officer.
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Liquidity
As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $56.9 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Since
inception, we have financed our operations primarily through sales of equity securities, debt financing arrangement, contract payments
under our collaboration agreements and from product sales. Based on our current operating plan, we believe that our existing cash, cash
equivalents, and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund our expenses and capital expenditure requirements through at least the
next 12 months from the date of issuance of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make certain judgments, estimates
and assumptions that could affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported
amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Critical accounting estimates and assumptions made by management include
those relating to estimates around our product sales allowances and discounts; estimates around accounting for collaboration arrangements;
and estimates around research and development accruals. Other accounting estimates also include but not limited to allowance for credit
losses, inventory reserves, estimated general accruals, valuation of our stock option awards and probability of achievement of corporate
performance-based milestones for our performance-based stock option awards, valuation allowance on deferred tax asset, estimated useful
lives of long-lived assets, and any potential impairment loss. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on
various other assumptions we believe to be applicable, and evaluate them on an ongoing basis to ensure they remain reasonable under
current conditions. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates, which could have a material impact on our business,
results of operations, and financial condition.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606), when a customer
obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration which we expect to receive in exchange for those
goods or services. To determine whether arrangements are within the scope of ASC 606, we perform the following five steps: (i) identify
the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate
the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy our performance
obligation. We apply the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that we will collect the consideration we are entitled to in
exchange for the goods or services we transfer to the customer. At contract inception, once the contract is determined to be within the scope
of this new guidance, we assess the goods or services promised within each contract and identify, as a performance obligation, and assess
whether each promised good or service is distinct. We then recognize as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the
respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied.
Product Sales
Revenues from product sales are recognized when the specialty distributors, who are our customers, obtain control of our product,
which occurs at a point in time, upon delivery to such specialty distributors. These specialty distributors subsequently resell our products to
specialty pharmacy providers, health care providers, hospitals and clinics. In addition to distribution agreements with our specialty
distributors, we also have arrangements with certain specialty pharmacy providers, in-office dispensing providers, group purchasing
organizations, and government entities that provide for government-mandated and/or privately-negotiated rebates, chargebacks and
discounts with respect to the purchase of our products.
Under ASC 606, we are required to estimate the transaction price, including variable consideration that is subject to a constraint, in
our contracts with our customers. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price to the extent that it is probable that a significant
reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. Revenue from product sales is recorded net of certain variable
consideration which includes estimated government-mandated rebates and chargebacks, distribution fees, estimated product returns and
other deductions.
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Provisions for returns and other adjustments are provided for in the period the related revenue is recorded. Actual amounts of
consideration ultimately received may differ from our estimates. If actual results in the future vary from our estimates, we will adjust these
estimates, which would affect net product revenue and earnings in the period such variances become known.
The following are our significant categories of sales discounts and allowances:
Sales Discounts. We provide certain customer a prompt payment discount that is explicitly stated in our contract. The sales
discount is recorded as a reduction of revenue in the period the related product revenue is recognized.
Product Returns. We offer our specialty distributors a right to return product purchased directly from us, which is principally based
upon the product’s expiration date. Product return allowances are estimated and recorded at the time of sale.
Government and Private Payor Rebates: We are subject to discount obligations under the state Medicaid programs and Medicare
prescription drug coverage gap program. We estimate our Medicaid and Medicare prescription drug coverage gap rebates based upon a
range of possible outcomes that are probability-weighted for the estimated payor mix. We also have rebate program agreements with certain
PBMs for certain product, pursuant to which rebates will be paid in accordance with the respective agreements. The rebate reserves are
recorded in the same period the related revenue is recognized, resulting in a reduction of product revenue and related liability is recorded as
revenue reserves within other accrued liabilities in the balance sheet. Our liability for these rebates consists primarily of estimates of claims
for the current quarter, and estimated future claims that will be made for product that has been recognized as revenue, but remains in the
distribution channel inventories at the end of each reporting period.
Chargebacks and Discounts: Chargebacks for fees and discounts represent the estimated obligations resulting from contractual
commitments to sell products to certain specialty pharmacy providers, in-office dispensing providers, group purchasing organizations, and
government entities at prices lower than the list prices charged to our specialty distributors who directly purchase the product from us.
These specialty distributors charge us for the difference between what they pay for the product and our contracted selling price to these
specialty pharmacy providers, in-office dispensing providers, group purchasing organizations, and government entities. These reserves are
established in the same period that the related revenue is recognized, resulting in a reduction of product revenue. Actual chargeback
amounts are generally determined at the time of resale to the specialty pharmacy providers, in-office dispensing providers, group
purchasing organizations, and government entities by our specialty distributors. The estimated obligations arising from these chargebacks
and discounts are recorded as revenue reserves within other accrued liabilities in the balance sheet.
Co-Payment Assistance: We offer co-payment assistance to commercially insured patients meeting certain eligibility requirements.
The calculation of the accrual for co-pay assistance is based on an estimate of claims and the cost per claim that we expect to receive
associated with product that has been recognized as revenue.
Contract Revenues from Collaborations
In the normal course of business, we conduct research and development programs independently and in connection with our
corporate collaborators, pursuant to which we license certain rights to our intellectual property to third parties. The terms of these
arrangements typically include payment to us for a combination of one or more of the following: upfront license fees; development,
regulatory and commercial milestone payments; product supply services; and royalties on net sales of licensed products.
Upfront License Fees: If the license to our intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other performance obligations
identified in the arrangement, we recognize revenues from upfront license fees allocated to the license when the license is transferred to the
licensee and the licensee is able to use and benefit from the license. For licenses that are bundled with other promises, we determine
whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time. If the combined performance obligation is
satisfied over time, we use judgment in determining the appropriate method of measuring progress for purposes of recognizing revenue
from the up-front license fees. We evaluate the measure of progress each reporting period and, if necessary, adjust the measure of
performance and related revenue recognition.
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For arrangements that require us to share in the development costs but to which we do not participate in the co-development work,
the portion of the upfront fee attributed to our share in the future development costs is excluded from the transaction price. If such share in
the development costs is payable beyond 12 months from the delivery of the corresponding license, a significant financing component is
deemed to exist. If a significant financing component is identified, we adjust the transaction price by reducing the upfront fee by the net
present value of our share in future development costs over the expected commitment period. Such discounted amount will be reported as a
liability in the balance sheet, with a corresponding interest expense being accreted based on a discount rate applied over the expected
commitment period.
Development, Regulatory or Commercial Milestone Payments: At the inception of each arrangement that includes payments based
on the achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial or launch events, we evaluate whether the milestones are
considered probable of being achieved and estimate the amount to be included in the transaction price using the most likely amount
method. If it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur, the associated milestone value is included in the transaction
price. Milestone payments that are not within our or the licensee’s control, such as regulatory approvals, are not considered probable of
being achieved until uncertainty associated with the approvals has been resolved. The transaction price is then allocated to each
performance obligation, on a relative standalone selling price basis, for which we recognize revenue as or when the performance
obligations under the contract are satisfied. At the end of each subsequent reporting period, we re-evaluate the probability of achieving such
development and regulatory milestones and any related constraint, and if necessary, adjust our estimate of the overall transaction price. Any
such adjustments are recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis, and recorded as part of contract revenues from collaborations during the
period of adjustment.
Product Supply Services: Arrangements that include a promise for future supply of drug product for either clinical development or
commercial supply at the licensee’s discretion are generally considered as options. We assess if these options provide a material right to the
licensee and if so, they are accounted for as separate performance obligations.
Sales-based Milestone Payments and Royalties: For arrangements that include sales-based royalties, including milestone payments
based on the volume of sales, we determine whether the license is deemed to be the predominant item to which the royalties or sales-based
milestones relate to and if such is the case, we recognize revenue at the later of (i) when the related sales occur, or (ii) when the
performance obligation to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied).
Government Contracts
There is limited US GAAP accounting guidance for for-profit business entities that receives government assistance. We utilized
other accounting standards, and have elected to analogize to International Financial Reporting Standards, specifically International
Accounting Standards (IAS) 20, Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosures of Government Assistance. Following IAS 20, we
account for government assistance as government contracts revenue within the statement of operations in the period when it is probable that
we will receive the award, which is when we comply with the conditions associated with the award. Following the guidance of ASU 2021-
10, Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance, we disclose the nature of the transactions and the related accounting
policy used, the line items on the balance sheet and income statement that are affected by the transaction and the amounts applicable to each
financial statement line item, and the significant terms and conditions of the transactions, including commitment and contingencies. See
“Note 4 – Sponsored Research and License Agreements and Government Contracts” for further discussions of government assistance we
received.
Stock-based Compensation
Share-based awards are valued at fair value on the date of grant and that fair value is recognized over the requisite service period,
which is generally the vesting period of the respective award. We use the straight-line attribution method over the requisite employee
service period for the entire award in recognizing stock-based compensation expense. We account for forfeitures as they occur.
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The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The model
requires management to make a number of assumptions including expected volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate and expected
dividends. A number of these assumptions are subjective, and their determination generally require judgment. We segregate option awards
into the following three homogenous groups for the purposes of determining fair values of options: officers and directors, all other
employees, and consultants. We determine the weighted-average valuation assumptions separately for each of these groups as follows:
● Volatility – We estimate volatility using the historical share price performance over the expected life of the option up to the
point where we have historical market data. We also consider other factors, such as implied volatility, our current clinical
trials and other company activities that may affect the volatility of our stock in the future. We determined that at this time
historical volatility is more indicative of our expected future stock performance than implied volatility.
● Expected term – We analyze various historical data to determine the applicable expected term for each of the other option
groups. This data includes: (1) for exercised options, the term of the options from option grant date to exercise date; (2) for
cancelled options, the term of the options from option grant date to cancellation date, excluding non-vested option forfeitures;
and (3) for options that remained outstanding at the balance sheet date, the term of the options from option grant date to the
end of the reporting period and the estimated remaining term of the options. The consideration and calculation of the above
data gives us reasonable estimates of the expected term for each employee group. We also consider the vesting schedules of
the options granted and factors surrounding exercise behavior of the option groups, our current market price and company
activity that may affect our market price. In addition, we consider the optionee type (i.e., officers and directors or all other
employees) and other factors that may affect the expected term of the option. For options granted to consultants, we use the
contractual term of the option, which is generally 10 years, for the initial valuation of the option and the remaining
contractual term of the option for the succeeding periods.
● Risk-free interest rate – The risk-free interest rate is based on US Treasury constant maturity rates with similar terms to the
expected term of the options for each option group.
● Dividend yield – The expected dividend yield is 0% as we have not paid and do not expect to pay dividends in the future.
We grant performance-based stock options to purchase shares of our common stock which will vest upon the achievement of
certain corporate performance-based milestones. We determine the fair values of these performance-based stock options using the Black-
Scholes option pricing model at the date of grant. For the portion of the performance-based stock options of which the performance
condition is considered probable of achievement, we recognize stock-based compensation expense on the related estimated grant date fair
values of such options on a straight-line basis from the date of grant up to the date when we expect the performance condition will be
achieved. For the performance conditions that are not considered probable of achievement at the grant date or upon re-evaluation at each
reporting date, prior to the event actually occurring, we recognize the related stock-based compensation expense when the event occurs or
when we can determine that the performance condition is probable of achievement. In those cases, we recognize the change in estimate at
the time we determine the condition is probable of achievement (by recognizing stock-based compensation expense as cumulative catch-up
adjustment as if we had estimated at the grant date that the performance condition would have been achieved) and recognize the remaining
compensation cost up to the date when we expect the performance condition will be achieved, if any.
The fair value of the RSU grant is based on the market price of our common stock on the date of grant.
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Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are recorded net of customer allowances for prompt payment discounts and any allowance for doubtful
accounts. We monitor the financial performance and creditworthiness of our customers so that we can properly assess and respond to
changes in their credit profile. We have not historically experienced credit losses and no amounts were reserved for estimated losses as of
the balance sheet dates presented.
The following table summarizes the activity of our customer allowances for prompt payment discounts for the periods presented
(in thousands):
Balance at the beginning of the year
Provision for prompt payment discount
Reduction in prompt payment discount
Balance at end of the year
Concentration of Credit Risk
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
2021
$
$
136
686
(642)
180
$
$
106
557
(527)
136
$
$
171
609
(674)
106
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk are primarily cash, investment in debt securities
and accounts receivable. All of our cash and investment in debt securities are maintained with financial institutions that management
believes are creditworthy. By policy, we limit the concentration of credit risk by diversifying our investments among a variety of high
credit-quality issuers. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe we do not have a material exposure to credit risk
arising from our investments. We have not historically experienced any significant credit losses related to these financial instruments and do
not believe that we are exposed to any significant credit risk related to these instruments.
Concentration of credit risk with respect to our accounts receivable is limited due to our small number of customers. Our accounts
receivable consists mostly of outstanding invoices from our sale of our product to our specialty distributors. Accounts receivable may also
include outstanding invoices from our collaboration partners with respect to the related sponsored research and license agreements and
government contracts. As of December 31, 2023, 87% of our accounts receivable consisted of outstanding invoices from our specialty
distributors, and the remaining 13% are outstanding invoices from our collaboration partners, mainly Grifols. As of December 31, 2022,
49% of our accounts receivable are outstanding invoices from our specialty distributors, and the remaining 51% are outstanding invoices
from our collaboration partners, mainly Kissei which include a $20.0 million regulatory milestone receivable that was subsequently
collected in January 2023.
See “Note 3 - Revenues” for summary of revenues from each of our customers who individually accounted for 10% or more of the
total net product sales and revenues from collaborations.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
Our investment in debt securities consists of money market funds, US treasury bills, government- sponsored enterprise securities,
and corporate bonds and commercial paper. All of our investment in debt securities are available-for-sale and are classified based on their
maturities. We consider all highly liquid investments in debt securities with maturity of 90 days or less from the date of purchase to be cash
equivalents. All other investments with maturity greater than 90 days from the date of purchase are classified as short-term investments.
Unrealized gains (losses) are reported within the statements of stockholders’ (deficit) equity and comprehensive income (loss). The cost of
securities sold is based on the specific identification method.
We periodically evaluate our available-for-sale marketable debt securities for impairment. When the fair value of a marketable
debt security is below its amortized cost, the amortized cost is reduced to its fair value if it is more likely than not that we are required to
sell the impaired security before recovery of our amortized cost basis, or we have the intention to sell the security. If neither of these
conditions are met, we determine whether the impairment is due to credit losses by comparing the present value of the expected cash flows
of the security with its amortized cost basis. The
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amount of impairment recognized is limited to the excess of the amortized cost over the fair value of the security. An allowance for credit
losses for the excess of amortized cost over the expected cash flows is recorded in other income (expense), net on the statements of
operations. Impairment losses that are not credit-related are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’
(deficit) equity.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of our financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities,
approximate fair value due to their relatively short maturities. The carrying value of our loans payable and other long-term debt
approximates fair value based on management’s estimation that a current interest rate would not differ materially from the stated rate, or the
discount rate applied.
The fair value of our cash equivalents and short-term investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized
based upon the lowest level of significant input to the valuations.
Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in our financial statements are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated
with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or
paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that
should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Hierarchical levels directly
related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuation of these assets and liabilities, are as follows:
● Level 1 – Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets at the reporting date. Active markets are
those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information
on an ongoing basis.
The fair valued assets we hold that are generally included under this Level 1 are money market securities where fair value is
based on publicly quoted prices.
● Level 2 – Inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or
liability through correlation with market data at the reporting date and for the duration of the instrument’s anticipated life.
The fair valued assets we hold that are generally assessed under Level 2 included government-sponsored enterprise securities,
US treasury bills and corporate bonds and commercial paper. We utilize third-party pricing services in developing fair value
measurements where fair value is based on valuation methodologies such as models using observable market inputs, including
benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, bids, offers and other reference data. We use quotes from external
pricing service providers and other on-line quotation systems to verify the fair value of investments provided by our third-
party pricing service providers.
● Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the
assets or liabilities and which reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or
liability at the reporting date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the
inputs to the model. We do not have fair valued assets classified under Level 3.
Inventories and Cost of Product Sales
Inventories are stated at the lower-of-cost or estimated net realizable value. We determine the cost of inventories using the
standard cost method, which approximates actual cost, and is valued using the first-in, first-out method. Inventory costs primarily consist of
active pharmaceutical ingredients, third-party manufacturing costs and allocated internal overhead costs. We capitalize inventory costs
when the product is approved by the FDA, or when based on management’s judgment, future commercialization was considered probable,
and the future economic benefits
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are expected to be realized.
Prior to FDA approval of a product, costs to purchase active pharmaceutical ingredients including costs to manufacture a product
are charged to research and development expense when incurred. Our physical inventories as of balance sheet dates include inventory
quantities where costs have been previously charged to research and development expense since such costs were incurred prior to FDA
approval of the product.
We provide reserves for potential excess, dated or obsolete inventories based upon assumptions about future demand and market
conditions, as well as product shelf life. Inventories that are not expected to be consumed beyond our normal operating cycle are classified
as non-current inventories and included within other assets in the balance sheet.
Cost of product sales primarily includes cost of inventories sold, and product shipping and handling costs. Further, following the
approval of REZLIDHIA, we recognize the amortization expense of capitalized intangible asset and royalty expense incurred pursuant to
our license agreement with Forma, within cost of sales.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line
method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over
the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When
assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet and any resulting
gain or loss is reflected in statements of operations in the period realized.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses include costs incurred to conduct research and development, including scientific personnel
wages and associated employee benefits, research and development supplies and equipment, payments to collaborative clinical research
partners, consulting fees and other various research and development related costs.
We have various contracts with third parties related to our research and development activities, including strategic development
collaborations. Costs incurred but not billed to us as of the end of the period are accrued. We make estimates of the amounts incurred in
each period based on the information available to us and our knowledge of the nature of the contractual activities generating such costs.
Clinical trial contract expenses are accrued based on units of activity. Expenses related to other research and development contracts, such as
research contracts, toxicology study contracts and manufacturing contracts are estimated to be incurred generally on a straight-line basis
over the duration of the contracts. Raw materials and study materials not related to an approved drug are charged to research and
development expenses at the time of purchase.
We make significant judgments and estimates in determining the accrual balance in each reporting period. As actual costs become
known, we adjust our accruals. Although we do not expect our estimates to be materially different from amounts actually incurred, such
estimates for the status and timing of services performed relative to the actual status and timing of services performed may vary and could
result in us reporting amounts that are too high or too low in any particular period. Variations in assumptions used to estimate accruals
including, but not limited to, the number of patients enrolled, the rate of patient enrollment and the actual services performed may result in
adjustments in research and development accruals in future periods. Changes in these estimates that result in material changes to our
accruals could materially affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Research and development expenses also include milestone payment obligations incurred prior to regulatory approval of the
product, which are accrued when the event requiring payment of the milestone occurs. See related discussions under “IPR&D/Intangible
Asset” below.
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IPR&D/Intangible Asset
In July 2022, we entered into a license and transition services agreement with Forma. The transaction was accounted for as an
acquisition of asset under ASC 730, Research and Development. In accordance with the guidance, in a transaction accounted for as an asset
acquisition, any acquired IPR&D that does not have alternative future use is charged to expense at the acquisition date. Further, we account
for milestone payment obligations incurred at development stage and prior to a regulatory approval of an indication associated with the
acquired licensed asset as research and development expenses when the event requiring payment of the milestone occurs. Milestone
payment obligations incurred upon and after a regulatory approval of an indication associated with the acquired licensed asset, and at the
commercial stage, is recorded as intangible asset when the event requiring payment of the milestones occurs. The amount recorded as an
intangible asset is amortized over the estimated useful life of the acquired licensed asset. See “Note 4 – Sponsored Research and License
Agreements and Government Contracts” and “Note 9 – Other Balance Sheet Components – Intangible Asset” for related discussions.
We perform an impairment review of intangible asset whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate the carrying
amount of the asset may not be fully recoverable. If events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of the finite-lived
intangible assets may not be recoverable, we will estimate the future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset from its use or
eventual disposition. If the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, we will recognize an
impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets.
Advertising Expense
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included within selling general and administrative expenses in the statements of
operations. Advertising costs for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 amounted to $3.1 million, $2.7 million, and $2.3
million, respectively.
Leases
We account for leases in accordance with ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Topic 842 requires a lessee to determine if an
arrangement is a lease or contains a lease at contract inception. Right-of-use lease assets represent the right to use the underlying asset for
the lease term and the lease liability represents the obligation to make the lease payments arising from the lease. Right-of-use lease assets
and lease liability are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of future minimum lease payments over the term of
the lease. The operating right-of-use lease asset may also include initial direct costs and prepaid lease payments less lease incentives. In
measuring the present value of the future minimum lease payments, we generally use our incremental borrowing rate as our lease
agreement do not provide an implicit borrowing rate and we deemed that our incremental borrowing rate would be the rate of interest that
we would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term of the lease payments in a similar economic environment. If a
lease includes options to extend the lease term, we do not assume the option will be exercised in the initial lease term assessment unless
there is reasonable certainty that we will renew based on an assessment of economic factors present as of the lease commencement date.
Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. Lease expense for our operating leases is recognized
on a straight-line basis over the lease term, subject to any changes in the lease or expectations regarding the terms. Variable lease costs such
as common area costs and property taxes are expensed as incurred.
For our sublease agreement wherein we were the lessor, we recognized sublease income on a straight-line basis over the term of
the related sublease agreement.
Restructuring
Restructuring costs comprised severance, other termination benefit costs, stock-based compensation expense for stock award and
stock option modifications related to workforce reductions and accelerated depreciation. We recognize restructuring charges when the
liability is probable, and the amount is estimable. Employee termination benefits are accrued at the date management has committed to a
plan of termination and affected employees have been notified of their termination date and expected severance benefits.
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Income Taxes
We use the asset and liability method to account for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future
tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates
expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on
deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period the change is enacted. A valuation
allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount whose realization is more likely than not.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment
Disclosures. This update expands public entities’ segment disclosures, among others, requiring disclosure of significant segment expenses
that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss; an
amount and description of its composition for other segment items; and interim disclosures of a reportable segment’s profit or loss and
assets. All disclosure requirements under this update are also required for public entities with a single reportable segment. This update is
effective for our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption
is permitted. The update should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements. We are currently evaluating
the impact of adopting this update on our financial statements and disclosures.
In December 2023, FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which enhance the annual disclosure
requirements regarding the tax rate reconciliation and incomes taxes paid information. This update is effective for our fiscal year ending
December 31, 2025, and maybe adopted on a prospective or retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the
impact of adopting this guidance but does not expect to have a significant impact to our financial statements and disclosures.
Other recently issued accounting guidance not discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are either not applicable or did not
have, or are not expected to have, a material impact on us.
2. NET LOSS PER SHARE
Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding
during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock
outstanding during the period and the number of additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding if potentially dilutive
securities had been issued. Potentially dilutive securities include stock options, RSUs and shares issuable under our Purchase Plan. The
dilutive effect of these potentially dilutive securities is reflected in diluted earnings per share using the treasury stock method. Under the
treasury stock method, an increase in the fair market value of our common stock can result in a greater dilutive effect from potentially
dilutive securities.
The potential shares of common stock that were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share for the periods
presented because including them would have been antidilutive are as follows (in thousands):
Outstanding stock options
RSUs
Total
2023
Year Ended December 31,
2022
34,119
1,866
35,985
34,696
1,104
35,800
2021
30,009
226
30,235
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3. REVENUES
Revenues disaggregated by category were as follows (in thousands):
Product sales:
Gross product sales
Discounts and allowances
Total product sales, net
Revenues from collaborations:
License revenues
Milestone revenue
Delivery of drug supplies, royalty and others
Total revenues from collaborations
Government contracts
Total revenues
2023
Year Ended December 31,
2022
2021
$
$
147,058
(42,764)
104,294
—
75
11,413
11,488
1,100
116,882
$
$
108,523
(31,805)
76,718
7,932
25,000
6,092
39,024
4,500
120,242
$
$
81,186
(18,176)
63,010
70,553
1,875
3,298
75,726
10,500
149,236
Revenue from product sales is related to sales of our commercial products, TAVALISSE and REZLIDHIA, to our customers which
are specialty distributors. For detailed discussions of our revenues from collaboration and government contracts, see “Note 4 – Sponsored
Research and License Agreements and Government Contracts.”
Our product sales revenue is net of chargebacks, discounts and fees, government and other rebates and returns. Of the total
discounts and allowances from gross product sales for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, $41.5 million, $30.9 million
and $16.8 million, respectively, was accounted for as additions to revenue reserves and refund liability, and $1.3 million, $0.9 million and
$1.4 million, respectively, as reductions in accounts receivable (as it relates to allowance for prompt pay discount) and prepaid and other
current assets (as it relates to certain chargebacks and other fees that were prepaid) in the balance sheet. The following tables summarize the
activities in chargebacks, discounts and fees, government and other rebates and returns that were accounted for revenue reserves and refund
liability, for each of the periods presented (in thousands):
Balance as of January 1, 2023
Provision related to current period sales
Credit or payments made during the period
Balance as of December 31, 2023
Balance as of January 1, 2022
Provision related to current period sales
Credit or payments made during the period
Balance as of December 31, 2022
Chargebacks,
Discounts and
Fees
Government
and Other
Rebates
Returns
Total
$
$
$
$
2,636
8,299
(7,418)
3,517
Government
and Other
Rebates
2,494
5,901
(5,759)
2,636
$
$
$
$
3,296
869
(234)
3,931
Returns
2,017
1,514
(235)
3,296
$
$
$
$
12,145
41,498
(37,959)
15,684
Total
7,915
30,903
(26,673)
12,145
$
$
$
$
6,213
32,330
(30,307)
8,236
Chargebacks,
Discounts and
Fees
3,404
23,488
(20,679)
6,213
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The following table summarizes revenues from each of our customers who individually accounted for 10% or more (wherein *
denotes less than 10%) of the total net product sales and revenues from collaborations:
McKesson Specialty Care Distribution Corporation
Cardinal Healthcare
ASD Healthcare and Oncology Supply
Kissei
Lilly
2023
Year Ended December 31,
2022
2021
43%
25%
21%
*
*
31%
19%
17%
24%
*
20%
*
17%
*
48%
4. SPONSORED RESEARCH AND LICENSE AGREEMENTS AND GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
Sponsored Research and License Agreements
We conduct research and development programs independently and in connection with our corporate collaborators. As of
December 31, 2023, we are a party to collaboration agreements with Lilly to develop and commercialize R552, a RIPK1 inhibitor, for the
treatment of non-CNS diseases and collaboration aimed at developing additional RIPK1 inhibitors for the treatment of CNS diseases; with
Grifols to commercialize fostamatinib for human diseases in all indications, including chronic ITP and AIHA, in Grifols territory which
includes Europe, the UK, Turkey, the Middle East, North Africa and Russia (including Commonwealth of Independent States); with Kissei
to develop and commercialize fostamatinib in Kissei territory which includes Japan, China, Taiwan and the Republic of Korea; with
Medison to commercialize fostamatinib in all indications, including chronic ITP and AIHA, in Medison territory which includes Canada
and Israel; and with Knight to commercialize fostamatinib in all indications, including chronic ITP and AIHA, in Knight territory which
includes Latin America, consisting of Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
Further, we are also a party to collaboration agreements, but do not have ongoing performance obligations with BerGenBio for the
development and commercialization of AXL inhibitors in oncology, and with Daiichi to pursue research related to MDM2 inhibitors, a
novel class of drug targets called ligases.
Under the above existing agreements that we entered into in the ordinary course of business, we received or may be entitled to
receive upfront cash payments, payments contingent upon specified events achieved by such partners and royalties on any net sales of
products sold by such partners under the agreements. As of December 31, 2023, total future contingent payments to us under all of above
existing agreements, excluding terminated agreements, could exceed $1.3 billion if all potential product candidates achieved all of the
payment triggering events under all of our current agreements. Of this amount, $279.5 million relates to the achievement of development
events, $263.1 million relates to the achievement of regulatory events and $796.0 million relates to the achievement of certain commercial
or launch events. This estimated future contingent amount does not include any estimated royalties that could be due to us if the partners
successfully commercialize any of the licensed products. Future events that may trigger payments to us under the agreements are based
solely on our partners’ future efforts and achievements of specified development, regulatory and/or commercial events.
Global Exclusive License Agreement with Lilly
We have a global exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Lilly (Lilly Agreement) entered in February 2021, which
became effective on March 27, 2021, upon clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, to develop and
commercialize R552 for the treatment of non-CNS diseases. In addition, the collaboration is aimed at developing additional RIPK1
inhibitors for the treatment of CNS diseases. Pursuant to the terms of the Lilly agreement, we granted Lilly the exclusive rights to develop
and commercialize R552 and related RIPK1 inhibitors in all indications worldwide. The parties’ collaboration is governed through a joint
governance committee and appropriate subcommittees.
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Under the terms of Lilly Agreement, we were entitled to receive a non-refundable and non-creditable upfront cash payment
amounting to $125.0 million, which we received in April 2021. We are also entitled to additional milestone payments for non-CNS disease
products consisting of up to $330.0 million milestone payments upon the achievement of specified development and regulatory milestones,
and up to $100.0 million in sales milestone payments on a product-by-product basis. In addition, depending on the extent of our co-funding
of R552 development activities, we would be entitled to receive tiered royalty payments on net sales of non-CNS disease products at
percentages ranging from the mid-single digits to high-teens, subject to certain standard reductions and offsets. We are also eligible to
receive milestone payments for CNS disease products consisting of up to $255.0 million in milestone payments upon the achievement of
specified development, regulatory and commercial milestones, and up to $150.0 million in sales milestone payments on a product-by-
product basis. We would be entitled to receive tiered royalty payments on net sales of CNS disease products up to low-double digits, subject
to certain standard reductions and offsets.
Under the Lilly Agreement, we are responsible for performing and funding initial discovery and identification of CNS disease
development candidates. Following candidate selection, Lilly will be responsible for performing and funding all future development and
commercialization of the CNS disease development candidates. We are responsible for 20% of development costs for R552 in the US,
Europe, and Japan, up to a specified cap. Lilly is responsible for funding the remainder of all development activities for R552 and other
non-CNS disease development candidates. Pursuant to the terms of the Lilly Agreement, we have the right to opt-out of co-funding the
R552 development activities in the US, Europe and Japan at two different specified times and as a result receive lesser royalties from sales.
Prior to us providing our first opt-out notice and the amendment to the Lilly Agreement as discussed below, under the Lilly Agreement, we
were required to fund our share of the R552 development activities in the US, Europe, and Japan up to a maximum funding commitment of
$65.0 million through April 1, 2024.
On September 28, 2023, we entered into an amendment to the Lilly Agreement which provided, among others that if we exercise
our first opt-out right, we have the right to opt-in to the co-funding of R552 development, upon us providing notice to Lilly within 30 days
of certain events as specified in the Lilly Agreement, and as a result receive greater royalties from sales. If we decide to exercise our opt-in
right, we will be required to continue to share in global development costs, and if we later exercise our second opt-out right (no later than
April 1, 2025), our share in global development costs will be up to a specified cap through December 31, 2025, as provided for in the Lilly
Agreement.
On September 29, 2023, we provided the first opt-out notice to Lilly. We continue to fund our share of the R552 development
activities up to $22.6 million through April 1, 2024, as provided for in the amended Lilly Agreement.
We accounted for this agreement under ASC 606 and identified the following distinct performance obligations at inception of the
agreement: (a) granting of the license rights over the non-CNS penetrant intellectual property (IP), and (b) granting of the license rights
over the CNS penetrant IP which will be delivered to Lilly upon completion of the additional research and development efforts specified in
the agreement. We concluded each of these performance obligations is distinct. We based our assessment on the assumption that Lilly can
benefit from each of the licenses on its own by developing and commercializing the underlying product using its own resources.
At the inception of the Lilly Agreement, given our rights to opt-out from the development of R552, we believed at the minimum,
we had a commitment to fund the development costs up to $65.0 million as discussed above. We considered this commitment to fund the
development costs as a significant financing component of the contract, which we accounted for as a reduction of the upfront fee to derive
the transaction price. This financing component was recorded as a liability at its net present value of approximately $57.9 million using a
6.4% discount rate. Interest expense is accreted on such liability over the expected commitment period and adjusted for timing of expected
cost share payments. No interest, $0.7 million and $2.8 million of interest, was accreted during the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022
and 2021, respectively. Through December 31, 2023, Lilly billed us $18.6 million for our share of development costs under this agreement,
of which, $0.8 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and was subsequently paid in January 2024. As of December 31, 2023 and
2022, the outstanding financing liability to Lilly was $43.6 million and $46.2 million, respectively, and included within other long-term
liabilities, current portion, and other long-term liabilities in the balance sheet. As discussed above, following the amendment to the Lilly
Agreement and us providing the first opt-out notice to Lilly, our cumulative share of the R552 development cost is now capped at $22.6
million through April 1, 2024. Although our cumulative share of the development cost is now at the specified cap that is less than our
outstanding recorded liability at the balance sheet date, such excess amount has not been recognized as revenue because we cannot
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conclude that it is probable that a significant reversal of the amount of revenue, if recognized, will not occur until the likelihood of us
exercising our opt-in right becomes remote, or when the opt-in right period lapses.
At the inception, we allocated the net transaction price of $67.1 million to each performance obligation based on our best estimate
of its relative standalone selling price using the adjusted market assessment approach. The transaction price allocated to the non-CNS
penetrant IP of $60.4 million was recognized as revenue in the year ended December 31, 2021 upon delivery of the non-CNS penetrant IP
to Lilly in the first quarter of 2021. The transaction price allocated to the CNS penetrant IP of $6.7 million was recognized as revenue from
the effective date of the Lilly Agreement through the eventual acceptance by Lilly using the input method. In June 2022, Lilly provided
notice of continuance pursuant to the terms of the Lilly Agreement, whereby Lilly elected its option to lead the identification and selection
of CNS penetrant lead candidate. As such, we recognized the remaining outstanding deferred revenue in the second quarter of 2022. For the
year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we recognized revenue of $0.5 million and $6.2 million, respectively, relative to the delivery of
CNS penetrant IP. Further, we recognized additional $0.2 million of revenue relative to a separate delivery of CNS compound to Lilly
during the year ended December 31, 2022.
The remaining future variable consideration related to future milestone payments as discussed above were fully constrained
because we cannot conclude that it is probable that a significant reversal of the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur,
given the inherent uncertainty of success with these future milestones. For sales-based milestones and royalties, we determined that the
license is the predominant item to which the royalties or sales-based milestones relate. Accordingly, we will recognize revenue at the later
of (i) when the related sales occur, or (ii) when the performance obligation to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been
satisfied (or partially satisfied). We will re-evaluate the transaction price in each reporting period and as uncertain events are resolved or
other changes in circumstances occur.
Grifols License Agreement
We have a commercialization license agreement with Grifols entered in January 2019 with exclusive rights to commercialize
fostamatinib for human diseases, including chronic ITP and AIHA, and non-exclusive rights to develop, fostamatinib in Grifols territory.
Under the agreement, we received an upfront payment of $30.0 million, with the potential for $297.5 million in total regulatory and
commercial milestones. We are also entitled to receive stepped double-digit royalty payments based on tiered net sales which may reach
30% of net sales. The agreement also required us to continue to conduct our long-term open-label extension study on patients with ITP
through EMA approval of ITP in Europe or until the study ends as well as conduct the Phase 3 trial of fostamatinib in AIHA.
In January 2020, the EC granted a centralized MA for fostamatinib valid throughout the EU, and in the UK after the departure of
the UK from the EU, for the treatment of chronic ITP in adult patients who are refractory to other treatments. With this approval, in
February 2020, we received $20.0 million non-refundable payment, consisted of a $17.5 million payment due upon MAA approval by the
EMA of fostamatinib for the first indication and a $2.5 million creditable advance royalty payment, based on the terms of our collaboration
agreement with Grifols. The above milestone payment was allocated to the distinct performance obligations in the collaboration agreement
with Grifols.
We accounted for this agreement under ASC 606 and identified the following distinct performance obligations at inception of the
agreement: (a) granting of the license, (b) performance of research and regulatory services related to our ongoing long-term open-label
extension study on patients with ITP, and (c) performance of research services related to our Phase 3 trial in AIHA. We allocated the
transaction price to the distinct performance obligations based on our best estimate of the relative standalone selling price, and recognized
the corresponding revenue in the periods we satisfied the performance obligations. As of December 31, 2023, there was no outstanding
deferred revenue. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we recognized an immaterial amount, $0.7 million, $0.9 million,
respectively, of revenue associated with the remaining performance obligation to perform research and development services.
The remaining future variable consideration related to future regulatory and commercial milestones were fully constrained due to
the fact that it was probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue would occur, given the inherent uncertainty of success with
these future milestones. We are recognizing revenues related the research and regulatory services throughout the term of the respective
clinical programs using the input method. For sales-based
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milestones and royalties, we determined that the license is the predominant item to which the royalties or sales-based milestones relate.
Accordingly, we will recognize revenue at the later of (i) when the related sales occur, or (ii) when the performance obligation to which
some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied). We will re-evaluate the transaction price in each
reporting period and as uncertain events are resolved or other changes in circumstances occur.
We have a Commercial Supply Agreement with Grifols entered in October 2020 to supply and sell our drug product priced at a
certain markup specified in the agreement, in quantities Grifols shall order from us pursuant to and in accordance with the agreement. For
the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, we recognized $5.6 million, $1.6 million and $2.0 million, respectively, of revenue
related to delivery of drug supply to Grifols.
Pursuant to our commercial license agreement with Grifols, we began recognizing royalty revenue beginning in the third quarter of
2022, and included such amounts within contract revenues from collaboration. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we
recognized $3.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of royalty revenue.
Kissei License Agreement
We have an exclusive license and supply agreement with Kissei to develop and commercialize fostamatinib in all current and
potential indications in Kissei territory. Kissei is responsible for performing and funding all development activities for fostamatinib in
Kissei territories. We received an upfront cash payment of $33.0 million, with the potential for up to an additional $147.0 million in
development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, and will receive mid- to upper twenty percent, tiered, escalated net sales-
based payments for the supply of fostamatinib. Under the agreement, we granted Kissei the license rights to fostamatinib in Kissei territory
and are obligated to supply Kissei with drug product for use in clinical trials and pre-commercialization activities. We are also responsible
for the manufacture and supply of fostamatinib for all future development and commercialization activities under the agreement.
We accounted for this agreement under ASC 606 and identified the following distinct performance obligations at inception of the
agreement: (a) granting of the license, (b) supply of fostamatinib for clinical use and (c) material right associated with discounted
fostamatinib that is supplied for use other than clinical or commercial. In addition, we will provide commercial product supply if the
product is approved in the licensed territory. We concluded that each of these performance obligations is distinct. We determined that the
upfront fee of $33.0 million represented the transaction price and was allocated to the performance obligations based on our best estimate
of the relative standalone selling price and recognized the corresponding revenue in the period we satisfied the performance obligations. As
of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the remaining deferred revenue was related to the material right associated with discounted fostamatinib
supply which amounted to $1.4 million. There were no material revenue recognized associated with the remaining performance obligation
during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
In April 2022, Kissei announced that an NDA was submitted to Japan’s PMDA for fostamatinib in chronic ITP. With this milestone
event, we received $5.0 million non-refundable and non-creditable payment from Kissei pursuant to the terms of our collaboration
agreement, and such amount was recognized as revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022. In December 2022, Kissei announced that
Japan’s PMDA approved the NDA for fostamatinib in chronic ITP. With this milestone event, we were entitled to receive $20.0 million
non-refundable and non-creditable payment from Kissei pursuant to the terms of our collaboration agreement, which we recognized as
revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022. The amount was subsequently collected in January 2023.
The remaining variable consideration related to future development and regulatory milestones was fully constrained because we
cannot conclude that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur, given the
inherent uncertainty of success with these future milestones. We recognize revenues related to the supply of fostamatinib and material right
upon delivery of fostamatinib to Kissei. For sales-based milestones and royalties, we determined that the license is the predominant item to
which the royalties or sales-based milestones relate to. Accordingly, we recognize revenue at the later of (i) when the related sales occur, or
(ii) when the performance obligation to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied). We re-
evaluate the transaction price in each reporting period and as uncertain events are resolved or other changes in circumstances occur.
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Pursuant to our supply agreement with Kissei, during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we recognized $2.2
million, $2.6 million, and $0.3 million, respectively, of revenue related to delivery of drug supplies to Kissei.
Medison Commercial and License Agreements
We have two exclusive commercial and license agreements with Medison entered in October 2019 for the commercialization of
fostamatinib for chronic ITP in Medison territory. Pursuant to which, we received a $5.0 million upfront payment with respect to the
agreement in Canada. We accounted for the agreement made with an upfront payment under ASC 606 and identified the following
combined performance obligations at inception of the agreement: (a) granting of the license and (b) obtaining regulatory approval in
Canada of fostamatinib in ITP. We determined that the non-refundable upfront fee represented the transaction price. However, under the
agreement, we have the option to buy back all rights to the product in Canada within six months from obtaining regulatory approval for the
treatment of AIHA in Canada. The buyback option precludes us from transferring control of the license to Medison under ASC 606. We
believe that the buyback provision, if exercised, will require us to repurchase the license at an amount equal to or more than the upfront fee.
As such this arrangement is accounted for as a financing arrangement. Interest expense was accreted on such liability over the expected
buyback period. We also billed Medison for the delivery of drug supplies for clinical use which we deferred and included within the
outstanding financing liability considering the buy-back provision.
The decision to exercise the buyback option is dependent on many factors including management’s cost and benefit assessment
and the success of obtaining regulatory approval for the treatment of AIHA in Canada. In June 2022, we reported the top-line results from
our Phase 3 trial of fostamatinib in wAIHA which showed that the trial did not demonstrate statistical significance in the primary efficacy
endpoint in the overall study population. We also announced in early October 2022 that filing an sNDA for wAIHA indication was remote
considering the top-line data results and the guidance received from the FDA. With these developments, we assessed our options path
forward, including our buyback option right with regards to the Medison license agreement. Based on management’s assessment, it was
concluded that exercising the buyback option right is remote. As such, we relieved the outstanding financing liability to Medison amounting
to $5.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and recognized such amount as collaboration revenue in accordance with ASC 606 in the year
ended December 31, 2022. No remaining outstanding financing liability from Medison as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized $0.5 million of revenue from Medison related to the delivery of drug
supplies, royalty revenue, and a milestone pursuant to the commercial and license agreement. Revenue from Medison of $5.7 million
during the year ended December 31, 2022 was related to the release of financing liability as discussed above. During the year ended
December 31, 2021, we recognized $0.1 million of revenue from Medison related to achievement of certain milestones.
Knight Commercial License and Supply Agreement
We have commercial license and supply agreements with Knight entered in May 2022 for the commercialization of fostamatinib
for approved indications in Knight territory. Pursuant to such commercial license agreement, we received a $2.0 million one-time, non-
refundable, and non-creditable upfront payment, with potential for up to an additional $20.0 million in regulatory and sales-based
commercial milestone payments, and will receive twenty- to mid-thirty percent, tiered, escalated net-sales based royalty payments for
products sold in the Knight territory. We accounted for this agreement under ASC 606 and identified that the upfront payment was a
consideration for granting Knight the license to commercialize fostamatinib for approved indication in the Knight territory, and no further
material deliverables associated to such upfront payment. As such, we recognized the upfront payment as revenue during the year ended
December 31, 2022. Variable consideration related to future regulatory milestones was fully constrained because we cannot conclude that it
is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur, given the inherent uncertainty of
success with these future milestones. For sales-based milestones and royalties, we determined that the license is the predominant item to
which the royalties or sales-based milestones relate to. Accordingly, we will recognize revenue at the later of (i) when the related sales
occur, or (ii) when the performance obligation to which some or all the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied).
We will re-evaluate the transaction price in each reporting period and as uncertain events are resolved or other changes in
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circumstances occur. We are also responsible for the exclusive manufacture and supply of fostamatinib for all future development and
commercialization activities under the agreement.
Daiichi Collaboration Agreement
Pursuant to the Amended Collaboration Agreement entered in April 2005 with Daiichi, during the year ended December 31, 2021,
we recognized $1.8 million of revenue related to the achievement of a certain milestone. All deliverables under the agreement had been
previously delivered, and as such the revenue was recognized in the period such milestone was achieved.
Other license agreements
In February 2021, we entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with an unrelated third party whereby we granted such
unrelated third-party rights to a certain patent. In consideration for the license rights granted, we received a one-time fee of $4.0 million. All
the deliverables under the agreement had been delivered and the one-time fee was recognized as revenue during the year ended December
31, 2021.
Government Contracts
DOD
In January 2021, we were awarded up to $16.5 million by the DOD to support our ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the
safety and efficacy of fostamatinib for the treatment of hospitalized high-risk patients with COVID-19. For the years ended December 31,
2023, 2022 and 2021, we recognized $1.0 million, $4.5 million and $10.5 million, respectively, of revenue related to this grant. Through
December 31, 2023, we received $16.0 million of the award.
BARDA
In August 2023, we were awarded up to $0.8 million by BARDA for our evaluation of fostamatinib in mitigating the impact of
long-term respiratory distress. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized $0.1 million of revenue related to this grant.
License and Transition Services Agreement with Forma
We have a license and transition services agreement with Forma entered in July 2022, for an exclusive license to develop,
manufacture and commercialize olutasidenib, a proprietary inhibitor of mutated IDH1 (mIDH1), for any uses worldwide, including for the
treatment of AML and other malignancies. Forma became a wholly owned subsidiary of Novo Nordisk following the closing of its
acquisition by Novo Nordisk in October 2022. Pursuant to the terms of the license and transition services agreement, we paid an upfront fee
of $2.0 million, with the potential to pay up to $67.5 million of additional payments upon achievement of specified development and
regulatory milestones and up to $165.5 million of additional payments upon achievement of certain commercial milestones. In addition,
subject to the terms and conditions of the license and transition services agreement, Forma would be entitled to tiered royalty payments on
net sales of licensed products at percentages ranging from low-teens to mid-thirties, as well as certain portion of our sublicensing revenue,
subject to certain standard reductions and offsets.
The transaction was accounted for as an acquisition of asset under ASC 730, Research and Development. In accordance with the
guidance, in a transaction accounted for as an asset acquisition, any acquired IPR&D that does not have alternative future use is charged to
expense at the acquisition date. At the acquisition date, we accounted for the upfront fee of $2.0 million as IPR&D and recorded such cost
within research and development expenses in the statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Under the accounting guidance, we account for contingent cash payments when it is probable that a liability is incurred and the
amount can be reasonably estimated. We account for milestone payment obligations incurred at development stage and prior to a regulatory
approval of an indication associated with the acquired licensed asset as research and development expense when the event requiring
payment of the milestone occurs. Milestone payment obligations incurred upon and after a regulatory approval of an indication associated
with the acquired licensed asset, and
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at the commercial stage, are recorded as intangible asset when the event requiring payment of the milestones occurs. Prior to the FDA
approval of REZLIDHIA in December 2022, we achieved certain regulatory milestone which entitled Forma to receive a $2.5 million
milestone payment. Because such milestone payment obligation was incurred prior to a regulatory approval of an indication associated with
the acquired licensed asset, we recorded such amount as research and development expense during the year ended December 31, 2022. On
December 1, 2022, the FDA approved REZLIDHIA capsules for the treatment of adult patients with R/R AML with susceptible IDH1
mutations as detected by an FDA-approved test. Following the FDA approval, we launched REZLIDHIA and made first shipments of the
product to our customers in December 2022. With this FDA approval and first commercial sale of the product, Forma was entitled to
receive a total of $15.0 million in milestone payments. Since such milestone payment obligations were incurred upon and after regulatory
approval of the product, we recorded such amount as intangible asset on our balance sheet. Such amount was outstanding as of December
31, 2022 and included within accounts payable in our balance sheet, which was subsequently paid in the first quarter of 2023.
The amount recorded as intangible asset is being amortized over the estimated useful life of the acquired licensed asset. Royalty
expense related to the acquired licensed asset is recognized when incurred. For the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we recognized
$1.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of amortization of intangible asset, and $1.6 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of royalty
expense related to the license and transition services agreement as discussed above. Such costs were included within cost of sales in our
statements of operations.
Strategic Development Collaborations with MD Anderson and CONNECT
In December 2023, we entered into a Strategic Collaboration Agreement with MD Anderson, a comprehensive cancer research,
treatment, and prevention center. The collaboration will expand our evaluation of REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) in AML and other
hematologic cancers. Under the collaboration, we will provide MD Anderson the study materials and $15.0 million in time-based milestone
payments as compensation for services to be provided for the studies, over the five-year collaboration term, unless terminated earlier as
provided for in the agreement. In December 2023, we provided $2.0 million funding to MD Anderson.
In January 2024, we announced our collaboration with CONNECT, an international collaborative network of pediatric cancer
centers, to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) in glioma. Under the collaboration, we will provide
funding up to $3.0 million and study material over the four-year collaboration.
We account for the funding we provide under the above research collaboration agreements as prepaid research and development in
the balance sheet to the extent the payment is made in advance of services being rendered, and recognize such amount as research and
development expense within the statements of operations as the collaborative partners render the services under the respective agreement.
5. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Total stock-based compensation expense related to all of our stock-based awards was as follows (in thousands):
Selling, general and administrative
Research and development
Restructuring charges
Total stock-based compensation expense
2023
Year Ended December 31,
2022
2021
$
$
6,712
2,094
—
8,806
$
$
10,217
2,168
—
12,385
$
$
7,337
1,700
449
9,486
Stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 include incremental stock-based
compensation charges of approximately $0.5 million, $1.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively, as a result of modifications of certain
stock option grants. The stock option modifications during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were related to acceleration of
vesting of certain stock option grants and extension of exercise period of vested stock options granted to former officers and board of
directors. Such amounts were included within selling, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses. The
stock option modification in 2021 was
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related to the reduction of workforce wherein certain affected employees were provided extension to exercise certain vested stock options.
Such amount was recorded within restructuring charges.
Equity Incentive Plans
On May 16, 2018, our stockholders approved the adoption of our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (2018 Plan). The 2018 Plan is the
successor plan to the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, the 2000 Equity Incentive Plan, and the 2000 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option
Plan. We have two active equity plans, our 2018 Plan and the Rigel’s Inducement Plan, as amended (Inducement Plan, and together with
2018 Plan, the Equity Incentive Plans). The 2018 Plan provides for granting of stock awards to our officers, directors, all other employees
and consultants. The Inducement Plan, which is a non-stockholder approved stock plan, is intended mainly to provide an inducement
material by granting awards for certain individuals to enter into employment with us. Awards granted under our Equity Incentive Plans
expire no later than 10 years from the date of grant. Awards may be granted with different vesting terms from time to time. To date, we
granted stock options and RSUs under our Equity Incentive Plans.
In April 2023, June 2023, October 2023 and December 2023, our Board of Directors approved additional 1,019,700 shares of
common stock reserved for issuance under our Inducement Plan. In May 2023, our stockholders approved an amendment to our 2018 Plan,
to, among other items, add an additional 4,000,000 shares to the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under our 2018
Plan.
Stock Options and RSUs
The following table summarizes stock options and RSUs activity, and shares available for grant under our Equity Incentive Plans
for the periods presented:
Outstanding as of December 31, 2022
Authorized for grant
Granted
Exercised/Released
Cancelled and forfeited
Outstanding as of December 31, 2023
Vested and expected to vest as of December 31,
2023
Exercisable as of December 31, 2023
Shares Available
For Grant
Number of
Shares
Stock Options
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Weighted
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
10,612,618
5,019,700
(5,669,944)
—
3,908,921
13,871,295
34,696,273 $
2.74 $
1,605
3,671,800 $
(50,161) $
(4,199,147) $
34,118,765 $
31,373,765 $
24,378,890 $
1.69
0.97
3.29
2.56 $
2.55 $
2.70 $
1,453
1,349
403
RSUs
Weighted Average
Number of
Shares
1,103,653 $
1,387,600 $
(435,006) $
(190,356) $
1,865,891 $
Grant Date
Fair Value
2.39
1.80
2.32
2.20
1.98
Of the total stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2023, 2,745,000 shares outstanding are performance-based stock options
wherein the achievements of the corresponding corporate-based milestones were not probable. Accordingly, the related grant date fair value
for these performance-based stock options of $5.1 million has not been recognized as stock-based compensation expense as of December
31, 2023.
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, stock options vested were 4,346,977 shares, 5,280,235 shares
and 4,765,814 shares, respectively, with weighted-average exercise price of $2.34 per share, $2.60 per share, and $2.67 per share,
respectively.
The aggregate intrinsic values of stock options outstanding, vested and expected to vest, and exercisable represents the difference
between the exercise price of the underlying awards and the quoted price of our common stock for the options that were in-the-money as of
December 31, 2023. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the aggregate intrinsic values of stock option exercises were
approximately $0.02 million, $0.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively, representing the difference between the fair value of our common
stock at the date of exercise and the exercise price paid.
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For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we granted options to purchase 3,671,800 shares, 8,179,113
shares and 6,997,981 shares, respectively, of common stock, with weighted-average grant date fair value of $1.28 per share, $1.29 per share
and $2.34 per share, respectively.
The following table summarizes the weighted-average assumptions relating to stock options granted during the periods presented:
Risk-free interest rate
Expected term (in years)
Dividend yield
Expected volatility
2023
Year Ended December 31,
2022
2021
3.9 %
6.8
0.0 %
84.0 %
2.6 %
6.3
0.0 %
74.8 %
1.0 %
6.4
0.0 %
70.5 %
As of December 31, 2023, there was approximately $10.6 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation cost which is
expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 2.45 years, related to time-based stock options, performance-
based stock options wherein achievement of the corresponding corporate-based milestones were considered as probable, and RSUs.
Details of our stock options by exercise price are as follows as of December 31, 2023:
Options Outstanding
Weighted-Average
Remaining Contractual
Life (in years)
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
8.61
4.44
2.89
6.81
5.14
3.95
7.29
5.56
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
1.43
2.03
2.26
2.42
3.16
3.97
4.50
2.56
Options Exercisable
Number of
Shares
1,991,518
5,063,237
3,717,256
3,794,160
4,473,712
5,215,904
123,103
24,378,890
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
1.44
2.03
2.26
2.42
3.06
3.99
4.50
2.70
Number of
Shares
6,712,896
5,063,237
3,940,279
5,816,323
6,852,637
5,542,956
190,437
34,118,765
Exercise Price
$0.90 - $1.87
$1.96 - $2.11
$2.14 - $2.40
$2.42 - $2.42
$2.44 - $3.54
$3.59 - $4.49
$4.50 - $4.50
$0.90 - $4.50
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Our Purchase Plan permits eligible employees to purchase common stock at a discount through payroll deductions during defined
offering periods. Our Purchase Plan provides for a 24-month offering period comprised four six-month purchase periods with a look-back
option. A look-back option is a provision in our Purchase Plan under which eligible employees can purchase shares of our common stock at
a price per share equal to the lesser of 85% of the fair market value on the first day of the offering period or 85% of the fair market value on
the purchase date. Our Purchase Plan also includes a feature that provides for a new offering period to begin when the fair market value of
our common stock on any purchase date during an offering period falls below the fair market value of our common stock on the first day of
such offering period. This feature is called a “reset.” Participants are automatically enrolled in the new offering period.
Our previous 24-month offering period under our Purchase Plan ended on June 30, 2022, and a new 24-month offering period
started on July 1, 2022. The fair value of awards under our Purchase Plan is estimated on the date of our new offering period using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model, which is being amortized over the requisite service periods.
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The table below summarizes the weighted-average assumptions related to our Purchase Plan for periods presented. Expected
volatilities for our Purchase Plan are based on the two-year historical volatility of our stock. Expected term represents the weighted-
average of the purchase periods within the offering period. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the expected term is based on US
Treasury constant maturity rates.
Risk-free interest rate
Expected term (in years)
Dividend yield
Expected volatility
Weighted average grant date fair value (dollar per share)
*
Not a measurement period.
Year Ended December 31,
2022
3.1 %
1.3
0.0 %
121.0 %
$0.78
2021
*
*
*
*
*
2023
*
*
*
*
*
As of December 31, 2023, unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to our Purchase Plan amounted to $0.1 million,
which is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted average period of 0.49 years.
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, there were 941,798 shares, 1,146,851 shares and 932,018 shares,
respectively, of common stock purchased under the Purchase Plan, at an average price of $1.06 per share, $1.01 per share and $1.51 per
share, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, there were 2,495,835 shares reserved for future issuance under the Purchase Plan.
6. INVENTORIES
The following table summarizes inventories, net (in thousands):
Raw materials
Work in process
Finished goods
Total
Reported as:
Inventories
Other assets
Total
As of December 31,
2023
2022
4,609
1,876
1,508
7,993
5,522
2,471
7,993
$
$
$
$
4,555
2,659
1,904
9,118
9,118
—
9,118
$
$
$
$
Inventories as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 include inventories acquired from Forma pursuant to the license and transition
agreement. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, zero and $0.8 million, respectively, of advance payments to the manufacturer of our raw
materials were included within prepaid and other current assets in the balance sheet.
Non-current inventories consist of active pharmaceutical ingredient classified as raw materials which have multi-year shelf life, as
well as certain work in process and finished goods inventories that are not expected to be consumed beyond our normal operating cycle.
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7. CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments consisted of the following (in thousands):
Cash
Money market funds
US treasury bills
Government-sponsored enterprise securities
Corporate bonds and commercial paper
Reported as:
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
As of December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
$
$
8,247
9,685
12,594
11,233
15,174
56,933
32,786
24,147
56,933
$
$
$
$
6,264
4,155
5,225
15,796
26,766
58,206
24,459
33,747
58,206
Cash equivalents and short-term investments include the following securities with gross unrealized gains and losses (in
thousands):
As of December 31, 2023
US treasury bills
Government-sponsored enterprise securities
Corporate bonds and commercial paper
Total
As of December 31, 2022
US treasury bills
Government-sponsored enterprise securities
Corporate bonds and commercial paper
Total
Amortized
Cost
$ 12,591
11,230
15,172
$ 38,993
$
Amortized
Cost
5,251
15,882
26,807
$ 47,940
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
$
$
3
7
5
15
$
$
— $ 12,594
$ 11,233
(4)
(3)
15,174
$ 39,001
(7)
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
$
$
— $
1
—
$
1
(26)
(87)
(41)
(154)
Fair Value
5,225
$
15,796
26,766
$ 47,787
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, our cash equivalents and short-term investments had a weighted-average time to maturity of
approximately 82 days and 89 days, respectively. Our short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale securities. Accordingly, we
have classified certain securities as short-term investments on our balance sheets as they are available for use in the current operations. As
of December 31, 2023, we had no investments that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. As of
December 31, 2023, a total of 10 individual securities had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or less, and the losses were
determined to be temporary. The gross unrealized losses above were caused by interest rate increases. No significant facts or circumstances
have arisen to indicate that there has been any significant deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuers of the securities held by us.
Based on our review of these securities, including the assessment of the duration and severity of the unrealized losses, we have not
recognized any credit losses on these securities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
The following table shows the fair value and gross unrealized losses of our investments in individual securities that are in an
unrealized loss position, aggregated by investment category (in thousands):
As of December 31, 2023
US treasury bills
Government-sponsored enterprise securities
Corporate bonds and commercial paper
Total
134
Fair Value Unrealized Losses
$
$
1,000
2,980
6,561
$ 10,541
$
—
(4)
(3)
(7)
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8. FAIR VALUE
The table below summarizes the fair value of our cash equivalents and short-term investments measured at fair value on a
recurring basis, and are categorized based upon the lowest level of significant input to the valuations (in thousands):
Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2023
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Money market funds
US treasury bills
Government-sponsored enterprise securities
Corporate bonds and commercial paper
Total
Money market funds
US treasury bills
Government-sponsored enterprise securities
Corporate bonds and commercial paper
Total
9. OTHER BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS
Property and equipment
$
$
$
$
Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
Laboratory equipment
Computer and software
Leasehold improvements, furniture and equipment
Others
Total property and equipment
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
Property and equipment, net
$
9,685
—
—
—
$
9,685
— $
12,594
11,233
15,174
39,001
$
— $
—
—
—
— $
9,685
12,594
11,233
15,174
48,686
Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2022
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
$
4,155
—
—
—
$
4,155
— $
5,225
15,796
26,766
47,787
$
— $
—
—
—
— $
4,155
5,225
15,796
26,766
51,942
As of December 31,
2023
1,470
363
—
36
1,869
(1,704)
165
2022
7,435
2,048
2,107
74
11,664
(10,807)
857
$
$
$
$
Depreciation and amortization expense was $0.2 million, $0.9 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2023,
2022 and 2021, respectively. Certain property and equipment were either sold, retired or disposed of, which related costs and accumulated
depreciation were removed from the balance sheet, and any resulting gain or loss were reflected in statements of operations in the period
realized.
Intangible asset
Intangible asset consist of the following (in thousands):
Intangible asset cost
Accumulated amortization
Intangible asset, net
135
As of December 31,
2023
$ 15,000
(1,122)
$ 13,878
2022
15,000
(51)
14,949
$
$
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Intangible asset pertain to amortized cost of capitalized milestone payment to Forma, incurred upon and after regulatory approval
of an acquired product. See “Note 4 - Sponsored Research and License Agreements and Government Contracts” for related discussions.
Such cost is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of approximately 14 years.
Amortization expense recorded within cost of sales in the statements of operations were $1.1 million and $0.1 million for the years
ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The following table presents the estimated future amortization expense of intangible asset (in thousands):
For the year ending December 31,
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
Thereafter
Other accrued liabilities
Other accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
Accrued commercial expenses
Accrued other expenses
Total other accrued liabilities
10. DEBT
$
1,071
1,071
1,071
1,071
1,071
8,523
$ 13,878
As of December 31,
2023
2022
1,852
3,482
5,334
$
$
3,144
3,341
6,485
$
$
The following table summarizes loans payable, net (in thousands):
Principal outstanding
Unamortized debt issuance costs
Principal outstanding, net of unamortized debt issuance costs
Reported as:
Loans payable, net, current portion
Long-term portion of loans payable, net
As of December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
$
$
60,000
(398)
59,602
7,229
52,373
59,602
$
$
$
$
40,000
(552)
39,448
-
39,448
39,448
The outstanding loans payable as of the periods presented was related to our Credit Agreement with MidCap entered on September
27, 2019 (Closing Date) and amended on March 29, 2021 (First Amendment), February 11, 2022 (Second Amendment) and July 27, 2022
(Third Amendment). The Credit Agreement provides for a $60.0 million term loan credit facility. At the Closing Date, $10.0 million was
funded (Tranche 1), in May 2020, an additional $10.0 million was funded (Tranche 2), at the Second Amendment, an additional $10.0
million was funded (Tranche 3), at the Third Amendment, an additional $10.0 million was funded (Tranche 4), and in March 2023, an
additional $20.0 million was funded (Tranche 5). As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding principal balance of the loan was $60.0
million, and no remaining funds are available for draw under the term loan credit facility.
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The First Amendment to the Credit Agreement extended the period through which Tranche 3 was available to us. The Second
Amendment to the Credit Agreement, among other things, amended the applicable funding conditions, applicable commitments and certain
other terms relating to available credit facilities (Tranches 3 and 4), added additional term loan credit facility (Tranche 5), and revised
certain terms related to the financial covenants.
Following the Third Amendment, the maturity date for the term loans is on September 1, 2026, and the interest-only period is
through October 1, 2024. The interest rate applicable to the term loans under the amended Credit Agreement is the sum of one-month
Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), plus an adjustment of 0.11448%, subject to 1.50% applicable floor, plus applicable margin
of 5.65%. A final payment fee of 2.5% of principal is due at maturity date of the term loans. Prior to the Third Amendment, the outstanding
principal balance of the loan bore interest at an annual rate of one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), or a comparable
applicable index rate determined pursuant to the Credit Agreement if the LIBOR was no longer available, plus applicable margin of 5.65%,
subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.50% and was payable monthly in arrears.
We may make voluntary prepayments, in whole or in part, subject to certain prepayment premiums and additional interest
payments. The Credit Agreement also contains certain provisions, such as event of default and change in control provisions, which, if
triggered, would require us to make mandatory prepayments on the term loan, which are subject to certain prepayment premiums and
additional interest payments. The obligations under the amended Credit Agreement are secured by a perfected security interest in all of our
assets including our intellectual property.
The amendment to the Credit Agreement in 2022 was accounted for as debt modification. As such, fees paid to Midcap of $0.4
million were recorded as additional debt discount and added to the unamortized debt discount that are being amortized as interest expense
through maturity using the effective interest rate method. Debt issuance costs are recorded as a direct deduction from the outstanding
principal balance of the term loan.
Interest expense, including amortization of the debt discount and accretion of the final fees related to the Credit Agreement for the
years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were $6.8 million, $3.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively. Accrued interest of $1.5
million and $0.8 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, was included within other accrued liabilities in the balance sheet.
The following table presents the future minimum principal payments of the outstanding loan as of December 31, 2023 (in
thousands):
For the year ending December 31,
2024
2025
2026
Principal amount (Tranches 1, 2, 3 and 4)
$
$
7,500
30,000
22,500
60,000
The amended Credit Agreement contains certain covenants which, among others, require us to deliver financial reports at
designated times of the year and maintain minimum unrestricted cash and trailing net revenues. As of December 31, 2023, we were not in
violation of any covenants.
11. LEASES
We have a sublease agreement with Atara entered in October 2022 to sublease an office space located in South San Francisco,
California. Subject to the terms of the sublease agreement, the lease term commenced in November 2022 and shall expire in May 2025.
This leased facility is currently held as our new Headquarters following the expiration of our previous leased facility in January 2023. The
weighted average remaining term of our leases as of December 31, 2023 was 1.42 years.
We previously leased our prior headquarter space located in South San Francisco, California with Healthpeak Properties, Inc.
(formerly known as HCP BTC, LLC), and had a sublease agreement with an unrelated third-party to sublet a portion of the leased facility.
Both the lease and the sublease expired in January 2023.
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The components of our operating lease expense were as follows (in thousands):
Fixed operating lease expense
Variable operating lease expense
Total operating lease expense
2023
Year Ended December 31,
2022
2021
$
$
1,109 $
134
1,243 $
5,470 $
818
6,288 $
5,360
910
6,270
Supplemental information related to our operating lease expense was as follows (in thousands):
Cash payments included in the measurement of operating lease
liabilities
$
1,534
$
10,485
$
10,082
Year Ended December 31,
2023
2022
2021
Supplemental information related to our operating sublease was as follows (in thousands):
Fixed sublease expense
Variable sublease expense
Sublease income
Net
2023
Year Ended December 31,
2022
2021
365 $
77
(442)
— $
4,381 $
911
(5,292)
— $
4,381
917
(5,298)
—
$
$
The following table presents the future minimum lease payments of our operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2023 (in
thousands):
For year ending December 31,
2024
2025
Total minimum payments required
12. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred Stock
$
$
739
301
1,040
We are authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no issued and
outstanding shares of preferred stock. Our board of directors is authorized to fix or alter the designation, powers, preferences and rights of
the shares of each series of preferred shares, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of any wholly unissued shares, to establish
from time to time the number of shares constituting any such series, and to increase or decrease the number of shares, if any.
Common Stock
Our Certificate of Incorporation as amended and restated in May 2018, authorizes us to issue 400,000,000 shares of common
stock.
Open Market Sale Agreement
In August 2020, we entered into an Open Market Sale Agreement with Jefferies, as a sole agent, pursuant to which we may sell
from time to time, through Jefferies, shares of our common stock in sales deemed to be “at-the-market offerings” as defined in Rule 415
under the Securities Act, subject to conditions specified in the Open Market Sale Agreement, including maintaining an effective registration
statement covering the sale of shares under the Open Market Sale Agreement. We have a shelf registration statement filed with the SEC that
was declared effective on May 3,
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2022, which registered, among other securities, a base prospectus which covers the offering, issuance, and sale by us of up to $250.0
million in the aggregate of the securities identified from time to time in one or more offerings, which include the $100.0 million of shares
of our common stock that may be offered, issued and sold under the Open Market Sale Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, no shares had
been sold under the Open Market Sale Agreement.
13. INCOME TAXES
We have no provision for income taxes recorded for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 due to our pre-tax book losses
and a full valuation allowance was recorded against our deferred tax assets. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we recognized
provision for income tax of $0.6 million. This provision for income tax was related to the state tax liability primarily due to revenue
recognized for the Lilly Agreement. We did not have federal income taxes due to the sufficient NOL carryforwards that were generated
prior to the enactment of the Tax Act, as well as significant research and development credit carryforwards. We continue to record a full
valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets considering our cumulative losses in prior years and forecasted losses in the future.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for
financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of our deferred tax assets are as follows
(in thousands):
Deferred tax assets
Net operating loss carryforwards
Orphan drug and research and development credits
Capitalized research and development credits
Deferred revenue
Deferred compensation
Lease liabilities
Other, net
Deferred tax liabilities
Operating lease right-of-use asset
Others
Total net deferred tax assets
Less: valuation allowance
Deferred tax assets, net of allowance
As of December 31,
2023
2022
$
$
229,967
62,457
21,017
11,223
10,365
244
3,654
(215)
(81)
338,631
(338,631)
$
— $
230,373
68,646
15,680
11,234
9,620
504
2,494
(461)
(439)
337,651
(337,651)
—
The reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate was as follows:
Federal statutory tax rate
State, net of federal benefit
Valuation allowance
Stock compensation
Orphan drug and research and development credits
Other, net
Effective tax rate
Year Ended December 31,
2023
(21.0)%
0.1 %
13.9 %
5.3 %
0.2 %
1.5 %
0.0 %
2022
(21.0)%
0.0 %
20.2 %
2.5 %
(2.6)%
1.0 %
0.1 %
2021
(21.0)%
2.8 %
27.5 %
5.6 %
(14.0)%
2.7 %
3.6 %
In general, under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (Section 382), a corporation that undergoes an ownership change is
subject to limitations on its ability to utilize its pre-change NOL carryovers and tax credits to offset future taxable income. Our existing
NOL carryforwards and tax credits are subject to limitations arising from ownership changes which occurred in previous periods. We
finalized our analysis of potential ownership changes and concluded our Section 382 owner shift analysis during the year ended December
31, 2012. We have updated our NOL carryforwards to reflect the results of the Section 382 owner shift analysis as of December 31, 2023.
We did not experience any significant changes in ownership in the periods presented. Future changes in our stock ownership, some
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of which are outside of our control, could result in an ownership change under Section 382 and result in additional limitations.
As of December 31, 2023, we had NOL carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $972.6 million. Of the
federal NOL carryforward, $833.8 million, which expire beginning in the year 2025 and the remaining NOL carryforwards can be carried
forward indefinitely, subject to annual limitation of 80% of taxable income. We also had state NOL carryforwards of approximately $388.5
million, which expire beginning in the year 2028.
We have general business credits of approximately $45.1 million, which will expire beginning in 2024, if not utilized, and is
consisted of research and development credits and orphan drug credits. We also have state research and development tax credits of
approximately $31.8 million, which have no expiration date.
Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon future earnings, if any, the timing and amount of which are uncertain.
Accordingly, our deferred tax assets have been fully offset by valuation allowance considering our cumulative losses in prior years and
forecasted losses in the future. The valuation allowance increased by approximately $1.0 million, $15.3 million and $6.6 million for the
years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The following table summarizes the activity related to our gross unrecognized tax benefits (in thousands):
Balance at the beginning of the year
Decrease related to prior year tax positions
Increase related to current year tax positions
Balance at the end of the year
$
$
$
Year Ended December 31,
2022
9,186
—
240
9,426
2023
9,426
(843)
89
8,672
$
$
$
2021
8,901
—
285
9,186
During the years ended December 2023, 2022 and 2021, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits increased due to additional
research and development and orphan drug credits generated during those years. During 2023, we engaged our tax consultant to perform an
orphan credits study for years 2015 to 2020. The results of the study decreased the unrecognized tax benefits by $4.7 million. The reversal
of the uncertain tax benefits would not affect our effective tax rate to the extent that we continue to maintain a full valuation allowance
against our deferred tax assets.
We are subject to federal income tax and various state taxes. Because of NOL and research credit carryovers, substantially all of
our tax years remain open to examination.
Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
We currently have no tax positions that would be subject to interest or penalties.
14. RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
In October 2022, we announced a reduction in our workforce primarily in our development and administration groups. We
recorded restructuring charges of $1.3 million in the statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022, comprised cash
severance, bonus and related employee benefits and taxes of affected employees. As of December 31, 2022, we had approximately $0.5
million outstanding unpaid cash severance, bonus and related employee benefits and taxes included within accrued compensation in the
balance sheet, which we paid out in the first quarter of 2023.
In November 2021, we announced a reduction in our workforce primarily in the research organization. We recorded restructuring
charges of $3.5 million in the statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021, comprised $2.9 million cash severance,
bonus and related employee benefits and taxes of affected employees, $0.4 million of stock-based compensation expense related to option
modification and $0.1 million impairment of certain property and equipment which was recorded within depreciation expense.
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15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On February 22, 2024, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Blueprint to purchase certain assets comprising the right
to research, develop, manufacture and commercialize GAVRETO (pralsetinib) in the US. Such assets include, among other things,
applicable intellectual property related to pralsetinib in the United States, including patents, copyrights and trademarks, as well as clinical
regulatory and commercial data and records. Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, we agreed to pay a purchase price of $15.0
million, $10.0 million of which is payable upon our first commercial sale of GAVRETO (pralsetinib) and an additional $5.0 million of
which is payable on the first anniversary of the closing date of the agreement, subject to certain conditions. Blueprint is also eligible to
receive up to $97.5 million in future commercial milestone payments and up to $5.0 million in future regulatory milestone payments. The
potential regulatory milestones include full regulatory approval of pralsetinib (or related compounds) for the treatment of adult RET-fusion
positive thyroid cancer, and maintenance of the current regulatory approval of pralsetinib for the treatment of adult RET-fusion positive
thyroid cancer during the period beginning on February 22, 2024 and ending on the third anniversary of the first commercial sale of
pralsetinib subject to certain conditions. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Asset Purchase Agreement, Blueprint would be entitled
to tiered royalty payments on net sales of products containing pralsetinib (or related compounds) ranging from 10% to 30%, subject to
certain reductions and offsets.
Simultaneously and in conjunction with entering into the Asset Purchase Agreement, we also entered into certain supporting
agreements, including a customary transition agreement, pursuant to which, during the transition period, Blueprint will transition regulatory
and distribution responsibility for GAVRETO (pralsetinib) to us. We also agreed to purchase certain drug product inventories from
Blueprint. Given that the transaction was recently closed, our analysis of the accounting for the transaction is in process as of the filing date
of this report.
SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes
thereto.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal
financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e)
promulgated under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded
that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal
executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial
reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (2013 framework). Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework, our
management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023.
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The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 has been audited by Ernst &
Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its attestation report which is set forth below in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2023 that have
materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures
In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no
matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the
design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to
apply judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria
established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material respects,
effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the
balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders’
(deficit) equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and our report dated
March 5, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control
Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on
our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in
accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and
the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists,
testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other
procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance
of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations
of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of
any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in
conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
San Francisco, California
March 5, 2024
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Item 9B. Other Information
Securities Trading Plans of Directors and Executive Officers
During the three months ended December 31, 2023, none of our directors or executive officers adopted or terminated any contract,
instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of our securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule
10b5-1(c) or any “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” as defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Information regarding our directors, executive officers and corporate governance is incorporated by reference to the information
set forth under the captions “Election of Directors” and “Management—Executive Officers” in our Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2023. Such information is incorporated herein by
reference.
Information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is incorporated by reference to the information set forth
under the caption “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” in our Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with
the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2023. Such information, if any, is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Information regarding executive and director compensation is incorporated by reference to the information set forth under the
captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation” in our Proxy Statement for
the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2023. Such information is
incorporated herein by reference.
Information regarding Compensation Committee interlocks and insider participation is incorporated by reference to the
information set forth under the caption “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in our Proxy Statement for the 2024
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2023. Such information is incorporated herein
by reference.
Information regarding our Compensation Committee’s review and discussion of our Compensation Discussion and Analysis is
incorporated by reference to the information set forth under the caption “Compensation Committee Report” in our Proxy Statement for the
2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2023. Such information is incorporated
herein by reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and securities authorized for issuance
under our equity compensation plans is incorporated by reference to the information set forth under the caption “Security Ownership of
Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our Proxy
Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2023. Such information
is incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions and director independence is incorporated by reference to the
information set forth under the captions “Transactions with Related Persons” and “Information Regarding the Board of Directors and
Corporate Governance” in our Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of
December 31, 2023. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Information regarding principal accounting fees and services is incorporated by reference to the information set forth under the
caption “Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in our Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2023. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
The following documents are being filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
1.
2.
Financial Statements—Index to Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
See Exhibit Index at the end of this Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Exhibits listed in the
accompanying Exhibit Index are filed as part of this report.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Current Report on Form 8- K dated June
24, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 3, 2022 and
incorporated herein by reference).
3.3 Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Current
Report on Form 8-K, dated May 29, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.4 Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Current
Report on Form 8-K, dated May 18, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.1 Description of Capital Stock (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2020 filed on February 27, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.2 Form of warrant to purchase shares of common stock (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Registration Statement on Form S-1,
filed on September 15, 2000, as amended and incorporated herein by reference).
4.3 Specimen Common Stock Certificate (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 24, 2003 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.1+ Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Registration
Statement on Form S-1, as amended and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2+ 2000 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on
June 21, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3+ 2000 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan, as amended (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 filed on August 21, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.4+ 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 2021 filed on August 3, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.5+ 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended June 30, 2017 filed on August 21, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.6+ Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.7+ Form of Stock Option Grant Notice, Option Agreement and Notice of Exercise under the Rigel Inducement Plan (filed as
an exhibit to Rigel’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 11, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.8+ 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended June 30, 2023 filed on August 1, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.9+# Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Inducement Plan, as amended.
10.10+ Form of Indemnity Agreement (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 2007, as amended, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.11+ Amended and Restated Executive Severance Plan (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2023 filed on November 7, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.12+ Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, as amended (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2021 filed on March 1, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference).
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10.13+ ˄ Offer Letter from Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to Dean Schorno, dated May 22, 2018 (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 filed on August 8, 2018 and incorporated herein by
reference).
10.14+˄ Offer Letter from Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to David Santos, dated July 13, 2020 (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 filed on November 5, 2020 and incorporated herein by
reference).
10.15+ ˄ Offer Letter from Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to Raymond Furey, dated November 17, 2022 (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed on March 7, 2023 and incorporated herein by
reference).
10.16˄ License and Transition Services Agreement with Forma Therapeutics, Inc. dated July 27, 2022 (filed as an exhibit to
Rigel’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 filed on November 3, 2022 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.17˄ Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to License and Transition Services Agreement with Forma Therapeutics, Inc. (filed as an exhibit to
Rigel’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 filed on August 1, 2023 and incorporated
herein by reference).
10.18˄ License and Collaboration Agreement with Eli Lilly and Company, dated February 28, 2021 (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 filed on May 5, 2021 and incorporated herein by
reference).
10.19˄ Amendment 1 to License and Collaboration Agreement with Eli Lilly and Company, dated September 28, 2023 (filed as an
exhibit to Rigel’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 filed on November 7, 2023
and incorporated herein by reference).
10.20˄ Collaboration and License Agreements with Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., dated October 29, 2018 (filed as an exhibit to
Rigel’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed on February 28, 2019 and incorporated
herein by reference).
10.21˄ Supply Agreements with Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., dated October 29, 2018 (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed on February 28, 2019 and incorporated herein by
reference).
10.22˄ Exclusive Commercialization License Agreement with Grifols Worldwide Operations Limited, dated January 22, 2019
(filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 filed on May 7, 2019
and incorporated herein by reference).
10.23˄ Collaboration Agreement between Rigel and Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., dated August 1, 2002 (filed as an exhibit to
Rigel’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.24˄ Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of September 27, 2019, among Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. MidCap Financial
Trust, as agent and lender, and the additional lenders from time to time party thereto (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 filed on November 5, 2019 and incorporated
herein by reference).
10.25˄ First Amendment to the Credit and Security Agreement with MidCap Financial Trust, dated March 29, 2021 (filed as an
exhibit to Rigel’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed on March 1, 2022 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.26˄ Second Amendment to the Credit and Security Agreement with MidCap Financial Trust, dated February 11, 2022 (filed as
an exhibit to Rigel’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed on March 1, 2022 and
incorporated herein by reference).
10.27˄ Third Amendment to the Credit and Security Agreement with MidCap Financial Trust, dated July 27, 2022 (filed as an
exhibit to Rigel’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 filed on November 3, 2022
and incorporated herein by reference).
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10.28˄ Sublease Agreement with Atara Biotherapheutics, Inc., dated October 28, 2022 (filed as an exhibit to Rigel’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed on March 7, 2023 and incorporated herein by
reference).
23.1# Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
24.1# Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
31.1# Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a).
31.2# Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a).
32.1*# Certification required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States
Code (18 U.S.C. 1350).
97# Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy (Clawback Policy), dated August 10, 2023.
101.INS Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL
tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL# Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.LAB# Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.
101.PRE# Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF# Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
The certification attached as Exhibit 32.1 accompanies this Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and shall not be deemed “filed” by the registrant for purposes
of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.
Certain marked information has been omitted from this exhibit because it is both not material and is the type that the registrant
treats as private and confidential.
Filed herewith.
+
*
˄
#
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Annual
Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of South San Francisco, State of California, on
March 5, 2024.
SIGNATURES
RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
By:
By:
/s/ RAUL R. RODRIGUEZ
Raul R. Rodriguez
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ DEAN L. SCHORNO
Dean L. Schorno
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Raul R. Rodriguez
and Dean L. Schorno, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and
in his name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection
therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that all said attorneys-in-fact and agents,
or any of them or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following
persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature
/s/ RAUL R. RODRIGUEZ
Raul R. Rodriguez
/s/ DEAN L. SCHORNO
Dean L. Schorno
/s/ GREGG LAPOINTE
Gregg Lapointe
/s/ KAMIL ALI-JACKSON
Kamil Ali-Jackson
/s/ ALISON L. HANNAH
Alison L. Hannah
/s/ BRIAN L. KOTZIN
Brian L. Kotzin
/s/ GARY A. LYONS
Gary A. Lyons
/s/ WALTER H. MOOS
Walter H. Moos
/s/ JANE WASMAN
Jane Wasman
Title
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Chairman of the Board
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
149
Date
March 5, 2024
March 5, 2024
March 5, 2024
March 5, 2024
March 5, 2024
March 5, 2024
March 5, 2024
March 5, 2024
March 5, 2024
Exhibit 10.9
RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
INDUCEMENT PLAN
ADOPTED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: OCTOBER 10, 2016
AMENDED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: JANUARY 3, 2017
AMENDED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: AUGUST 16, 2017
AMENDED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: NOVEMBER 7, 2017
AMENDED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: DECEMBER 23, 2017
AMENDED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: JANUARY 24, 2018
AMENDED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: AUGUST 19, 2020
AMENDED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
AMENDED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: JANUARY 4, 2022
AMENDED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: APRIL 4, 2022
AMENDED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: DECEMBER 8, 2022
AMENDED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: APRIL 4, 2023
AMENDED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: JUNE 29, 2023
AMENDED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: OCTOBER 3, 2023
AMENDED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: DECEMBER 26, 2023
1. GENERAL.
(a)
Eligible Stock Award Recipients. The only persons eligible to receive grants of Stock Awards under this Plan are
individuals who satisfy the standards for inducement grants under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5635(c)(4) and the related guidance
under NASDAQ IM 5635-1. A person who previously served as an Employee or Director will not be eligible to receive Stock Awards
under the Plan, other than following a bona fide period of non-employment. Persons eligible to receive grants of Stock Awards under
this Plan are referred to in this Plan as “Eligible Employees”. These Stock Awards must be approved by either a majority of the
Company's “Independent Directors” (as such term is defined in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(a)(2)) or the Company’s compensation
committee, provided such committee is comprised solely of Independent Directors (the “Independent Compensation Committee”) in
order to comply with the exemption from the stockholder approval requirement for “inducement grants” provided under Rule 5635(c)
(4) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules. NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5635(c)(4) and the related guidance under NASDAQ IM 5635-1 are
referred to in this Plan as the “Inducement Award Rules”.
(b)
Available Awards. The Plan provides for the grant of Options and Restricted Stock Unit Awards. All Options will be
Nonstatutory Stock Options. Awards intended to qualify as stockholder-approved performance based compensation for purposes of
Section 162(m) of the Code may not be granted under this Plan.
(c)
Purpose. This Plan, through the granting of Stock Awards, is intended to provide (i) an inducement material for
certain individuals to enter into employment with the Company within the meaning of Rule 5635(c)(4) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules,
(ii) incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and (iii) a means by which
Eligible Employees may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock through the granting of
Stock Awards.
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2. ADMINISTRATION.
(a)
Administration by Board. The Board will administer the Plan, provided, however, that Stock Awards may only be
granted by either (i) a majority of the Company's Independent Directors or (ii) the Independent Compensation Committee. Subject to
those constraints and the other constraints of the Inducement Award Rules, the Board may delegate some of its powers of
administration of the Plan to a Committee, as provided in Section 2(c).
(b)
Powers of Board. The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of
the Plan and the Inducement Award Rules:
(i)
To determine: (A) who will be granted Stock Awards; (B) when and how each Stock Award will be granted;
(C) what type of Stock Award will be granted; (D) the provisions of each Stock Award (which need not be identical), including when a
person will be permitted to exercise or otherwise receive cash or Common Stock under the Stock Award; (E) the number of shares of
Common Stock subject to, or the cash value of, a Stock Award; and (F) the Fair Market Value applicable to a Stock Award; provided,
however, that Stock Awards may only be granted by either (i) a majority of the Company's Independent Directors or (ii) the
Independent Compensation Committee.
(ii)
To construe and interpret the Plan and Stock Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke
rules and regulations for administration of the Plan and Stock Awards. The Board, in the exercise of these powers, may correct any
defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Stock Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it will deem necessary
or expedient to make the Plan or Stock Award fully effective.
(iii)
(iv)
To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Stock Awards granted under it.
To accelerate, in whole or in part, the time at which a Stock Award may be exercised or vest (or at which
cash or shares of Common Stock may be issued).
To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or a Stock Award
Agreement, suspension or termination of the Plan will not materially impair a Participant’s rights under his or her then-outstanding
Stock Award without his or her written consent except as provided in subsection (viii) below.
(v)
(vi)
To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable, including, without limitation,
adopting amendments relating to nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and/or making the Plan or
Stock Awards granted under the Plan exempt from or compliant with the requirements for nonqualified deferred compensation under
Section 409A of the Code, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. If required by applicable law or listing requirements,
and except as provided in Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the Company will seek stockholder approval of any
amendment of the Plan that (A) materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan,
(B) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to receive Stock Awards under the Plan, (C) materially increases the benefits
accruing to Participants under the Plan, (D) materially reduces the price at which shares of Common Stock may be issued or purchased
under the Plan, (E) materially extends the term of the Plan, or (F) materially expands the types of Stock Awards available for issuance
under the Plan. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan (including subsection (viii) below) or a Stock Award Agreement, no
amendment of the Plan will materially impair a Participant’s rights under an outstanding Stock Award without the Participant’s written
consent.
to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3 of Exchange Act or any successor rule.
(vii)
To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments
(viii)
To approve forms of Stock Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or
more outstanding Stock Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than
previously provided in the Stock Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion.
A Participant’s rights under any Stock Award will not be impaired by any such amendment unless the Company requests the consent
of the affected Participant, and the Participant
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consents in writing. However, a Participant’s rights will not be deemed to have been impaired by any such amendment if the Board, in
its sole discretion, determines that the amendment, taken as a whole, does not materially impair the Participant’s rights. In addition,
subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, the Board may amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards without the
affected Participant’s consent (A) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Stock Award into compliance with, Section
409A of the Code, or (B) to comply with other applicable laws or listing requirements.
Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to
promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan and/or Stock Award Agreements.
(ix)
(x)
To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate (A) to permit participation in the
Plan by individuals who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States or (B) allow Stock Awards to qualify for special
tax treatment in a foreign jurisdiction; provided that Board approval will not be necessary for immaterial modifications to the Plan or
any Stock Award Agreement that are required for compliance with the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction.
(c)
Delegation to Committee.
(i)
General. The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or
Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration
of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate
to a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this
Plan to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee). Any delegation of administrative powers will be reflected in
resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, adopted from time to time by the Board or Committee (as applicable). The
Committee may, at any time, abolish the subcommittee and/or revest in the Committee any powers delegated to the subcommittee. The
Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some
or all of the powers previously delegated.
accordance with Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.
(ii)
Rule 16b-3 Compliance. The Committee may consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors, in
(d)
Effect of Board’s Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith
will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.
(e)
Cancellation and Re-Grant of Stock Awards. Neither the Board nor any Committee will have the authority to: (i)
reduce the exercise, purchase or strike price of any outstanding Option, or (ii) cancel any outstanding Option that has an exercise price
or strike price greater than the current Fair Market Value of the Common Stock in exchange for cash or other Stock Awards under the
Plan, unless the stockholders of the Company have approved such an action within twelve (12) months prior to such an event.
3. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
(a)
Share Reserve.
Stock that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards will not exceed 5,447,700 shares (the “Share Reserve”).
(i)
Subject to Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate number of shares of Common
(ii)
Shares may be issued under the terms of this Plan in connection with a merger or acquisition as permitted
by NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c), NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, AMEX Company Guide Section 711 or other
applicable rule, and such issuance will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan.
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(b)
Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve. If a Stock Award or any portion of a Stock Award (i) expires or
otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by the Stock Award having been issued or (ii) is settled in cash (i.e., the
Participant receives cash rather than stock), such expiration, termination or settlement will nevertheless reduce (or otherwise offset)
the number of shares of Common Stock that are available for issuance under the Plan. If any shares of Common Stock issued under a
Stock Award are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required
to vest such shares in the Participant, then the shares that are forfeited or repurchased will not revert to and again become available for
issuance under the Plan. Any shares reacquired by the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations on a Stock Award or as
consideration for the exercise or purchase price of a Stock Award will not again become available for issuance under the Plan.
(c)
Source of Shares. The stock issuable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired
Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.
4. ELIGIBILITY.
(a)
Eligibility for Specific Stock Awards. Stock Awards may only be granted to persons who are Eligible Employees
described in Section 1(a) of the Plan, where the Stock Award is an inducement material to the individual’s entering into employment
with the Company or an Affiliate within the meaning of Rule 5635(c)(4) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules, provided however, that Stock
Awards may not be granted to Eligible Employees who are providing Continuous Service only to any “parent” of the Company, as
such term is defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, unless (i) the stock underlying such Stock Awards is treated as “service
recipient stock” under Section 409A of the Code (for example, because the Stock Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate
transaction such as a spin off transaction), or (ii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Stock
Awards are otherwise exempt from or comply with the distribution requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
(b)
Approval Requirements. All Stock Awards must be granted either by a majority of the Company’s independent
directors or the Independent Compensation Committee.
5. PROVISIONS RELATING TO OPTIONS.
Each Option will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. All Options
will be Nonstatutory Stock Options. The provisions of separate Options need not be identical; provided, however, that each Option
Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Option Agreement or otherwise)
the substance of each of the following provisions:
(a)
Term. No Option will be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the date of its grant or such shorter period
specified in the Option Agreement.
(b)
Exercise Price. The exercise or strike price of each Option will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of
the Common Stock subject to the Option on the date the Option is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option may be granted
with an exercise price lower than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option if such Option is granted
pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Corporate Transaction and in a
manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.
(c)
Purchase Price for Options. The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option
may be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, by any combination of the
methods of payment set forth below. The Board will have the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following
methods of payment (or otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the
Company to use a particular method of payment. The permitted methods of payment are as follows:
(i)
by cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;
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(ii)
pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that,
prior to the issuance of the stock subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of
irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds;
(iii)
by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock;
(iv)
by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the
aggregate exercise price; provided, however, that the Company will accept a cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent
of any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued.
Shares of Common Stock will no longer be subject to an Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares
issuable upon exercise are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a
result of such exercise, and (C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations; or
Option Agreement.
(v)
in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and specified in the applicable
(d)
Transferability of Options. The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose such limitations on the transferability of
Options as the Board will determine. In the absence of such a determination by the Board to the contrary, the following restrictions on
the transferability of Options will apply:
(i)
Restrictions on Transfer. An Option will not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution (or pursuant to subsections (ii) and (iii) below), and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the
Participant. The Board may permit transfer of the Option in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws.
Except as explicitly provided in the Plan, an Option may not be transferred for consideration.
(ii)
Domestic Relations Orders. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an Option
may be transferred pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or
separation instrument.
(iii)
Beneficiary Designation. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, a Participant
may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company (or the designated broker), designate a third
party who, on the death of the Participant, will thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option and receive the Common Stock or other
consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s
estate will be entitled to exercise the Option and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.
However, the Company may prohibit designation of a beneficiary at any time, including due to any conclusion by the Company that
such designation would be inconsistent with the provisions of applicable laws.
(e)
Vesting Generally. The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option may vest and therefore
become exercisable in periodic installments that may or may not be equal. The Option may be subject to such other terms and
conditions on the time or times when it may or may not be exercised (which may be based on the satisfaction of performance goals or
other criteria) as the Board may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options may vary. The provisions of this
Section 5(e) are subject to any Option provisions governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option
may be exercised.
(f)
Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Option Agreement or other
agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause and other
than upon the Participant’s death or Disability), the Participant may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Participant was
entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination of Continuous Service) within the period of time ending on the earlier of
(i) the date which occurs 3 months following
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the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service, and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Option
Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the applicable time
frame, the Option will terminate.
(g)
Extension of Termination Date. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement, if the
exercise of an Option following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause and other than upon the
Participant’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would
violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a
total period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the
Participant’s Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option would not be in violation of such registration requirements,
and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the applicable Option Agreement. In addition, unless otherwise provided
in a Participant’s Option Agreement, if the sale of any Common Stock received upon exercise of an Option following the termination
of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the Company’s insider trading policy, then the Option will
terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a period of days or months (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-
termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the sale of the Common Stock
received upon exercise of the Option would not be in violation of the Company’s insider trading policy, or (ii) the expiration of the
term of the Option as set forth in the applicable Option Agreement.
(h)
Disability of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Option Agreement or other agreement
between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability,
the Participant may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of
termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date 12 months following such
termination of Continuous Service and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If, after
termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the applicable time frame, the Option
will terminate.
(i)
Death of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Option Agreement or other agreement
between the Participant and the Company, if (i) a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, or
(ii) the Participant dies within the period (if any) specified in the Option Agreement for exercisability after the termination of the
Participant’s Continuous Service for a reason other than death, then the Option may be exercised (to the extent the Participant was
entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of death) by the Participant’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the
Option by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option upon the Participant’s death, but only within the
period ending on the earlier of (i) the date 18 months following the date of death, and (ii) the expiration of the term of such Option as
set forth in the Option Agreement. If, after the Participant’s death, the Option is not exercised within the applicable time frame, the
Option will terminate.
(j)
Termination for Cause. Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a Participant’s Stock Award Agreement or other
individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, if a Participant’s Continuous Service is
terminated for Cause, the Option will terminate upon the date on which the event giving rise to the termination for Cause first
occurred, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising his or her Option from and after the date on which the event giving
rise to the termination for Cause first occurred (or, if required by applicable law, the date of termination of Continuous Service). If a
Participant’s Continuous Service is suspended pending an investigation of the existence of Cause, all of the Participant’s rights under
the Option will also be suspended during the investigation period, except to the extent prohibited by applicable law.
(k)
Non-Exempt Employees. If an Option is granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of
the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, the Option will not be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at
least 6 months following the date of grant of the Option (although the Option may vest prior to such date). Consistent with the
provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (i) if such non-exempt Employee dies or suffers a Disability, (ii) upon a
Corporate Transaction in which such Option is not assumed, continued, or substituted, or (iii) upon the non-exempt Employee’s
retirement (as such term may be defined in the non-exempt Employee’s Option Agreement in another agreement between the non-
exempt Employee and the Company, or, if no such definition, in accordance with the Company's then current employment policies and
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guidelines), the vested portion of any Options may be exercised earlier than 6 months following the date of grant. The foregoing
provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an
Option will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay. To the extent permitted and/or required for compliance with the Worker
Economic Opportunity Act to ensure that any income derived by a non-exempt Employee in connection with the exercise, vesting or
issuance of any shares under any other Option will be exempt from such Employee’s regular rate of pay, the provisions of this
paragraph will apply to all Options and are hereby incorporated by reference into such Option Agreements.
6. PROVISIONS RELATING TO RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARDS.
Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board
deems appropriate. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms
and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements need not be identical. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award
Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the Agreement or otherwise) the substance
of each of the following provisions:
(a)
Consideration. At the time of grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board will determine the consideration, if
any, to be paid by the Participant upon delivery of each share of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award. The
consideration to be paid (if any) by the Participant for each share of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award may be
paid in any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable
law.
(b)
Vesting. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board may impose such restrictions on or
conditions to the vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.
(c)
Payment. A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be settled by the delivery of shares of Common Stock, their cash
equivalent, any combination thereof or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted
Stock Unit Award Agreement.
(d)
Additional Restrictions. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board, as it deems
appropriate, may impose such restrictions or conditions that delay the delivery of the shares of Common Stock (or their cash
equivalent) subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award to a time after the vesting of such Restricted Stock Unit Award.
(e)
Dividend Equivalents. Dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares of Common Stock covered by a
Restricted Stock Unit Award, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement. At the sole
discretion of the Board, such dividend equivalents may be converted into additional shares of Common Stock covered by the
Restricted Stock Unit Award in such manner as determined by the Board. Any additional shares covered by the Restricted Stock Unit
Award credited by reason of such dividend equivalents will be subject to all of the same terms and conditions of the underlying
Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement to which they relate.
(f)
Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Restricted Stock
Unit Award Agreement, such portion of the Restricted Stock Unit Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon the Participant’s
termination of Continuous Service.
7. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
(a)
Availability of Shares. The Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock
reasonably required to satisfy then-outstanding Stock Awards.
(b)
Securities Law Compliance. The Company will seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having
jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon
exercise of the Stock Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking will not
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require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Stock Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant
to any such Stock Award. If, after reasonable efforts and at a reasonable cost, the Company is unable to obtain from any such
regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of
Common Stock under the Plan, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon
exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant will not be eligible for the grant of a Stock
Award or the subsequent issuance of cash or Common Stock pursuant to the Stock Award if such grant or issuance would be in
violation of any applicable securities law.
(c)
No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes. The Company will have no duty or obligation to any Participant to
advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising such Stock Award. Furthermore, the Company will have no duty or
obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of a Stock Award or a possible period in
which the Stock Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of a Stock
Award to the holder of such Stock Award.
8. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a)
Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to
Stock Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.
(b)
Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Stock Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of
a Stock Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the
Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Stock Award is communicated to, or actually received or
accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the
corporate action constituting the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent
with those in the Stock Award Agreement as a result of a clerical error in the papering of the Stock Award Agreement, the corporate
records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Stock Award Agreement.
(c)
Stockholder Rights. No Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with
respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for
exercise of, or the issuance of shares of Common Stock under, the Stock Award pursuant to its terms, and (ii) the issuance of the
Common Stock subject to such Stock Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.
(d)
No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan, any Stock Award Agreement or any other
instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Stock Award granted pursuant thereto will confer upon any Participant any
right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Stock Award was granted or will affect
the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without
cause, including, but not limited to, Cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant’s agreement with
the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any
applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.
(e)
Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participant’s regular level of time commitment in the performance of
his or her services for the Company and any Affiliates is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an
Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a full-time Employee to a part-time Employee or takes an
extended leave of absence) after the date of grant of any Stock Award to the Participant, the Board has the right in its sole discretion to
(i) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares or cash amount subject to any portion of such Stock Award that is
scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (ii) in lieu of or in combination with such
a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Stock Award. In the event of any such reduction, the
Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Stock Award that is so reduced or extended.
(f)
Investment Assurances. The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or acquiring
Common Stock under any Stock Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant’s knowledge
and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative
8
reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that he or she is
capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Stock Award, and
(ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Stock
Award for the Participant’s own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Stock.
The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, will be inoperative if (i) the issuance of the
shares upon the exercise of a Stock Award or acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock Award has been registered under a then
currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (ii) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by
counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The
Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel
deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the
transfer of the Common Stock.
(g)
Withholding Obligations. Unless prohibited by the terms of a Stock Award Agreement, the Company may, in its
sole discretion, satisfy any U.S. federal, state, local, foreign or other tax withholding obligation relating to a Stock Award by any of the
following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of
Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Stock Award;
provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be
withheld by law (or such other amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial
accounting purposes); (iii) withholding cash from a Stock Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts
otherwise payable to the Participant, including proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Stock Award;
or (v) by such other method as may be set forth in the Stock Award Agreement.
(h)
Electronic Delivery. Any reference herein to a “written” agreement or document will include any agreement or
document delivered electronically, filed publicly at www.sec.gov (or any successor website thereto), or posted on the Company’s
intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company to which the Participant has access).
(i)
Deferrals. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the
delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Stock Award may
be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants will
be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code (to the extent applicable to a Participant). Consistent with Section 409A of the
Code, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an employee or otherwise providing services to the Company.
The Board is authorized to make deferrals of Stock Awards and determine when, and in what annual percentages, Participants may
receive payments, including lump sum payments, following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and implement such
other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law.
(j)
Compliance with Section 409A. Unless otherwise expressly provided for in a Stock Award Agreement and the Plan
will be interpreted to the greatest extent possible in a manner that makes the Plan and the Stock Awards granted hereunder exempt
from Section 409A of the Code, and, to the extent not so exempt, in compliance with Section 409A of the Code. If the Board
determines that any Stock Award granted hereunder is not exempt from and is therefore subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Stock
Award Agreement evidencing such Stock Award will incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences
specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, and to the extent a Stock Award Agreement is silent on terms necessary for compliance,
such terms are hereby incorporated by reference into the Stock Award Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Plan (and unless the Stock Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Common Stock are publicly traded, and
if a Participant holding a Stock Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code is a “specified
employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount that is due because of a “separation
from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) will be issued or paid before the date that is six (6) months following the date
of such Participant’s “separation from service” or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death, unless such distribution or payment can
be made in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day
after such six (6) month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule.
9
(k)
Clawback/Recovery. All Stock Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with
any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or
association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law. In addition, the Board may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment
provisions in a Stock Award Agreement as the Board determines necessary or appropriate, including, but not limited to, a reacquisition
right in respect of previously acquired shares of Common Stock or other cash or property upon the occurrence of an event constituting
Cause. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to resign for “good reason”
or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with the Company or an Affiliate.
9. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK; OTHER CORPORATE EVENTS.
(a)
Capitalization Adjustments. In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board will appropriately and
proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a) and (ii) the
class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding Stock Awards. The Board will make such
adjustments, and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.
(b)
Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, then all outstanding Stock
Awards shall terminate immediately prior to such event.
(c)
Corporate Transaction. In the event of (i) a sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
securities or assets of the Company, (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or (iii) a
reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately
preceding the merger are converted by virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise (a
“Corporate Transaction”), then any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation may assume any Stock Awards outstanding under
the Plan or may substitute similar stock awards (including an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders in such
Corporate Transaction) for those outstanding under the Plan. In the event any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation does not
assume such Stock Awards or substitute similar stock awards for those outstanding under the Plan, then with respect to Stock Awards
held by Participants whose Continuous Service has not terminated, the vesting of such Stock Awards (and, if applicable, the time
during which such Stock Awards may be exercised) shall be accelerated in full, and the Stock Awards shall terminate if not exercised
(if applicable) at or prior to such event. With respect to any other Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan, such Stock Awards shall
terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to such event.
10. TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.
The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Stock Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is
suspended or after it is terminated.
11. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN; TIMING OF FIRST GRANT OR EXERCISE.
The Plan will come into existence on the Effective Date. No Stock Award may be granted prior to the Effective Date.
12. CHOICE OF LAW.
The laws of the State of Delaware will govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this
Plan, without regard to that state’s conflict of laws rules.
13. DEFINITIONS. As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:
(a) “Affiliate” means, at the time of determination, any “parent” or “subsidiary” of the Company, as such terms are defined
in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. The Board will have the authority to determine the time or times at which “parent” or
“subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.
10
(b) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(c) “Capitalization Adjustment” means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common
Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Stock Award after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by
the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend
in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, liquidating dividend,
combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or other similar equity restructuring transaction,
as that term is used in Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any
successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not
be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.
(d) “Cause” will have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company
or any Affiliate defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a Participant,
the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) such Participant’s conviction of any felony or any crime involving
moral turpitude or dishonesty, (ii) such Participant’s participation in a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company,
(iii) such Participant’s conduct that, based upon a good faith and reasonable factual investigation and determination by
the Board, demonstrates the Participant’s gross unfitness to serve, or (iv) such Participant’s intentional, material violation
of any contract between the Company and the Participant or any statutory duty that the Participant has to the Company
that the Participant does not correct within 30 days after written notice to the Participant thereof. The determination as to
whether a Participant is being terminated for Cause will be made in good faith by the Company and will be final and
binding on the Participant. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was
terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Stock Awards held by such Participant will have no
effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company, any Affiliate or such Participant for any other
purpose.
(e) “Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance
thereunder.
(f) “Committee” means a committee of one (1) or more Independent Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the
Board in accordance with Section 2(c).
(g) “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.
(h) “Company” means Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(i) “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render
consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of
directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee
for such service, will not cause a Director to be considered a “Consultant” for purposes of the Plan. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a person is treated as a Consultant under this Plan only if a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the
Securities Act is available to register either the offer or the sale of the Company’s securities to such person.
(j) “Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee,
Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service
to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Consultant or Director or a change in the Entity for which the Participant
renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s service with the Company
or an Affiliate, will not terminate a Participant’s Continuous Service. For example, a change in status from an Employee
of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or to a Director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service.
If the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board in
its sole discretion, such Participant’s Continuous Service will be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity
ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. To the extent permitted by law, the
11
Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous
Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or chief executive
officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an
Affiliate, or their successors. In addition, if required for exemption from or compliance with Section 409A of the Code,
the determination of whether there has been a termination of Continuous Service will be made, and such term will be
construed, in a manner that is consistent with the definition of “separation from service” as defined under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h). A leave of absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in a
Stock Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s leave of absence policy, in the written terms of
any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law.
(k) “Director” means a member of the Board. Directors are not eligible to receive Stock Awards under the Plan with respect
to their service in such capacity.
(l) “Disability” means the permanent and total disability of a person within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(m) “Effective Date” means October 10, 2016.
(n) “Employee” means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or
payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an “Employee” for purposes of the Plan.
(o) “Entity” means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.
(p) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
(q) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined as follows:
(i)
If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or traded on any established market, the
Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock will be, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the closing sales price for such
stock as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on
the last market trading day prior to the date of determination, as reported in a source the Board deems reliable.
Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if there is no closing sales price for the Common Stock on the
date of determination, then the Fair Market Value will be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation
exists.
(ii)
(iii)
In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the
Board in good faith and in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code.
(r) “Independent Director” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(a) above.
(s) “Non-Employee Director” means a Director who either (i) is not a current employee or officer of the Company or an
Affiliate, does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or an Affiliate for services
rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would
not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act (“Regulation S-K”)),
does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of
Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to
Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is otherwise considered a “non-employee director” for purposes of Rule 16b-3 of
the Exchange Act.
12
(t) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means any option granted pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Plan that does not qualify as an
“incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(u) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(v) “Option” means a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.
(w) “Option Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and an Optionholder evidencing the terms and
conditions of an Option grant. Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(x) “Optionholder” means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person
who holds an outstanding Option.
(y) “Participant” means a person to whom a Stock Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person
who holds an outstanding Stock Award.
(z) “Plan” means this Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Inducement Plan, as it may be amended.
(aa) “Restricted Stock Unit Award” means a right to receive shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms
and conditions of Section 6(b).
(bb)“Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a
Restricted Stock Unit Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Unit Award grant. Each
Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(cc) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from
time to time.
(dd)“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(ee) “Stock Award” means any right to receive Common Stock granted under the Plan, including an Option or a Restricted
Stock Unit Award.
(ff) “Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and
conditions of a Stock Award grant. Each Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
13
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:
Exhibit 23.1
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
Registration Statements (Form S-8 Nos. 333-51184, 333-106532, 333-125895 and 333-148132) pertaining to the 2000 Equity
Incentive Plan, the 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the 2000 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan of Rigel
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
Registration Statements (Form S-8 Nos. 333-155031 and 333-168495) pertaining to the 2000 Equity Incentive Plan and the
2000 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-134622) pertaining to the 2000 Equity Incentive Plan and 2000 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-72492) pertaining to the 2001 Non-Officer Equity Incentive Plan of Rigel
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
Registration Statements (Form S-8 Nos. 333-107062, 333-139516 and 333-196535) pertaining to the 2000 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-111782) pertaining to the 2000 Equity Incentive Plan of Rigel
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
Registration Statements (Form S-8 Nos. 333-175977 and 333-189523) pertaining to the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, the 2000
Equity Incentive Plan and the 2000 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
Registration Statement (Form S-8 Nos. 333-212878 and 333-183130) pertaining to the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan of Rigel
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
Registration Statements (Form S-8 Nos. 333-214370, 333-216516, 333-221400, 333-263187 and 333-270329) pertaining to
the Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Inducement Plan,
(10) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-219610) pertaining to the 2000 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan and
the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
(11)
(12)
(13)
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-226700, 333-266501 and 333-273575) pertaining to the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan
and the Inducement Plan of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
Registration Statements (Form S-8 Nos. 333-233064 and 333-240371) pertaining to the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan of Rigel
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
Registration Statements (Form S-8 No. 333-257226) pertaining to the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2000 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and
(14)
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No.333-258426) of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and in the related Prospectuses;
of our reports dated March 5, 2024, with respect to the financial statements of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the
year ended December 31, 2023.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
San Francisco, California
March 5, 2024
Exhibit 31.1
I, Raul R. Rodriguez, certify that:
CERTIFICATION
1.
2.
3.
4.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.;
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the
period covered by this report;
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act
Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made
known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed
under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions
about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on
such evaluation; and
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the
registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial
reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):
a)
b)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting
which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial
information; and
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: March 5, 2024
R
/s/ RAUL R. RODRIGUEZ
Raul R. Rodriguez
Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 31.2
I, Dean L. Schorno, certify that:
CERTIFICATION
1.
2.
3.
4.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.;
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the
period covered by this report;
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act
Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made
known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed
under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions
about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on
such evaluation; and
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the
registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial
reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):
a)
b)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting
which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial
information; and
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: March 5, 2024
/s/ DEAN L. SCHORNO
Dean L. Schorno
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
CERTIFICATIONS OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 32.1
Pursuant to the requirement set forth in Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and
Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. §1350), Raul R. Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer of Rigel
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), and Dean L. Schorno, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each
hereby certifies that, to the best of his knowledge:
1.
2.
The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023, to which this Certification is attached
as Exhibit 32.1 (the “Annual Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange
Act; and
The information contained in the Annual Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of
operations of the Company.
In Witness Whereof, the undersigned have set their hands hereto as of March 5, 2024.
/s/ RAUL R. RODRIGUEZ
Raul R. Rodriguez
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ DEAN L. SCHORNO
Dean L. Schorno
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
This certification accompanies the Form 10-K to which it relates, is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether made before or after the date of the Form 10- K), irrespective of any general
incorporation language contained in such filing.
RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
INCENTIVE COMPENSATION RECOUPMENT POLICY
Exhibit 97
1.
Adoption. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, on behalf of the Board of Directors (the
“Board”) of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), has adopted this Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy (the
“Recoupment Policy”) to set forth the conditions under which the Company will seek reimbursement with respect to certain
incentive-based compensation paid or awarded to, and to recover certain net profits realized from the sale, vesting or exercise of
shares of the Company’s common stock by, current and former Executive Officers of the Company. For purposes of this
Recoupment Policy, “Executive Officers” means any current or former “executive officer,” within the meaning of Rule 10D-1
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, who was employed by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company during
the applicable Recovery Period, as defined below.
2.
Statement of Policy.
(a)
Incentive-Based Compensation. This Recoupment Policy applies to all compensation granted, earned or
vested based wholly or in part upon the attainment of any measure determined and presented in accordance with the accounting
principles used in preparing the Company’s financial statements, and any measure that is derived wholly or in part from such
measures, whether or not presented within the Company’s financial statements or included in a filing with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission, including stock price and total shareholder return (“TSR”), including but not limited to performance-based
cash, stock, options or other equity-based awards paid or granted to the Executive Officer (“Incentive-Based Compensation”).
Compensation that is granted, vests or is earned based solely upon the occurrence of non-financial events, such as base salary,
restricted stock or options with time-based vesting, or a bonus awarded solely at the discretion of the Board or Compensation
Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) and not based on the attainment of any financial measure is not subject
to this Recoupment Policy.
(b)
Financial Restatement. If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the
material noncompliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, including any required
accounting restatement to correct an error in previously issued financial statements that is material to the previously issued financial
statements, or that would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the
current period (a “Financial Restatement”), the Compensation Committee shall cause the Company to recoup from each Executive
Officer, as promptly as reasonably possible, any erroneously awarded Incentive-Based Compensation.
(c)
Recoupment Amount. In the event of a Financial Restatement, the amount to be recovered will be the
excess of (i) the Incentive-Based Compensation received by the Executive Officer during the three completed fiscal years
immediately preceding the date on which the Company is required to prepare the Financial Restatement, as determined in
accordance with the last sentence of this paragraph, or any transition period (that results from a change in the Company’s fiscal
year) within or immediately following those three completed fiscal years (provided that a transition period between the last day of
the Company’s previous fiscal year and the first day of its new fiscal year that comprises a period of nine to 12 months would be
deemed a completed fiscal year) (the “Recovery Period”), based on the erroneous data and calculated without regard to any taxes
paid or withheld, over (ii) the Incentive-Based Compensation that would have been received by the Executive Officer had it been
calculated based on the restated financial information, as determined by the Compensation Committee. For this purpose, Incentive-
Based Compensation is considered to have been received by an Executive Officer in the fiscal year during which the applicable
financial reporting measure was attained or purportedly attained, regardless of when the payment or grant of such Incentive-Based
Compensation occurs. The date on which the Company is required to prepare a Financial Restatement is the earlier to occur of (A)
the date the Board or a Board committee (or authorized officers of the Company if Board action is not required) concludes, or
reasonably should have
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concluded, that the Company is required to prepare a Financial Restatement or (B) the date a court, regulator, or other legally
authorized body directs the Company to prepare a Financial Restatement. For Incentive-Based Compensation based on stock price
or TSR, where the amount of erroneously awarded compensation is not subject to mathematical recalculation directly from the
information in the Financial Restatement, then the Compensation Committee shall determine the amount to be recovered based on a
reasonable estimate of the effect of the Financial Restatement on the stock price or TSR upon which the Incentive-Based
Compensation was received and the Company shall document the determination of that reasonable estimate and provide it to the
Nasdaq.
(d)
Exceptions. The compensation recouped under this Recoupment Policy shall not include Incentive-
Based Compensation received by an Executive Officer (i) prior to beginning service as an Executive Officer or (ii) if he or she did
not serve as an Executive Officer at any time during the applicable Recovery Period. The Compensation Committee (or a majority
of independent directors serving on the Board) may determine not to seek recovery from an Executive Officer in whole or part to
the extent it determines in its sole discretion that such recovery would be impracticable because (A) the direct expense paid to a
third party to assist in enforcing recovery would exceed the recoverable amount (after having made a reasonable attempt to recover
the erroneously awarded Incentive-Based Compensation and providing corresponding documentation of such attempt to the
Nasdaq), (B) recovery would violate the home country law that was adopted prior to November 28, 2022, as determined by an
opinion of counsel licensed in the applicable jurisdiction that is acceptable to and provided to the Nasdaq, or (C) recovery would
likely cause the Company’s 401(k) plan or any other tax-qualified retirement plan to fail to meet the requirements of Section 401(a)
(13) or Section 411(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder.
3.
Other Applicable Provisions.
(a)
The Company may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, use any legal or equitable remedies that are
available to the Company to recoup erroneously awards Incentive- Based Compensation, including, but not limited to collecting
from the Executive Officer a cash payment or shares of Company common stock or by forfeiting any amounts that the Company
owes to the Executive.
(b)
The Compensation Committee of the Board (or another committee comprised exclusively of independent
directors that is designated by the Board) shall have full and final authority to make any and all determinations required under this
Recoupment Policy, in all
cases consistent with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”).
The Board or the Compensation Committee may amend this Recoupment Policy from time to time.
(c)
The Company shall not indemnify any Executive Officer or pay or reimburse the premium for any
insurance policy to cover any losses incurred by such Executive Officer under this Recoupment Policy.
(d)
This Recoupment Policy shall be effective as of August 10, 2023 and shall apply to Incentive-Based
Compensation that is received by an Executive Officer on or after that date.
(e)
The recoupment of Incentive-Based Compensation under this Recoupment Policy is in addition to any
other right or remedy available to the Company with respect to any Executive Officer subject to this Recoupment Policy.
(f)
If any provision of this Recoupment Policy or the application of any such provision to any Executive
Officer shall be adjudicated to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall
not affect any other provisions of this Recoupment Policy, and the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions shall be deemed
amended to the minimum extent necessary to render any such provision or application enforceable.
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(g)
This Recoupment Policy is separate from and in addition to requirements of Section 304 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002 that are applicable to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
(h)
This Recoupment Policy is intended to comply with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange
Commission rules and the Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards implementing Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Act and shall be
interpreted in accordance with such intent.
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