MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. (MAIA) — 10-K

Filed 2026-03-23 · Period ending 2025-12-31 · 112,520 words · SEC EDGAR

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# MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. (MAIA) — 10-K

**Filed:** 2026-03-23
**Period ending:** 2025-12-31
**Accession:** 0001493152-26-012088
**Source:** [SEC EDGAR](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1878313/000149315226012088/)
**Origin leaf:** eb94dfab702edc24a1793905401c47e26fb902c0c82257d562938a6aa9a73529
**Words:** 112,520



---

**
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 | |
**For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025**
**OR**
| 
| 
TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO | |
**Commission
File Number 001-41455**
****
**MAIA
BIOTECHNOLOGY, INC.**
**(Exact
name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)**
| 
Delaware | 
| 
83-1495913 | |
| 
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation
or organization) | 
| 
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
No.) | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
444
West Lake Street, Suite 1700
Chicago,
IL | 
| 
60606 | |
| 
(Address
of principal executive offices) | 
| 
(Zip
Code) | |
**Registrants
telephone number, including area code: (312) 416-8592**
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| 
Title
of each class | 
| 
Trading
Symbol(s) | 
| 
Name
of each exchange on which registered | |
| 
Common
Stock, $0.0001 par value per share | 
| 
MAIA | 
| 
NYSE
American | |
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 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, 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 managements 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 registrants executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to 240.10D-1(b) 
Indicate
by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No 
The
aggregate market value of the voting stock and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of the last business
day of the registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2025 was $48,948,795 based upon the closing
price of the registrants common stock of $1.80 on the NYSE American as of that date.
The
number of shares of Registrants Common Stock outstanding as of March 23, 2026 was 60,671,491.
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions
of the registrants definitive proxy statement for the annual stockholder meeting to be held in 2026 are incorporated by reference
into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K as noted herein. The registrant intends to file its proxy statement within 120 days
after its fiscal year end.
| | |
**Table
of Contents**
| 
| 
| 
Page | |
| 
PART I | 
| 
| |
| 
Item
1. | 
Business | 
2 | |
| 
Item
1A. | 
Risk Factors | 
51 | |
| 
Item
1B. | 
Unresolved Staff Comments | 
101 | |
| 
Item
1C. | 
Cybersecurity | 
101 | |
| 
Item
2. | 
Properties | 
102 | |
| 
Item
3. | 
Legal Proceedings | 
102 | |
| 
Item
4. | 
Mine Safety Disclosures | 
102 | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
PART II | 
| 
| |
| 
Item
5. | 
Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | 
103 | |
| 
Item
6. | 
[Reserved] | 
103 | |
| 
Item
7. | 
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 
103 | |
| 
Item
7A. | 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 
115 | |
| 
Item
8. | 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | 
116 | |
| 
Item
9. | 
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 
116 | |
| 
Item
9A. | 
Controls and Procedures | 
116 | |
| 
Item
9B. | 
Other Information | 
116 | |
| 
Item
9C. | 
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections | 
116 | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
PART III | 
| 
| |
| 
Item
10. | 
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance | 
117 | |
| 
Item
11. | 
Executive Compensation | 
117 | |
| 
Item
12. | 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters | 
117 | |
| 
Item
13. | 
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence | 
117 | |
| 
Item
14. | 
Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 
117 | |
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PART IV | 
| 
| |
| 
Item
15. | 
Exhibits
and Financial Statement Schedules | 
117 | |
| 
Item
16 | 
Form 10-K Summary | 
117 | |
| i | |
**Special
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements**
****
This
Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in
this report, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy, product candidates,
planned preclinical studies and clinical trials, research and development costs, regulatory approvals, timing and likelihood of success,
as well as plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements
may be identified by words such as believe, may, will, estimate, continue,
anticipate, intend, could, would, expect, objective,
plan, potential, seek, grow, target, if, and similar
expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements.
We
have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we
believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy short-term and long-term business operations and
objectives and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions,
including risks described in the section titled Risk Factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form
10-K and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). It is not possible for our management
to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors 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 we may make. In light of
these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future events and trends discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may not occur,
and actual results may differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K include, but are not limited to, statements about:
| 
| 
our
financial performance; | |
| 
| 
our
ability to obtain funding for our operations, including funding necessary to develop and commercialize our drug candidates; | |
| 
| 
the
ability to receive FDA clearance for clinical trials; | |
| 
| 
the
ability to secure clinical sites, enroll patients, and initiate clinical trials; | |
| 
| 
the
ability of our clinical trials to demonstrate safety and efficacy of our drug candidates, and other positive results; | |
| 
| 
the
success, cost and timing of our development activities, preclinical studies and clinical trials; | |
| 
| 
the
timing and focus of our future clinical trials, and the reporting of data from those trials; | |
| 
| 
our
plans relating to commercializing our drug candidates, if approved; | |
| 
| 
our
plans and ability to establish sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure to commercialize any drug candidates for which we
obtain approval; | |
| 
| 
our
ability to attract and retain key scientific and clinical personnel; | |
| 
| 
our
ability to contract with third-party suppliers and manufacturers and their ability to perform adequately; | |
| 
| 
our
reliance on third parties to conduct clinical trials of our drug candidates, and for the manufacture of our drug candidates for preclinical
studies and clinical trials; | |
| 
| 
our
ability to establish our own manufacturing facilities domestically; | |
| 
| 
our
ability to expand our drug candidates into additional indications and patient populations; | |
| 
| 
the
success of competing therapies that are or may become available; | |
| 
| 
the
beneficial characteristics, safety and efficacy of our drug candidates; | |
| 
| 
regulatory
developments in the United States and other jurisdictions; | |
| 
| 
our
ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of our drug candidates, and any related restrictions, limitations and/or warnings
in the label of any approved drug candidate; | |
| 
| 
our
plans relating to the further development and manufacturing of our drug candidates, including additional indications for which we
may pursue; | |
| 
| 
our
plans and ability to obtain or protect intellectual property rights; | |
| 
| 
the
scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering our drug candidates and technology;
and | |
| 
| 
potential
claims relating to our intellectual property. | |
We
caution you that the foregoing list may not contain all of the forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. You
should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking
statements may not be achieved or occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable,
we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by law, we do not intend to update
any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or to conform these statements to actual results
or revised expectations.
Because
some of these risks and uncertainties cannot be predicted or quantified and may be beyond our control, you should read this Annual Report
on Form 10-K with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances may
be materially different from what we expect.
This
Annual Report on Form 10-K contains estimates, projections and other information concerning our industry, our business and the markets
for our product candidates. We obtained the industry, market and similar data set forth in this report from our own internal estimates
and research and from academic and industry research, publications, surveys and studies conducted by third parties, including governmental
agencies. Information that is based on estimates, forecasts, projections, market research or similar methodologies is inherently subject
to uncertainties and actual events or circumstances may differ materially from events and circumstances that are assumed in this information.
While we believe that the data we use from third parties are reliable, we have not separately verified these data. Further, while we
believe our internal research is reliable, such research has not been verified by any third party. You are cautioned not to give undue
weight to any such information, projections and estimates.
| 1 | |
**PART
I**
**Item
1. Business.**
****
**Our
Company**
MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. (MAIA, the Company, we, or us) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer. Ateganosine (THIO, 6-thio-dG or 6-thio-2
-deoxyguanosine), our lead asset, is an investigational dual mechanism of action drug candidate incorporating telomere targeting
and immunogenicity. In July 2022, the first patient was administered with ateganosine in our Phase 2 human trial (THIO-101) in Australia.
In December 2022, regulatory authorities in three European countries, Hungary, Poland, and Bulgaria, approved the implementation of THIO-101,
Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating ateganosine in patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). In the trial, patients with advanced
NSCLC are treated first with ateganosine followed a few days later by the immune checkpoint inhibitor Libtayo (cemiplimab),
manufactured and commercialized by Regeneron. Cemiplimab is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor
PD-1 on T-cells. Cemiplimab has been approved in the United States and the rest of the world for multiple cancer indications, including
NSCLC. In February 2021, we signed a clinical supply agreement with Regeneron to receive cemiplimab at no cost, which represents a significant
cost-savings for the study. In return, we have granted Regeneron exclusive development rights in combination with PD-1 inhibitors for
NSCLC for the study period. In July 2025, we initiated an expansion of the THIO-101 trial focused on third-line NSCLC patients who are
resistant to checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy. The expansion will enroll up to 48 patients with two arms: Arm 1, continuing the
evaluation of ateganosine sequenced with Libtayo (cemiplimab); and Arm 2, evaluating ateganosine as a monotherapy, to further gain
experience of ateganosine in the contribution of components. Based on the clinical data generated by our THIO-101 trial, we plan to seek
filing for an accelerated approval of ateganosine in the United States for the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC in 2026, but
even if granted, accelerated approval status does not guarantee an accelerated review or marketing approval by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA).We initiated a Phase 3 pivotal trial in 2025, named THIO-104, to evaluate the efficacy of ateganosine administered in sequence
with a checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) in third-line NSCLC patients who are resistant to checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy. The multicenter,
open-label, pivotal Phase 3 trial is designed to provide a direct comparison to chemotherapy in a 1:1 randomization of up to 300 patients.
In addition, the originally planned Phase 2 clinical trial in multiple tumor indications (THIO-102) is now divided into different trials
for one tumor indication each: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), colorectal cancer (CRC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Phase 2 clinical
trials in HCC, CRC and SCLC are planned to be initiated in 2026, evaluating treatment with ateganosine administered in sequence with
BeOne Mediciness immune checkpoint inhibitor, tislelizumab. Clinical trials with other solid tumors (ST), such as breast, prostate,
gastric, pancreatic and ovarian, may still be considered for potential future trials.
We
were incorporated in Delaware in August 2018, and have operations in Chicago, Illinois, with some of our team members setup virtually
and working remotely in California, North Carolina, and New Jersey, among others. Our principal executive office is located at 444 West
Lake Street, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60606, and our phone number is (312) 416-8592. In July 2021, we established a wholly-owned Australian
subsidiary, MAIA Biotechnology Australia Pty Ltd., to conduct various preclinical and clinical activities for the development of our
product candidates. ln April 2022, we established a wholly owned Romanian subsidiary, MAIA Biotechnology Romania S.R.L. to conduct various
preclinical and clinical activities for the development of our product candidates. Our website address is www.MAIABiotech.com. The information
contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, and you should not consider any information
contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus supplement or in deciding whether to purchase our
securities.
**Our
Lead Product Candidate**
Ateganosine
is a telomere-targeting agent currently in clinical development to evaluate its activity in NSCLC. Telomeres, along with the enzyme telomerase,
play a fundamental role in the survival of cancer cells and their resistance to current therapies. Ateganosine is being developed as
a second- or later line of treatment for NSCLC for patients that have progressed beyond the standard-of-care regimen of existing checkpoint
inhibitors.
In
2019, our research team discovered that ateganosine produced telomere modifications and disruption, which ultimately induced cancer-specific
innate and adaptive immune responses against immunologically cold or tumor types that were unresponsive to immune checkpoint
inhibitors. This hypothesis was tested and demonstrated in syngeneic and humanized mouse models. Ateganosine administered to mice in
low doses and followed by an immune-checkpoint inhibiting agent, such as an anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 compound, induced complete tumor
regression with no tumor recurrence during the 14 weeks of observation. Further, no toxicities were reported in the tumor-free mice.
These new findings were published in the peer-reviewed research scientific journal, Cancer Cell in July 2020. Based on these recent discoveries,
a new therapeutic approach has been designed to advance ateganosine in patients with advanced
NSCLC.
| 2 | |
Our
regulatory strategy includes a filing of an Investigational New Drug application (IND) with the United States Food and Drug Administration
(U.S. FDA or FDA). This was granted and will allow U.S. sites to participate in the THIO-101 NSCLC trial. The human safety data generated
in Australia and Europe constituted the basis of the IND application. Although we plan to rely solely on the safety and efficacy data
we generate in our own clinical trials in support of our planned New Drug Application (NDA) filing, and do not plan to rely on clinical
data generated by unaffiliated third parties, we take added confidence in the potential tolerability of ateganosine in light of the fact
that the ateganosine dose selected of 180 mg/cycle is 14 times lower than the maximum tolerated dose tested in the earlier clinical trials
sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the 1970s. The THIO-101 Phase 2 trial is a proof-of-concept study that may be modified
depending on interim results to include both primary and secondary endpoints and be consistent with previously approved cancer treatments.
In September 2022, we submitted a pre-IND meeting request to the FDA to discuss, among other elements, the existing non-clinical and
clinical data to support the conduct of our planned THIO-101 Phase 2 trial under an IND to include patients from the U.S. MAIA received
feedback in-line with the proposed plans from the FDA regarding its manufacturing, preclinical and clinical development plan. MAIA also
obtained guidance from the FDA on the assessment of its safety and efficacy in the THIO-101 Phase 2 trial that was incorporated in the
U.S. IND application. The U.S. IND was granted in 2023.
The
THIO-101 study protocol was amended in December 2024 to increase the number of patients enrolled in an expansion arm to further evaluate
efficacy of the treatment in third-line NSCLC patients resistant to checkpoint inhibitor and chemotherapy. The study may undergo modification
of the statistical analysis, a change in the trial design, and/or primary endpoints. Based on the clinical data we aim to generate in
the THIO-101 study and assuming ateganosine achieves its intended clinical effect with a manageable safety profile at one of the doses
tested in the study, we expect to seek early FDA guidance on the possibility of utilizing one or more of FDAs expedited programs
for serious conditions, such as fast track designation (FTD), breakthrough therapy designation, priority review and/or accelerated approval
designation. Accelerated approval status does not guarantee an accelerated review or marketing approval by the FDA. In July 2025, the
FDA granted fast track designation for ateganosine and we intend to utilize the incentives of the Fast Track Program to expedite the
development and review of ateganosine.
On
April 11, 2023, we announced positive topline data related to the completion of Part A, safety lead-in portion of the THI0-101 trial
which showed that administration of ateganosine, at the highest dose of 360 mg/cycle in sequential combination with Regenerons
anti-PD-1 therapy, Libtayo was well tolerated with no dose limiting toxicities or significant treatment-related adverse
events reported.
On
April 18, 2023, we published data in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) models: as monotherapy, ateganosine achieved complete and durable
responses in HCC, the dominant histology in primary liver cancer (90%), in in vivo models. When combined with
Libtayo, duration of response was further potentiated. Even upon rechallenge with two times more cancer cells and no
additional treatment, tumor growth was completely prevented. Administration of ateganosine alone and in combination with Libtayo
generated anticancer immune memory.
On
April 20, 2023, we announced preliminary survival data from Part A of THIO-101. The first two patients enrolled in Part A of the study
continued to be alive, approximately 10 and 9 months respectively, from treatment initiation. Both patients have advanced Stage IV metastatic
disease and are heavily pretreated, receiving third and fourth line of therapy respectively after previously failing treatment with an
immune checkpoint inhibitor. They continue to be progression free following their last dose of ateganosine, 7 and 6 months respectively,
with no new treatment. The current treatment options in patients with advanced relapsed or refractory NSCLC who failed two or more therapy
regimens are limited and show minimal benefit. Furthermore, discontinuation of treatment is rapidly followed by physical decline and
death, therefore seeing patients with such survival and no disease progression in this clinical setting, is noteworthy. In real-world
clinical practice, observed survival in such heavily pretreated patients is 3-4 months.
| 3 | |
On
June 20, 2023, we announced updates in enrollment in THIO-101 in Europe. To that date, 29 patients have been dosed in THIO-101. With
the addition of sites in Hungary, Poland, and Bulgaria in March 2023, THIO-101 has rapidly increased the number of patients enrolled
and dosed with ateganosine. Thirteen sites were activated with another two new additional sites ready to open shortly afterward.
On
July 10, 2023, we announced updates on preliminary survival data in the Part A safety lead-in of THIO-101. The first 2 patients enrolled
in the study continued to be alive, approximately 12.2 and 11.5 months respectively, from treatment initiation. Both patients have advanced
Stage IV metastatic disease and failed 2 prior lines of therapy, including one line with an immune CPI, and platinum-based
chemotherapy. Following the conclusion of study treatment, they have remained free of disease progression for 10.2 and 8.5 months, respectively,
without requiring any additional therapy.
On
July 11, 2023, we announced updates on disease control data in the part A safety lead-in of THIO-101. Of the first 11 patients enrolled
in THIO-101 to complete at least 1 post baseline response assessment, 9 (82%) met the primary endpoint of disease control (defined as
a Complete Response, Partial Response, or Stable Disease per RECIST 1.1). All patients enrolled have previously failed 2 or more prior
lines of treatment including an immune CPI and platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC.
On
October 24, 2023, we reported unprecedented interim disease control rate (DCR) of 100% in second-line treatment that far surpasses standard
of care (SoC) DCR of 53-64%, presented at ESMO 2023. DCR is far stronger than overall response rate (ORR) in predicting overall survival
benefit, as shown in a recent meta-analysis of 74 clinical trials worldwide in NSCLC.
On
December 19, 2023, we announced dose selection for THIO-101, a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating its lead asset, ateganosine, in sequential
combination with Regenerons anti-PD-1 cemiplimab (Libtayo) in patients with advanced NSCLC. During the dose-finding stage of THIO-101, patients were administered either 60mg, 180mg, or 360mg of ateganosine per cycle,
followed by 350mg of cemiplimab (Libtayo). The selected dose, 180mg/cycle, presented better safety profile and outperformed
the other doses in the key measures of efficacy for NSCLC trials. Subsequently, all future trial participants will be treated with ateganosine
180mg/cycle.
On
January 17, 2024, we announced new interim data for our ongoing THIO-101 Phase 2 trial in NSCLC. In the
latest available data from THIO-101 (November 13, 2023), 60 patients had been dosed with ateganosine in sequential combination with Libtayo.
The patients received either 60mg, 180mg, or 360mg of ateganosine per dose, and 42 had at least one post baseline assessment completed.
The observed disease control was well sustained compared to previous scans.
On
February 7, 2024, we announced publication of international Patent Cooperation Treat (PCT) application titled Dinucleotides and
Their Use in Treating Cancer. The new dinucleotides disclosed in the patent application are telomere-targeting molecules, such
as ateganosine fragments or other ateganosine analogues. These compounds are key next-generation telomere-targeting agents, an important
extension of MAIAs innovative cancer treatment platform. The PCT system streamlines the process for obtaining patent protection
globally. Under the PCT, applicants can seek patent protection in a large number of countries.
On
February 22, 2024, we announced completion of enrollment in Phase 2 THIO-101 go-to-market clinical trial. The trial reached the enrollment
target of 41 patients for the 180mg/dose on February 19, 2024. As of the latest data available for the trial, 79 patients had received
either 60mg (24 patients), 180mg (41 patients) or 360mg (14 patients). The original trial design targeted up to 182 patients, including
all patients in the safety lead-in and 41 patients in each of the 3 tested doses (60mg, 180mg, and 360mg). Following the selection of
180 mg/cycle as the optimal dose in December 2023, all patients were subsequently enrolled at the 180mg/cycle dose and trial enrollment
was completed ahead of schedule.
| 4 | |
On
March 6, 2024, we announced interim efficacy data for THIO-101 Phase 2 trial in NSCLC. In the latest data available (January 8, 2024),
the overall response rate (ORR), characterized as partial or complete response to therapy, was 38% (3 out of 8 patients) in the efficacy
evaluable population for combination ateganosine 180mg + cemiplimab in third-line treatment for NSCLC patients who failed treatment with
immune checkpoint inhibitors in prior lines of therapy, with or without chemotherapy.
On
March 27, 2024, we evaluated additional clinical data from its Phase 2 clinical trial, THIO-101. At such time, a total of 68 patients
have been dosed and had a post-baseline scan in MAIAs Phase 2 clinical trial, THIO-101, evaluating ateganosine in sequential combination
with an immune checkpoint inhibitor in patients with advanced NSCLC. Preliminary efficacy across all lines of therapy in this March 2024
data cut were consistent with previous reports including: (i) 75% of patients receiving ateganosine 180mg as third-line therapy for NSCLC
have surpassed the overall survival (OS) threshold of 5.8 months; (ii) 88% of patients in the same setting (3L, 180mg)
also crossed the 2.5 months progression free survival (PFS) threshold and have shown ORR of 38%, greatly improving on current
chemo treatment that have ORRs of around 6-10%; and (iii) across all third-line patients, DCR of 85% remained superior to current chemotherapy
options, which ranges from 25-35% DCR.
On
June 4, 2024, we announced new preliminary efficacy data from the Phase 2 THIO-101 clinical trial. The updated included that as of
April 30, 2024: (i) all evaluable patients had completed 1 post-baseline assessment; (ii) third-line treatment across all doses
had shown DCR of 85% for ateganosine, 65% of patients crossed the 5.8month OS threshold identified in literature, 85% of
patients crossed the 2.5month PFS threshold, median survival follow-up time was 9.1 months; and (iii) third-line treatment with
ateganosine 180mg had shown median PFS of 5.5 months, 78% OS rate at 6 months, 38% ORR, 75% of patients crossed the 5.8month OS
threshold, 88% of patients crossed the 2.5month PFS threshold and median survival follow-up time observed was 9.1
months.
On
June 6, 2024, we announced MAIA highlights and key achievements year-to-date, including: (i) exceptional measures of efficacy by lead
drug ateganosine in Phase 2 clinical trial, with 38% ORR in third-line (3L) setting (ateganosine 180mg) compared to ~6% for currently
available treatments in a similar population and 5.5 months median progression-free survival (PFS) (3L, ateganosine 180mg); and (ii)
secured continued insider investment through independent board members participation in private placement equity financings, with
funding of more than $12M year-to-date.
On
June 7, 2024, we announced the validation of clinical and regulatory pathways for viable therapies leveraging the cells telomeric
functions as evidenced by the FDA approval of imetelstat, a treatment for low- to intermediate-risk hematologic malignancies (myelodysplastic
syndromes) from Geron Corporation, illuminating the role of telomere targeting as a viable therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
On
July 23, 2024, we announced treatment updates from our Phase 2 clinical trial of ateganosine. As of June 12, the latest clinical cut-off
date: (i) 6 patients remain on treatment following at least 12 months of therapy; (ii) treatment with ateganosine followed by cemiplimab
has been well tolerated throughout the trial, with lower toxicity compared to standard-of-care treatments; and (iii) the longest-treated
patients have completed 21 cycles of ateganosine sequenced with cemiplimab.
On
September 10, 2024, we announced updates from our lead clinical candidate ateganosine, in our Phase 2 clinical trial, THIO-101. The updates
included: (i) As of August 1, 2024, 16 patients had survival follow-up surpassing 12 months, including 9 in third line treatment (3L);
(ii) Interim median survival follow-up in 3L was 10.6 months.; and (iii) ateganosines substantial survival benefit in third line
surpasses comparable standard-of-care overall survival of 5.8 months.
On
December 3, 2024, we announced the amendment of the 2021 clinical supply agreement with Regeneron for the expansion portion of THIO-101,
its Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating ateganosine in sequential administration with cemiplimab (Libtayo). The new expansion
will further assess the efficacy of MAIAs lead asset, ateganosine, sequenced with immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) Libtayo
(cemiplimab) for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving third-line therapy who were resistant to previous checkpoint
inhibitor treatments and chemotherapy. The original 2021 agreement between MAIA and Regeneron was designed to supply the original THIO-101
trial through the dose selection and safety evaluation process.
On
December 16, 2024, we announced that the FDA has designated ateganosine for the treatment of pediatric-type diffuse high-grade gliomas
(PDHGG) as a drug for a rare pediatric disease (RPDD). Upon FDA approval of a future new drug application in PDHGG, MAIA
would be eligible to receive a priority review voucher that can be redeemed by drug developers for FDA priority review of a different
product or transferred or sold to another sponsor.
| 5 | |
On
January 7, 2025, we announced that we had entered into a clinical supply agreement with global oncology company BeiGene to assess the
efficacy of ateganosine, its small molecule telomere-targeting anticancer agent, in combination with BeiGenes immune CPI tislelizumab in three cancer indications. The single arm pivotal Phase 2 trials will study the drug combination in HCC, SCLC and CRC. Under the terms of the collaboration, MAIA will sponsor and
fund the planned clinical trials and BeiGene will provide tislelizumab. MAIA maintains global development and commercial rights to ateganosine
and is free to develop the programs in combination with other agents and in other indications. Since May 2025, BeiGene has changed its
company name to BeOne Medicines.
On
February 4, 2025, we announced positive updated data from THIO-101 Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating its lead clinical candidate, ateganosine,
sequenced with Regenerons immune CPI cemiplimab (Libtayo) in patients with advanced NSCLC who failed two or more standard-of-care therapy regimens. As of January 15, 2025, third line (3L) data updates showed
that: (i) median overall survival (OS) of 16.9 months for the 22 NSCLC patients who received at least one dose of ateganosine (the intent-to-treat
population) in parts A and B of the trial. (ii) The analysis demonstrated a 95% confidence interval (CI) lower bound of 12.5 months and
a 99% CI lower bound of 10.8 months. (iii) The treatment has been generally well-tolerated to date in this heavily pre-treated population.
On
February 26, 2025, we announced the trial design for the expansion of its THIO-101 pivotal Phase 2 trial in NSCLC. The expansion of the study will assess overall response rates (ORR) in advanced NSCLC patients receiving third line (3L) therapy
who were resistant to previous checkpoint inhibitor treatments (CPI) and chemotherapy. The THIO-101 study in 3L will enroll up to 48
patients with two arms: Arm 1, continuing the evaluation of ateganosine sequenced with Libtayo (cemiplimab); and Arm
2, evaluating ateganosine as a monotherapy, to further gain experience of ateganosine in the contribution of components. Treatment cycles
for patients in both arms will administer ateganosine on 3 consecutive days, followed by immune activation on day 4. Arm 1 will administer
Libtayo on day 5. The Company plans to enroll an additional 100 patients for the registration phase of the trial. MAIA expects to conduct
the trials in the U.S. and select countries in Europe and Asia.
On
February 27, 2025, we announced plans to initiate a Phase 3 pivotal trial in 2025, named THIO-104, to evaluate the efficacy of ateganosine
administered in sequence with a checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) in third-line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who are resistant
to checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy. The multicenter, open-label, pivotal Phase 3 trial is designed to provide a direct comparison
to chemotherapy in a 1:1 randomization of up to 300 patients.
On
March 18, 2025, we announced that the United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council had approved ateganosine as the nonproprietary
(generic) name for its lead molecule a telomere-targeting anticancer agent in clinical development as a first-in-class treatment for
advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The company chose a name inspired by the mechanism of action of THIO: altering telomeric
guanosine of the cancer cells. The generic name ateganosine is a unique and consistent identity that aims to support clear communication
between healthcare providers, patients and researchers. MAIA will retain the name THIO in its clinical trial designations (THIO-101,
THIO-102, THIO-103, THIO-104).
On
March 20, 2025, we announced the publication of preclinical data for our lead proprietary telomere-targeting ateganosine dimer in
the peer-reviewed scientific journal Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Archives of Pharmacology. In a preclinical study, ateganosine and
its new described dimer form were found to be potent inhibitors of Glutathione S-transferase Pi (GSTP1), a key enzyme implicated in
cancer progression and chemoresistance and a highly important factor for the detoxification of cancer cells. The findings suggest
that the dimerized form of ateganosine could enhance chemotherapeutic efficacy by effectively targeting GSTP1 and reducing drug
resistance. The article, titled Investigation of the inhibitory effects of the telomere-targeted compounds on glutathione
S-transferase P1, was published on February 15, 2025.
On
June 5, 2025, we announced updated data from its THIO-101 pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial. As of May 15, 2025, third line (3L) data showed
median overall survival (OS) of 17.8 months for the 22 NSCLC patients who received at least one dose of ateganosine (the intent-to-treat
population) in parts A and B of the trial. The updated analysis continues to demonstrate a 95% confidence interval (CI) lower bound of
12.5 months and a 99% CI lower bound of 10.8 months. The Company also mentioned that treatment had been generally well-tolerated to date
in this heavily pre-treated population.
| 6 | |
On
June 5, 2025, we announced that a new partial response (PR) was identified in a patient after 20 months of treatment in our Phase 2 THIO-101
clinical trial. A partial response is defined as a decrease in tumor size of at least 30%.
On
June 18, 2025, we announced its entry into a clinical master supply agreement with Roche for future studies investigating the combination
of MAIAs telomere targeting agent ateganosine (THIO), sequenced with Roches checkpoint inhibitor (CPI), atezolizumab (Tecentriq),
for the treatment of multiple hard-to-treat cancers.
On
June 24, 2025, we announced the appointment of two prominent oncologists to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), Claudia Fulgenzi, MD,
and David J. Pinato, MD, MRCP (UK), PhD. Both are specialists in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a tumor type to be studied in future
clinical trials of MAIAs lead candidate ateganosine (THIO) sequenced with a checkpoint inhibitor.
On
July 9, 2025, we announced the dosing of the first patient in Taiwan in the expansion phase of our THIO-101 Phase 2 trial for advanced
non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The trials entry into another continent marks a key milestone for MAIA, opening a significantly
larger patient pool for its evaluations of ateganosine (THIO). MAIA also announced that screening for the trial is ongoing in Europe
and Asia.
On
July 17, 2025, we announced the publication of preclinical data from its second generation ateganosine prodrugs platform in Nucleic Acids
Research (NAR), a leading open-access peer-reviewed scientific journal. The study, titled Novel Telomere-Targeting Dual-Pharmacophore
Dinucleotide Prodrugs for Anticancer Therapy, details MAIAs lead ateganosine (THIO)-derived second-generation prodrugs
as promising new molecules in its strategy for enhancing cancer treatment and overcoming drug resistance. The manuscript with the data
was published on June 26, 2025, in Volume 53, Issue 12 of the NAR journal.
On
July 28, 2025, we announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for ateganosine (THIO,
6-thio-dG or 6-thio2-deoxyguanosine) for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Ateganosine is currently being evaluated
in a pivotal Phase 2 THIO-101 clinical trial evaluating its anti-tumor activity when followed by a checkpoint inhibitor.
On
August 13, 2025, we announced that the European Patent Office granted a patent broadly covering a portfolio of ateganosine-based analogues
for telomere targeting anticancer therapy and methods of using ateganosine (THIO) alone or before administration of checkpoint inhibitors
(CPIs). The patent, titled Mercaptopurine Ribonucleoside Analogues for Altering Telomerase Mediated Telomere, was invented
by MAIAs Chief Scientific Officer Sergei M. Gryaznov, PhD and Scientific Advisory Board member Jerry W. Shay, PhD. MAIAs
global patent and patent-pending estate covers several areas including telomerase mediated telomere altering compounds and treatment
of therapy-resistant cancers. Further, ateganosines immunogenic treatment strategy, which focuses on sequential combination with
checkpoint inhibitors, has been filed worldwide. MAIAs IP portfolio for ateganosine currently comprises 10 issued patents worldwide
including Europe (validated in 19 countries) along with 24 pending patent applications.
On
August 27, 2025, we announced that a manuscript detailing developments in its Phase 2 THIO-101 clinical trial was accepted and published
in the international peer-reviewed open access scientific journal, Cells, in a special issue, Cellular Mechanisms of Anti-Cancer
Therapies. The manuscript, titled Perioperative Management of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Era of Immunotherapy,
was authored by a group of oncology researchers in Turkey and the U.S. including MAIA scientists Sergei Gryaznov, Ph.D., Chief Scientific
Officer and Ilgen Mender, Director of Biology Research, along with MAIA Scientific Advisory Board members Z. Gunnur Dikmen, M.D., Ph.D.
and Saadettin Kilikap, M.D., M.Sc.
On
September 11, 2025, we highlighted positive efficacy data from its Phase 2 clinical trial, THIO-101, including that as of June 30, 2025:
(i) estimated median progression free survival (PFS) in third-line treatment (180 mg dose) was 5.6 months; (ii) Estimated median overall
survival (OS) was 17.8 months, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) lower bound of 12.5 months and a 99% CI lower bound of 10.8 months,
consistent with the prior data readout (May 15, 2025); (iii) Across patients of all treatment lines, 2 patients have completed 33 cycles
of therapy, highlighting ateganosine potential for extended dosing, which usually translates into longer patient survival.
| 7 | |
On
October 23, 2025, we announced that as of September 17, 2025, a patient that began therapy in March 2023 has shown survival of 30
months, or 912 days, an outstanding measure relative to many of the high-risk cancers. The patient with thirty month survival
received therapy every three weeks and concluded treatment upon reaching the maximum treatment duration of 2 years based on protocol
requirements.
On
October 27, 2025, we announced that we have enrolled five patients from Taiwan and Turkey in the expansion phase of its THIO-101 Phase
2 trial.
On
November 20, 2025, we announced Romania as an additional country to begin screening patients for the expansion phase of its THIO-101
Phase 2 clinical trial which evaluates ateganosine sequenced with an immune checkpoint inhibitor as a third-line treatment for non-small
cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
On
November 21, 2025, we announced that we have enrolled 12 patients from Taiwan, Turkey, Hungary and Poland in the expansion phase
of its THIO-101 Phase 2 trial.
On
December 11, 2025, we announced that the first patient has been dosed in THIO-104 Phase 3 pivotal trial evaluating the efficacy of ateganosine
administered in sequence with a checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) as a third-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
The multicenter, open-label trial is designed to assess overall survival for ateganosine sequenced with a CPI compared to investigators
choice of chemotherapy in a 1:1 randomization of up to 300 patients. MAIA has received regulatory approval to screen patients in Taiwan,
Turkey, select European Medicines Agency (EMA) countries, and Georgia. Screening and enrollment are now underway.
On
January 20, 2026, we provided a corporate update on 2025 achievements and highlighted key targeted milestones and growth catalysts for
2026. The targeted milestones include: (i) initial measures of efficacy from Phase 3 study, with interim disease control rates (DCR),
overall response rates (ORR) and progression free survival (PFS) analysis of ateganosine compared to the control arm will support regulatory
discussions; (ii) expected conclusion of Part C of Phase 2 study, which will provide additional clinical efficacy data to support regulatory
review for commercial approval; (iii) Plan to engage in regulatory interactions with the FDA to expand ongoing FDA dialogue under the
Fast Track designation, including discussions around trial enhancements and prospects for Accelerated Approval and Priority Review; (iv)
clinical development of second-generation molecules planned to start in Phase 1 trials, with additional small molecules fully developed
in-house with better expected efficacy compared to ateganosine.
In
addition to NSCLC, HCC, SCLC and CRC we plan to conduct clinical trials evaluating ateganosine (THIO) in sequential combination with
an immune checkpoint inhibitor in several other cancer indications, including solid tumors, such as breast, prostate, gastric, pancreatic
and ovarian cancers.
**Our
ScienceDriven Telomere Targeting Approach**
Telomeres
are regions of repetitive DNA nucleotide sequences that are associated with specialized proteins at the ends of linear chromosomes in
cells. Ateganosines mechanism of action comprises telomere targeting and induction of anti-cancer immunogenicity. The enzyme telomerase
recognizes ateganosines metabolite formed in situ and incorporates it into the structure of the cancer cells telomeres,
creating a faulty structure, which breaks apart the telomere spatial structure. As a result, the ateganosine-modified telomeric structure
unwinds, recognized as DNA damage, and the cancer cells die. We believe ateganosine transforms cold tumors into hot
tumors rendering them responsive to immunotherapy (checkpoint inhibitors) and this process takes place promptly within 24 to 72 hours.
We also believe we can improve the immunotherapy efficacy and we can restore the immunotherapy efficacy in patients who have progressed
or developed resistance to prior immunotherapy.
Telomere
maintenance is a fundamental biologic process for cell proliferation and resilience in cancer cells and thus represents one of the key
therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Telomerase is an enzyme that is present in a majority of human cancer cells (over 85% in the
aggregate), across various tumor types. In contrast, its activity is detected in less than 1% of normal cells. Ateganosine has only been
shown to be active in cancer cells that are telomerase positive (TERT+) and actively dividing. Cancer cells are constantly telomerase
positive due to an uncontrolled division process, while a relatively small number of normal cells are telomerase positive only transiently.
Therefore, ateganosine activity is expected to be highly specific to cancer cells versus normal cells. Cancer-specific disturbance of
telomeric structure, mediated by telomerase, is likely to lead to disruption in the cell cycle, followed by a very rapid and telomere-length
independent cell death. Ateganosine was observed in preliminary in vitro and in vivo studies to induce cancer-specific telomere disruption,
by using the enzyme telomerase which differentiates ateganosine from all other available cancer therapies currently in clinical use.
We are also currently developing potential next-generation small molecule telomere modifying agents with the goal of identifying additional
proprietary drug candidates, across multiple cancer types. We have generated eighty-two (82) new telomere-targeting compounds of which
sixty (60) compounds have been evaluated in vitro. Currently, seven (7) molecules have been selected for further evaluation in additional
in vitro and in vivo models.
| 8 | |
Human
clinical trials prior to approval are typically conducted in three sequential Phases that may overlap or be combined. In Phase 1, the
drug or biologic is initially introduced into healthy human subjects and tested for safety, dosage tolerance, absorption, metabolism,
distribution and excretion. In Phase 2, the drug or biologic is evaluated in 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, optimal dosage and dosing schedule for patients having the specific disease. In Phase 3, larger-scale clinical trials are
undertaken to evaluate clinical efficacy and safety and the overall risk/benefit ratio of the product. Post-approval studies, or Phase
4 clinical trials, may be conducted voluntarily, or as a condition of FDAs approval of a drug. These studies may be used to confirm
preliminary efficacy results, gain additional experience from the treatment of certain patient populations, or to support additional
indications or labeling changes.
We
completed our selection process for the clinical sites for our Phase 2 study in Australia and Europe and our application to start the
Phase 2 study in Australia was approved on March 1, 2022, by the Australian Regulatory AgencyBellberry Human Research Ethics Committee.
In July 2022, the first patient was administered with ateganosine in our Phase 2 human trial (THIO-101) in Australia. In December 2022,
regulatory authorities in three European countries, Hungary, Poland, and Bulgaria, approved the implementation of THIO-101, Phase 2 clinical
trial evaluating ateganosine in patients with NSCLC. In July 2025, we initiated an expansion of the THIO-101 trial focused on third-line
NSCLC patients who are resistant to checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy.
We
initiated a Phase 3 pivotal trial in 2025, named THIO-104, to evaluate the efficacy of ateganosine administered in sequence with a checkpoint
inhibitor (CPI) in third-line NSCLC patients who are resistant to checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy. The multicenter, open-label,
pivotal Phase 3 trial is designed to provide a direct comparison to chemotherapy in a 1:1 randomization of up to 300 patients.
In
March 2022, the FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to ateganosine for the treatment of HCC, in May 2022, the FDA granted the second
ODD to ateganosine for the treatment of small cell lung cancer, and in late 2023, a third ODD for Malignant Gliomas Brain Cancer. The
FDAs Office of Orphan Products Development may grant orphan designation status to drugs and biologics that are intended for the
treatment, diagnosis or prevention of rare diseases, or conditions that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. ODD provides certain
benefits, including financial incentives, to support clinical development and the potential for up to seven years of market exclusivity
for the drug for the designated orphan indication in the U.S. if the drug is ultimately approved for its designated indication.
In
December 2024, the FDA granted rare pediatric disease designation (RPDD) for ateganosine for the treatment of pediatric-type diffuse
high-grade gliomas (PDHGG). Upon FDA approval of a future new drug application in PDHGG, MAIA would be eligible to receive a priority
review voucher that can be redeemed or sold as an asset. Rare pediatric disease priority review vouchers (PRVs) can be redeemed by drug
developers for FDA priority review of a different product or transferred or sold to another sponsor. Since 2015, FDA priority review
vouchers have sold as assets at an average amount of $100 million.
In
July 2025, the FDA granted fast track designation (FTD) for the treatment of NSCLC. Ateganosine is currently being evaluated in a pivotal
Phase 2 THIO-101 clinical trial evaluating its anti-tumor activity when followed by a checkpoint inhibitor. The FDA Fast Track is a process
designed to facilitate development and expedite the review of drugs for treating serious conditions and filling an unmet medical need,
as in providing a therapy where none exists or which may be potentially better than available therapy. If relevant criteria are met during
the Fast Track process, a drug will be eligible for FDA Accelerated Approval and Priority Review.
| 9 | |
**Our
Second Generation Molecule Candidates**
We
have initiated an early-stage research and discovery program aimed at identifying new compounds capable of acting through similar mechanisms
of activity as ateganosine, such as the targeting and modifying telomeric structures of cancer cells through cancer-cell intrinsic telomerase
activity. The main objective for this program is to discover new compounds with potentially improved specificity towards cancer cells
relative to normal cells and with potentially increased anticancer activity. This program may also allow us to strengthen our patent
portfolio. Although the program is in early stages and we may not be able to identify suitable compounds, we believe we will be able
to create a second generation of ateganosine-like compounds.
Our
current 2nd-generation pipeline of potential telomere-targeting agents includes seven compounds that have successfully undergone in vitro
inhibitory testing in five cancer models. The data from those studies showed a significantly lower 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50)
for those compounds compared to ateganosine. Based on those data, we have progressed those seven compounds to in vivo testing. In January
2023, we nominated one lead new molecular entity candidate (designated as MAIA-2021-20) and one back-up new molecular entity candidate
(MAIA-2022-12) for further advancement into preclinical GLP-toxicity and other studies and may advance one of these candidates into human
clinical trials upon completion of the required preclinical evaluations. A third candidate (MAIA-2021-029) was selected in June 2023.
MAIA has filed three different families of patent applications that cover
its 2nd-generation of compounds. One family (Dinucleotides and Their Use in Treating Cancer) is filed in the US, AU, BR, CA, CH, EPO,
KR, MX, JP and TW. The second family (Tumor Redox-Activated 6-thiopurine Containing Dimer Compounds) has been filed in the US, AU, BR,
CA, CN, EP, IL, JP, KR, MX, RU, and SG. The third patent application (Dinucleotides And Their Use In Treating Cancer) has been filed in
the US and under the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) and will undergo national phase filings in March 2026.
**OUR
PIPELINE**
****
Our
robust pipeline includes several targeted immuno-oncology candidates for relapsed and refractory cancers.
*
| 10 | |
****
**Our
Therapeutic Strategy**
Our
goal is to be the leader in the discovery, development and commercialization of cancer telomere targeting agents and other similar small
molecules. Our initial focus is to efficiently advance our clinical programs with ateganosine in sequential combination with a checkpoint
inhibitor for the treatment of NSCLC. Ultimately, our goal would be to position ateganosine as a patient anticancer immunity priming
treatment for all immune-activating agents used in the treatment of cancer. To date THIO-101 and THIO-104 are the only clinical trials
testing ateganosine in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor. The key elements of our strategy are to:
| 
| 
| 
Advance
our existing clinical programs, including seeking accelerated approval for ateganosine in NSCLC as a tumor mass-reducing and simultaneously
immune system priming agent administered in advance of the immune-activating agent, cemiplimab for treatment of advanced NSCLC, and
ultimately, as a cancer treatment foundation in multiple indications and geographies. Even if granted, accelerated approval status
does not guarantee an accelerated review or marketing approval by the FDA. | |
| 
| 
| 
Broaden
the clinical development of ateganosine by exploring synergistic administration prior to other standard-of care immune-therapies
including cell therapy. | |
| 
| 
| 
Develop
a franchise of telomere-targeting cancer treatments. | |
| 
| 
| 
Leverage
our regulatory strategy to acquire additional human data faster outside U.S. for other cancer indications. | |
| 
| 
| 
Selectively
enter into strategic collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that have immune activating therapies. | |
| 
| 
| 
Expand
our existing intellectual property portfolio. | |
We
will face certain challenges in implementing our business strategy including, among others, the fact that earlier development of ateganosine
was not commercially pursued. Even if ateganosine successfully advances through clinical studies and towards approval for use, we may
face early competition from generic alternatives to ateganosine after expiration of any applicable regulatory exclusivities.
**Ateganosine
Market Opportunity and Unmet Medical Need**
Most
cancer cells are telomerase positive (TERT+), including 57% to 100% of primary human cancers dependent upon tumor type, indicating a
significant potential therapeutic utilization for ateganosine across most of the tumor types. We believe successful targeting of telomeres
in TERT+ cancers may represent a significant potential for broad therapeutic utilization.
| 
Tumor
Type | 
| 
TERT(+) | 
| 
Tumor
Type | 
| 
TERT(+) | |
| 
Non-Small
Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) | 
| 
78% | 
| 
Pancreatic
Cancer | 
| 
95% | |
| 
Colorectal
(CRC) | 
| 
82-89% | 
| 
Small
Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) | 
| 
100% | |
| 
Hepatocellular
Carcinoma (HCC) | 
| 
79-86% | 
| 
Ovarian
Cancer | 
| 
91% | |
| 
Breast
Cancer | 
| 
88% | 
| 
Renal
Cell Carcinoma (RCC) | 
| 
83% | |
| 
Prostate
Cancer | 
| 
90% | 
| 
Glioblastoma
Multiforme (GBM) | 
| 
75% | |
| 
Bladder
Cancer | 
| 
92% | 
| 
Neuroblastoma | 
| 
94% | |
| 
Head
& Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) | 
| 
86% | 
| 
Lymphoma
(high grade) | 
| 
100% | |
| 
Gastric
Cancer | 
| 
85% | 
| 
Chronic
Myeloid Leukemia (CML) | 
| 
71% | |
| 
Melanoma | 
| 
83-86% | 
| 
Chronic
Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) | 
| 
57% | |
| 
Cervical
Cancer | 
| 
100% | 
| 
Acute
Myeloid Leukemia (AML) | 
| 
73% | |
Sources:
A Survey of Telomerase Activity in Human Cancer JW Shay, S Bacchetti European Journal of Cancer, 33,5,787-791, 1997.
Telomerase Active in Human Liver Tissues; H Tahara, et al; Cancer Research 55, 2734-2736 1995; Highly /aggressive Metastatic Melanoma
Cell Unable to Maintain Telomere Length; N Viceconte et al; Cell Reports 2017; Clinical Relevance of Telomerase Status and Telomerase
Activity in Colorectal Cancer; T Femandez et al; PLOS one 2016; and Telomeres, Telomerase, and Cancer: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Therapeutics;
Shou et al; Experimental Hematology & Oncology 14:8 2025.
| 11 | |
Our
initial development program will focus on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Colorectal Cancer (CRC), Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
and Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) in areas of clear unmet need and/or areas with deficient immunotherapy effect within each tumor type.
Each tumor type and area of unmet or undermet needs represent significant clinical and commercial opportunity. We believe that ateganosine
offers a desirable profile with significant commercial potential.
| 
Tumor Type | | 
Incidence 2022 (M) | | | 
5-Year Prevalence 2022 (M) | | | 
Mortality 2022 (M) | | | 
Annual Sales 2025 ($B) | | | 
Annual Sales 2029 ($B) (projected) | | |
| 
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer | | 
| 2.1 | | | 
| 2.7 | | | 
| 1.5 | | | 
| 30.8 | | | 
| 48.9 | | |
| 
Breast | | 
| 2.3 | | | 
| 8.1 | | | 
| 0.7 | | | 
| 26.2 | | | 
| 31.1 | | |
| 
Prostate | | 
| 1.5 | | | 
| 5.0 | | | 
| 0.4 | | | 
| 16.1 | | | 
| 22.5 | | |
| 
Colorectal | | 
| 1.9 | | | 
| 5.7 | | | 
| 0.9 | | | 
| 17.1 | | | 
| 20.3 | | |
| 
Liver | | 
| 0.9 | | | 
| 1.1 | | | 
| 0.8 | | | 
| 3.1 | | | 
| 5.5 | | |
| 
Small Cell Lung Cancer | | 
| 0.4 | | | 
| 0.5 | | | 
| 0.3 | | | 
| 1.9 | | | 
| 2.4 | | |
Sources:
Global incidence, prevalence, mortality (Global Cancer Observatory / WHO); Global sales (Global Data; BioSpace).
The
table below reflects the current market for checkpoint inhibitors because there is no current market for ateganosine-like molecules.
The years in the indication columns on the table below signify the timing of FDA approval in the US for the clinical indications of interest.
Because the key element of our strategy is to develop ateganosine to work in combination with check-point inhibitors, if ateganosine
is eventually approved by the FDA for use in conjunction with check-point inhibitors, this table provides a high-level understanding
of the potential market for ateganosine in that combination. There is no assurance, however, that any potential market for ateganosine
would follow the current landscape for checkpoint inhibitor franchises.
**Current
Landscape of Checkpoint Inhibitor Franchises**
| 
| | 
| | 
2024 Sales | | | 
Indications (tumor | | | 
NSCLC | | | 
SCLC | | | 
CRC | | | 
HCC | | |
| 
Drug | | 
Company | | 
($B) | | | 
types) | | | 
Year of FDA Approval | | |
| 
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) | | 
Merck | | 
| 29.4 | | | 
| 20 | | | 
| 2015 | | | 
| 2019 | | | 
| 2017 | | | 
| 2018 | | |
| 
OPDIVO (nivolumab) | | 
BMS / Ono | | 
| 10.2 | | | 
| 11 | | | 
| 2015 | | | 
| 2018 | | | 
| 2017 | | | 
| 2017 | | |
| 
TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) | | 
Genentech / Roche | | 
| 4.1 | | | 
| 6 | | | 
| 2016 | | | 
| 2019 | | | 
| | | | 
| 2020 | | |
| 
IMFINZI (durvalumab) | | 
AstraZeneca | | 
| 4.7 | | | 
| 5 | | | 
| 2018 | | | 
| 2020 | | | 
| | | | 
| 2022 | | |
| 
LIBTAYO (cemiplimab) | | 
Regeneron | | 
| 1.2 | | | 
| 3 | | | 
| 2021 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
TEVIMBRA (tislelizumab) | | 
BeOne Medicines | | 
| 0.4 | | | 
| 4 | | | 
| 2024 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
TYVYT (sintilimab) | | 
Eli Lilly / Innovent | | 
| 0.6 | | | 
| 3 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
BAVENCIO (avelumab) | | 
Pfizer / Merck AG | | 
| 0.6 | | | 
| 3 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
JEMPERLI (dostarlimab) | | 
GSK | | 
| 0.6 | | | 
| 2 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
TOTAL | | 
| | 
| 51.8 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
Source:
BioMed Tracker 2025
| 12 | |
****
**Intellectual
Property**
Our global patent and patent-pending estate covers
several areas. Telomerase mediated telomere altering compounds and treatment of therapy-resistant cancers. Further, ateganosines
immunogenic treatment strategy, which focuses on sequential combination with checkpoint inhibitors has been filed worldwide. With respect
to ateganosine IP, we maintain three (3) issued US patents, nine (9) issued foreign patents and have four (4) pending US patent applications
and eleven (11) pending foreign patent applications.
Our
goal is to obtain, maintain and enforce patent protection wherever appropriate for our product candidates, formulations, processes, methods
and any other proprietary technologies, and operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of other parties, both in the United
States and in other countries. Our practice is to actively seek to obtain, where appropriate, intellectual property protection for our
current product candidates and any future product candidates, proprietary information, and proprietary technology through a combination
of patents, protection of proprietary know-how and trade secrets, and contractual arrangements, both in the United States and abroad.
However, full patent protection may not provide us with complete protection against competitors who may seek to circumvent our intellectual
property. Our success will depend on the skills, knowledge, experience and know-how of our management research and development personnel,
as well as that of our advisors, consultants, and other contractors. To help protect our proprietary know-how that is not patentable,
we seek to put in place appropriate internal policies for the management of confidential information requiring all our employees, consultants,
advisors, and other contractors to enter into confidentiality agreements that prohibit the disclosure of confidential information, and
which will require disclosure and assignment to us of the ideas, developments, discoveries, and inventions important to our business.
See Risk Factors Risks Related to our Intellectual Property for additional information.
We
file for patents, both directly and in collaboration with our licensing partners, in the United States with counterparts in certain countries
in Europe and certain key market countries in the rest of the world, thereby covering the major pharmaceutical markets.
On
December 8, 2020, we entered into an amended and restated agreement (of our prior November 29, 2018 agreement) with The Board of Regents
of The University of Texas System on behalf of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (collectively, UTSW). Pursuant to
the amended and restated agreement, which we refer to as the UTSW1 Agreement, we obtained (1) an exclusive, worldwide license to develop
and commercialize the following patent families, which are generally directed to methods of using ateganosine and are owned and/or controlled
by UTSW:
| 
THIO
(ateganosine) Intellectual Property | |
| 
a.)
US patent no. 10,463,685 entitled, Telomerase Mediated Telomere Altering Compounds issued in the US on November 5, 2019. The patent
claims priority to U.S. application No.14/247,967. Related foreign patents based on PCT/US2014/033330 have also issued in the following
foreign countries, CA, EPO (validated in AT, BE, CH, CZ, DE, ES, FR, GB, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LU, MC, NL, PL, PT), MX, NZ, and RU
(all method of use). The application is pending in BR, and SG. | |
| 
b.)
6-Thio-2-Deoxyguanosine (6-Thio-dG) Results in Telomerase Dependent Telomere Dysfunction and Cell Death in Various Models
of Therapy-Resistant Cancer Cells (Method of Use) / PCT/US2017/O34706 (WO2017/0205756), is issued in CA (patent No. 3035533), pending in the US, and EPO. | |
| 
c)
Use of 6-thio-dG to Treat Therapy-Resistant Telomerase positive Pediatric Brain Tumors / 
pending in the US (U.S. application No. 18/511,417) and has received a Notice of Allowance (method of use) | |
| 
d)
Treatment of Drug Resistant Proliferative Diseases with Telomerase Mediated Telomere Altering Compounds, (issued in the US as patent
no.12,070,472) which was based on US application No.16/450,430. A continuation of application 16/450,430 is pending (US application
No. 18,781,413). | |
and
(2) a non-exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize related technology rights. The UTSW1 Agreement includes an
exclusive license to US patent no. 10,463,685 (expires April 8, 2034), and US patent no. 12,070,472 (having an anticipated
expiration of March 23, 2037), and patent application No. 18/511,417 (having an earliest expiration of March 22, 2039, if a patent
is granted). All patents are method of use.
| 13 | |
On
December 23, 2020, we entered into a second agreement with UTSW, which granted the Company option rights in the UTSW1 Agreement and obtaining
additional license rights. This second license with UTSW, which we refer to as the UTSW2 Agreement, we obtained (1) an exclusive, worldwide
license to develop and commercialize the following UTSW patent family:
| 
Sequential Treatment of Cancers Using 6-Thio-dG and Checkpoint Inhibitors | |
| 
PCT/US2021/022090, issued in the RU, EP (validated in AL,
AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, TR) (method
of use), pending in AU, BR, CA, CN, IL, JP, KR, MX, and SG. | |
and
(2) a non-exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize related technology rights. The UTSW2 Agreement includes an
exclusive license to issued US patent no. 12,097,213 (having an earliest expiration of July 28, 2041, which includes 138 days of
patent term adjustment). This patent is generally directed to methods of using ateganosine in combination with immune checkpoint
inhibitors.
On
July 13, 2022, MAIA Biotechnology filed PCT/US23/70177, US 18/352,220, and TW 112126229, Dinucleotides and their use in treating cancer,
for Dinucleotide compounds that target telomers in cancer cells and method for using the dinucleotide compounds in treating cancers alone
and in combination with other anticancer-agents and therapies, such as in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and radiation therapy.
Pending in AU, BR, CA, CH, EPO, KR, MX, JP, US, and TW.
On
May 30, 2023, MAIA Biotechnology filed PCT/US2024/031754, Tumor Redox-Activated 6-Thiopurine containing dimer compounds, for 6-thiopurine
containing compounds that target telomers in cancer cells and methods for using the compounds in treating cancers alone and in combination
with other anticancer agents and therapies. Pending in AU, BR, CA, CN, EPO, IL, KR, MX, RU, and SG.
On October 29, 2024, MAIA Biotechnology filed PCT/US2024/053473 and US
application No. 18/930,974, entitled Telomere-Targeting Phosphatidyl-THIO Conjugates, for Telomere-targeting phosphatidyl-THIO conjugates
that target telomers in cancer cells and methods for using the telomere-targeting phosphatidyl-THIO conjugates compounds to treat cancers.
The applications are pending in the PCT and US.
On
August 13, 2025, MAIA Biotechnology was granted a patent by the European Patent Office application No. 20155920.0, entitled Mercaptopurine
Ribonucleoside Analogues for Altering Telomerase Mediated Telomere, covering a portfolio of ateganosine-based analogues for telomere
targeting anticancer therapy and methods of using ateganosine alone or before administration of checkpoint inhibitors. The patent was
granted and validated in AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HU, IE, IT, LI, LT, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, and
TR.
We
continually assess and refine our intellectual property strategy as we develop new technologies and therapeutic candidates. As our business
evolves, we may, among other activities, file additional patent applications in pursuit of our intellectual property acquisition and
protection strategy, to adapt to competition or to seize potential opportunities.
**Our
Team**
We
have assembled an experienced management team with deep research, development, and commercialization experience in the areas of telomere-related
science, immunotherapy, and across a vast array of oncology indications.
Key
Team highlights:
| 
| 
| 
Our
team is led by our Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and President Vlad Vitoc. He is an M.D. and M.B.A. with over 25 years of experience
in the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology industries. He has served on leadership teams in various oncology companies and business
units and has a track record of success at Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Astellas Pharma Inc., Cephalon Inc. and Incyte Corporation, including
development and commercialization of major oncology brands, organizational capability building, talent recruiting and development,
and functional leadership. | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
Our
Chief Scientific Officer, Sergei M. Gryaznov, is a Ph.D. who is an internationally recognized scientist and expert in the areas of
modern drug discovery and development, oncology, telomerase, immune-regulatory therapeutics, nucleosides, nucleotides, DNA and RNA
analogues, lipid and other conjugates, small molecules and nucleic acid based therapeutic agents. He is the co-inventor of a novel
telomere-by-telomerase-targeting therapeutic approach to potential cancer treatment and responsible for leading the research team
that characterized ateganosines telomere targeting activity. | |
| 14 | |
| 
| 
| 
Our
Head of Finance and principal financial and accounting officer, Jeffrey Himmelreich, has extensive finance, accounting and public
company reporting experience. Prior to his recent appointment, since September 2023, Mr. Himmelreich acted as the Companys
Director of Accounting and Financial Reporting, where he provided oversight for the Companys filings with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other related financial, accounting or reporting matters. From July 2021 to September
2023, Mr. Himmelreich acted as the Chief Financial Officer of Microtech Knives, Inc., a private manufacturer of hand tools. Further,
from December 2018 to July 2021, Mr. Himmelreich served as the Director of Finance and Accounting at Avadim Health Inc., a healthcare-related
private company, during which time he assisted with SEC filings of Avadim Health Inc. for a proposed initial public offering. Mr.
Himmelreich has a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Accounting from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Business
Administration from Pennsylvania State University. | |
We
have engaged the following advisors, who are leading, internationally recognized experts in oncology, telomeres and telomerase research,
to be a part of our Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), which provides independent non-binding scientific advice to our management
team in the roles detailed below under each members name:
| 
| 
1. | 
Tudor
Ciuleanu, M.D., Ph.D. Professor of Oncology (University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania) | |
| 
| 
| 
Top
Key Opinion Leader (KOL) in NSCLC and CRC in Europe | |
| 
| 
| 
Key
investigator in more than 90 phase 3 and Phase 2 clinical trials, including most immune therapy agents | |
| 
| 
| 
One
of the best published clinical investigators (appears in most references in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines) | |
| 
| 
| 
President
of Romanian Federation of Cancer Societies | |
| 
| 
| 
Editor
for the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO), Romanian edition | |
| 
| 
| 
On
our SAB, will lead clinical activities in Europe across tumor types NSCLC, CRC, Gastric, HCC, Head and Neck, Urological cancers,
and Lymphomas | |
| 
| 
2. | 
Jerry
Shay, Ph.D. Professor and Vice Chairman of the Department of Cell Biology (University of Texas Southwestern) | |
| 
| 
| 
One
of the world leaders in the study of telomeres and telomerase | |
| 
| 
| 
Scientific
co-founder of the research supporting our lead program ateganosine and an integral advisor to the program | |
| 
| 
| 
Highly
influential biomedical researcher with over 30 issued patents and more than 500 peer reviewed publications | |
| 
| 
| 
Southland
Financial Corporation Distinguished Chair in Geriatric Research and a Distinguish Professor at University of Texas Southwestern,
having received the University of Texas Regents Outstanding Teaching Award and the Minnie Steven Piper Foundation Professor
Award | |
| 
| 
| 
Awarded
the Eunice Kennedy Shriver NIH Alliance Pioneer Award in 2017 | |
| 
| 
| 
On
our SAB, Dr. Shay will provide scientific leadership as the ateganosine co-inventor and a worldwide recognized expert in the science
of telomeres and telomerase in cancer. Dr. Shay serves as the Chairman of the SAB. | |
| 
| 
3. | 
David
Ashley, M.D., Ph.D. Professor of Neuro-Oncology (Duke University) | |
| 
| 
| 
Top
KOL in pediatric and adult neuro-oncology | |
| 
| 
| 
Expert
in translational research and clinical development | |
| 
| 
| 
Expert
in immuno-oncology, having developed and clinically tested dendritic cell vaccines and other immuno-therapeutics | |
| 
| 
| 
Principal
investigator of a number of important national and international studies, both clinical and pre-clinical | |
| 
| 
| 
Former
Director of two major cancer centers, The Royal Childrens Hospital Melbourne and Andrew Love Cancer Centre Barwon
Health | |
| 
| 
| 
On
our SAB, will assist in translational research in Brain Cancers for clinical development | |
| 15 | |
| 
| 
4. | 
Gunnur
Dikmen, M.D., Ph.D. Professor at Hacettepe University Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Biochemistry, as well as the
director of the Hacettepe University hospitals emergency laboratory | |
| 
| 
| 
Broad
range of experimental and clinical experience in molecular & cell biology and clinical biochemistry, translating research results
from bench to bedside and from academia to clinical laboratory to mentor the next generation of multidisciplinary research projects
by providing new therapeutic approaches for cancer and telomere related diseases | |
| 
| 
| 
Expert
in the biology of telomeres and telomerase in the treatment of cancer | |
| 
| 
| 
Under
her capacity as Secretary-General of the Turkish Biochemical Society, organized various important national and international courses
and congresses | |
| 
| 
| 
On
our SAB, will assist in preclinical and translational research, across tumor types | |
| 
| 
5. | 
Adam
Yopp, M.D. Associate Professor and Division Chief of Surgical Oncology and Colorectal Surgery, at Harold C. Simmons NCI-designated
Comprehensive Cancer Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas | |
| 
| 
| 
Completed
a fellowship in surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center focusing on upper GI and hepatopancreatobiliary malignancy
and joined UT Southwestern in 2009 | |
| 
| 
| 
Director
of the Liver Tumor Program at UTSW and both his research and clinical interests are focused on the delivery of care in patients with
primary liver cancer | |
| 
| 
| 
Much-recognized
key opinion leader in liver cancer | |
| 
| 
| 
On
our SAB, will assist with developing ateganosine for the treatment of liver cancer | |
| 
| 
6. | 
Remus
Vezan, M.D., Ph.D. Vice President, Global Clinical Development at BeOne Medicines, formerly known as BeiGene | |
| 
| 
| 
Completed
his medical training (M.D. and Ph.D.) at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj, Romania and University of Bern, Switzerland | |
| 
| 
| 
Seasoned
leader in drug development of novel therapeutic modalities, including cell and gene therapies, with over 20 years of academic and
biopharmaceutical industry experience, and had a seminal contribution to the development and approval of multiple products, including
TECARTUS, YESCARTA or IMBRUVICA | |
| 
| 
| 
On
our SAB, will assist in development and strategy for approval of ateganosine in multiple tumor types | |
| 
| 
7. | 
Saadettin
Kilikap, M.D., M.Sc Faculty member at stinye University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine,
Trkiye | |
| 
| 
| 
Graduated
from Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, completed his Internal Medicine specialty training at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine.
Completed the education programme of Medical Oncology at Hacettepe University Oncology Institute and the Cancer Epidemiology Thesis
Masters Program at Hacettepe University Oncology Institute Preventive Oncology Department, granting him the title of Master
of Science | |
| 
| 
| 
Received
more than 20 oral presentations or best work awards at national congresses, has more than 240 scientific articles published in international
peer-reviewed journals and more than 50 papers presented at international congresses. He took part as principle or sub-investigator
in more than 50 national and international multicenter phase 2 and phase 3 clinical studies | |
| 
| 
| 
On
our SAB, will assist in development and strategy for approval of ateganosine in multiple solid tumor types, including lung cancer,
breast cancer, melanoma, and the gastrointestinal tract | |
| 16 | |
| 
| 
8. | 
David
J. Pinato, MD, MRCP (UK) FRCPath, MRes, PhD Director of Developmental Cancer Therapeutics at Imperial College in London (UK). | |
| 
| 
| 
David
has led the inception of a portfolio of first-in-class studies of immune checkpoint inhibitors in liver cancer, which has represented
Davids focus of research since graduation with highest honors at the University of Piemonte Orientale A. Avogadro
in Novara, Italy. | |
| 
| 
| 
David
was a three-time recipient of a Merit Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in 2016, 2017, 2019 as well as
a fourth Merit Award jointly awarded by ASCO and by the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) in 2019. | |
| 
| 
| 
On
our SAB, will assist with developing ateganosine for the treatment of liver cancer | |
| 
| 
9. | 
Claudia
A.M. Fulgenzi, M.D. Specialist in Medical Oncology at Imperial College in London (UK) | |
| 
| 
| 
Graduated
in Medicine from the University of Rome Tor Vergata in 2017 and subsequently specialized in Medical Oncology at the University Campus
Bio-Medico of Rome, Italy. During her training, Dr. Fulgenzi developed a strong interest in gastrointestinal cancers, particularly
hepatobiliary malignancies. | |
| 
| 
| 
Her
contributions to the field have been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the ASCO Merit Award and the Young Investigator
Award from the International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA) in 2022, followed by another Merit Award from the American Society of
Clinical Oncology in 2023. | |
| 
| 
| 
On
our SAB, will assist with developing ateganosine for the treatment of liver cancer | |
Our
SAB is primarily compensated by way of the grant of stock options as determined by the Company as appropriate in recognition of the specific
services or areas of expertise of each member. We are also supported by a seasoned board of directors, whose members have significant
entrepreneurial skills in company building and corporate financing as well as decades of collective leadership and board experience.
**Our
Programs**
**Telomere
Targeting Program**
**Targeting
Telomeres via Telomerase Leads to Cancer Cell Death**
| 
Telomeres
are regions of repetitive nucleotide sequences that are associated with specialized proteins at the ends of linear chromosomes, that
represent a critical key therapeutic target for cancer. Telomeres are often depicted in imagery like the end of a shoelace. | 
| 
Adapted
from Transcendental Meditation and lifestyle modification increase telomerase, December 6, 2015. | |
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
Maintenance
of telomeres is essential for unlimited cellular proliferation and confers immortality in cancer cells. Telomeres in human cells
consist of double-stranded and single-stranded repeats of the sequence TTAGGG, which terminate in a single-stranded 3- extension
overhang of the G-rich strand. Their major function is to cap and protect the ends of chromosomes and thus to provide genetic stability.
This capping function is mediated by a special architecture in which the 3- overhang participates with telomere-binding proteins
in a large loop structure called T-loop. The image on the right reflects the general location of telomeres as the end-cap of the
chromosomes, which are located in the nucleus of the cell. | 
| 
| |
| 17 | |
The
most successful anti-cancer drugs in the market today typically interfere with only one of the specific capabilities or hallmarks
cancer cells use for tumor growth and progression. In contrast, our lead drug candidate, ateganosine, targets two major hallmark pathways:
| 
| 
| 
Targeting
cancer cell telomeric DNA structure and functional integrity; and | |
| 
| 
| 
Activating
the immune system that turns immunologically cold tumors into hot tumors that are responsive to therapy.
ateganosine synergizes with immune activating agents, like checkpoint inhibitors, for the potential to attack and destroy tumors. | |
The
chart below reflects the many different methods by which successful anti-cancer drugs might prevent tumor growth and where ateganosine
stands in relation to the other approaches.
Adapted
from Cell 2011, Volume 144, Issue 5, Pages 646-674 (DOI:10.1016/j.cell.2011.02.013)
**Role
of the Enzyme Telomerase**
Telomerase
is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme (reverse transcriptase) that synthesizes telomere repeats from the beginning, or de novo. In human cells,
the telomerase holoenzyme consists of a high-molecular-weight complex with a template region-containing RNA subunit, hTR, and a protein
component, the catalytic subunit human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). In most normal somatic cells, telomerase activity is
absent and telomere repeats are lost with cell division and with aging. Telomerase is especially important in fetal tissues, reproductive
cells and other tissues where extensive cell proliferation is necessary. However, most adult normal tissues are telomerase silent. Telomere
attrition, beyond a certain threshold, results in the uncapping of chromosome ends, which subsequently induces DNA damage and onset of
replicative senescence. In contrast, about 57% to 100% of all cancer cells in most tumor types have detectable telomerase activity, which
leads to the stabilization of telomeres and allows for unlimited growth potential along with disease progression. Successful targeting
of telomerase positive (TERT+) cancers represents a significant potential for therapeutic utilization in almost all tumor types.
Since
most cancer cells are reliant on telomerase for their survival, and telomerase is undetectable or only transiently present at low levels
in normal cells, telomeres of cancer cells and telomerase are attractive targets for the development of new cancer therapeutics. Proof
of Principle for validation of telomere structural integrity-targeting as a therapeutic concept was demonstrated in vitro in human
tumor cells using dominant negative mutant forms of hTERT. In these experiments, telomerase activity was abolished, which was associated
with continuous telomere shortening, subsequently leading to the cancer cells death. Research has also indicated that cancer cell specific
anti-telomeres and anti-telomerase therapies may have fewer side effects than more traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
This has made anti-cancer therapies based on telomerase inhibition an area of interest in medicine. However, attempts to directly target
telomerase in clinical trials have not yet produced an approved drug, as these efforts have encountered material limitations primarily
due to increased toxicities that may result from the long lag period between initiation of anti-telomerase treatment and its therapeutic
effects.
| 18 | |
**Differentiated
Activity of Ateganosine, a Telomere-Targeting Agent**
Ateganosine
(THIO, 6-thio-2-deoxyguanosine or 6-thio-dG) is a small molecule telomere targeting agent that uses the enzyme telomerase for
DNA integration predominantly in the telomeric structure. Based on pre-clinical studies, ateganosines telomere targeting activity
is believed to be primarily cancer-specific in tumor cells with active telomerase, but not in normal cells. Based on our extensive review
of publicly-available information, to our knowledge ateganosines direct telomere targeting action utilizing telomerase is different
from other commercially available cancer therapies and those currently in publicly disclosed clinical trials. Telomeres, along with the
enzyme telomerase, play a fundamental role in the survival of cancer cells and their resistance to current therapies. The statements
above are not intended to give any indication that ateganosine has been proven effective or that it will receive regulatory approval.
In
non-clinical studies, published initially in 2014 along with subsequent studies, ateganosine was found to be converted, in cells, into
the substrate recognized by telomerase, and then incorporated into telomeres of the cancer cells. Once incorporated, ateganosine compromised
the cancer cells telomere structure and function, leading to uncapping of the telomeres, induction of DNA damage
responses, and rapid cancer cell death. These profound structural modifications of cancer cell telomeres were irreparable. In both in
vitro and in vivo studies, ateganosine showed a very prompt effect, causing telomere uncapping and leading to cancer cell death, independent
of the initial tumor telomere length.
The
above graphic represents an established method of action from previously conducted research in rodents that forms the scientific rationale
for further clinical studies.
In
2019, further non-clinical research in syngeneic and humanized mouse models of telomerase-expressing cancers uncovered previously unknown
telomere targeting activity of ateganosine specifically resulting from its breakdown of cancer cells. The ateganosine-containing DNA
fragments, resulting from ateganosine telomere disruption, are packed into micronuclei and are released from the treated cancer cell
into the blood stream, which enhances immune responses. An immune response was observed, attributed to stimulation of the cGAS/STING
pathways in the host APCs (Dendritic Cells, pDCs), as well as activation of NK cells and CD 8+ and CD 4+ lymphocytes in vivo. At the
same time as the T-cells activation, ateganosine treatment reduced levels of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the tumor micro-environment
(TME), which is considered important for an anticancer immune response. While ateganosine activated CD8+ T cells, it also increased the
total number of CD8+ T cells and upregulated PD-1 expression in the CD8+ T cells on per cell basis in the mouse model. This research
demonstrated how the ateganosine-produced telomere stress may have the potential to increase innate sensing and adaptive anti-tumor immunity.
In short, this immune system stimulation and TME remodeling proceeded in a specific antigen-dependent manner and induced adaptive immune
responses that eradicated remaining cancer cells in vivo.
| 19 | |
The
above noted recent studies in a humanized mouse model also supported the hypothesis that sequential administration of ateganosine followed
by an anti-PD-L1type of checkpoint inhibitor may overcome resistance to checkpoint blockade in advanced cancer models, suggesting that
the combination therapy could benefit PD-L1-resistant patients.
Administration
of low doses of ateganosine, aimed to activate the immune system via ateganosine-induced telomeric DNA modification, followed by checkpoint
inhibitor therapy (anti-PD-L1 or anti-PD1), eliminated advanced tumors in preclinical models with confirmation of cancer cell type specific
immune memory. This potential for ateganosine to induce immune memory, if confirmed in human clinical trials, would be a distinct feature
of ateganosines mechanism of action, offering the possibility that the immune system may continue to be active against the cancer
cells over extended periods of time, potentially reducing the need for additional treatment.
These
pre-clinical results provided the basis for our new clinical therapeutic strategy for sequentially administering ateganosine as a telomere-targeted
agent first, to activate the immune system against the specific cancer, followed by immunotherapy or other immune-activating therapy.
****
**Limitations
of Other Therapeutic Approaches**
In
contrast to ateganosine, which targets telomeres, a challenge for the potential clinical application of pharmaceutically useful telomerase
inhibitors (e.g., Imetelstat), is the therapeutic window (the range of dosage of a drug or of its concentration in a bodily system that
provides safe effective therapy) and the often-observed delay between initiation of treatment and phenotypic response (called the lag
period). Since the antiproliferative effect of any direct telomerase inhibitor is dependent on the telomere length of any given
tumor cell, clinical response will be delayed until the telomeres become critically short, and thus can no longer protect the chromosomes,
and as a result, the cancer cell dies. This requires a significant number of cell divisions to become apparent, and treatment may have
to be given continuously for weeks to months, potentially in conjunction with other treatment modalities, to achieve an appropriate level
of efficacy.
| 20 | |
**Ateganosine:
A Telomere Targeting Agent**
**Background**
Ateganosine
(THIO, 6-thio-2-deoxyguanosine) is a synthetically-modified small molecule nucleoside that was originally designed to be an improved
chemotherapy drug developed to work around purine analog resistance, which was standard-of-care therapy in the 1970s. Sponsored by the
National Cancer Institute, ateganosine was extensively investigated in at least 19 clinical trials with over 600 cancer patient subjects
(adult and pediatric) treated, both as monotherapy or in combination with other commonly used standard agents of the time. See Ateganosine
Clinical Trials below for more information about these trials. A traditional treatment strategy was used where patients were treated
to maximum tolerated dose (MTD), a common approach for cancer therapy drug development. Although study results were promising, development
was abandoned in favor of other therapies.
The
previous human experience presents significant limitations as it dates to the 1970s and early 1980s when the implementation of ICH Good
Clinical Practices was not yet in effect. The published studies did not disclose certain data points in line with the current ICH Good
Clinical Practices, such as efficacy endpoints and serious adverse events, whether those endpoints were reached, whether the data was
found to be statistically significant and serious adverse events. Further, we do not know whether those prior studies were powered for
statistical significance in the way our planned studies will be powered, based generally on the results of these prior human studies,
we believe that ateganosine has a well-established safety profile, which we intend to independently demonstrate through our own clinical
studies. Moreover, all prior studies were conducted primarily in heavily pre-treated, refractory patients.
Further
detailed analysis of the body of prior ateganosine research indicates researchers were not aware of three key factors, which if they
had been known at the time, may have impacted the decision to cease development. These factors have only been discovered since 2014 (with
the most recent in 2019), as illustrated in the following graphic:
| 
| 
1. | 
Ateganosines
detailed telomere targeting mechanism and resulting immune activation. | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
2. | 
At
high drug exposure (MTD), ateganosine can be immunosuppressive. | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
3. | 
Proper
administration of ateganosine to activate the immune system followed by immunotherapy to achieve best response. | |
Telomeres
are vital DNA-structures discovered by Jack Szostaks laboratory, for which he received the Nobel Prize in 2009, which are present
at the ends of each chromosome which protect the genome from degradation, unnecessary recombination, repair, and interchromosomal fusion.
Telomeres, along with the enzyme telomerase, are both crucial for the survival of cancer cells. Telomerase was discovered by Elizabeth
Blackburn and Carol Greider, who shared the Nobel Prize with Jack Szostak in 2009.
Ateganosine
is believed to selectively target telomerase positive (TERT+) cancer cells, where the enzyme is activated, versus normal cells. 57% to
100% of primary human cancers are TERT+ dependent upon tumor type, indicating a significant potential therapeutic utilization for ateganosine
in almost all tumor types. Ateganosines cancer-specific disturbance of telomeric structure by telomerase leads to disruption in
the cell cycle, followed by rapid cell death. Based on extensive review of publicly-available information, ateganosines direct
telomere targeting action utilizing telomerase is different from other commercially available cancer therapies and those currently in
publicly disclosed clinical trials.
In
2019, the MAIA research team showed that in mouse models ateganosine-produced telomere modification and disruption induced cancer-specific
innate and adaptive immune response against immunologically cold or unresponsive tumor types. When ateganosine was administered
at low doses, in syngeneic and humanized mouse models of telomerase-expressing cancers, followed by a break to allow for the activation
of the immune system against the specific cancer, then followed by a standard-of-care immunotherapy agent like a check point inhibitor
(CPI), either PD-1 or PD-L1, complete tumor regression was observed, with no observed toxicities. These effects have been replicated
in multiple preclinical models, utilizing all leading checkpoint inhibitors or radiation therapy.
| 21 | |
Based
on these studies, we hypothesized that ateganosine, administered in advance of immune-activating therapies (e.g., checkpoint inhibitors,
radiation therapy, etc.), at dose levels significantly lower than the levels evaluated in previous clinical trials, will prime
the tumor environment and initiate an overall anti-tumor immune response. This represents an entirely new therapeutic approach for ateganosine
and forms the basis for the new clinical strategy for planned future trials.
**Ateganosine
Preclinical Development**
The
following summarizes the relevant preclinical studies. Extensive preclinical studies have been performed to validate ateganosines
primary mechanism of action: targeting telomeres directly and causing cancer cell death via telomerase-mediated DNA damage.
To
our knowledge, ateganosine alone has shown significant telomere targeting activity in numerous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and
multiple other cancer-based cell lines in vitro and in vivo, including but not limited to small cell lung cancer (SCLC), melanoma, colorectal
cancer (CRC), glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), neuroblastoma, pancreatic, hepatocellular carcinoma
(HCC), as well as head and neck cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer.
In
vitro*: in summary, EC50 values (the concentrations at which half of the total number of cancer cells are dead) were approximately
0.4 M to 1.5 M. ateganosine was not cytotoxic in normal, untransformed telomerase-negative cells at concentrations up to
100 M.
*In
vivo*: in summary, the doses that resulted in cancer cell death were in the range of 2.5 - 5.0 mg/kg, depending on the tumor type
and the schedule of the drug administration ranging from 1 to 3 days per cycle.
In
March 2022, the FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to ateganosine for the treatment of HCC, in May 2022, the FDA granted the second
ODD to ateganosine for the treatment of small cell lung cancer, and in late 2023, a third ODD for Malignant Gliomas Brain Cancer). The
FDAs Office of Orphan Products Development may grant orphan designation status to drugs and biologics that are intended for the
treatment, diagnosis or prevention of rare diseases, or conditions that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. ODD provides certain
benefits, including financial incentives, to support clinical development and the potential for up to seven years of market exclusivity
for the drug for the designated orphan indication in the U.S. if the drug is ultimately approved for its designated indication.
In
December 2024, the FDA granted rare pediatric disease designation (RPDD) for ateganosine for the treatment of pediatric-type diffuse
high-grade gliomas (PDHGG). Upon FDA approval of a future new drug application in PDHGG, MAIA would be eligible to receive a priority
review voucher that can be redeemed or sold as an asset. Rare pediatric disease priority review vouchers (PRVs) can be redeemed by drug
developers for FDA priority review of a different product or transferred or sold to another sponsor. Since 2015, FDA priority review
vouchers have sold as assets at an average amount of $100 million.
In
July 2025, the FDA granted fast track designation (FTD) for the treatment of NSCLC. Ateganosine is currently being evaluated in a pivotal
Phase 2 THIO-101 clinical trial evaluating its anti-tumor activity when followed by a checkpoint inhibitor. The FDA Fast Track is a process
designed to facilitate development and expedite the review of drugs for treating serious conditions and filling an unmet medical need,
as in providing a therapy where none exists or which may be potentially better than available therapy. If relevant criteria are met during
the Fast Track process, a drug will be eligible for FDA Accelerated Approval and Priority Review (FDA decision within six months).
**Ateganosine
in Sequential Administration in Advance of Checkpoint Inhibitors (CPIs) Therapy**
*In
vivo*, ateganosine, at 3 mg/kg/dose, (which corresponds to a 20 mg/patient/day low-dose), administered followed by a one-day break,
followed by an immune checkpoint inhibitor (either anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) or anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1)
products), resulted in complete tumor regression in NSCLC and CRC syngeneic mouse tumor models.
At
this low dose, ateganosine was able to transform immunologically cold tumors, (tumors that do not respond to the CPI treatment),
into immunologically hot tumors, which then responded well to the following sequential treatment with a CPI. These potent
anti-tumor phenotypic effects were also accompanied by the efficient induction of the tumor-specific CD8+ cells, as well as CD4+, and
natural killer (NK)-cells (Mender, 2020b).
These
responses were achieved through telomerase-dependent and cancer cell specific activation of a) DNA damage responses, and b) cGAS/STING
pathways by ateganosine. This body of research represents the basis for the new immune-activation treatment strategy.
| 22 | |
The
following represents key highlights from ateganosine preclinical research:
| 
| 
| 
Ateganosine
has been tested in multiple preclinical studies evaluating various tumor types in vitro including in lung, colorectal, prostate,
breast, ovarian, head and neck, brain, melanoma, and liver cancer. Ateganosine has also been tested in in vivo mouse models of lung,
colorectal, brain, melanoma, liver and brain cancers. In the below graphic, the left panel depicts cancer cell colony formation in
vitro assay results conducted with various types of telomerase positive cancers, namely prostate, breast, ovarian, colon, brain,
head and neck. In the control column, cancer cells grew. In the second column, with the telomerase inhibitor BIBR, the cancer cells
also grew. In the third column, in which the telomere targeting agent ateganosine was administered at a concentration of 2.5M,
cancer cell growth was visibly inhibited. In the fourth column, in which ateganosine was administered at a concentration of 5M,
cancer cells were also visibly inhibited. The same concentrations of ateganosine were also administered in vivo in rodent models
(mice), caring tumors, derived from either brain, or liver, or melanoma, or neuroblastoma, or colorectal cancer cells were treated
with ateganosine (at 2 mg/kg to 5 mg/kg doses), significant reduction in tumor masses resulting from the treatment with ateganosine
was observed. Note that ateganosines activity seen in preclinical models has yet to be demonstrated in humans. | |
*
| 
| 
| 
Ateganosine
demonstrated potential to selectively cause cancer cell death with active enzyme telomerase versus normal cells in vitro. The below
graphic illustrates formation of telomeric damage foci (TIFs) in telomerase activity-positive cancer cells, but not in normal non-cancerous
cells, resulting from application of ateganosine. These data indicate molecular mechanism of ateganosine that targets telomeric DNA
of cancer cells through their telomerase enzymatic activity. At the same time, normal cells, that are devoid of telomerase activity,
are not affected by ateganosine. | |
Mender
I. et al., Cancer Discovery (2015)
| 23 | |
*TIF
telomere damages induced foci
*TRF2
protein associated with telomeres
*
Gamma-H2AX protein associated with induction of DNA damage
*CRC
colorectal cancer
*hTERT
protein components of telomerase enzyme
| 
| 
| 
Ateganosine,
as a single agent, showed in vitro telomere targeting activity in cancer cells that are resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs),
checkpoint inhibitors, IL-2, IFN, YERVOY(ipilimumab) and a host of chemotherapies. The below graphic, in NSCLC
and Melanoma models respectively, demonstrates in vivo telomere targeting activity of ateganosine in mice models of lung cancer,
derived from PERC16 cells, and melanoma derived from WM4265 cells. Both cell lines are resistant to multiple standard-of-care drug
compounds, as listed in the Figure legends. | |
*i.p.
intraperitoneal injection
*IL-2
cytokine interleukin 2
*IFN-a
interferon alfa
| 
| 
| 
Ateganosine
was observed to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and inhibits tumor growth, inducing in-tumor telomere dysfunction and cancer cell
death, in in vitro models of difficult to treat pediatric brain cancer, where no therapy exists. In the below graphic, this is shown
through presence of Caspase-3 enzyme which is associated with cell death. Sengupta, S. et al. Induced telomere damage to treat telomerase
expressing therapy-resistant pediatric brain tumors. Mol Cancer Therapeutics, 17(7): 1504-1514, 2018. | |
*TIF
telomere damage induced foci
*MB004
brain cancer cell line
| 24 | |
| 
| 
| 
Ateganosine
transformed cold tumors into hot tumors that were responsive to immunotherapy. Ateganosine utilized a
telomere targeting pathway that synergized with checkpoint inhibitors and other immune-activating therapies. The tumor-specific immune
activation, resulting from ateganosines primary mode of action, overcame resistance to current check point inhibitor (CPI)
standard-of-care therapy, as illustrated in the following Colorectal Cancer model. The below graphic demonstrates telomere targeting
activity of ateganosine alone, and in sequential combination with immune checkpoint inhibitor (anti-PD-L1 compound, atezolizumab),
in mice model of colorectal cancer, derived from MC-38 cells. Two doses of ateganosine are shown to control tumor growth while anti-PD-L1
agent. Sequential administration of ateganosine (2 days), followed by administration of the anti-PD-L1 agent, demonstrates disappearance
of tumor cells. | |
| 
| 
| 
Immunological
memory was observed in mouse models, where the immune system continued to be active against the specific treated tumor cell type
for 100 days post-tumor inoculation. The below graphic demonstrates that the tumor-free animals that were treated with the sequential
combination of ateganosine and anti-PD-L1 compound were followed for 70 days, with no observed tumor recurrence. Subsequently, animals
were re-challenged with 10 times more MC38 cancer cells. Cancer growth was not observed in these animals, demonstrating induction
of anti-tumor-protecting memory after sequential administration of ateganosine and anti-PD-L1 agent; ref: Mender, I., et al. Telomere
stress potentiates STING-dependent anti-tumor immunity. Cancer Cell, 38,3, 400-411.E6, September 14, 2020. | |
| 25 | |
Moreover,
due to the cGAS/STING activation caused by ateganosine, telomere targeting activity was observed in numerous preclinical tumor models
when ateganosine was administered followed by immune activating therapy such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-L1 or anti-PD-1
antibody). A summary of the pharmacological aspects of the investigational product and, where appropriate, its significant metabolites
studied in animals, should be included. Such a summary should incorporate studies that assess potential therapeutic activity (e.g. efficacy
models, receptor binding, and specificity) as well as those that assess safety (e.g., special studies to assess pharmacological actions
other than the intended therapeutic effect(s)). The results of all relevant nonclinical pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacokinetic, and
investigational product metabolism studies should be provided in summary form. This summary should address the methodology used, the
results, and a discussion of the relevance of the findings to the investigated therapeutic and the possible unfavorable and unintended
effects in humans.
It
is therefore hypothesized that ateganosine, administered in advance of immune-activating therapies (e.g., checkpoint inhibitors, radiation
therapy, etc.), at dose levels significantly lower than the levels evaluated in previous clinical trials, will prime the
tumor environment and initiate an overall anti-tumor immune response. If confirmed through additional clinical studies, this could represent
an entirely new therapeutic approach for ateganosine and form the basis for the new clinical strategy for planned future trials.
**Ateganosine
(THIO) Clinical Trials**
We
plan to rely solely upon our self-generated clinical safety and efficacy data, if favorable, in support of our anticipated NDA filing
for ateganosine. However, ateganosine, as a compound, was the subject of investigation in numerous clinical trials in the 1970s to the
early-80s in a variety of solid tumors and hematological malignancies. The compound was evaluated in at least nineteen (19) Phase 1 to
Phase 3 clinical trials with over 600 patients treated by major cancer institutions and cancer cooperative groups. Ateganosine was studied
in combination with common agents in use at the time, including methyl-CCNU or mitomycin, two widely used alkylating agents to treat
a variety of cancers and leukemias. Studies utilizing ateganosine as a single agent have been published in peer-reviewed journals. As
part of the existing data base of clinical experience with the drug, we expect to reference the older NCI studies in the public domain
as well as reference NCIs original IND filing in support of an IND filing, pursuant to FDA regulations.
The
following tables summarize the ateganosine single agent peer-reviewed published data available from the previous clinical trials.
**Phase
1**
| 
Study | 
| 
Tumor
Type | 
| 
Regimen/Dose
Schedule | 
| 
Evaluable
Subjects | 
| 
Description
of
Observed
Adverse Events | 
| 
Responses | |
| 
C76-92 | 
| 
Pediatric
Acute Leukemia who received prior
6-mercaptopurine
(6-MP) or 6-thioguanine | 
| 
Ateganosine
(THIO) 200 to 2,250 mg/m2 given every 12 hours for 3 doses every 2 weeks
Maximum
tolerated dose (MTD) was determined to be 1,750 mg/m2given every 12 hours for 3 doses every 2 weeks | 
| 
31 | 
| 
Reversible
urate nephropathy, elevations of liver enzymes, nausea and vomiting, alopecia, and skin reactions | 
| 
Therapeutic
Responses observed in 6/23 (26%) patients comprised of
2
complete responses and 4 partial responses | |
****
Source:
Higgins, G. R., Jamin, D. C., Shore, N. A., Momparler, R., Hartman, G. and Siegel, S. E. (1985). Phase I evaluation of beta-2-deoxythioguanosine
in pediatric patients with leukemia. Cancer Treat Rep 69(6): 699-701t
| 26 | |
****
**Phase
2 Single Agent Studies**
| 
Protocol | | 
Tumor Type | | 
Regimen/Dose Schedule | | 
Evaluable Subjects | | | 
ORR (Overall Response) | | 
PR (Partial Response) | | | 
CR (Complete Response) | | | 
Observed Adverse Events | |
| 
SEG-248 | | 
Total Patients | | 
| | 
| 117 | | | 
27 (23%) | | 
| 11 (9%) | | | 
| 16 (14%) | | | 
Leukopenia Thrombocytopenia Skin rash Alopecia (reversible) Nausea and vomiting | |
| 
| | 
Acute Myelocytic Leukemia (AML) | | 
300 mg/m2 daily for 5 days | | 
| 17 | | | 
4 (24%) | | 
| 1 (6%) | | | 
| 3 (18%) | | | 
| |
| 
| | 
| | 
400 mg/m2 daily for 5 days | | 
| 49 | | | 
10 (20%) | | 
| 6 (12%) | | | 
| 4 (8%) | | | 
| |
| 
| | 
Blastic transformation of chronic myelogenous leukemai (BTL) | | 
300 mg/m2 daily for 5 days | | 
| 11 | | | 
3 (27%) | | 
| - | | | 
| 3 (27%) | | | 
| |
| 
| | 
| | 
400 mg/m2 daily for 5 days | | 
| 26 | | | 
6 (23%) | | 
| 3 (12%) | | | 
| 3 (12%) | | | 
| |
| 
| | 
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) | | 
300 mg/m2 daily for 5 days | | 
| 4 | | | 
2 (50%) | | 
| - | | | 
| 2 (50%) | | | 
| |
| 
| | 
| | 
400 mg/m2 daily for 5 days | | 
| 10 | | | 
2 (20%) | | 
| 1 (10%) | | | 
| 1 (10%) | | | 
| |
| 
EST 4273 (ECOG) | | 
Colorectal (prior 5-FU chemotherapy) | | 
Ateganosine (THIO) 100 mg/m2 daily for 5 days every 3 weeks vs MeCCNU 175 mg/m2 every 8 weeks | | 
| 61 | | | 
3 (5%) | | 
| 3 (5%) | | | 
| - | | | 
Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea and vomiting | |
| 
| | 
| | 
| | 
| 55 | | | 
5 (9%) | | 
| 5 (9%) | | | 
| - | | | 
| |
****
Omura,
G. A., Vogler, W. R., Smalley, R. V., Maldonado, N., Broun, G. O., Knospe, W. H., et al. (1977b). Phase II Study of beta-2-deoxythioguanosine
in adult acute leukemia. (Study SEG-248) Cancer Treat Rep 61(7): 1379-1381 Douglass, H. O., Jr., Lavin, P. T., Woll, J., Conroy,
J. F. and Carbone, P. (1978). Chemotherapy of advanced measurable colon and rectal carcinoma with oral 5-fluorouracil, alone or
in combination with cyclophosphamide or 6-thioguanine, with intravenous 5-fluorouracil or beta-2-deoxythioguanosine or with oral
3(4-methyl-cyclohexyl)-1(2-chlorethyl)-1-nitrosourea: A Phase II-III study of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (EST 4273).
Cancer 42(6): 2538-2545
The
previous human experience presents significant limitations as it dates to the 1970s and early 1980s when the implementation of ICH Good
Clinical Practices was not yet in effect. The published studies did not disclose certain data points in line with the current ICH Good
Clinical Practices, such as efficacy endpoints and serious adverse events, whether those endpoints were reached, whether the data was
found to be statistically significant and serious adverse events. Further, we do not know whether those prior studies were powered for
statistical significance in the way our planned studies will be powered. Based generally on the results of these priorhuman studies,
we believe that ateganosine has a well-established safety profile, which we intend to independently demonstrate through our own clinical
studies. Moreover, all prior studies were conducted primarily in heavily pre-treated, refractory patients.
| 27 | |
Notwithstanding
these limitations, the available data provides substantial information on the clinical experience with and clinical profile of ateganosine
with an exposure exceeding 600 subjects (adult and pediatric) at doses significantly higher than those intended for investigation in
the current program and new treatment strategy. All studies were conducted in heavily pre-treated/refractory patients, most of whom were
pre-treated with other standards of care including chemotherapy.
To
date, ateganosine has not received marketing approval in any country; therefore, there is no marketing experience to be reported.
The
planned clinical trials will assess a novel ateganosine therapeutic strategy: - evaluate the safety and efficacy of low potentially immunogenic
doses of ateganosine administered to activate the immune system against the tumor to be treated, followed by standard-of-care immunotherapy
(checkpoint inhibitor) or other immune activating therapies.
**Ateganosine
Developmental Initiatives and Objectives**
**Phase
2 and 3 Programs**
Our
primary short-term objective is to assess this approach in a Proof-of-Concept study outlined below.
This
first study is a dose-finding, Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating both safety and efficacy of ateganosine sequenced with cemiplimab in
patients with advanced NSCLC who progressed or showed no clinical benefit to first line treatment containing an immune checkpoint inhibitor.
This trial, designated as THIO-101 study is our first human clinical trial to test the immune system activation demonstrated in preclinical
animal models: lower doses of ateganosine administered prior to a checkpoint inhibitor treatment reverses drug resistance, enhance and
prolong immune responses in patients with advanced lung cancer who did not respond or progressed after a prior cancer treatment which
contained another immune checkpoint inhibitor.
The
trial design has two primary objectives: (1) safety of ateganosine administered as a priming immune system agent prior to cemiplimab
administration and (2) clinical efficacy of ateganosine using Overall Response Rate (ORR) as the primary clinical endpoint. An expansion
arm has been amended to the trial protocol on December 2024 to further assess the efficacy of ateganosine in combination with cemiplimab
in third-line NSCLC patients who are resistant to chemotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors.
The
following chart sets forth the design of the THIO-101 trial:
| 28 | |
This
Phase 2 dose-finding trial is designed to assess the safety, mechanism of activity, and immune system activation of three
ateganosine doses tested out in separate arms administered in parallel. Each dosing arm will be further evaluated for efficacy based
on Overall Response Rate (ORR), Duration of Response (DoR) and Progression Free Survival (PFS) to determine to optimal (safe and effective)
dose of ateganosine administered in sequence with cemiplimab. Dose selection was completed in November 2023 and and enrollment was completed
in February 2024, but monitoring and assessment of dosed subjects are ongoing as patients continue to with the postbaseline scans and
data matures. In July 2025, an expansion of the THIO-101 trial was initiated focused on third-line NSCLC patients who are resistant to
checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy. The expansion will enroll up to 48 patients with two arms: Arm 1, continuing the evaluation of
ateganosine sequenced with Libtayo (cemiplimab); and Arm 2, evaluating ateganosine as a monotherapy, to further gain experience
of ateganosine in the contribution of components.
A
Phase 3 pivotal trial, named THIO-104, initiated in 2025 to evaluate the efficacy of ateganosine administered in sequence with a checkpoint
inhibitor (CPI) in third-line NSCLC patients who are resistant to checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy. The multicenter, open-label,
pivotal Phase 3 trial is designed to provide a direct comparison to chemotherapy in a 1:1 randomization of up to 300 patients.
The
following chart sets forth the design of the THIO-104 trial:
In
an effort to obtain FDA and/or EMEA approval of ateganosine in combination with other standard of care approved cancer immunotherapies,
we will have to conduct head-to-head studies which will compare standard of care treatment alone to standard of care treatment combined
with ateganosine. In such studies, we would have to show that ateganosine added to standard of care therapies adds a significant treatment
benefit by slowing down tumor progression and increasing the overall survival of the cancer patients.
In
addition, we are actively evaluating other regulatory strategies and pathways that have the potential to accelerate and/or expand the
study of ateganosine administered in sequence with an immune-checkpoint inhibitor in other solid tumor indications.
| 29 | |
In
the event ateganosine demonstrates early clinical efficacy, we plan to expand our clinical development program in multiple tumor types
and assess several regulatory approval pathways utilizing our other development programs. The clinical development plan includes the
initiation of an additional basket trial in multiple cancer types. This study uses a special design which allows different
cancer indications to be studied under the same single trial umbrella. Some of the indications considered are:
| 
| 
| 
colorectal
cancer (CRC) | |
| 
| 
| 
hepatocellular
carcinomas (HCC) | |
| 
| 
| 
small-cell
lung cancer (SCLC) | |
| 
| 
| 
melanoma | |
| 
| 
| 
breast
cancer | |
| 
| 
| 
pancreatic
cancer | |
| 
| 
| 
glioblastoma
multiforme (GBM) | |
| 
| 
| 
ovarian
cancer | |
| 
| 
| 
prostate
cancer | |
Ultimately,
we envision positioning ateganosine as the foundational priming treatment for all immune-activating agents over time based upon ateganosines
tumor-specific immune-activation approach that enables key clinical strategies that could dramatically expand the immunotherapy market.
**Second
Generation of Telomere Targeting Agents**
We
have initiated an early-stage research and discovery program aimed at identifying new compounds capable of acting through the same mechanism
of action as ateganosine, such as targeting and modifying telomeric structures of cancer cells through cancer-cell intrinsic telomerase
activity. The main objective for this program is to discover compositionally new compounds with potentially improved specificity towards
cancer cells relative to normal cells, and to assess telomere targeting activity in comparison with ateganosine. This program may also
allow us to strengthen our patent portfolio. Although the program is in early stages and we may not be able to identify suitable compounds,
we believe we will be able to create or discover a second generation of ateganosine-like compounds.
**Strategic
Collaborations and Key Agreements**
Through
our licensing agreements with The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW), we have commercial rights to
certain U.S. patents, as well as their foreign counterparts, for the use of ateganosine in treating telomerase-expressing lung and colon
cancer cells. We are currently using this technology to study a treatment regimen comprising the use of ateganosine treatment followed
by cemiplimab treatment in NSCLC. In addition, we have licensed a number of pending U.S. and foreign patent applications from UTSW directed
to other indications, and we are continuing to pursue discussions with several companies to develop other treatment regimens using ateganosine
for additional cancer indications.
Clinical
Supply Agreements*
In
2021, we entered into a clinical supply agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Regeneron) to supply cemiplimab for the THIO-101
study. Regeneron will contribute the drug supply without cost, which represents a significant direct cost savings for our program. In
exchange, Regeneron will receive development exclusivity for NSCLC indication during the study period, which means that MAIA cannot study
ateganosine in NSCLC with any other PD-1 antagonist (a product sub-class of immune checkpoint inhibitors). All other tumor types remain
open, and we are in discussions with other pharmaceutical companies to evaluate additional agreements that may be appropriate to support
the expanded development of ateganosine. The supply agreement will remain in force until all of the obligations of the parties
related to the studies contemplated by the agreement are completed, or until terminated by either party. The agreement may be terminated
in the event of unsafe use of cemiplimab, material breach, regulatory action or corruption. On December 3, 2024, we announced the amendment
of the 2021 clinical supply agreement with Regeneron for the expansion portion of THIO-101, its Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating ateganosine
in sequential administration with cemiplimab (Libtayo). The new expansion will further assess the efficacy of MAIAs
lead asset, ateganosine, sequenced with immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) Libtayo (cemiplimab) for advanced non-small
cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving third-line therapy who were resistant to previous checkpoint inhibitor treatments and chemotherapy.
The original 2021 agreement between MAIA and Regeneron was designed to supply the original THIO-101 trial through the dose selection
and safety evaluation process.
In
January 2025, we announced a clinical supply agreement with BeOne Medicines, formerly known as BeiGene, Ltd (BeOne) to supply tislelizumab
for the upcoming THIO-102 studies in HCC, CRC and SCLC.
| 30 | |
In
June 2025, we entered into a clinical master agreement with Roche for future studies investigating the combination of MAIAs telomere-targeting
agent ateganosine (THIO), sequenced with Roches checkpoint inhibitor (CPI), atezolizumab (Tecentriq), for the treatment of
multiple hard-to-treat cancers.
We
are in discussions with other pharmaceutical companies to evaluate additional agreements that may be appropriate to support the expanded
development of ateganosine. The supply agreement will remain in force until all of the obligations of the parties related to the
studies contemplated by the agreement are completed, or until terminated by either party. The agreement may be terminated in the event
of unsafe use of tislelizumab, material breach, regulatory action or corruption.
In
addition, our management believes that strong partnership interest will develop from other pharmaceutical companies who have checkpoint
inhibitor franchises or those with cancer immunotherapy interest. We expect to continue discussions with several companies that have
expressed interest and plan to expand discussions to capitalize on these opportunities. The checkpoint inhibitor market is large, and
our goal is to ultimately position ateganosine as the foundational priming treatment to be used prior to all checkpoint inhibitors.
The
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center License Agreement 1
On
December 8, 2020, we entered into an amended and restated agreement (of our prior November 29, 2018 agreement) with The Board of Regents
of The University of Texas System on behalf of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (collectively, UTSW). Pursuant to
the amended and restated agreement, which we refer to as the UTSW1 Agreement, we obtained (1) an exclusive, worldwide license to develop
and commercialize the following UTSW patent families generally directed to methods of using ateganosine (below) and (2) a non-exclusive
worldwide license to develop and commercialize related technology rights.
| 
THIO (ateganosine) Intellectual Property | |
| 
a.) US patent no. 10,463,685 entitled, Telomerase Mediated Telomere Altering Compounds issued in the US on November 5, 2019. The patent claims priority to U.S. application No.14/247,967. Related foreign patents based on PCT/US2014/033330 have also issued in the following foreign countries, CA, EPO (validated in AT, BE, CH, CZ, DE, ES, FR, GB, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LU, MC, NL, PL, PT), MX, NZ, and RU (all method of use). The application is pending in BR, and SG. | |
| 
b.) 6-Thio-2-Deoxyguanosine (6-Thio-dG) Results in Telomerase Dependent Telomere Dysfunction and Cell Death in Various Models of Therapy-Resistant Cancer Cells (Method of Use) / 
PCT/US2017/034706 (WO2017/0205756) filed on 26 May 2017, is issued in CA (patent No. 3035533), and the EPO (Patent No. validated in AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB,GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, and TR and pending in the US (serial no. 18/329,381), and EPO (application No. 17803670.3). | |
| 
c.) Use of 6-thio-dG to Treat Therapy-Resistant Telomerase positive Pediatric Brain Tumors / 
pending in the US (U.S. application No. 18/511,417) which has received a Notice of Allowance (method of use). | |
| 
d.) Treatment of Drug-Resistant Proliferative Diseases with Telomerase Mediated Telomere Altering Compounds), issued in the US as patent no.12,070,472) which was based on US application No.16/450,430. A continuation of application 16/450,430 is pending (US application No. 18,781,413). | |
Under
the UTSW1 Agreement, we agreed to pay UTSW a minimal license fee, deferred license fees, milestone fees, and running royalties beginning
on the first net sale (among others). For additional details regarding our relationship with UTSW, see the section entitled Business
Intellectual Property License Agreement 1 with The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System / The University
of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. The UTSW1 Agreement includes an exclusive license to US patent no. 10,463,685 (expires April
8, 2034), and US patent no. 12,070,472 (having an earliest expiration of March 23, 2037), and 16,982,979 (having an earliest expiration
of March 22, 2039, if a patent is granted).
The
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center License Agreement 2
| 31 | |
On
December 23, 2020, we entered into a second agreement with The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System on behalf of The University
of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, which set forth the agreement between the parties pursuant to the Company exercising its option
rights in the UTSW1 Agreement and obtaining additional license rights. Pursuant this second license with UTSW, which we refer to as the
UTSW2 Agreement, we obtained (1) an exclusive, worldwide license to develop and commercialize the following UTSW patent family (below)
and (2) a non-exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize related technology rights.
| 
Sequential Treatment of Cancers Using 6-Thio-dG and Checkpoint Inhibitors (Method of Use) | |
| 
PCT/US2021/022090, issued in the RU, EP (validated in AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, TR), pending in AU, BR, CA, CN, IL, JP (received notice of allowance), KR, MX, and SG. | |
| 
| |
and (2) a non-exclusive worldwide license to develop
and commercialize related technology rights. The UTSW2 Agreement includes an exclusive license to issued US patent no. 12,097,213 (having
an earliest expiration of July 28, 2041, which includes 138 days of patent term adjustment). This patent is directed to methods of using
ateganosine in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Under
the UTSW2 Agreement, we agreed to pay UTSW a minimal license fee, deferred license fees, milestone fees, and running royalties beginning
on the first net sale (among others). For additional details regarding our relationship with UTSW, see the section entitled Business
Intellectual Property License Agreement 2 with The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System /The University
of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. The UTSW2 Agreement includes an exclusive license to pending US patent application no. 17/200,539
(having an earliest expiration of March 12, 2041, if a patent is granted).
**Ateganosine
(THIO) Program**
**License
Agreement 1 with The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System /The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center**
On
December 8, 2020 (the Effective Date), we entered into an amended and restated agreement (of our prior November 29, 2018
agreement) with The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System on behalf of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center,
(collectively, UTSW) to develop and commercialize certain UTSW owned and/or controlled patents and related technology directed to methods
of using ateganosine (the UTSW1 Agreement). The license is exclusive as to worldwide Patent Rights for all uses in the
Field, which is defined as all therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic fields of use for all indications, including discovery and development
uses. The license is sublicensable with prior UTSW written approval consistent with the terms of UTSW1 Agreement.
The
UTSW1 Agreement includes an exclusive license to the Patent Rights of the worldwide patent families including all provisional
applications and any divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part and foreign counterpart applications that are entitled to claim
priority thereto, and any patents resulting therefrom, of the following:
| 
Title
/ PCT Application Number | |
| 
a.)
Telomerase Mediated Telomere Altering Compounds / PCT/US2014/33330 (WO2014/168947), issued in the US (patent no. 10,463,685), CA,
MX, NZ and RU (all method of use) pending in BR, EPO (received an Intent to Grant), HK and SG. | |
| 
b.)
6-Thio-2-Deoxyguanosine (6-Thio-dG) Results in Telomerase Dependent Telomere Dysfunction and Cell Death in Various Models of
Therapy-Resistant Cancer Cells /
PCT/US2017/34706
(WO2017/205756), pending in the US (method of use), CA, and EPO. | |
| 
c.)
Use of 6-thio-dG to Treat Therapy-Resistant Telomerase positive Pediatric Brain Tumors /PCT/US2019/023596 (WO2019/183482), pending
in the US (method of use) | |
| 
d.)
Treatment of Drug Resistant Proliferative Diseases with Telomerase Mediated Telomere Altering Compounds / PCT/US2017/023858
(WO/2017/165675), issued in the US (patent no. 12,070,472) (method of use). | |
The
UTSW1 Agreement also grants the Company a non-exclusive worldwide license under the Technology Rights to develop, manufacture, have manufactured,
distribute, have distributed, use, offer for Sale, Sell, lease, loan and/or import Licensed Products in the Field, wherein Technology
Rights means Licensors rights in technical information, know-how, processes, procedures, compositions, devices, methods, formulas,
protocols, techniques, designs, drawings or data created before the Effective Date by Inventors at UTSW which are necessary or reasonably
useful for practicing Patent Rights.
| 32 | |
The
UTSW1 Agreement also grants the Company the first right to negotiate an exclusive license under any patent rights covering or claiming
any improvement, which is any patentable invention and is conceived or reduced to practice solely by Dr. Jerry Shay or those under his
direct supervision at UTSW within 3 years of the Effective Date, under certain conditions.
The
term of the UTSW1 Agreement begins on the Effective Date and continue until the earliest of: (i) termination pursuant to the UTSW1
Agreement, (ii) the last date of expiration or termination of the Patent Rights; or (iii) if Technology Rights are licensed and no
Patent Rights are applicable, twenty (20) years after the Effective Date. The Company may terminate the UTSW1 Agreement for
convenience, at any time prior by providing ninety (90) days written notice to UTSW. UTSW may terminate the UTSW1 Agreement
if the Company (i) becomes in arrears in any payments due, and fails to make the required payment within 30 days after delivery of
written notice from UTSW, (ii) is in breach of any material non-payment provision, and does not cure such breach within 60 days
after delivery of written notice, (iii) UTSW delivers notice to the Company of three or more actual breaches in any twelve month
period, even in the event that the Company cures such breaches in the allowed period, (iv) becomes insolvent or bankrupt, then
termination is immediate.
UTSW
and/or the co-owners of certain patents have reserved the right to publish the scientific findings related to the Patent Rights and use
and to permit other academic institutions to use the licensed subject matter for teaching, research, education, and other education-related,
non-commercial purposes. The Patent Rights are also subject to any rights of the United States federal, state and/or local Government(s),
as well as nonprofit entities, if certain patents or technologies were created in the course of Government-funded or non-profit entity-funded
research.
Pursuant
to the UTSW1 Agreement, the Company paid to UTSW a nominal one-time upfront license fee. The Company is also obligated to pay all accrued
patent expenses as well as ongoing patent expenses on a scheduled basis tied to Company fund-raising through Series A funding until Company
has reimbursed all patent expenses. In the event that the Company assigns the agreement to a third party, the Company is obligated to
pay UTSW an assignment fee in the mid-six figures within 15 days of such assignment. The agreement cannot be assigned without UTSWs
consent.
Under
the UTSW1 Agreement, the Company is obligated to use diligent efforts to bring licensed products to market through a funded, ongoing
and active research and development, manufacturing, regulatory, marketing or sales program (all as commercially reasonable) and provide
semi-annual reports to UTSW on its progress. The Company is also obligated to pay agreed upon milestone payments to UTSW. Failure of
the Company to fulfill these obligations may be treated as a material breach by UTSW.
The
only milestones that require payments under the UTSW1 Agreement include: (i) first commercial sale in the U.S. of licensed product for
treating an oncology indications ; (ii) first commercial sale in the U.S. of licensed product for treating a non-oncology indications;
(iii) first time aggregate Net Sales (as defined in the UTSW1 Agreement) of licensed product for treating an oncology indications exceeds
low-nine figure sales in a contract year; (iv) first time aggregate Net Sales of licensed product for treating a non-oncology indications
exceeds low nine-figure sales in a contract year; (v) first time aggregate Net Sales of licensed product for treating an oncology indications
exceeds low ten-figure sales in a contract year; (vi) first time aggregate Net Sales of licensed product for treating a non-oncology
indications exceeds low ten-figure sales in a contract year. There are no milestone payments required on any development or regulatory
milestones. The only required milestone payments under the UTSW1 Agreement related to commercial sales milestones, and the aggregate
amount of milestone fees payable pursuant to the UTSW1 Agreement will not exceed $112 million.
The
Company will also pay UTSW running royalties on a yearly basis as a percentage of Net Sales of the Company or its sublicensee. There
are single digit royalty rates for licensed products and licensed services covered by a Valid Claim (as defined in UTSW1 Agreement) and
dependent on whether Net Sales are greater than or less than/equal to low ten figures of sales, with Net Sales above that amount commanding
a slightly higher percentage. In each case, the royalty percentage is lower before patent issuance in each jurisdiction. In the event
that the licensed product or licensed service is not covered by a Valid Claim, the running royalty rates are reduced by a certain percentage.
The royalty obligations continue on a country-by-country basis until the later of expiration of the last Valid Claim in each country
or ten (10) years after the First Commercial Sale (as defined in UTSW1 Agreement) in each country. In the event that the Company or its
sublicensee challenges the Patent Rights, then the Company will be obligated to pay multiples of the applicable royalty rate of the Net
Sales and, should the outcome of such challenge determine that any claim of the Patent Rights challenged is both valid and infringed
then the Company will pay royalties at the rate of multiples of the applicable royalty rate of the Net Sales sold thereafter and reimburse
UTSW for all fees and costs associated with defending such challenge, including attorneys fees and expert fees.
| 33 | |
The
UTSW1 Agreement also contains an anti-stacking provision pursuant to which in the event the Company or its sublicensee pays royalties
or other payments to a third party who owns or controls intellectual property deemed necessary to develop, manufacture, have manufactured,
distribute, have distributed, use, lease, loan, import, offer for sale and/or sell any licensed products and licensed services, the Company
may reduce payments to UTSW by a certain percentage of the royalty, milestone or other payments paid to such third party. However, such
adjustment in royalty payments to UTSW may not be reduced by more than a certain percentage of the royalty obligation in any contract
year. In the event that the payment to the third party who owns or controls intellectual property deemed necessary to extend or expand
the franchise or exclusivity of a previously launched licensed product (e.g., such as a new formulation as a second generation product
containing the same compound as the previously launched Licensed Product), then the Company may reduce payments to UTSW by a certain
percentage of the royalty, milestone or other payments paid to such third party. However, such adjustment in royalty payments to UTSW
may not be reduced below a certain percentage of the royalty obligation in any contract year.
UTSW
maintains direct control over the prosecution and maintenance activities of the Patent Rights, and the Company is obligated to reimburse
past and ongoing patent expenses as noted above. UTSW will permit the Company to comment on submissions to government patent agencies,
during prosecution and will consider the Companys comments, but UTSW retained control over all final decisions.
The
UTSW1 Agreement contains a representation that UTSW has the rights and authority to grant to Company the licensed rights and is to its
knowledge unaware of any third-party infringer or any infringement of third-party intellectual property rights. The UTSW1
Agreement
also requires the Company to indemnify UTSW and other related parties against any liabilities, damages, causes of action, suits, judgments,
liens, penalties, fines, losses, costs and expenses arising out of any product the Company produces under the UTSW1 Agreement, and requires
the Company, beginning with the earlier of the first clinical trial or commercial sale or other commercialization, to obtain liability
insurance.
The
Company will have the first and sole right but not the obligation, at its own expense, to initiate an infringement suit or other appropriate
actions against third party infringers and monetary recovery received therefrom, after the Company is reimbursed for expenses in enforcing
the Patent Rights, is shared between the Company and UTSW pursuant to a good faith negotiation between the parties at that time. If the
Company does not file suit within six months after a written request by UTSW, then UTSW may bring suit to enforce any Patent Right and
retain all recoveries from such enforcement. If UTSW pursues such infringement action, it may, as part of the resolution of such efforts,
grant nonexclusive license rights to the alleged infringer notwithstanding Licensees exclusive license rights.
In
accordance with the terms of the UTSW1 Agreement, on April 24, 2020 Company sublicensed all Company rights and obligations under the
UTSW1 Agreement to Company affiliate THIO Therapeutics, Inc.
**License
Agreement 2 with The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System /The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center**
On
December 23, 2020 (the Effective Date), we entered into a second agreement with The Board of Regents of The University
of Texas System on behalf of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, (collectively, UTSW), which set forth the agreement
between the parties pursuant to the Company exercising its option rights in the UTSW1 Agreement and obtaining additional license rights
(the UTSW2 Agreement). The license is exclusive as to worldwide Patent Rights for all uses in the Field, which is defined
as all therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic fields of use for all indications, including discovery and development uses. The license
is sublicensable with prior UTSW written approval consistent with the terms of UTSW2 Agreement.
| 34 | |
The
UTSW2 Agreement includes an exclusive license to the Patent Rights of the worldwide patent family including all provisional
applications and any divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part and foreign counterpart applications that are entitled to claim
priority thereto, and any patents resulting therefrom, of the following
| 
Sequential Treatment of Cancers Using 6-Thio-dG and Checkpoint | |
| 
Sequential
Treatment of Cancers Using 6-Thio-dG and Checkpoint Inhibitors / PCT/US2021/022090, issued in the EPO, and RU (method of use),
pending in AU, BR, CA, CN, IL,JP (has received Notice of Allowance), KR, MX, and SG. | |
The
UTSW2 Agreement also grants the Company a non-exclusive worldwide license under the Technology Rights to develop, manufacture, have manufactured,
distribute, have distributed, use, offer for Sale, Sell, lease, loan and/or import Licensed Products in the Field, wherein Technology
Rights means UTSWs rights in technical information, know-how, processes, procedures, compositions, devices, methods, formulas,
protocols, techniques, designs, drawings or data created before the Effective Date by inventors at UTSW which are necessary or reasonably
useful for practicing Patent Rights.
The
terms of the UTSW2 Agreement are similar in many respects to those set forth in the UTSW1 Agreement. Pursuant to the UTSW2 Agreement,
the Company paid to UTSW a nominal one-time upfront license fee. The UTSW2 Agreement recognizes the accrual of low five-figures in patent
expenses relative to the Patent Rights of this agreement and provides for deferral of this fee and related ongoing patent expense fees
on a schedule connected to the Companys fundraising through Series A funding. Once the Company has raised mid seven-figures, the
patent expense fees are be paid in full for all patent expenses incurred by UTSW for the Companys licensed technologies which
accrued between December 12, 2019, and the date at which the mid seven-figures has been raised. Until the Company has reimbursed all
patent expenses it is obligated to report its fundraising progress to UTSW on a quarterly basis.
The
milestone payments are the same as in the UTSW1 Agreement wherein the milestone fees are based solely on commercial sales milestones
and are payable one time only, regardless of the number of licensed products or licensed services developed and regardless of the number
of indications or patient sub-populations treated with a licensed product(s) and regardless of whether the licensed products or licensed
services developed are within the rights granted by the UTSW1 Agreement or the UTSW2 Agreement. In other words, there are no milestone
payments required on any development, or regulatory milestones under the UTSW1 Agreement or the UTSW2 Agreement. The only required milestone
payment under the UTSW1 Agreement or the UTSW2 Agreement relate to commercial sales milestones and the aggregate amount of milestone
fees payable pursuant to the UTSW1 Agreement or the UTSW2 Agreement will not exceed $112 million. In the event the Company assigns the
UTSW2 Agreement to a third party, the Company is obligated to pay UTSW low six-figures within 15 days of such assignment, which is cumulative
of the UTSW1 Agreement assignment fee, such that if both agreements are assigned to a third party, a total of high six-figures would
be owed to UTSW. The agreement cannot be assigned without UTSWs consent.
The
Company will also pay UTSW running royalties on a yearly basis as a percentage of Net Sales of the Company or its sublicensee. There
are mid-single digit royalty rates for licensed products and licensed services covered by a Valid Claim (as defined in UTSW2 Agreement)
and dependent on whether Net Sales are greater than or less than/equal to low ten-figures in sales, with Net Sales above that amount
commanding a slightly higher percentage. In each case, the royalty percentage is lower before patent issuance in each jurisdiction. In
the event that the licensed product or licensed service is not covered by a Valid Claim, the running royalty rates are reduced by a certain
percentage. The royalty obligations continue on a country-by-country basis until the later of expiration of the last Valid Claim in each
country or ten (10) years after the First Commercial Sale (as defined in UTSW2 Agreement) in each country. In the event that the Company
or its sublicensee challenges the Patent Rights, then the Company will be obligated to pay multiple times the applicable royalty rate
of the Net Sales and, should the outcome of such challenge determine that any claim of the Patent Rights challenged is both valid and
infringed then the Company will pay royalties at the rate of multiple times the applicable royalty rate of the Net Sales sold thereafter
and reimburse UTSW for all fees and costs associated with defending such challenge, including attorneys fees and expert fees.
| 35 | |
The
UTSW2 Agreement also contains an anti-stacking provision pursuant to which in the event the Company or its sublicensee pays royalties
or other payments to a third party who owns or controls intellectual property deemed necessary to develop, manufacture, have manufactured,
distribute, have distributed, use, lease, loan, import, offer for sale and/or sell any licensed products and licensed services, the Company
may reduce payments to UTSW by a certain percentage of the royalty, milestone or other payments paid to such third party. However, such
adjustment in royalty payments to UTSW may not be reduced by more than a minimum percentage of the royalty obligation in any contract
year. In the event that the payment to the third party who owns or controls intellectual property deemed necessary to extend or expand
the franchise or exclusivity of a previously launched licensed product (e.g., such as a new formulation as a second-generation product
containing the same compound as the previously launched Licensed Product), then the Company may reduce payments to UTSW by a certain
percentage of the royalty, milestone or other payments paid to such third party. However, such adjustment in royalty payments to UTSW
may not be reduced by more than a certain percentage obligation in any contract year.
The
Company has the development and reporting obligations as the UTSW1 Agreement and as with the UTSW1 Agreement, UTSW has reserved the right
to publish the scientific findings related to the Patent Rights and use and to permit other academic institutions to use the licensed
subject matter for teaching, research, education, and other educationally related, non-commercial purposes. The Patent Rights are also
subject to any rights of the United States federal, state and/or local Government(s), as well as nonprofit entities, if certain patents
or technologies were created in the course of Government-funded or non-profit entity-funded research.
The
obligations and rights as to patent prosecution and defense of the Patent Rights are the same as those for the UTSW1 Agreement. The term
and termination provisions of the UTSW2 Agreement is the same as the UTSW1 Agreement, however in the event that the UTSW1 Agreement is
terminated for any reason, or expires, then the UTSW2 Agreement likewise is terminated or deemed to have expired.
The
above description of UTSW1 Agreement and UTSW2 Agreement is just a summary and readers are referred to UTSW1 Agreement and UTSW2 Agreement,
which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.2 and 10.3 respectively, for a full and complete description of the patent expenses, milestone
payments, fees and royalties payable by MAIA.
Some
of our intellectual property, including the intellectual property licensed under UTSW1 and UTSW2, has been conceived or developed through
government-funded research and thus may be subject to federal regulations providing for certain rights for the U.S. government or imposing
certain obligations on us, such as a license to the U.S. government under such intellectual property, march-in rights,
certain reporting requirements and a preference for U.S.-based companies, and compliance with such regulations may limit our exclusive
rights and our ability to contract with non-U.S. manufacturers. See Risks Relating to Our Intellectual Property - Intellectual property
discovered through government funded programs may be subject to federal regulations such as march-in rights, certain reporting
requirements and a preference for U.S.-based companies. Compliance with such regulations may limit our exclusive rights and limit our
ability to contract with non-U.S. manufacturers.
**Competition**
The
biotechnology industry is characterized by a rapid evolution of technologies, significant competition and strong defense of intellectual
property. While we believe that our platforms, technology, knowledge, experience, and scientific resources provide us with unique competitive
advantages, we expect to face competition from major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic institutions, governmental
agencies, and public and private research institutions, among others.
Any
therapeutic candidates that we successfully develop and commercialize will compete with currently approved therapies and new therapies
that may become available in the future. For example, current competitors in the non-small lung cancer indication are Merck, Regeneron,
Eli Lilly and Roche. There are also many other large and small companies developing products for this indication. Key product features
that, if approved, would affect our ability to effectively compete with other therapeutics include the efficacy, safety and convenience
of our therapeutics, the ease of use and effectiveness of any complementary diagnostics and/or companion diagnostics, and price and levels
of reimbursement.
Our
competitors also include large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, which may be developing therapeutic candidates with mechanisms
similar to our compounds or targeting the same clinical indications as our therapeutic candidates. The availability of reimbursement
from government and other third-party payors will also significantly affect the pricing and competitiveness of our therapeutic candidates.
Our competitors also may obtain FDA or other regulatory approval for their products more rapidly than we may obtain approval for ours,
which could result in our competitors establishing a strong market position before we are able to enter the market.
| 36 | |
Many
of the companies against which we may compete have significantly greater financial resources and expertise in research and development,
manufacturing, preclinical testing, conducting clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals and marketing approved products than we
do. Smaller or early-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with
large and established companies. These early stage and more established competitors also compete with us in recruiting and retaining
qualified scientific and management personnel and establishing clinical trial sites and patient registration for clinical trials, as
well as in acquiring technologies complementary to, or necessary for, our programs.
**Government
Regulation**
Government
authorities in the United States, at the federal, state and local level, and in other countries, extensively regulate, among other things,
the research, development, testing, manufacture, quality control, approval, labeling, packaging, storage, record-keeping, promotion,
advertising, distribution, post-approval monitoring and reporting, marketing and export and import of products such as those we are developing.
Any pharmaceutical candidate that we develop must be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, before it may
be legally marketed in the United States and by the appropriate foreign regulatory agency before it may be legally marketed in foreign
countries.
**United
States Government Regulation**
In
the United States, the FDA regulates biopharmaceutical products under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Public Health
Services Act, or PHSA, and implementing regulations.
Approval
Processes
The
process required by the FDA before a drug or biological product may be marketed in the United States generally involves the following:
| 
| 
| 
Completion
of preclinical laboratory tests, animal studies and formulation studies according to Good Laboratory Practices or other applicable
regulations; | |
| 
| 
| 
Submission
to the FDA of an Investigational New Drug Application, or an IND, which must become effective before human clinical trials may begin; | |
| 
| 
| 
Performance
of several phases of adequate and well-controlled human clinical trials according to the FDAs current good clinical practices,
or GCPs, to establish the safety and efficacy of the proposed drug or biologic for its intended use; | |
| 
| 
| 
Submission
to the FDA of a New Drug Application, or an NDA, for a new drug product, or a Biologics License Application, or a BLA, for a new
biological product; | |
| 
| 
| 
Satisfactory
completion of an FDA inspection of the manufacturing facility or facilities where the drug or biologic is to be produced to assess
compliance with the FDAs current good manufacturing practice standards, or cGMP, to assure that the facilities, methods and
controls are adequate to preserve the drugs or biologics identity, strength, quality and purity; | |
| 
| 
| 
Potential
FDA audit of the nonclinical and clinical trial sites that generated the data in support of the NDA or BLA; and | |
| 
| 
| 
FDA
review and approval of the NDA or BLA. | |
Failure
to comply with the applicable U.S. requirements at any time during the product development or approval process, or after approval, may
subject an applicant to administrative or judicial sanctions brought by the FDA and the Department of Justice, or DOJ, or other governmental
entities, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us. These sanctions could include:
| 
| 
| 
refusal
to approve pending applications; | |
| 
| 
| 
withdrawal
of an approval; | |
| 
| 
| 
imposition
of a clinical hold; | |
| 
| 
| 
warning
or untitled letters; | |
| 
| 
| 
seizures
or administrative detention of product; | |
| 
| 
| 
total
or partial suspension of production or distribution; or | |
| 
| 
| 
injunctions,
fines, disgorgement, or civil or criminal penalties. | |
| 37 | |
The
lengthy process of seeking required approvals and the continuing need for compliance with applicable statutes and regulations require
the expenditure of substantial resources. There can be no certainty that approvals will be granted.
Once
a biopharmaceutical candidate is identified for development, it enters the preclinical or nonclinical testing stage. Nonclinical tests
include laboratory evaluations of product chemistry, toxicity and formulation, as well as animal studies. An IND sponsor must submit
the results of the nonclinical tests, together with manufacturing information and analytical data, to the FDA as part of the IND. Some
nonclinical testing may continue even after the IND is submitted. In addition to including the results of the nonclinical studies, the
IND will also include a protocol detailing, among other things, the objectives of the clinical trial, the parameters to be used in monitoring
safety and the effectiveness criteria to be evaluated if the first phase lends itself to an efficacy determination. The IND automatically
becomes effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless the FDA, within the 30-day time period, places the IND on clinical hold. In
this case, the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding concerns before clinical trials can begin. A clinical hold may occur
at any time during the life of an IND and may affect one or more specific studies or all studies conducted under the IND.
Clinical
trials involve the administration of the drug or biological candidate to healthy volunteers or patients having the disease being studied
under the supervision of qualified investigators, generally physicians not employed by or under the trial sponsors control. Clinical
trials are conducted under protocols detailing, among other things, the objectives of the clinical trial, dosing procedures, subject
selection and exclusion criteria, and the parameters to be used to monitor subject safety. Each protocol must be submitted to the FDA
as part of the IND. Clinical trials must be conducted in accordance with the FDAs good clinical practices requirements. Further,
each clinical trial must be reviewed and approved by an independent institutional review board, or IRB, at or servicing each institution
at which the clinical trial will be conducted. An IRB is charged with protecting the welfare and rights of trial participants and considers
such items as whether the risks to individuals participating in the clinical trials are minimized and are reasonable in relation to anticipated
benefits. The IRB also approves the informed consent form that must be provided to each clinical trial subject or his or her legal representative
and must monitor the clinical trial until it is completed.
Human
clinical trials prior to approval are typically conducted in three sequential Phases that may overlap or be combined:
| 
| 
| 
Phase
1. The drug or biologic is initially introduced into healthy human subjects and tested for safety, dosage tolerance, absorption,
metabolism, distribution and excretion. In the case of some products for severe or life-threatening diseases, especially when the
product may be too inherently toxic to ethically administer to healthy volunteers, the initial human testing is often conducted in
patients having the specific disease. | |
| 
| 
| 
Phase
2. The drug or biologic is evaluated in 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, optimal dosage and dosing
schedule for patients having the specific disease. | |
| 
| 
| 
Phase
3. Clinical trials are undertaken to further evaluate dosage, clinical efficacy and safety in an expanded patient population at geographically
dispersed clinical trial sites. These clinical trials, which usually involve more subjects than earlier trials, are intended to establish
the overall risk/benefit ratio of the product and provide an adequate basis for product labeling. Generally, at least two adequate
and well-controlled Phase 3 clinical trials are required by the FDA for approval of an NDA or BLA. | |
Post-approval
studies, or Phase 4 clinical trials, 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 and may be required by the FDA as part of the approval process.
Progress
reports detailing the results of the clinical trials must be submitted at least annually to the FDA and written IND safety reports must
be submitted to the FDA by the investigators for serious and unexpected adverse events or any finding from tests in laboratory animals
that suggests a significant risk for human subjects. Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials may not be completed successfully within
any specified period, if at all. The FDA or the sponsor or its data safety monitoring board may suspend a clinical trial at any time
on various grounds, including a finding that the research subjects or patients are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk. Similarly,
an IRB can suspend or terminate approval of a clinical trial at its institution if the clinical trial is not being conducted in accordance
with the IRBs requirements or if the drug or biologic has been associated with unexpected serious harm to patients.
| 38 | |
Concurrent
with clinical trials, companies usually complete additional animal studies and develop additional information about the chemistry and
physical characteristics of the drug or biologic as well as finalize a process for manufacturing the product in commercial quantities
in accordance with cGMP requirements. The manufacturing process must be capable of consistently producing quality batches of the drug
or biological candidate and, among other things, must include methods for testing the identity, strength, quality and purity of the final
drug or biologic. Additionally, appropriate packaging must be selected and tested and stability studies must be conducted to demonstrate
that the drug or biological candidate does not undergo unacceptable deterioration over its shelf life.
*U.S.
Review and Approval Processes*
The
results of product development, preclinical studies and clinical trials, along with descriptions of the manufacturing process, analytical
tests conducted on the chemistry of the drug or biologic, proposed labeling and other relevant information are submitted to the FDA as
part of an NDA or BLA requesting approval to market the product. The submission of an NDA or BLA is subject to the payment of substantial
user fees; a waiver of such fees may be obtained under certain limited circumstances.
The
FDA reviews for completeness all NDAs and BLAs submitted before it accepts them for filing and may request additional information rather
than accepting an NDA or BLA for filing. Once the submission is accepted for filing, the FDA begins an in-depth review of the NDA or
BLA.
After
the NDA or BLA submission is accepted for filing, the FDA reviews the application to determine, among other things, whether the proposed
product is safe and effective for its intended use, and whether the product is being manufactured in accordance with cGMP to assure and
preserve the products identity, strength, quality and purity. The FDA reviews a BLA to determine, among other things, whether
the product is safe, pure and potent and the facility in which it is manufactured, processed, packaged or held meets standards designed
to assure the products continued safety, purity and potency. In addition to its own review, the FDA may refer applications for
novel drug or biological products or drug or biological products which present difficult questions of safety or efficacy to an advisory
committee, typically a panel that includes clinicians and other experts, for review, evaluation and 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. During the approval process, the FDA also will determine whether special
marketing conditions or restrictions under a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy, or REMS, are necessary to assure the safe use of
the drug or biologic. If the FDA concludes that a REMS is needed, the sponsor of the NDA or BLA must submit a proposed REMS; the FDA
will not approve the NDA or BLA without a REMS, if required.
Before
approving an NDA or BLA, the FDA will inspect the facilities at which the product is to be manufactured, and may also inspect facilities
that provide raw materials for use in the product. The FDA will not approve the product 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 or BLA, the FDA will typically inspect one or more clinical trial sites to assure their compliance
with cGCP during the conduct of studies of the subject drug. If during the review of the application the FDA identifies questions or
concerns regarding the application, data, manufacturing process or manufacturing facilities, it may issue a deficiency letter which the
sponsor must adequately address to the FDAs satisfaction.
The
NDA or BLA review and approval process is lengthy and difficult, and the FDA may refuse to approve an NDA or BLA if the applicable regulatory
criteria are not satisfied or may require additional clinical data or other data and information. Even if such data and information is
submitted, the FDA may ultimately decide that the NDA or BLA does not, in its submitted form, satisfy the criteria for approval. Data
obtained from clinical trials are not always conclusive and may be susceptible to varying interpretations, which could delay, limit or
prevent regulatory approval. The FDA will issue a complete response letter (CRL) if the agency decides not to approve the
NDA or BLA. The complete response letter usually describes the specific deficiencies in the NDA or BLA identified by the FDA. The deficiencies
identified may be minor, for example, requiring labeling changes, or major, for example, requiring additional clinical trials. Additionally,
the complete response letter will typically include recommended actions that the applicant might take to place the application in a condition
for approval. If a complete response letter is issued, the applicant may either resubmit the NDA or BLA, addressing all of the deficiencies
identified in the letter, or withdraw the application.
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If
a product receives regulatory approval, the approval may be for more limited conditions of use than the sponsor had proposed, such as
limitations to specific diseases or subsets of a disease, limited patient populations, second-line or third-line use limitations, limited
dosages or other limitations which could restrict the commercial value of the product. Further, the FDA may require that certain contraindications,
warnings or precautions be included in the product labeling. In addition, the FDA may require Phase 4 testing which may involve clinical
trials designed to further assess a products safety and effectiveness and may require testing and surveillance programs to monitor
the safety of approved products that have been commercialized.
*Companion
Diagnostics*
Many
drugs for cancer indications involving patient-specific genetic mutations or biomarkers are approved by FDA with limitations that the
specific genetic mutation must be confirmed in each patient by use of an FDA-approved diagnostic test, commonly referred to as a companion
diagnostic. The FDA issued a final guidance document in July 2014 addressing agency policy in relation to in vitro companion diagnostic
tests. The guidance explains that for some drugs and therapeutic biologics, the use of a companion diagnostic test is essential for the
safe and effective use of the product, such as when the use of a product is limited to a specific patient subpopulation that can be identified
by using the test. According to the guidance, the FDA generally will not approve such a product if the companion diagnostic is not also
approved or cleared for the appropriate indication, and accordingly the therapeutic product and the companion diagnostic should be developed
and approved or cleared contemporaneously. The FDA has also issued a Guidance, Principles for Codevelopment of an In Vitro Companion
Diagnostic Device with a Therapeutic Product (2016), which is is intended to be a practical guide to assist therapeutic product
sponsors and IVD sponsors in developing a therapeutic product and an accompanying IVD companion diagnostic, and a Guidance, Developing
and Labeling In vitro Companion Diagnostic Devices for a Specific Group of Oncology Therapeutic Products (2020), which describes
considerations for the development and labeling of in vitro companion diagnostic devices (referred to as companion diagnostics
herein) to support the indicated uses of multiple drug or biological oncology products, when appropriate.
As
stated in its Guidance, the FDA may decide that it is appropriate to approve such a product without an approved or cleared in vitro companion
diagnostic device when the drug or therapeutic biologic is intended to treat a serious or life-threatening condition for which no satisfactory
alternative treatment exists and the FDA determines that the benefits from the use of a product with an unapproved or uncleared in vitro
companion diagnostic device are so pronounced as to outweigh the risks from the lack of an approved or cleared in vitro companion diagnostic
device. The FDA encourages sponsors considering developing a therapeutic product that requires a companion diagnostic to request a meeting
with both relevant device and therapeutic product review divisions to ensure that the product development plan will produce sufficient
data to establish the safety and effectiveness of both the therapeutic product and the companion diagnostic. To date, no product targeting
TERT+ cancer patients has been approved by FDA, and the applicability to ateganosine of FDAs Companion Diagnostics Guidance and
policy is yet to be determined. If a companion diagnostic is required to be developed and approved in order to receive approval of ateganosine,
the cost and length of time to fully develop and receive approval (if at all) of ateganosine may both be increased, as described in more
detail in the section Risk Factors Risks Relating to Government Regulation. Because the FDAs policy on companion diagnostics
is set forth only in guidance, this policy is subject to change and is not legally binding.
*Expedited
Development and Review Programs*
The
FDA has a Fast-Track program that is intended to expedite or facilitate the process for reviewing new drug and biological products that
meet certain criteria. Specifically, new drug and biological products are eligible for Fast Track designation if they are intended to
treat a serious or life-threatening condition and demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs for the condition. Fast Track
designation applies to the combination of the product and the specific indication for which it is being studied. Under a Fast Track designation,
the FDA may consider for review sections of the NDA or BLA on a rolling basis before the complete application is submitted, if (i) the
sponsor provides a schedule for the submission of the sections of the NDA or BLA, (ii) the FDA agrees to accept sections of the NDA or
BLA and determines that the schedule is acceptable, and (iii) the sponsor pays any required user fees upon submission of the first section
of the NDA or BLA.
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Any
product submitted to the FDA for marketing approval, including those submitted under a Fast Track designation, may also be eligible for
other types of FDA programs intended to expedite development and review, such as priority review and accelerated approval. Any product
is eligible for priority review if it has the potential to provide safe and effective therapy where no satisfactory alternative therapy
exists or the new product has the potential to offer a significant improvement in the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of a disease
compared with marketed products. The FDA will attempt to direct additional resources to the evaluation of an application for a new drug
or biological product designated for priority review in an effort to facilitate the review. Additionally, a product may be eligible for
accelerated approval. Drug or biological products studied for their safety and effectiveness in treating serious or life-threatening
illnesses and that provide meaningful therapeutic benefit over existing treatments may receive accelerated approval, which means that
they may be approved on the basis of adequate and well-controlled clinical studies establishing that the product has an effect on a surrogate
endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict a clinical benefit, or on the basis of an effect on a clinical endpoint other than survival
or irreversible morbidity. As a condition of accelerated approval, the FDA generally requires that a sponsor of a drug or biological
product receiving accelerated approval perform adequate and well-controlled post-marketing clinical studies to confirm the safety and
efficacy for the approved indication. Failure to conduct such studies or conducting such studies that do not establish the required safety
and efficacy may result in revocation of the original accelerated approval. In addition, the FDA currently requires as a condition for
accelerated approval, pre-approval of promotional materials, which could adversely impact the timing of the commercial launch or subsequent
marketing of the product. Fast Track designation, priority review and accelerated approval do not change the standards for approval but
may expedite the development or approval process, and even if granted, accelerated approval status does not guarantee an accelerated
review or marketing approval by the FDA.
**The
Hatch-Waxman Amendments and Generic Competition**
*Orange
Book Listing*
Once
a drug product is approved under an NDA, the product is listed in the FDAs publication, Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic
Equivalence Evaluations, commonly known as the Orange Book. An NDA-approved drug product will be designated in the Orange Book
as a Reference Listed Drug (RLD). Sponsors of approved NDAs are required to list with the FDA patents whose claims cover the products
active ingredient, formulation, or an approved method of using the drug.
*Patent
Term Extensions*
Depending
upon the timing, duration and specifics of FDA approval of the use of our therapeutic candidates, some of our United States patents may
be eligible for limited patent term extension under the Hatch-Waxman Act. The Hatch-Waxman Act permits a patent restoration term of up
to five years as compensation for patent term lost during product development and the FDA regulatory review process. However, patent
term restoration cannot extend the remaining term of a patent beyond a total of 14 years from the product or therapeutic candidates
approval date. The patent term restoration period is generally one half of the time between the effective date of an IND and the submission
date of a NDA, plus the time between the submission date of a NDA and the approval of that application, except that the review period
is reduced by any time during which the applicant failed to exercise due diligence. Only one patent applicable to an approved product
or therapeutic candidate is eligible for the extension and the application for extension must be made prior to expiration of the patent.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), in consultation with the FDA, reviews and approves the application for any patent
term extension or restoration. In the future, we intend to apply for restorations of patent term for some of our currently owned or licensed
patents to add patent life beyond their current expiration date, depending on the expected length of clinical trials and other factors
involved in the submission of the relevant NDA.
*Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA)
Approval Process*
The
Hatch-Waxman Amendments established an abbreviated FDA approval process for generic drugs that are shown to be pharmaceutically equivalent
and bioequivalent to drugs previously approved by the FDA through the NDA process. Approval to market and distribute these drugs is obtained
by filing an abbreviated new drug application, or ANDA, with the FDA. An ANDA provides for marketing of a drug product that has the same
active ingredients in the same strengths and dosage form as the listed drug and has been shown to be bioequivalent to the listed drug.
An ANDA is a comprehensive submission that contains, among other things, data and information pertaining to the active pharmaceutical
ingredient, 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 termed abbreviated because they generally do not include preclinical
and clinical data to demonstrate safety and effectiveness. Instead, a generic applicant must demonstrate that its product is bioequivalent
to the innovator drug. Drugs approved in this way are commonly referred to as generic equivalents to the listed drug and
can often be substituted by pharmacists under prescriptions written for the original listed drug.
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*Section
505(b)(2) NDA Approval Process*
As
an alternative path to FDA approval for modifications to formulations or uses of products previously approved by the FDA, an
applicant may submit an NDA under Section 505(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). Section 505(b)(2) was
enacted as part of the Hatch-Waxman Amendments to the FDCA and enables the applicant to rely, in part, on the FDAs previous
approval of a similar product, and/or published literature, in support of its application. Section 505(b)(2) 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 which the applicant has not obtained a right of reference. If the Section 505(b)(2) applicant can establish that reliance on
FDAs previous findings of safety and effectiveness is scientifically 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 studies
or measurements, including clinical trials, to support the change from the approved reference drug. The FDA may then approve the new
product candidate for all, or some, of the label indications for which the reference drug has been approved or for any new
indication sought by the Section 505(b)(2) applicant.
ANDA
and 505(b)(2) products may be significantly less costly to bring to market than the reference listed drug, and companies that produce
generic products are generally able to offer them at lower prices. Moreover, generic versions of RLDs are often automatically substituted
for the RLD by pharmacies when dispensing a prescription written for the RLD. Thus, following the introduction of a generic drug, a significant
percentage of the sales of any branded product or reference listed drug is typically lost to the generic product.
*ANDA
and 505(b)(2) NDA Patent Certification Requirements*
Any
applicant who files an ANDA seeking approval of a generic equivalent version of a drug listed in the Orange Book or a Section 505(b)(2)
NDA referencing a drug listed in the Orange Book must certify to the FDA, as applicable, that (1) no patent information on the drug product
that is the subject of the application has been submitted to the FDA; (2) such patent has expired; (3) the date on which such patent
expires; or (4) such patent is invalid or will not be infringed upon by the manufacture, use or sale of the drug product for which the
application is submitted. This last certification is known as a paragraph IV certification. If an ANDA is submitted to FDA with a Paragraph
IV Certification, the generic applicant must also provide a Paragraph IV Notification to the holder of the NDA for the
RLD and to the owner of the listed patent(s) being challenged by the ANDA applicant, providing a detailed written statement of the bases
for the ANDA applicants position that the relevant patent(s) is invalid or would not be infringed. If the patent owner brings
a patent infringement lawsuit against the ANDA applicant within 45 days of the Paragraph IV Notification, FDA approval of the ANDA will
be automatically stayed for 30 months, or until 7-1/2 years after the NDA approval if the generic application was filed between 4 years
and 5 years after the NDA approval. Any such stay will be terminated earlier if the court rules that the patent is invalid or would not
be infringed. The applicant may, in certain circumstances, elect to submit a section viii statement with respect to a listed
method of use patent, certifying that the proposed generic labeling does not contain (or carves out) any language that would infringe
a method of use patented listed in the Orange Book for the RLD.
The
ANDA or Section 505(b)(2) application also will not be approved until any applicable non-patent exclusivity listed in the Orange Book
for the reference drug has expired as described in further detail below.
**Regulatory
Exclusivities**
*New
Chemical Entity (NCE) Exclusivity*
The
Hatch-Waxman amendments provides a period of five years of non-patent marketing exclusivity for the first approved drug containing a
new chemical entity (NCE) as an active ingredient. An NCE is an active moiety that has not been approved by the FDA in
any other NDA. A fixed combination drug product may receive NCE exclusivity if one of its active ingredients is an NCE, but not if
all of its active ingredients have previously been approved. An active moiety is defined as the molecule or ion
responsible for the drug substances physiological or pharmacologic action. During the five year exclusivity period, the FDA
cannot accept for filing any ANDA or 505(b)(2) NDA seeking approval of a product that contains the same active moiety, except that
the FDA may accept such an application for filing after four years if the application includes a paragraph IV certification to a
listed patent. In the case of such applications accepted for filing between four and five years after approval of the reference
drug, the thirty month stay of approval triggered by a timely patent infringement lawsuit is extended by the amount of time
necessary to extend the stay until 7-1/2 years after the approval of the reference drug NDA.
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*New
Clinical Trial (3-Year) Exclusivity*
A
drug, including one approved under Section 505(b)(2), may obtain a three year period of exclusivity for a particular indication or
condition of approval, or change to a marketed product, such as a new formulation for a previously approved product, if one or more
new clinical trials (other than bioavailability studies) was essential to the approval of the application or supplemental
application and was conducted/sponsored by the applicant. Should this occur, the FDA would be precluded from approving any ANDA or
Section 505(b)(2) application for the protected modification until after that three year exclusivity period has run. However, unlike
NCE exclusivity, the FDA can accept an application and begin the review process during the exclusivity period.
*Orphan
Drug Designation and Orphan Exclusivity*
Under
the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may grant Orphan Drug Designation to a therapeutic candidate intended to treat a rare disease or condition,
which is generally a disease or condition that affects either (i) fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States, or (ii) more than
200,000 individuals in the United States and for which there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing and making available
in the United States a product or therapeutic candidate for this type of disease or condition will be recovered from sales in the United
States for that product or therapeutic candidate. Orphan Drug Designation must be requested before submitting a BLA. After the FDA grants
Orphan Drug Designation, the identity of the therapeutic agent and its potential orphan use are disclosed publicly by the FDA. Orphan
Drug Designation does not convey any advantage in or shorten the duration of the regulatory review and approval process.
If
a product or therapeutic candidate that has Orphan Drug Designation subsequently receives the first FDA approval for the disease for
which it has such designation, the approved product is entitled to orphan product exclusivity, which means that the FDA may not approve
any other marketing applications for the same drug for the same indication, except under limited circumstances, for seven years. Orphan
product exclusivity, however, could also block the approval of one of our therapeutic candidates for seven years if a competitor obtains
approval of the same drug as defined by the FDA, or if our therapeutic candidate is determined to be contained within a competitors
approved drug for the same indication or disease.
In
addition, an orphan drug credit is available for qualifying costs incurred between the date the FDA designates a drug as an orphan drug
and the date the FDA approves the drug.
*Pediatric
Exclusivity*
Pediatric
exclusivity is another type of non-patent marketing exclusivity available in the United States and, if granted, it provides for the attachment
of an additional six months of marketing protection to the term of any existing regulatory exclusivity or listed patents. Under the Best
Pharmaceuticals for Children Act, or BPCA, certain therapeutic candidates may obtain an additional six months of exclusivity if the sponsor
conducts pediatric research and submits new clinical information requested in writing by the FDA, referred to as a Written Request, relating
to the use of the active moiety of the product or therapeutic candidate in children. The data do not need to support a label change for
pediatric use; rather, the additional protection is granted if the pediatric clinical trial is deemed to have fairly responded to the
FDAs Written Request. Although the FDA may issue a Written Request for studies on either approved or unapproved indications, it
may only do so where it determines that information relating to that use of a product or therapeutic candidate in a pediatric population,
or part of the pediatric population, may produce health benefits in that population. The issuance of a Written Request does not require
the sponsor to undertake the described trials. This is not a patent term extension, but it effectively extends the regulatory period
during which the FDA cannot approve another application.
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*Post-Approval
Requirements*
Following
approval of a new drug or biologic product, the manufacturer and the approved product are subject to pervasive and continuing regulation
by the FDA, including, among other things, continuing cGMP compliance, monitoring and recordkeeping activities, reporting of adverse
experiences with the product, product sampling and distribution restrictions, complying with promotion and advertising requirements,
which include restrictions on promoting drugs for unapproved uses or patient populations (i.e., off-label use) and limitations
on industry-sponsored scientific and educational activities. Although physicians may prescribe legally available products for off-label
uses, manufacturers may not market or promote such uses. 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. If there are any modifications to the product, including changes in indications, labeling or manufacturing processes or facilities,
the applicant may be required to submit and obtain FDA approval of a new NDA or a NDA supplement, which may require the applicant to
develop additional data or conduct additional preclinical studies and clinical trials.
Once
an NDA or BLA 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 or therapeutic reaches the market. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with
a product or therapeutic candidate, including adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, may result in in mandatory revisions
to the approved labeling to add new safety information; imposition of post-market or clinical trials to assess new safety risks; or imposition
of distribution or other restrictions under a REMS program. Other potential consequences include, among other things:
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restrictions
on the marketing or manufacturing of the product, complete withdrawal of the product from the market or product recalls; | |
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fines,
warning letters or other enforcement-related letters or clinical holds on post-approval clinical trials; | |
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refusal
of the FDA to approve pending applications or supplements to approved application, or suspension or revocation of product approvals; | |
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product
seizure or detention, or refusal to permit the import or export of products; | |
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injunctions
or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties; | |
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consent
decrees, corporate integrity agreements, debarment, or exclusion from federal health care programs; or | |
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mandated
modification of promotional materials and labeling and the issuance of corrective information. | |
Accordingly,
a therapeutic candidate manufactured or distributed by us pursuant to FDA approvals are subject to continuing regulation by the FDA,
including, among other things:
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cGMP
compliance requirements; | |
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record-keeping
requirements; | |
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reporting
of adverse experiences with the therapeutic candidate; | |
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providing
the FDA with updated safety and efficacy information; | |
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therapeutic
sampling and distribution requirements; | |
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notifying
the FDA and gaining its approval of specified manufacturing or labeling changes; and complying with FDA promotion and advertising
requirements, which include, among other things, standards for direct-to-consumer advertising, restrictions on promoting products
for uses or in-patient populations that are not described in the products approved labeling, limitations on industry-sponsored
scientific and educational activities and requirements for promotional activities involving the internet. | |
FDA
regulations require that products be manufactured in specific approved facilities and in accordance with cGMPs. The cGMP regulations
include requirements relating to organization of personnel, buildings and facilities, equipment, control of components and drug product
containers and closures, production and process controls, packaging and labeling controls, holding and distribution, laboratory controls,
records and reports and returned or salvaged products. Therapeutic manufacturers and other entities involved in the manufacture and distribution
of approved therapeutic products are required to register their establishments with the FDA and certain state agencies and are subject
to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA, foreign regulatory agencies, and some state agencies for compliance with cGMPs and other
laws. In addition, changes to the manufacturing process are strictly regulated, and, depending on the significance of the change, may
require FDA approval before being implemented. FDA regulations also require investigation and correction of any noncompliance with cGMP
requirements. FDA regulations also require investigation and correction of any deviations from cGMP and impose reporting and documentation
requirements upon the NDA or BLA applicant and any third-party manufacturers involved in producing the approved product. Accordingly,
manufacturers must continue to expend time, money and effort in the area of production and quality control to maintain compliance with
cGMP and other aspects of quality control and quality assurance.
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In
addition, the distribution of prescription pharmaceutical products is subject to the Prescription Drug Marketing Act, or the PDMA,
which regulates the distribution of drugs and drug samples at the federal level and sets minimum standards for the registration and
regulation of drug distributors by the states. Both the PDMA and state laws limit the distribution of prescription pharmaceutical
product samples and impose requirements to ensure accountability in distribution. The Drug Supply Chain Security Act, or the DSCSA,
was enacted with the aim of building an electronic system to identify and trace certain prescription drugs distributed in the United
States, including most biological products. The DSCSA mandates phased-in and resource-intensive obligations for pharmaceutical
manufacturers, wholesale distributors, and dispensers over a ten year period that is expected to culminate in November 2023. From
time to time, new legislation and regulations may be implemented that could significantly change the statutory provisions governing
the approval, manufacturing and marketing of products regulated by the FDA. It is impossible to predict whether further legislative
or regulatory changes will be enacted, or FDA regulations, guidance or interpretations changed or what the impact of such changes,
if any, may be.
**Regulation
Outside of the United States**
In
addition to regulations in the United States, we will be subject to regulations of other jurisdictions governing any clinical trials
and commercial sales and distribution of our therapeutic candidates. Whether or not we obtain FDA approval for a product, we must obtain
approval by the comparable regulatory authorities of countries outside of the United States before we can commence clinical trials in
such countries and approval of the regulators of such countries or economic areas, such as the European Union, before we may market products
in those countries or areas. The approval process and requirements governing the conduct of clinical trials, product licensing, pricing
and reimbursement vary greatly from place to place, and the time may be longer or shorter than that required for FDA approval.
Under
European Union regulatory systems, a company can consider applying for marketing authorization in several European Union member states
by submitting its marketing authorization application(s) under a centralized, decentralized or mutual recognition procedure. The centralized
procedure provides for the grant of a single marketing authorization that is valid for all European Union member states. The centralized
procedure is compulsory for medicines derived from biotechnology, orphan medicinal products, or those medicines with an active substance
not authorized in the European Union on or before May 20, 2004 intended to treat acquired immune deficiency syndrome, cancer, neurodegenerative
disorders or diabetes and optional for those medicines containing a new active substance not authorized in the European Union on or before
May 20, 2004, medicines which are highly innovative, or medicines to which the granting of a marketing authorization under the centralized
procedure would be in the interest of patients at the European Union-level. The decentralized procedure provides for recognition by European
Union national authorities of a first assessment performed by one of the member states. Under this procedure, an identical application
for marketing authorization is submitted simultaneously to the national authorities of several European Union member states, one of them
being chosen as the Reference Member State, and the remaining being the Concerned Member States. The Reference
Member State must prepare and send drafts of an assessment report, summary of product characteristics and the labeling and package leaflet
within 120 days after receipt of a valid marketing authorization application to the Concerned Member States, which must decide within
90 days whether to recognize approval. If any Concerned Member State does not recognize the marketing authorization on the grounds of
potential serious risk to public health, the disputed points are eventually referred to the European Commission, whose decision is binding
on all member states. The mutual recognition procedure is similar to the decentralized procedure except that a medicine must have already
received a marketing authorization in at least one of the member states, and that member state acts as the Reference Member State.
As
in the United States, we may apply for designation of a therapeutic candidate as an orphan drug for the treatment of a specific indication
in the European Union before the application for marketing authorization is made.
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Orphan
drugs in the European Union enjoy economic and marketing benefits, including up to ten years of market exclusivity for the approved indication
unless another applicant can show that its product is safer, more effective or otherwise clinically superior to the orphan-designated
product, the marketing authorization holder is unable to supply sufficient quantity of the medicinal product, or the marketing authorization
holder has given its consent.
**Coverage,
Pricing and Reimbursement**
Sales
of our products will depend, in part, on the extent to which our products will be covered by third-party payors, such as government health
programs, commercial insurance and managed healthcare organizations. There may be significant delays in obtaining coverage and reimbursement
for approved products, and coverage may be more limited than the purposes for which the product is approved by the FDA or regulatory
authorities in other countries. It is time consuming and expensive to seek reimbursement from third-party payors. Moreover, eligibility
for reimbursement does not imply that any product will be paid for in all cases or at a rate that covers our costs, including research,
development, manufacture, sale and distribution. Interim payments for new products, if applicable, may also not be sufficient to cover
our costs and may not be made permanent. Payment rates may vary according to the use of the product and the clinical setting in which
it is used, may be based on payments allowed for lower cost products that are already reimbursed and may be incorporated into existing
payments for other services. Net prices for products may be reduced by mandatory discounts or rebates required by third-party payors
and by any future relaxation of laws that presently restrict imports of products from countries where they may be sold at lower prices
than in the United States. In the U.S., third-party payors often rely upon Medicare coverage policy and payment limitations in setting
their own reimbursement policies, but they also have their own methods and approval process apart from Medicare coverage and reimbursement
determinations. Accordingly, one third-party payors determination to provide coverage for a product does not assure that other
payors will also provide coverage for the product.
Additionally,
the containment of healthcare costs has become a priority of federal and state governments and the prices of therapeutics have been a
focus in this effort. The United States government, state legislatures and foreign governments have shown significant interest in implementing
cost-containment programs, including price controls, restrictions on reimbursement and requirements for substitution of generic and biosimilar
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 our net revenue and results. If these third-party payors do not consider our products to be
cost-effective compared to other therapies, they may not cover our products after approval as a benefit under their plans or, if they
do, the level of payment may not be sufficient to allow us to sell our products on a profitable basis. In addition, companion diagnostic
tests require coverage and reimbursement separate and apart from the coverage and reimbursement for their companion pharmaceutical or
biological products. Similar challenges to obtaining coverage and reimbursement for the pharmaceutical or biological products apply to
companion diagnostics.
Moreover,
in some foreign countries, the proposed pricing for a product and therapeutic candidate must be approved before it may be lawfully marketed.
The requirements governing therapeutic pricing vary widely from country to country. For example, the European Union provides options
for its member states to restrict the range of medicinal products for which their national health insurance systems provide reimbursement
and to control the prices of medicinal products for human use. A member state may approve a specific price for the medicinal product
or it may instead adopt a system of direct or indirect controls on the profitability of the company placing the medicinal product on
the market. 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 therapeutic candidates. Historically, therapeutic candidates
launched in the European Union do not follow price structures of the United States and generally tend to be significantly lower.
**Healthcare
Reform**
In
the United States and some foreign jurisdictions, there have been, and continue to be, several legislative and regulatory changes and
proposed changes regarding the healthcare system that could prevent or delay marketing approval of product and therapeutic candidates,
restrict or regulate post-approval activities, and affect the ability to profitably sell product and therapeutic candidates that obtain
marketing approval. The FDAs and other regulatory authorities policies may change, and additional government regulations
may be enacted that could prevent, limit, or delay regulatory approval of our product and therapeutic candidates. For example, in the
United States, the system for FDA to collect and expend user fees paid by manufacturers of drugs, biologics, and medical devices must
be reauthorized by statute every five years, and since 1992, each reauthorization legislation has included, to greater or lesser degrees,
various other changes to the FDAs regulatory systems and procedures. The current legislative authority for FDA user fees expired
in September 2022, new legislation will be required for FDA to continue collecting prescription drug user fees in future fiscal years.
The reauthorization may include new legal provisions that could significantly impact our business in ways that cannot be predicted at
this time. If we are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or
if we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we may lose any marketing approval that we otherwise may have obtained and we may
not achieve or sustain profitability, which would adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Moreover, among policy makers and payors in the United States and elsewhere, there is significant interest in promoting changes in healthcare
systems with the stated goals of reducing drug prices, containing healthcare costs more generally, improving quality and/or expanding
access.
| 46 | |
For
example, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, or collectively
the ACA, was enacted in March 2010 and has had a significant impact on the health care industry in the U.S. The ACA expanded coverage
for the uninsured while at the same time containing overall healthcare costs. It also included the BPCIA, which created an abbreviated
approval pathway for biological products that are biosimilar to or interchangeable with an FDA-licensed reference biological product.
With regard to biopharmaceutical products, the ACA, among other things, addressed a new methodology by which rebates owed by manufacturers
under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program are calculated for drugs that are inhaled, infused, instilled, implanted or injected, increased
the minimum Medicaid rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program and extended the rebate program to individuals
enrolled in Medicaid managed care organizations, established annual fees on manufacturers of certain branded prescription drugs, and
created a new Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program.
Since
its enactment, there have been executive, judicial and Congressional challenges to certain aspects of the ACA and we expect there may
be additional challenges and amendments to the ACA in the future.
In
addition, other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted in the United States since the ACA that affect health care expenditures.
These changes include aggregate reductions to Medicare payments to providers of up to 2% per fiscal year pursuant to the Budget Control
Act of 2011, which began in 2013 and will remain in effect through 2030 unless additional Congressional action is taken. The Coronavirus
Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020, and was designed to provide financial
support and resources to individuals and businesses effected by the COVID-19 pandemic, suspended the 2% Medicare sequester from May 1,
2020 through December 31, 2020, and extended the sequester by one year, through 2030, in order to offset the added expense of the 2020
cancellation.
Additionally,
on December 20, 2019, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2020 became law (P.L. 116-94), which includes a piece of bipartisan
legislation called the Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2019 or the CREATES Act. The CREATES
Act aims to address the concern articulated by both the FDA and others in the industry that some brand manufacturers have improperly
restricted the distribution of their products, including by invoking the existence of a REMS for certain products, to deny generic and
biosimilar product developers access to samples of brand products. Because generic and biosimilar product developers need samples to
conduct certain comparative testing required by the FDA, some have attributed the inability to timely obtain samples as a cause of delay
in the entry of generic and biosimilar products. To remedy this concern, the CREATES Act establishes a private cause of action that permits
a generic or biosimilar product developer to sue the brand manufacturer to compel it to furnish the necessary samples on commercially
reasonable, market-based terms. Whether and how generic and biosimilar product developments will use this new pathway, as well
as the likely outcome of any legal challenges to provisions of the CREATES Act, remain highly uncertain and its potential effects on
our future commercial products are unknown.
Moreover,
there has been heightened governmental scrutiny over the manner in which manufacturers set prices for their marketed products, which
has resulted in several Congressional inquiries and proposed and enacted federal and state legislation designed to, among other things,
bring more transparency to product pricing, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, and reform government
program reimbursement methodologies for drug products. While the Trump administration put forward various proposals and executive orders
aimed at reducing drug prices, the Biden administration is likely to pursue its own proposals going forward. In August 2021, President
Biden announced his support for legislative proposals to grant Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices, for pharmaceutical
companies to face penalties if they raise prices faster than inflation, and to impose a new cap on how much Medicare recipients have
to spend on medications. Such proposals may be included in upcoming legislation in Congress, but the outcome of such proposals remains
uncertain.
| 47 | |
Individual
states in the United States have also increasingly passed legislation and implemented regulations designed to control pharmaceutical
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.
We
cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative or
executive action, either in the United States or abroad. We expect that additional state and federal health care reform measures will
be adopted in the future, any of which could limit the amounts that federal and state governments will pay for health care products and
services.
**Other
Healthcare Laws**
Our
current and future business operations are subject to healthcare regulation and enforcement by the federal government and the states
and foreign governments where we research, and, if approved, market, sell and distribute our therapeutic candidates. These laws include,
without limitation, state and federal anti-kickback, fraud and abuse, false claims, privacy and security, physician sunshine and drug
pricing transparency laws and regulations such as:
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The
federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits, among other things, any person from knowingly and willfully offering, soliciting, receiving
or providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, to induce either the referral of an individual, for an item or service or the
purchasing or ordering of a good or service, for which payment may be made under federal healthcare programs such as the Medicare
and Medicaid programs. The federal Anti-Kickback Statute is subject to evolving interpretations. In the past, the government has
enforced the federal Anti-Kickback Statute to reach large settlements with healthcare companies based on sham consulting and other
financial arrangements with physicians. A person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent
to violate it in order to have committed a violation. In addition, the government may assert that 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 civil
False Claims Act; | |
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The
federal civil and criminal false claims laws, including the civil False Claims Act, and civil monetary penalty laws, prohibit, among
other things, knowingly presenting or causing the presentation of a false, fictitious or fraudulent claim for payment to the U.S.
government, knowingly making, using, or causing to be made or used a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent
claim to the U.S. government, or from knowingly making a false statement to avoid, decrease or conceal an obligation to pay money
to the U.S. government. Actions under these laws may be brought by the Attorney General or as a qui tam action by a private individual
in the name of the government. The federal government uses these laws, and the accompanying threat of significant liability, in its
investigation and prosecution of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies throughout the U.S., for example, in connection with
the promotion of products for unapproved uses and other allegedly unlawful sales and marketing practices; | |
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The
U.S. federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, includes federal, civil and criminal provisions
that prohibit among other actions, knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud any healthcare
benefit program, including private 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 statement in connection with the delivery of or payment
for 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 in order to have committed a violation; | |
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The
Physician Payments Sunshine Act, among other things, imposes requirements on manufacturers of FDA-approved drugs, devices, biologics
and medical supplies covered by Medicare or Medicaid to report, on an annual basis, to HHS information related to payments and other
transfers of value to physicians (defined to include doctors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, chiropractors and, beginning in
2022 for payments and other transfers of value provided in the previous year, certain advanced non-physician health care practitioners),
teaching hospitals, as well as ownership and investment interests held by physicians and their immediate family members; | |
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HIPAA,
as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, or HITECH, and their respective implementing
regulations impose specified requirements relating to the privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health
information. Among other things, HITECH makes HIPAAs privacy and security standards directly applicable to business
associates, defined as independent contractors or agents of covered entities, which include certain healthcare providers,
health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, that create, receive, maintain or transmit protected health information in connection
with providing a service for or on behalf of a covered entity. HITECH also increased the civil and criminal penalties that may be
imposed against covered entities, business associates and possibly other persons, and gave state attorneys general new authority
to file civil actions for damages or injunctions in federal courts to enforce HIPAA and seek attorneys fees and costs associated
with pursuing federal civil actions; and | |
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Analogous
state laws and regulations, such as state anti-kickback and false claims laws which may apply to sales or marketing arrangements
and claims involving healthcare items or services reimbursed by non-governmental third-party payors, including private insurers;
state laws which require pharmaceutical companies to comply with the pharmaceutical industrys voluntary compliance guidelines
and the relevant compliance guidance promulgated by the federal government in addition to requiring drug and therapeutic biologics
manufacturers to report information related to payments to physicians and other healthcare providers or marketing expenditures and
pricing information; state and local laws which require the registration of pharmaceutical sales representatives; and state laws
and non-United States laws and regulations (particularly European Union laws regarding personal data relating to individuals based
in Europe) that govern the privacy and security of health information in certain circumstances, many of which differ from each other
in significant ways, thus complicating compliance efforts. | |
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Ensuring
that our current and future business arrangements with third parties comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations could
involve substantial costs. It is possible that governmental authorities will conclude that our business practices do not comply with
current or future statutes, regulations, agency guidance or case law involving applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws
and regulations. If our operations are found to be in violation of any such requirements, we may be subject to significant civil,
criminal and administrative penalties, including monetary damages, fines, disgorgement, imprisonment, loss of eligibility to obtain
approvals from the FDA, exclusion from participation in government contracting, healthcare reimbursement or other government programs,
including Medicare and Medicaid, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, additional reporting requirements if
we become subject to a corporate integrity agreement or other agreement to resolve allegations of non-compliance with any of these
laws, and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations. | |
**Manufacturing**
We
do not own or operate manufacturing facilities to produce any of our therapeutic candidates, nor do we have plans to develop our own
manufacturing operations in the foreseeable future. We currently depend on third-party contract manufacturers for all our required raw
materials, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API), and finished products for our preclinical and clinical trials and if and when applicable,
commercialization. We currently employ internal resources to manage our manufacturing relationships with these third parties.
Manufacturers
of our products are required to comply with applicable FDA manufacturing requirements contained in the FDAs current good manufacturing
practices, or cGMP, regulations. cGMP regulations require, among other things, quality control and quality assurance as well as corresponding
maintenance of records and documentation. Pharmaceutical product manufacturers and other entities involved in the manufacture and distribution
of approved pharmaceutical products are required to register their establishments with the FDA and certain state agencies and are subject
to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA and certain state agencies for compliance with cGMP and other laws. Accordingly, manufacturers
must continue to expend time, money, and effort in the area of production and quality control to maintain cGMP compliance. Discovery
of problems with a product after approval may result in restrictions on a product, manufacturer or holder of an approved NDA, including
withdrawal of the product from the market. In addition, changes to the manufacturing process generally require prior FDA approval before
being implemented.
| 49 | |
**Regulations
- Environmental**
We
are subject to various environmental laws of federal, state and local governments and foreign governments at various levels. Compliance
with existing laws has not had a material adverse effect on our capital expenditures, competitive position, financial condition or results
of operations, and management does not believe it will have such an impact in the current fiscal year. However, we cannot predict the
impact of unforeseen environmental contingencies or new or changed laws or regulations on our business.
**Digital
Asset Treasury Strategy**
On
October 7, 2025, we announced our launch of a new digital asset treasury strategy focused on top-tier cryptocurrency assets. On October
6, 2025, our Board of Directors authorized holdings of up to 90% of the Companys liquid assets in various cryptocurrencies. Corporate
officers are authorized to purchase and sell Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and USD Coin (USDC) initially. Management will regularly
consult with the Board on cryptocurrency transactions and holdings, cybersecurity procedures, accounting policies, risks, and material
developments. Due to cryptocurrency volatility, the Companys digital asset
strategy is currently on hold. As
of the date of this report, the Company holds approximately $0 in digital assets.
**Employees**
As
of December 31, 2025, we had a total of 13 full-time employees which includes one employee employed by our Romanian subsidiary. We believe
that we maintain a satisfactory working relationship with our employees, and we have not experienced any significant labor disputes or
any difficulty in recruiting staff for our operations. None of our employees are represented by a labor union.
**Human
Capital Resources**
**Employee
Engagement, Talent Development & Benefits**. We believe that our future success largely depends upon our continued ability to attract
and retain highly skilled employees. We provide our employees with competitive salaries and bonuses, and opportunities for equity ownership.
**Diversity,
Inclusion, and Culture**. Much of our success is rooted in the diversity of our teams and our commitment to inclusion. We value diversity
at all levels and continue to focus on extending our diversity and inclusion initiatives across our entire workforce. We believe that
our business benefits from the different perspectives a diverse workforce brings, and we pride ourselves on having a strong, inclusive
and positive culture based on our shared mission and values.
**Our
Corporate Information**
We
were incorporated in Delaware in August 2018, and we have operations in Chicago, Illinois, with some of our team members setup virtually
and working remotely in California, Oregon, Massachusetts, Iowa, Ohio, Texas, North Carolina, and New Jersey. Our principal executive
office is located at 444 West Lake Street, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60606, and our phone number is (312) 416-8592. In July 2021, we established
a wholly owned Australian subsidiary, MAIA Biotechnology Australia Pty Ltd, to conduct various preclinical and clinical activities for
the development of our product candidates. In April 2022, we established a wholly owned Romanian subsidiary, MAIA Biotechnology Romania
S.R.L. to conduct various preclinical and clinical activities for the development of our product candidates. Our website address is *www.MAIABiotech.com*.
The information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and you should not consider
any information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or in deciding
whether to purchase our common stock.
| 50 | |
****
**Implications
of Being an Emerging Growth Company**
We
are an emerging growth company, as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities
Act), as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage
of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth
companies including, but not limited to:
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not
being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended,
or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; | |
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reduced
disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports, proxy statements, and registration statements; and | |
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exemptions
from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute
payments not previously approved. | |
If
some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result of these exemptions, there may be a less active trading market for our
common stock and the price of our common stock may be more volatile.
In
addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period
provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act) for complying with new or revised accounting
standards. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would
otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
We
will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary
of the completion of our initial public offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion, or (c)
in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common stock that is held by
non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in
non-convertible debt securities during the prior three year period. References herein to emerging growth company will have the
meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.
**Implications
of Being a Smaller Reporting Company**
Additionally,
we are a smaller reporting company as defined in Rule 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take
advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements.
We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our common stock held
by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $250 million as of the end of that years second fiscal quarter, or (2) our annual revenues
equaled or exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates equals
or exceeds $700 million as of the end of that years second fiscal quarter.
**Item
1A. Risk Factors.**
Any
investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, which we believe
represent certain of the material risks to our business, together with the information contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form
10-K, before you make a decision to invest in our common stock. Please note that the risks highlighted here are not the only ones that
we may face. For example, additional risks presently unknown to us or that we currently consider immaterial or unlikely to occur could
also impair our operations. If any of the following events occur or any additional risks presently unknown to us actually occur, our
business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected.
| 51 | |
**Summary
Risk Factors**
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We
have incurred losses since our inception and anticipate that we will continue to incur increasing losses for the foreseeable future. | |
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We
will require additional capital to fund our operations, and if we fail to obtain necessary financing, we may not be able to complete
the development and commercialization of ateganosine. | |
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Raising
additional capital may cause dilution to our existing stockholders, restrict our operations or require us to relinquish rights to
our product candidates on unfavorable terms to us. | |
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We
have a limited operating history and no history of commercializing pharmaceutical products, which may make it difficult to evaluate
the prospects for our future viability. | |
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We
are heavily dependent on the success of ateganosine, our most advanced candidate, which is still under clinical development, and
if this drug does not receive regulatory approval or is not successfully commercialized, our business may be harmed. | |
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Clinical
trials are expensive, time consuming, difficult to design and implement, and involve uncertain outcomes. | |
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Our
product candidates are based on novel technologies, which make it difficult to predict the timing, results and cost of product candidate
development and likelihood of obtaining regulatory approval. | |
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We
may find it difficult to enroll patients in our clinical trials given the limited number of patients who have the diseases for which
our product candidates are being studied which could delay or prevent the start of clinical trials for our product candidates. | |
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We
may expend our limited resources to pursue a particular product candidate or indication and fail to capitalize on product candidates
or indications that may be more profitable or for which there is a greater likelihood of success. | |
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The
regulatory approval processes of the FDA and comparable foreign authorities are lengthy, time consuming, expensive, and inherently
unpredictable, and if we are ultimately unable to obtain regulatory approval for ateganosine or any other candidates, our business
will be substantially harmed. | |
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Enrollment
and retention of patients in clinical trials is an expensive and time-consuming process and could be made more difficult or rendered
impossible by multiple factors outside our control. | |
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Results
of preclinical studies, early clinical trials or analyses may not be indicative of results obtained in later trials. | |
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The
market opportunities for ateganosine, if approved, may be smaller than we anticipate. | |
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Development
of ateganosine could take longer, be more expensive, or become impractical if the FDA requires the use of an FDA-approved companion
diagnostic test in conjunction with treatment with ateganosine. | |
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If
we are unable to obtain FDA approval for our IND application for the planned ateganosine Phase 2 trial, our clinical development
of ateganosine may be significantly delayed and our business may be substantially harmed. | |
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Even
if we obtain FDA approval for ateganosine or any other candidates in the United States, we may never obtain approval for or commercialize
ateganosine or any other development candidate in any other jurisdiction, which would limit our ability to realize their full global
market potential. | |
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The
successful commercialization of ateganosine and any other candidate we develop will depend in part on the extent to which governmental
authorities and health insurers establish adequate coverage, reimbursement levels, and pricing policies. | |
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Even
if ateganosine or any candidate we develop receives marketing approval, it may fail to achieve market acceptance by physicians, patients,
third-party payors or others in the medical community necessary for commercial success. | |
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If
we are unable to establish sales, marketing and distribution capabilities either on our own or in collaboration with third parties,
we may not be successful in commercializing ateganosine, if approved. | |
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A
variety of risks associated with operating internationally could materially adversely affect our business. | |
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Our
employees and independent contractors, including principal investigators, clinical trial sites, contract research organizations (CROs),
consultants, vendors, and any third parties we may engage in connection with development and commercialization, may engage in misconduct
or other improper activities, including noncompliance with regulatory standards and requirements, which could have a material adverse
effect on our business. | |
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We
currently rely on third-party contract manufacturing organizations, or CMOs, for the production of clinical supply of ateganosine
and intend to rely on CMOs for the production of commercial supply of ateganosine, if approved. Our dependence on CMOs may impair
the development and commercialization of the drug, which would adversely impact our business and financial position. | |
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We
intend to rely on third parties to conduct, supervise and monitor our clinical trials. If those third parties do not successfully
carry out their contractual duties, or if they perform in an unsatisfactory manner, it may harm our business. | |
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We
depend on license agreements with the University of Texas Southwestern, or UTSW, to permit us to use patents and patent applications,
as well as to exploit specific technological know-how. Termination of these rights or the failure to comply with obligations under
these agreements could materially harm our business and prevent us from developing or commercializing our product candidates. | |
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We
have been granted licenses of use to patent applications. There can be no assurance that any of the patent applications that we have
licenses to will result in issued patents. As a result, our ability to protect our proprietary technology in the marketplace may
be limited. | |
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Our
patents may be challenged in courts or in patent offices which could result in the invalidation, narrowing or unenforceability of
our patents and our patent portfolio may not provide us with sufficient rights to exclude others from commercializing products similar
or identical to ours. | |
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Changes
in patent laws or patent jurisprudence could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect our
product candidates. | |
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Obtaining
and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment and other requirements
imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements. | |
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Intellectual
property rights do not address all potential threats to our competitive advantage. | |
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Our
reliance on third parties requires us to share our trade secrets, which increases the possibility that our trade secrets will be
misappropriated or disclosed, and confidentiality agreements with employees and third parties may not adequately prevent disclosure
of trade secrets and protect other proprietary information. | |
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If
our trademarks and trade names are not adequately protected, then we may not be able to build name recognition in our markets of
interest and our business may be adversely affected. | |
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We
may need to license certain intellectual property from third parties, and such licenses may not be available or may not be available
on commercially reasonable terms. | |
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We
may be subject to claims that our employees, consultants or independent contractors have wrongfully used or disclosed confidential
information of their former employers or other third parties. | |
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We
expect to expand our development, regulatory, and sales and marketing capabilities, and as a result, we may encounter difficulties
in managing our growth, which could disrupt our operations. | |
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The
launch of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) may adversely impact our business. | |
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Absent
federal regulations, there is a possibility that any digital asset we acquire may be classified as a security. Any
classification of any digital asset we acquire as a security would subject us to additional regulation and could materially
impact the operation of our business. | |
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If
we were deemed to be an investment company under the 1940 Act, applicable restrictions likely would make it impractical for us to
continue segments of our business as currently contemplated. | |
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We
may be subject to regulatory developments related to crypto assets and crypto asset markets, which could adversely affect our business,
financial condition, and results of operations. | |
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We
are not subject to legal and regulatory obligations that apply to investment companies such as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds,
or to obligations applicable to investment advisers. | |
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We
have limited history in generating staking revenues from digital assets, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition
and operating results. | |
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Competition
from other companies staking and utilizing digital assets in their treasury plan | |
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The
price of our common stock may be volatile and you could lose all or part of your investment. | |
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We
do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future, and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders is restricted by
applicable laws and regulations. | |
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We
may, in the future, issue additional capital stock, which would reduce investors percent of ownership and may dilute our share
value. | |
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Our
failure to meet the continued listing requirements of NYSE American could result in a delisting of our common stock. | |
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Our
failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. | |
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The
limited public company experience of our management team could adversely impact our ability to comply with the reporting requirements
of U.S. securities laws, which could have a materially adverse effect on our business. | |
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Our
shares of common stock are currently listed on NYSE American. If we are unable to maintain listing of our securities on NYSE American
or any stock exchange, our stock price could be adversely affected and the liquidity of our stock and our ability to obtain financing
could be impaired and it may be more difficult for our stockholders to sell their securities. | |
| 53 | |
**Risks
Related to Our Financial Position and Need for Additional Capital**
**We
have incurred losses since inception and anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future. We are not currently
profitable, and we may never achieve or sustain profitability.**
We
are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company with a limited operating history and have incurred losses since our formation. We incurred
net losses of $22,396,172 and $23,254,656 for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. As of December 31, 2025, we had
an accumulated deficit of $109,631,005. We have not commercialized any products and have never generated revenue from the commercialization
of any product. To date, we have devoted most of our financial resources to research and development, including our preclinical and clinical
work, and to intellectual property.
We
expect to incur significant additional operating losses for the next several years, at least, as we advance ateganosine and any other
candidates through clinical development, complete clinical trials, seek regulatory approval and commercialize the drug or any other candidates,
if approved. The costs of advancing candidates into each clinical phase tend to increase substantially over the duration of the clinical
development process. Therefore, the total costs to advance any of our candidates to marketing approval in even a single jurisdiction
will be substantial. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with pharmaceutical product development, we are unable
to accurately predict the timing or amount of increased expenses or when, or if, we will be able to begin generating revenue from the
commercialization of any products or achieve or maintain profitability. Our expenses will also increase substantially if and as we:
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conduct
clinical trials for any other indications or other candidates; | |
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establish
sales, marketing, distribution, and compliance infrastructures to commercialize our drug, if approved, and for any other candidates
for which we may obtain marketing approval; | |
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maintain,
expand and protect our intellectual property portfolio; | |
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hire
additional clinical, scientific and commercial personnel; | |
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add
operational, financial and management information systems and personnel, including personnel to support our development and planned
future commercialization efforts, as well as to support our transition to a public reporting company; and | |
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acquire
or in-license or invent other candidates or technologies. | |
Furthermore,
our ability to successfully develop, commercialize and license any candidates and generate product revenue is subject to substantial
additional risks and uncertainties, as described under Risks Related to Development, Clinical Trials, Manufacturing and
Regulatory Approval and Risks Related to Commercialization. As a result, we expect to continue to incur
net losses and negative cash flows for the foreseeable future. These net losses and negative cash flows have had, and will continue to
have, an adverse effect on our stockholders equity and working capital. The amount of our future net losses will depend, in part,
on the rate of future growth of our expenses and our ability to generate revenues. If we are unable to develop and commercialize one
or more product candidates, either alone or through collaborations, or if revenues from any product that receives marketing approval
are insufficient, we will not achieve profitability. Even if we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain profitability
or meet outside expectations for our profitability. If we are unable to achieve or sustain profitability or to meet outside expectations
for our profitability, the value of our common stock will be materially and adversely affected.
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**We
will require additional capital to fund our operations, and if we fail to obtain necessary financing, we may not be able to complete
the development and commercialization of ateganosine.**
Our
operations have consumed substantial amounts of cash since inception. We expect to continue to spend substantial amounts to advance
the clinical development of ateganosine and launch and commercialize ateganosine, if we receive regulatory approval. We will require
additional capital for the further development and potential commercialization of ateganosine and may also need to raise additional
funds sooner to pursue a more accelerated development of ateganosine. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive
terms, we could be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs or any future commercialization
efforts. Our future funding requirements, both near and long-term, will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to
the:
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initiation,
progress, timing, costs and results of preclinical studies and clinical trials, including patient enrollment in such trials, for
ateganosine or any other future candidates; | |
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clinical
development plans we establish for ateganosine and any other future candidates; | |
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obligation
to make royalty and non-royalty sublicense receipt payments to third-party licensors, if any, under our licensing agreements; | |
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number
and characteristics of candidates that we discover or in-license and develop; | |
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outcome,
timing and cost of regulatory review by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities, including the potential for the FDA
or comparable foreign regulatory authorities to require that we perform more studies than those that we currently expect; | |
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costs
of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and maintaining and enforcing other intellectual property rights; | |
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effects
of competing technological and market developments; | |
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costs
and timing of the implementation of commercial-scale manufacturing activities; and | |
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costs
and timing of establishing sales, marketing and distribution capabilities for any product candidates for which we may receive regulatory
approval. | |
If
we are unable to expand our operations or otherwise capitalize on our business opportunities due to a lack of capital, our ability to
become profitable will be compromised.
**Raising
additional capital may cause dilution to our stockholders, restrict our operations or require us to relinquish rights to our technologies
or product candidates.**
Until
such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial revenue, we may finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings,
debt financings, marketing and distribution arrangements and other collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements or
other sources. We do not currently have any committed external source of funds. In addition, we may seek additional capital due to favorable
market conditions or strategic considerations, to fund our current or future operating plans.
To
the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, your ownership interest will be
diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a common
stockholder. Debt financing and preferred equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting
our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If we raise
additional funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or marketing, distribution or licensing arrangements with third parties,
we may be required to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, intellectual property, future revenue streams or product candidates
or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings
when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate candidate development or future commercialization efforts.
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**We
have a limited operating history and no history of commercializing pharmaceutical products, which may make it difficult to evaluate the
prospects for our future viability.**
We
were incorporated in Delaware and began our operations in August 2018. Our operations to date have been limited to financing and staffing
our company, licensing candidates, conducting preclinical studies, manufacturing clinical supply, and preparing for and executing clinical
studies of ateganosine. We have not yet demonstrated the ability to successfully complete a large-scale, pivotal clinical trial, obtain
marketing approval, manufacture a commercial scale product, arrange for a third party to do so on our behalf, or conduct sales and marketing
activities necessary for successful product commercialization. Consequently, predictions about our future success or viability may not
be as accurate as they could be if we had a history of successfully developing and commercializing pharmaceutical products.
In
addition, as a business with a limited operating history, we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and
other known and unknown factors. We will eventually need to transition from a company with a research focus to a company capable of supporting
commercial activities. We may not be successful in such a transition and, as a result, our business may be adversely affected.
As
we continue to build our business, we expect our financial condition and operating results may fluctuate significantly from quarter to
quarter and year to year due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, you should not rely upon the
results of any particular quarterly or annual period as indications of future operating performance.
**Risks
Related to Development, Clinical Trials, Manufacturing and Regulatory Approval**
**We
are heavily dependent on the success of ateganosine, our most advanced candidate, which is still under clinical development, and if this
drug does not receive regulatory approval or is not successfully commercialized, our business may be harmed.**
We
do not have any products that have gained regulatory approval. Currently, our lead clinical stage candidate is ateganosine. As a result,
our business is dependent on our ability to successfully complete clinical development of, obtain regulatory approval for, and, if approved,
successfully commercialize ateganosine in a timely manner. We cannot commercialize ateganosine in the United States without first obtaining
regulatory approval from the FDA; similarly, we cannot commercialize ateganosine outside of the United States without obtaining regulatory
approval from comparable foreign regulatory authorities. Before obtaining regulatory approvals for the commercial sale of ateganosine
for a target indication, we must demonstrate with substantial evidence gathered in preclinical studies and clinical trials, generally
including two adequate and well-controlled clinical trials, and, with respect to approval in the United States, to the satisfaction of
the FDA, that ateganosine is safe and effective for use for that target indication and that the manufacturing facilities, processes and
controls are adequate. Even if we were to successfully obtain approval of ateganosine from the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory
authorities, any approval might contain significant limitations related to use restrictions for specified age groups, warnings, precautions
or contraindications, or may be subject to burdensome post-approval study or risk management requirements. If we are unable to obtain
regulatory approval for ateganosine in one or more jurisdictions, or any approval contains significant limitations, we may not be able
to obtain sufficient funding or generate sufficient revenue to continue the development of any other candidate that we may in-license,
develop or acquire in the future. Furthermore, even if we obtain regulatory approval for ateganosine, we will still need to develop a
commercial organization, establish commercially viable pricing and obtain approval for adequate reimbursement from third-party and government
payors. If we are unable to successfully commercialize ateganosine, we may not be able to earn sufficient revenue to continue our business.
**Pandemics,
such as COVID-19, may adversely impact our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows and that of
our clients.**
The
COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to control its spread had an impact on our operations. For example, one of our initial clinical studies
is taking place in Australia, which previously imposed one of the strictest COVID-19-related measures, including lock-downs, and may
do so again in the future. Pandemics, such as COVID-19, may have a material economic effect on our business because our research and
development may be affected as a result of delays in study monitoring and data analysis; some participants and clinical investigators
may not be able to comply with clinical trial protocols; any quarantines or other travel limitations (whether voluntary or required)
may impede participant movement, affect sponsor access to study sites, or interrupt healthcare services, resulting in our inability to
conduct our research activities, including our clinical trials; and infections and deaths related to a pandemic may disrupt the United
States healthcare and healthcare regulatory systems which could divert healthcare resources away from, or materially delay FDA
review and/or approval of our product candidates. While the potential economic impact brought by such pandemics may be difficult to assess
or predict, it has caused, and may result in further significant disruption of global financial markets, which may reduce our ability
to access capital either at all or on favorable terms. In addition, a recession, depression or other sustained adverse market event resulting
from a health pandemic could materially and adversely affect our business and the value of our common stock.
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The
spread of an infectious disease, including COVID-19, may also result in the inability of our suppliers to deliver components or raw materials
on a timely basis or materially and adversely affect our collaborators and out-license partners ability to perform preclinical
studies and clinical trials. In addition, hospitals may reduce staffing and reduce or postpone certain treatments in response to the
spread of an infectious disease. Such events may result in a period of business and manufacturing disruption, and in reduced operations,
any of which could materially affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The extent to which the coronavirus
impacts our business will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information
which may emerge concerning the severity of the coronavirus and the actions to contain the coronavirus or treat its impact, among others.
**Clinical
trials are expensive, time-consuming and difficult to design and implement, and involve an uncertain outcome.**
Clinical
testing is expensive and can take many years to complete, and its outcome is inherently uncertain. Failure can occur at any time during
the clinical trial process. Because the results of preclinical studies and early clinical trials are not necessarily predictive of future
results, ateganosine and our other compounds may not have favorable results in later preclinical and clinical studies or receive regulatory
approval. We may experience delays in initiating and completing any clinical trials that we intend to conduct, and we do not know whether
planned clinical trials will begin on time, need to be redesigned, enroll patients on time or be completed on schedule, or at all. Clinical
trials can be delayed for a variety of reasons, including delays related to
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the
FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities disagreeing as to the design or implementation of our clinical studies; | |
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obtaining
regulatory approval to commence and continue to conduct a trial; | |
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reaching
an agreement on acceptable terms with prospective contract research organizations, or CROs, and clinical trial sites, the terms of
which can be subject to extensive negotiation and may vary significantly among different CROs and trial sites; | |
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obtaining
Institutional Review Board, or IRB, approval at each site, or Independent Ethics Committee, or IEC, approval at sites outside the
United States; | |
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recruiting
suitable patients to participate in a trial in a timely manner and in sufficient numbers; | |
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having
patients complete a trial or return for post-treatment follow-up; | |
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imposition
of a clinical hold by regulatory authorities, or IRBs, including as a result of unforeseen safety issues or side effects or failure
of trial sites to adhere to regulatory requirements or follow trial protocols; | |
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clinical
sites deviating from trial protocol, failing to adequately enroll study subjects, committing fraud or other violations of regulatory
requirements, or dropping out of a trial, which can render data from that site unusable in support of regulatory approval; | |
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addressing
patient safety concerns that arise during the course of a trial; | |
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adding
a sufficient number of clinical trial sites; or | |
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manufacturing
sufficient quantities of ateganosine for use in clinical trials. | |
We
could also encounter delays if a clinical trial is suspended or terminated by us, the IRBs or IECs of the institutions in which such
trials are being conducted, the Data Safety Monitoring Board, or DSMB, for such trial or the FDA or other regulatory authorities. Such
authorities may impose such a suspension or termination due to a number of factors, including failure to conduct the clinical trial in
accordance with regulatory requirements or our clinical protocols, inspection of the clinical trial operations or trial site by the FDA
or other regulatory authorities resulting in the imposition of a clinical hold, unforeseen safety issues or adverse side effects, failure
to demonstrate a benefit from using a drug, changes in governmental regulations or administrative actions or lack of adequate funding
to continue the clinical trial. Furthermore, we rely on CROs and clinical trial sites to ensure the proper and timely conduct of our
clinical trials and, while we have agreements governing their committed activities, we have limited influence over their actual performance,
as described in Risks Related to Our Dependence on Third Parties.
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Treatment
of cancer patients with our oncology product candidates may be used in combination with other cancer drugs, such as other immuno-oncology
agents, monoclonal antibodies or other protein-based drugs or small molecule anti-cancer agent such as targeted agents or chemotherapy,
which can cause side effects or adverse events that are unrelated to our product candidate but may still impact the success of our clinical
trials. Additionally, our product candidates could potentially cause adverse events. The inclusion of critically ill patients in our
clinical trials may result in deaths or other adverse medical events due to other therapies or medications that such patients may be
using. As described above, any of these events could prevent us from obtaining regulatory approval or achieving or maintaining market
acceptance of our product candidates and impair our ability to commercialize our products. Because all of our product candidates are
derived from our platform technologies, a clinical failure of one of our product candidates may also increase the actual or perceived
likelihood that our other product candidates will experience similar failures.
Of
the large number of products in development, only a small percentage successfully complete the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities
approval processes and are commercialized. The lengthy approval process as well as the unpredictability of future clinical trial results
may result in our failing to obtain regulatory approval to market our product candidates, which would significantly harm our business,
financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Even
if we eventually complete clinical testing and receive approval of a biologics license application (BLA) or foreign marketing application
for our product candidates, the FDA or the comparable foreign regulatory authorities may grant approval contingent on the performance
of costly additional clinical trials, including post-market clinical trials. The FDA or the comparable foreign regulatory authorities
also may approve a product candidate for a more limited indication or patient population than we originally request, and the FDA or comparable
foreign regulatory authorities may not approve the labeling that we believe is necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization
of a product candidate. Any delay in obtaining, or inability to obtain, applicable regulatory approval would delay or prevent commercialization
of that product candidate and would adversely impact our business and prospects.
In
addition, the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may change their policies, adopt additional regulations or revise existing
regulations or take other actions, which may prevent or delay approval of our future product candidates under development on a timely
basis. Such policy or regulatory changes could impose additional requirements upon us that could delay our ability to obtain approvals,
increase the costs of compliance or restrict our ability to maintain any marketing authorizations we may have obtained.
**Our
product candidates are based on novel technologies, which make it difficult to predict the timing, results and cost of product candidate
development and likelihood of obtaining regulatory approval.**
We
have not yet succeeded and may not succeed in demonstrating efficacy and safety for any product candidates in clinical trials or in obtaining
marketing approval thereafter and use of our platform technologies may not ever result in marketable products. We may also experience
delays in developing a sustainable, reproducible, and scalable manufacturing process or transferring that process to commercial partners
or establishing our own commercial manufacturing capabilities, which may prevent us from completing our clinical trials or commercializing
any products on a timely or profitable basis, if at all.
**Serious
adverse events, undesirable side effects or other unexpected properties of our product candidates may be identified during development
or after approval, which could lead to the discontinuation of our clinical development programs, refusal by regulatory authorities to
approve our product candidates or, if discovered following marketing approval, revocation of marketing authorizations or limitations
on the use of our product candidates thereby limiting the commercial potential of such product candidate.**
As
we develop our product candidates and initiate clinical trials of our additional product candidates, serious adverse events, or SAEs,
undesirable side effects, relapse of disease or unexpected characteristics may emerge causing us to abandon these product candidates
or limit their development to more narrow uses or subpopulations in which the SAEs or undesirable side effects or other characteristics
are less prevalent, less severe or more acceptable from a risk-benefit perspective or in which efficacy is more pronounced or durable.
Should we observe SAEs in our clinical trials or identify other undesirable side effects or other unexpected findings depending on their
severity, our trials could be delayed or even stopped and our development programs may be halted entirely.
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Even
if our product candidates initially show promise in early clinical trials, the side effects of biological products are frequently only
detectable after they are tested in larger, longer and more extensive clinical trials or, in some cases, after they are made available
to patients on a commercial scale after approval. Sometimes, it can be difficult to determine if the serious adverse or unexpected side
effects were caused by the product candidate or another factor, especially in oncology subjects who may suffer from other medical conditions
and be taking other medications. If serious adverse or unexpected side effects are identified during development or after approval and
are determined to be attributed to our product candidate, we may be required to develop a REMS to ensure that the benefits of treatment
with such product candidate outweigh the risks for each potential patient, which may include, among other things, a communication plan
to health care practitioners, patient education, extensive patient monitoring or distribution systems and processes that are highly controlled,
restrictive and more costly than what is typical for the industry. Product-related side effects could also result in potential product
liability claims. Any of these occurrences may harm our business, financial condition and prospects significantly.
In
addition, if one or more of our product candidates receives marketing approval, and we or others later identify undesirable side effects
or ADA caused by such products, a number of potentially significant negative consequences could result, including:
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regulatory
authorities may suspend, withdraw or limit approvals of such product, or seek an injunction against its manufacture or distribution; | |
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regulatory
authorities may require additional warnings on the label, including boxed warnings, or issue safety alerts, Dear Healthcare
Provider letters, press releases or other communications containing warnings or other safety information about the product; | |
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we
may be required to create a medication guide outlining the risks of such side effects for distribution to patients; | |
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we
may be required to change the way a product is administered or conduct additional clinical trials; | |
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the
product may become less competitive, and our reputation may suffer; | |
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we
may decide to remove the product from the marketplace; and | |
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we
may be subject to fines, injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties. | |
**Interim,
topline and preliminary data from our clinical trials may change as more patient data become available and are subject to audit and verification
procedures that could result in material changes in the final data.**
From
time to time, we may publicly disclose preliminary, interim or topline data from our preclinical studies and clinical trials, which is
based on a preliminary analysis of then-available data, and the results and related findings and conclusions are subject to change as
patient enrollment and treatment continues and more patient data become available. Adverse differences between previous preliminary or
interim data and future interim or final data could significantly harm our business prospects. We may also announce topline data following
the completion of a preclinical study or clinical trial, which may be subject to change following a more comprehensive review of the
data related to the particular study or trial. We also make assumptions, estimations, calculations and conclusions as part of our analyses
of data, and we may not have received or had the opportunity to fully and carefully evaluate all data. As a result, the interim, topline
or preliminary results that we report may differ from future results of the same studies, or different conclusions or considerations
may qualify such results, once additional data have been received and fully evaluated. Topline data also remain subject to audit and
verification procedures that may result in the final data being materially different from the preliminary data we previously published.
As a result, interim, topline and preliminary data should be viewed with caution until the final data are available.
Further,
others, including regulatory agencies, may not accept or agree with our assumptions, estimates, calculations, conclusions or analyses
or may interpret or weigh the importance of data differently, which could impact the value of the particular program, the approvability
or commercialization of the particular product candidate or product and our company in general. In addition, the information we choose
to publicly disclose regarding a particular study or clinical trial is based on what is typically extensive information, and you or others
may not agree with what we determine to be material or otherwise appropriate information to include in our disclosure, and any information
we determine not to disclose may ultimately be deemed significant with respect to future decisions, conclusions, views, activities or
otherwise regarding a particular product candidate or our business. If the interim, topline, or preliminary data that we report differ
from actual results, or if others, including regulatory authorities, disagree with the conclusions reached, our ability to obtain approval
for and commercialize our product candidates, our business, operating results, prospects or financial condition may be harmed.
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**Disruptions
at the FDA and other government agencies caused by funding shortages or global health concerns could hinder their ability to hire, retain
or deploy key leadership and other personnel, or otherwise prevent new or modified products from being developed, or approved or commercialized
in a timely manner or at all, which could negatively impact our business.**
The
ability of the FDA to review and approve new products can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding
levels, statutory, regulatory, and policy changes, the FDAs ability to hire and retain key personnel and accept the payment of
user fees, and other events that may otherwise affect the FDAs ability to perform routine functions. Average review times at the
agency have fluctuated in recent years as a result. In addition, government funding of other government agencies that fund research and
development activities is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable. Disruptions at the FDA and other
agencies may also slow the time necessary for new biologics to be reviewed and/or approved by necessary government agencies, which would
adversely affect our business. For example, over the last several years, including for 35 days beginning on December 22, 2018, the U.S.
government has shut down several times and certain regulatory agencies, such as the FDA, have had to furlough critical FDA employees
and stop critical activities.
Separately,
in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, on March 10, 2020 the FDA announced its intention to postpone most foreign inspections of
manufacturing facilities and products, and on March 18, 2020, the FDA announced its intention to temporarily postpone routine surveillance
inspections of domestic manufacturing facilities. Subsequently, on July 10, 2020 the FDA announced its intention to resume certain on-site
inspections of domestic manufacturing facilities subject to a risk-based prioritization system. The FDA intends to use this risk-based
assessment system to identify the categories of regulatory activity that can occur within a given geographic area, ranging from mission
critical inspections to resumption of all regulatory activities. Regulatory authorities outside the United States may adopt similar restrictions
or other policy measures in response to the COVID-19 or similar pandemics. If a prolonged government shutdown occurs, or if global health
concerns continue to prevent the FDA or other regulatory authorities from conducting their regular inspections, reviews, or other regulatory
activities, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA or other regulatory authorities to timely review and process our regulatory
submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
**We
may expend our limited resources to pursue a particular product candidate or indication and fail to capitalize on product candidates
or indications that may be more profitable or for which there is a greater likelihood of success.**
Because
we have limited financial and managerial resources, we must prioritize our research programs and will need to focus our discovery and
development on select product candidates and indications. Correctly prioritizing our research and development activities is particularly
important for us due to the breadth of potential product candidates and indications that we believe could be pursued using our platform
technologies. As a result, we may forego or delay pursuit of opportunities with other product candidates or for other indications that
later prove to have greater commercial potential. Our resource allocation decisions may cause us to fail to capitalize on viable commercial
products or profitable market opportunities. Our spending on current and future research and development programs and product candidates
for specific indications may not yield any commercially viable products. If we do not accurately evaluate the commercial potential or
target market for a particular product candidate, we may also relinquish valuable rights to that product candidate through collaboration,
licensing or other royalty arrangements in cases in which it would have been more advantageous for us to retain sole development and
commercialization rights to such product candidate.
**We
may not be successful in our efforts to identify or discover additional product candidates in the future.**
Our
research programs may initially show promise in identifying potential product candidates, yet fail to yield product candidates for clinical
development for a number of reasons, including:
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our
inability to design such product candidates with the properties that we desire; or | |
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potential
product candidates may, on further study, be shown to have harmful side effects or other characteristics that indicate that they
are unlikely to be products that will receive marketing approval and achieve market acceptance. | |
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Research
programs to identify new product candidates require substantial technical, financial and human resources. If we are unable to identify
suitable additional candidates for preclinical and clinical development, our opportunities to successfully develop and commercialize
therapeutic products will be limited.
**The
regulatory approval processes of the FDA and comparable foreign authorities are lengthy, time consuming, expensive, and inherently unpredictable,
and if we are ultimately unable to obtain regulatory approval for ateganosine or any other candidates, our business will be substantially
harmed.**
The
time required to obtain approval by the FDA and comparable foreign authorities is unpredictable but typically takes many years following
the commencement of clinical trials and depends upon numerous factors, including the substantial discretion of the regulatory authorities.
In addition, approval policies, regulations or the type and amount of clinical data necessary to gain approval may change during the
course of a candidates clinical development and may vary among jurisdictions. We have not obtained regulatory approval for any
product candidate and it is possible that we will never obtain regulatory approval for ateganosine or any other candidates. We are not
permitted to market any of our product candidates in the United States until we receive regulatory approval of a NDA from the FDA. Our
ability to obtain approval by the FDA or other regulatory authorities can be adversely impacted for various reasons including:
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we
may be unable to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities that a candidate is safe
and effective for its proposed indication; | |
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serious
and unexpected drug-related side effects experienced by participants in our clinical trials or by individuals using drugs similar
to our candidates, or other products containing the active ingredient in our candidates; | |
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negative
or ambiguous results from our clinical trials or results that may not meet the level of statistical significance required by the
FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities for approval; | |
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we
may be unable to demonstrate that a candidates clinical and other benefits outweigh its safety risks; | |
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the
FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with our interpretation of data from preclinical studies or clinical
trials; | |
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the
data collected from clinical trials of our development candidates may not be acceptable or sufficient to support the submission of
an NDA or other submission or to obtain regulatory approval in the United States or elsewhere, and we may be required to conduct
additional clinical trials; | |
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the
FDA or comparable foreign authorities may disagree regarding the formulation, labeling and/or the specifications of our candidates; | |
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the
FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may fail to approve or find deficiencies with the manufacturing processes or facilities
of third-party manufacturers with which we contract for clinical and commercial supplies; | |
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the
FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may inspect and find deficiencies at the clinical trial sites we use to conduct
our clinical studies; and | |
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the
approval policies or regulations of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may significantly change in a manner rendering
our clinical data insufficient for approval. | |
Prior
to obtaining approval to commercialize a candidate in the United States or abroad, we must demonstrate with substantial evidence from
well-controlled clinical trials, and to the satisfaction of the FDA or foreign regulatory agencies, that such candidates are safe and
effective for their intended uses. Results from preclinical studies and clinical trials can be interpreted in different ways. Even if
we believe the preclinical or clinical data for our candidates are promising, such data may not be sufficient to support approval by
the FDA and other regulatory authorities. The THIO-101 Phase 2 trial is intended to be a proof-of-concept trial that may be expanded
depending on interim results and includes both primary and secondary endpoints consistent with previously approved medicines. If ateganosine
achieves its intended effects and does not exhibit unacceptable safety risks, we plan to seek filing for accelerated approval of ateganosine
based on positive results of the expanded Phase 2 THIO-101 trial in 2026, followed by full approval based on the results of a single
phase 3 clinical study, as opposed to the traditional approach of conducting two or more phase 3 studies. Even if granted, accelerated
approval status does not guarantee an accelerated review or marketing approval by the FDA. A single-study approach is permissible in
certain circumstances, particularly in oncology, but such circumstances are exceptional and FDA may not agree with that proposed approach,
and thus we may be required to conduct two phase 3 trials.
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The
FDA or any foreign regulatory bodies can delay, limit or deny approval of our candidates or require us to conduct additional preclinical
or clinical testing or abandon a program for many reasons, including:
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the
FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with the adequacy of the design or implementation of our clinical trials; | |
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the
FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with our safety interpretation of our drug; | |
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the
FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with our efficacy interpretation of our drug; or | |
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the
FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may regard our CMC package as inadequate, and more particularly: | |
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if
our NDA does not include adequate tests by all methods reasonably applicable to show whether or not such drug is safe for use under
the conditions prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the proposed labeling thereof; | |
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if
the results of such tests show that such drug is unsafe for use under such conditions or do not show that such drug is safe for use
under such conditions; | |
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if
the methods used in, and the facilities and controls used for, the manufacture, processing, and packing of such drug are inadequate
to preserve its identity, strength, quality, and purity; | |
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if
the FDA determines that it has insufficient information to determine whether such drug is safe for use under such conditions; | |
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if
based on information we submit and any other information before the FDA, the FDA determines there is a lack of substantial evidence
that the drug will have the effect it purports or is represented to have under the conditions of use prescribed, recommended, or
suggested in the proposed labeling thereof; or | |
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if
the FDA determines that our labeling is false or misleading in any particular way. | |
Of
the large number of drugs that enter clinical development, only a small percentage successfully complete the regulatory approval processes
and are approved and commercialized. This lengthy approval process, as well as the unpredictability of future clinical trial results,
may result in our failing to obtain regulatory approval to market ateganosine or any other candidates, which would significantly harm
our business, results of operations and prospects.
In
addition, the FDA or an applicable foreign regulatory agency also may approve a product candidate for a more limited indication or patient
population than we originally requested, the FDA or foreign regulatory agency may approve a product candidate with a label that does
not include the labeling claims necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization of that product candidate, or may require
warnings, other safety-related labeling information, or impose post-market safety requirements, including distribution restrictions,
that negatively impact the commercial potential of the drug. Any of the foregoing scenarios could materially harm the commercial prospects
for our product candidates.
**Enrollment
and retention of patients in clinical trials is an expensive and time-consuming process and could be made more difficult or rendered
impossible by multiple factors outside our control.**
The
timely completion of clinical trials in accordance with their protocols depends, among other things, on our ability to enroll a sufficient
number of patients who remain in the study until its conclusion. We may encounter delays in enrolling, or be unable to enroll, a sufficient
number of patients to complete any of our clinical trials, and even once enrolled, we may be unable to retain a sufficient number of
patients to complete any of our trials. Patient enrollment and retention in clinical trials depends on many factors, including:
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the
patient eligibility criteria defined in the protocol; | |
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the
size of the patient population required for analysis of the trials primary endpoints; | |
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the
nature of the trial protocol; | |
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the
existing body of safety and efficacy data with respect to the product candidate; | |
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the
proximity of patients to clinical sites; | |
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our
ability to recruit clinical trial investigators with the appropriate competencies and experience; | |
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clinicians
and patients perceptions as to the potential advantages of the product candidate being studied in relation to other available
therapies, including any new drugs that may be approved for the indications we are investigating; | |
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competing
clinical trials being conducted by other companies or institutions; | |
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our
ability to maintain patient consents; and | |
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the
risk that patients enrolled in clinical trials will drop out of the trials before completion | |
| 62 | |
**Results
of preclinical studies, early clinical trials or analyses may not be indicative of results obtained in later trials.**
The
results of preclinical studies, early clinical trials or analyses of our product candidates may not be predictive of the results of later-stage
clinical trials. Product candidates in later stages of clinical trials may fail to show the desired safety and efficacy traits despite
having progressed through preclinical studies and initial clinical trials. A number of companies in the biopharmaceutical industry have
suffered significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials due to lack of efficacy or adverse safety profiles, notwithstanding promising
results in earlier trials. In addition, conclusions based on promising data from analyses of clinical results may be shown to be incorrect
when implemented in prospective clinical trials. Even if our clinical trials for ateganosine are completed as planned, we cannot be certain
that their results will support the safety and efficacy sufficient to obtain regulatory approval.
Serious
adverse events or undesirable side effects caused by ateganosine or any other candidates could cause us or regulatory authorities to
interrupt, delay or halt clinical trials and could result in a more restrictive label or the delay or denial of regulatory approval by
the FDA or other comparable foreign authorities. Results of any clinical trial we conduct could reveal a high and unacceptable severity
and prevalence of side effects or unexpected characteristics. ateganosine has been previously evaluated in at least 19 clinical studies
both as monotherapy and in combination with other therapies in multiple solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. A classic treatment
strategy was used where patients were treated to maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Dose-limiting reversible toxicities were mainly hematologic
(leukopenia, thrombocytopenia), gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting) and generalized skin rashes; increases in blood urea nitrogen, creatinine,
aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and bilirubin were also recorded (Douglass, 1979; Gagliano, 1981; Higgins, 1985). The
available data provides substantial information on the safety profile of ateganosine in over 600 subjects (adult and pediatric) at doses
significantly higher than those intended for investigation in the current program.
If
unacceptable side effects arise in the development of our candidates, we, the FDA or the IRBs at the institutions in which our studies
are conducted, or the DSMB, if constituted for our clinical trials, could recommend a suspension or termination of our clinical trials,
or the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities could order us to cease further development of or deny approval of a product
candidate for any or all targeted indications. In addition, drug-related side effects could affect patient recruitment or the ability
of enrolled patients to complete a trial or result in potential product liability claims. In addition, these side effects may not be
appropriately recognized or managed by the treating medical staff. We expect to have to train medical personnel using our development
candidates to understand the side effect profiles for our clinical trials and upon any commercialization of any of our product candidates.
Inadequate training in recognizing or managing the potential side effects of our product candidates could result in patient injury or
death. Any of these occurrences may harm our business, financial condition and prospects significantly.
Additionally,
if one or more of our product candidates receives marketing approval, and we or others later identify undesirable side effects caused
by such products, a number of potentially significant negative consequences could result, including:
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regulatory
authorities may withdraw approvals of such product; | |
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regulatory
authorities may require additional warnings on the label, such as a black box warning or contraindication; | |
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additional
restrictions may be imposed on the marketing of the particular product or the manufacturing processes for the product or any component
thereof; | |
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we
may be required to implement a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, or REMS, or create a medication guide outlining the risks
of such side effects for distribution to patients; | |
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we
could be sued and held liable for harm caused to patients; | |
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the
product may become less competitive; and | |
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our
reputation may suffer. | |
Any
of these events could prevent us from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of a product candidate, if approved, and could significantly
harm our business, results of operations and prospects.
| 63 | |
**The
market opportunities for ateganosine, if approved, may be smaller than we anticipate.**
We
expect to initially seek approval for ateganosine for use as a priming treatment in combination with the immune check-point inhibitor
cemiplimab in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the United States. Our estimates of market potential have been derived
from a variety of sources, including scientific literature, patient foundations and primary and secondary market research, and may prove
to be incorrect. Even if we obtain significant market share for any product candidate, if approved, if the potential target populations
are small, we may never achieve profitability without obtaining marketing approval for additional indications.
**We
have never obtained marketing approval for a development candidate and we may be unable to obtain, or may be delayed in obtaining, marketing
approval for any of our development candidates.**
We
have never obtained marketing approval for a product candidate. It is possible that the FDA may refuse to accept for substantive review
any NDAs that we submit for our development candidates or may conclude after review of our data that our application is insufficient
to obtain marketing approval of our development candidates. If the FDA does not accept or approve our NDAs for our development candidates,
it may require that we conduct additional clinical, preclinical or manufacturing validation studies and submit that data before it will
reconsider our applications. Depending on the extent of these or any other FDA-required studies, approval of any NDA that we submit may
be delayed or may require us to expend more resources than we have available. It is also possible that additional studies, if performed
and completed, may not be considered sufficient by the FDA to approve our NDAs.
Any
delay in obtaining, or an inability to obtain, marketing approvals would prevent us from commercializing our development candidates,
generating revenues and achieving and sustaining profitability. If any of these outcomes occur, we may be forced to abandon our development
efforts for our product candidates, which could significantly harm our business.
**Development
of ateganosine could take longer, be more expensive, or become impractical if the FDA requires the use of an FDA-approved companion diagnostic
test in conjunction with treatment with ateganosine.**
Ateganosine
is active in cells that are telomerase positive (TERT+). The status of a tumor as being TERT+ can only be established by use of an in
vitro test of the tumor cells. While experimental versions of such tests currently exist, none to date have received FDA approval. Under
current FDA Guidances, for drugs and therapeutic biologics where the use of a specific diagnostic test is essential for the safe and
effective use of the therapeutic product, such as when the use of a product is limited to a specific patient subpopulation that can be
identified by using the test, the FDA generally will not approve the therapeutic product if a relevant companion diagnostic
test is not also approved or cleared for the appropriate indication. As stated in its Guidances, the FDA may decide that it is appropriate
to approve such a therapeutic product without an approved or cleared in vitro companion diagnostic device when the drug or therapeutic
biologic is intended to treat a serious or life-threatening condition for which no satisfactory alternative treatment exists and the
FDA determines that the benefits from the use of a product with an unapproved or uncleared in vitro companion diagnostic device are so
pronounced as to outweigh the risks from the lack of an approved or cleared in vitro companion diagnostic device. Although the vast majority
of cancers are TERT+, the FDA may determine that ateganosine can only be approved (if at all) for patients whose cancer has been confirmed
to be TERT+ through use of an FDA-approved companion diagnostic. If the FDA were to take such a position, the development and potential
approval and commercialization of ateganosine would take longer, be more expensive, and could become impractical.
**Even
if we obtain FDA approval for ateganosine or any other candidates in the United States, we may never obtain approval for or commercialize
ateganosine or any other development candidate in any other jurisdiction, which would limit our ability to realize their full global
market potential.**
In
order to market any products in any particular jurisdiction, we must establish and comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements
on a country-by-country basis regarding safety and efficacy. Approval by the FDA in the United States does not ensure approval by regulatory
authorities in other countries or jurisdictions. However, the failure to obtain approval in one jurisdiction may negatively impact our
ability to obtain approval elsewhere. In addition, clinical trials conducted in one country may not be accepted by regulatory authorities
in other countries, and regulatory approval in one country does not guarantee regulatory approval in any other country.
| 64 | |
Approval
processes vary among countries and can involve additional product testing and validation and additional administrative review periods.
Seeking foreign regulatory approval could result in difficulties and increased costs for us and require additional preclinical studies
or clinical trials which could be costly and time consuming. Regulatory requirements can vary widely from country to country and could
delay or prevent the introduction of our products in those countries. We do not have any product candidates approved for sale in any
jurisdiction, including in international markets, and we do not have experience in obtaining regulatory approval in international markets.
If we fail to comply with regulatory requirements in international markets or to obtain and maintain required approvals, or if regulatory
approvals in international markets are delayed, our target market will be reduced and our ability to realize the full market potential
of any product we develop will be unrealized.
**Even
if we obtain regulatory approval for ateganosine or any development candidate, we will still face extensive and ongoing regulatory requirements
and obligations and any development candidates, if approved, may face future development and regulatory difficulties.**
Any
candidate for which we obtain marketing approval, along with the manufacturing processes, post-approval clinical data, labeling, packaging,
distribution, adverse event reporting, storage, recordkeeping, export, import, advertising and promotional activities for such product,
among other things, will be subject to extensive and ongoing requirements of and review by the FDA and other regulatory authorities.
These requirements include submissions of safety and other post-marketing information and reports, establishment registration and drug
listing requirements, continued compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practice, or cGMP, requirements relating to manufacturing,
quality control, quality assurance and corresponding maintenance of records and documents, requirements regarding the distribution of
samples to physicians and recordkeeping and Good Clinical Practice, or GCP, requirements for any clinical trials that we conduct post-approval.
Even
if marketing approval of a product candidate is granted, the approval may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which the
product candidate may be marketed or to the conditions of approval, including a requirement to implement a REMS. If any of our product
candidates receive marketing approval, the accompanying label may limit the approved indicated use of the product candidate, which could
limit sales of the product candidate. The FDA may also impose requirements for costly post-marketing studies or clinical trials and surveillance
to monitor the safety or efficacy of a product. The FDA closely regulates the post-approval marketing and promotion of drugs to ensure
drugs are marketed only for the approved indications and in accordance with the provisions of the approved labeling. The FDA imposes
stringent restrictions on manufacturers communications regarding off-label use, and if we market our products for uses beyond
their approved indications, we may be subject to enforcement action for off-label marketing. Violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act, or FDCA, relating to the promotion of prescription drugs may lead to FDA enforcement actions and investigations alleging
violations of federal and state healthcare fraud and abuse laws, as well as state consumer protection laws.
In
addition, later discovery of previously unknown adverse events or other problems with our products, manufacturers or manufacturing processes
or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may yield various results, including
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restrictions
on manufacturing such products; | |
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restrictions
on the labeling or marketing of products; | |
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restrictions
on product distribution or use; | |
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requirements
to conduct post-marketing studies or clinical trials; | |
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warning
letters or untitled letters; | |
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withdrawal
of the products from the market; | |
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refusal
to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications that we submit; | |
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recall
of products; | |
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fines,
restitution or disgorgement of profits or revenues; | |
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suspension
or withdrawal of marketing approvals; | |
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refusal
to permit the import or export of our products; | |
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product
seizure; and | |
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injunctions
or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties. | |
| 65 | |
Further,
the FDAs policies may change, and additional government regulations may be enacted that could prevent, limit or delay regulatory
approval of our product candidates. If we are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements
or policies, or if we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we may lose any marketing approval that we may have obtained, which
would adversely affect our business, prospects and ability to achieve or sustain profitability. We also cannot predict the likelihood,
nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative or executive action, either in the
United States or abroad.
**We
may seek a Breakthrough Therapy designation for ateganosine from the FDA. However, we might not seek such designation or be granted the
designation by the FDA if sought, and even if we are granted the designation, it may not lead to a faster development or regulatory review
or approval process.**
We
may seek a Breakthrough Therapy designation for ateganosine or one or more of our other candidates. Breakthrough Therapy designation
is a process designed to expedite the development and review of drugs that are intended to treat a serious condition and preliminary
clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapy on a clinically significant
endpoint(s). For purposes of Breakthrough Therapy designation, clinically significant endpoint generally refers to an endpoint that measures
an effect on irreversible morbidity or mortality (IMM) or on symptoms that represent serious consequences of the disease. A clinically
significant endpoint can also refer to findings that suggest an effect on IMM or serious symptoms. For drugs that have been designated
as breakthrough therapies, interaction and communication between the FDA and the sponsor of the trial can help to identify the most efficient
path for clinical development while minimizing the number of patients placed in ineffective control regimens. Drugs designated as breakthrough
therapies by the FDA may also be eligible for fast track designation (under a separate request), priority review, or accelerated approval,
if supported by clinical data at the time the NDA is submitted to the FDA. FDA encourages a Breakthrough Therapy designation request
to be submitted, and received by FDA, no later than the end-of-phase-2 meetings. Even if granted, accelerated approval status does not
guarantee an accelerated review or marketing approval by the FDA.
Designation
as a Breakthrough Therapy is within the discretion of the FDA both at the time of the submission of such a request, and during FDAs
review of the drug and supporting data. Even if we believe that one of our candidates meets the criteria for designation as a Breakthrough
Therapy, the FDA may disagree and instead determine not to make such designation or may grant such a designation and subsequently rescind
the designation prior to approval. Even if we receive and maintain Breakthrough Therapy designation, the receipt of such designation
for a product candidate may not result in a faster development or regulatory review or approval process compared to drugs considered
for approval under conventional FDA procedures and does not assure ultimate approval by the FDA. In addition, even if one or more of
our product candidates qualify as breakthrough therapies, the FDA may later decide that the product candidates no longer meet the conditions
for qualification or decide that the time period for FDA review or approval will not be shortened. Potential product liability lawsuits
against us could cause us to incur substantial liabilities and limit commercialization of any products that we may develop.
The
use of ateganosine or any other candidates we may develop in clinical trials 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 patients, healthcare
providers, pharmaceutical companies or others selling or otherwise coming into contact with our products. On occasion, large judgments
have been awarded in class action lawsuits based on drugs that had unanticipated adverse effects. If we cannot successfully defend against
product liability claims, we could incur substantial liability and costs. In addition, regardless of merit or eventual outcome, product
liability claims may result in:
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impairment
of our business reputation and significant negative media attention; | |
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withdrawal
of participants from our clinical trials; | |
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significant
costs to defend the litigation; | |
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distraction
of managements attention from our primary business; | |
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substantial
monetary awards to patients or other claimants; | |
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inability
to commercialize ateganosine or any other product candidate; | |
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product
recalls, withdrawals or labeling, marketing or promotional restrictions; | |
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decreased
market demand for any product; and | |
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loss
of revenue. | |
| 66 | |
The
product liability insurance coverage we plan to acquire in the future may not be sufficient to reimburse us for any expenses or losses
we may suffer. We intend to acquire insurance coverage to include larger clinical studies, different countries and the potential sale
of commercial products; however, we may be unable to obtain product liability insurance on commercially reasonable terms or in adequate
amounts. A successful product liability claim, or series of claims, brought against us could cause our share price to decline and, if
judgments exceed our insurance coverage, could adversely affect the results of our operations and business, including preventing or limiting
the commercialization of any product candidates we develop.
**Risks
Related to Commercialization**
**We
face significant competition from other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and our operating results will suffer if we fail to
compete effectively.**
The
biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical industries are highly competitive and subject to significant and rapid technological change. Our
success is highly dependent on our ability to acquire, develop, and obtain marketing approval for new products on a cost-effective basis
and to market them successfully. If ateganosine is approved, we will face intense competition from a variety of businesses, including
large, fully integrated pharmaceutical companies, specialty pharmaceutical companies and biopharmaceutical companies in the United States
and other jurisdictions. These organizations may have significantly greater resources than we do and may conduct similar research; seek
patent protection; and establish collaborative arrangements for research, development, manufacturing and marketing of products that may
compete with us.
Our
competitors may, among other things:
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have
significantly greater name recognition, financial, manufacturing, marketing, drug development, technical, and human resources than
we do, and future mergers and acquisitions in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries may result in even more resources being
concentrated in our competitors; | |
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develop
and commercialize products that are safer, more effective, less expensive, more convenient, or easier to administer, or have fewer
or less severe effects; | |
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obtain
quicker regulatory approval; | |
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implement
more effective approaches to sales and marketing; or | |
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form
more advantageous strategic alliances. | |
Smaller
and other early-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large
and established companies. These third parties compete with us in recruiting and retaining qualified scientific and management personnel;
establishing clinical trial sites and patient registration; and in acquiring technologies complementary to, or necessary for, our programs.
Our commercial opportunity could be reduced or eliminated if our competitors develop and commercialize products that are more effective,
have fewer or less severe side effects, or are more convenient or are less expensive than ateganosine. Our competitors may also obtain
FDA or other regulatory approval for their product candidates more rapidly than we mayobtain approval for ateganosine, which could
result in our competitors establishing or strengthening their market position before we are able to enter the market.
**We
may face early generic competition for ateganosine or our other products.**
Pharmaceutical
companies developing novel products face intense competition from generic drug manufacturers who aggressively seek to challenge patents
and non-patent exclusivities for branded products, and who are able to use much less-onerous product development and FDA approval pathways
for their generic products. The active ingredient of ateganosine was extensively tested as early as the 1970s and we intend to rely in
part on the clinical data previously developed for the drug in support of an NDA for ateganosine. Generic drug applicants and other competitors
may be able to similarly rely upon the prior clinical data in support of efforts to gain approval of competing products using the same
active ingredient as ateganosine. If one or more such competitors complete development and seek and obtain regulatory approval before
we do, our ability to obtain approval of and market ateganosine may be delayed.
| 67 | |
Under
the FDAs generic drug approval processes, described in more detail in the section titled Hatch-Waxman and Generic
Competition, we believe that ateganosine, if approved before any other application for a drug containing the same active
ingredient, may be eligible for a five year regulatory exclusivity period known as new chemical entity, or NCE Exclusivity, which
would delay FDA review and approval of a competing product application that relies in whole or in part upon the FDAs approval
of ateganosine, but such exclusivity is only determined by the FDA after a drug is approved and the FDA may determine that
ateganosine is not eligible for NCE Exclusivity, or that approval of ateganosine must be delayed due to another applicants
relevant exclusivity. A new drug may, upon approval of its initial NDA or approval of supplemental NDAs, qualify for a three year
exclusivity period during which no generic version could be approved for the specific conditions of use covered by such exclusivity.
Three year exclusivity does not prevent FDA approval of another drug with the same active ingredient for a different indication or
other conditions of use not protected by the exclusivity. Even if a competing version of ateganosine was approved with a different
indication or condition of use, physicians would be free to prescribe such drug for uses that are covered by our regulatory
exclusivity, if any.
**The
successful commercialization of ateganosine and any other candidate we develop will depend in part on the extent to which governmental
authorities and health insurers establish adequate coverage, reimbursement levels, and pricing policies. Failure to obtain or maintain
coverage and adequate reimbursement for our candidates, if approved, could limit our ability to market those products and decrease our
ability to generate revenue.**
The
availability and adequacy of coverage and reimbursement by governmental healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, private health
insurers and other third-party payors are essential for most patients to be able to afford prescription medications such as ateganosine,
if approved. Our ability to achieve acceptable levels of coverage and reimbursement for products by governmental authorities, private
health insurers and other organizations will have an effect on our ability to successfully commercialize our drug and any other product
candidates we develop. Assuming we obtain coverage for our product candidates by a third-party payor, the resulting reimbursement payment
rates may not be adequate or may require co-payments that patients find unacceptably high. We cannot be sure that coverage and reimbursement
in the United States or elsewhere will be available for our product candidates or any product that we may develop, and any reimbursement
that may become available may be decreased or eliminated in the future.
There
is significant uncertainty related to the insurance coverage and reimbursement of newly approved products. In the United States, third-party
payors, including private and governmental payors, such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs, play an important role in determining
the extent to which new drugs and biologics will be covered. The Medicare and Medicaid programs increasingly are used as models in the
United States for how private payors and other governmental payors develop their coverage and reimbursement policies for drugs and biologics.
Some third-party payors may require pre-approval of coverage for new or innovative devices or drug therapies before they will reimburse
healthcare providers who use such therapies. It is difficult to predict at this time what third-party payors will decide with respect
to the coverage and reimbursement for our product candidates.
No
uniform policy for coverage and reimbursement for products exists among third-party payors in the United States. Therefore, coverage
and reimbursement 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 will require us to provide scientific and clinical support for the use of our product candidates
to each payor separately, with no assurance that coverage and adequate reimbursement will be applied consistently or obtained in the
first instance. Furthermore, rules and regulations regarding reimbursement change frequently, in some cases at short notice, and we believe
that changes in these rules and regulations are likely.
Third-party
payors increasingly are challenging prices charged for pharmaceutical products and services, and many third-party payors may refuse to
provide coverage and reimbursement for particular drugs or biologics when a comparable alternative drug, an equivalent generic drug,
a biosimilar, or a less expensive therapy is available. It is possible that a third-party payor may consider our product candidates as
alternatives to less expensive drugs and offer to reimburse patients only for the less expensive product. Even if we show improved efficacy
or improved convenience of administration with our product candidates, pricing of existing drugs may limit the amount we will be able
to charge for our product candidates. These payors may deny or revoke the reimbursement status of a given product or establish prices
for new or existing marketed products at levels that are too low to enable us to realize an appropriate return on our investment in our
product candidates. If reimbursement is not available or is available only at limited levels, we may not be able to successfully commercialize
our product candidates and may not be able to obtain a satisfactory financial return on our product candidates.
| 68 | |
We
may also be subject to extensive governmental price controls and other market regulations outside of the United States, and we believe
the increasing emphasis on cost-containment initiatives in other countries have and will continue to put pressure on the pricing and
usage of medical products. In many countries, the prices of medical products are subject to varying price control mechanisms as part
of national health systems. Other countries allow companies to fix their own prices for medical products but monitor and control company
profits.
Additional
foreign price controls or other changes in pricing regulation could restrict the amount that we are able to charge for our product candidates.
Accordingly, in markets outside the United States, the reimbursement for our product candidates may be reduced compared with the United
States and may be insufficient to generate commercially reasonable revenue and profits.
Moreover,
increasing efforts by governmental and third-party payors in the United States to cap or reduce healthcare costs may cause such organizations
to limit both coverage and the level of reimbursement for newly approved products and, as a result, they may not cover or provide adequate
payment for our product candidates. We expect to experience pricing pressures in connection with the sale of our product candidates due
to the trend toward managed health care, the increasing influence of health maintenance organizations and additional legislative changes.
The downward pressure on healthcare costs in general, particularly prescription drugs and biologics and surgical procedures and other
treatments, has become intense. As a result, increasingly high barriers are being erected to the entry of new products.
**Even
if ateganosine or any candidate we develop receives marketing approval, it may fail to achieve market acceptance by physicians, patients,
third-party payors or others in the medical community necessary for commercial success.**
If
ateganosine or any candidate we develop receives marketing approval, it may nonetheless fail to gain sufficient market acceptance by
physicians, patients, third-party payors and others in the medical community. If it does not achieve an adequate level of acceptance,
we may not generate significant product revenues or become profitable. The degree of market acceptance of our product candidates, if
approved, will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to:
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the
efficacy and potential advantages compared to alternative treatments; | |
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effectiveness
of sales and marketing efforts; | |
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the
cost of treatment in relation to alternative treatments, including any similar generic treatments; | |
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our
ability to offer our products for sale at competitive prices; | |
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the
convenience and ease of administration compared to alternative treatments; | |
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the
willingness of the target patient population to try new therapies and of physicians to prescribe these therapies; | |
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the
strength of marketing and distribution support; | |
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the
availability of third-party coverage and adequate reimbursement; | |
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the
prevalence and severity of any side effects; and | |
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any
restrictions on the use of our product together with other medications. | |
Because
we expect sales of our product candidates, if approved, to generate substantially all of our revenues for the foreseeable future, the
failure of our product candidates to find market acceptance would harm our business and could require us to seek additional financing.
**If
we are unable to establish sales, marketing and distribution capabilities either on our own or in collaboration with third parties, we
may not be successful in commercializing ateganosine, if approved.**
We
do not have any infrastructure for the sales, marketing or distribution of ateganosine, or compliance functions related to such activities,
and the cost of establishing and maintaining such an organization may exceed the cost-effectiveness of doing so. In order to market and
successfully commercialize our drug or any product candidate we develop, if approved, we must build our sales, distribution, marketing,
managerial, compliance, and other non-technical capabilities or make arrangements with third parties to perform these services. We expect
to build a focused sales, distribution and marketing infrastructure to market ateganosine, if approved, in the United States, with expected
licenses in other countries and regions, including large markets such as Japan and Europe. There are significant expenses and risks involved
with establishing our own sales, marketing and distribution capabilities, including our ability to hire, retain and appropriately incentivize
qualified individuals, generate sufficient sales leads, provide adequate training to sales and marketing personnel, oversee the compliance
of sales and marketing functions, and effectively manage a geographically dispersed sales and marketing team. Any failure or delay in
the development of our internal sales, marketing, distribution and compliance capabilities could delay any product launch, which would
adversely impact the commercialization of that product. For example, if the commercial launch of ateganosine for which we recruit a sales
force and establish marketing capabilities is delayed or does not occur for any reason, we would have prematurely or unnecessarily incurred
these commercialization expenses. This may be costly, and our investment would be lost if we cannot retain or reposition our sales and
marketing personnel.
| 69 | |
Factors
that may inhibit our efforts to commercialize our product candidates on our own include, but are not limited to:
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our
inability to recruit, train and retain adequate numbers of effective sales and marketing personnel; | |
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the
inability of sales personnel to obtain access to physicians or attain adequate numbers of physicians to prescribe our products; and | |
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unforeseen
costs and expenses associated with creating an independent sales and marketing organization. | |
We
do not anticipate having the resources in the foreseeable future to allocate to the sales and marketing of our product candidates, if
approved, in certain markets overseas. Therefore, our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to enter into and maintain
collaborative relationships for such capabilities, the collaborators strategic interest in a product and such collaborators
ability to successfully market and sell the product. We intend to pursue collaborative arrangements regarding the sale and marketing
of ateganosine, if approved, for certain markets overseas; however, we cannot assure you that we will be able to establish or maintain
such collaborative arrangements, or if able to do so, that they will have effective sales forces. To the extent that we depend on third
parties for marketing and distribution, any revenues we receive will depend upon the efforts of such third parties, and there can be
no assurance that such efforts will be successful.
If
we are unable to build our own sales force or negotiate a collaborative relationship for the commercialization of ateganosine, we may
be forced to delay the potential commercialization of the drug or reduce the scope of our sales or marketing activities. If we need to
increase our expenditures to fund commercialization activities for ateganosine we will need to obtain additional capital, which may not
be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. We may also have to enter into collaborative arrangements for ateganosine at an earlier
stage than otherwise would be ideal and we may be required to relinquish rights to it or otherwise agree to terms unfavorable to us.
Any of these occurrences may have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and prospects.
If
we are unable to establish adequate sales, marketing and distribution capabilities, either on our own or in collaboration with third
parties, we will not be successful in commercializing our product candidates and may never become profitable. We will be competing with
many companies that currently have extensive and well-funded marketing and sales operations. Without an internal team or the support
of a third party to perform marketing and sales functions, we may be unable to compete successfully against these more established companies.
**A
variety of risks associated with operating internationally could materially adversely affect our business.**
In
July 2021, we established a wholly owned Australian subsidiary, MAIA Biotechnology Australia Pty Ltd, to conduct various pre-clinical
and clinical activities for the development of our product candidates and in April 2022, we established a wholly owned Romanian subsidiary,
MAIA Biotechnology Romania S.R.L. to conduct various preclinical and clinical activities for the development of our product candidates.
Additionally, our business strategy includes potentially expanding further internationally if any of our product candidates receive regulatory
approval. Doing business internationally involves a number of risks, including but not limited to:
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multiple,
conflicting and changing laws and regulations, such as privacy regulations, tax laws, export and import restrictions, employment
laws, regulatory requirements and other governmental approvals, permits and licenses; | |
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failure
by us to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for the use of our products in various countries; | |
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additional
potentially relevant third-party patent rights; | |
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complexities
and difficulties in obtaining protection and enforcing our intellectual property; | |
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difficulties
in staffing and managing foreign operations; | |
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complexities
associated with managing multiple payor reimbursement regimes, government payors or patient self-pay systems; | |
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limits
in our ability to penetrate international markets; | |
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financial
risks, such as longer payment cycles, difficulty collecting accounts receivable, the impact of local and regional financial crises
on demand and payment for our products and exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; | |
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natural
disasters, political and economic instability, including wars, terrorism and political unrest, outbreak of disease, boycotts, curtailment
of trade and other business restrictions; | |
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the
expansion of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine; | |
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the
expansion of the Israel and Hamas conflict; | |
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certain
expenses including, among others, expenses for travel, translation and insurance; and | |
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regulatory
and compliance risks that relate to maintaining accurate information and control over sales and activities that may fall within the
purview of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, its books and records provisions, or its anti-bribery provisions. | |
Any
of these factors could significantly harm any future international expansion and operations and, consequently, our results of operations.
**Risks
Related to Our Dependence on Third Parties**
**Our
employees and independent contractors, including principal investigators, clinical trial sites, contract research organizations (CROs),
consultants, vendors, and any third parties we may engage in connection with development and commercialization, may engage in misconduct
or other improper activities, including noncompliance with regulatory standards and requirements, which could have a material adverse
effect on our business.**
Our
employees and independent contractors, including principal investigators, clinical trial sites, consultants, vendors and any third parties
we may engage in connection with development and commercialization of our product candidates, could engage in misconduct, including intentional,
reckless or negligent conduct or unauthorized activities that violate: the laws and regulations of the FDA or other similar regulatory
requirements of other authorities, including those laws that require the reporting of true, complete and accurate information to such
authorities; manufacturing standards; data privacy, security, fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations; or laws that
require the reporting of true, complete and accurate financial information and data. Specifically, sales, marketing and business arrangements
in the healthcare industry are subject to extensive laws and regulations intended to prevent fraud, misconduct, kickbacks, self-dealing
and other abusive practices. These laws and regulations may restrict or prohibit a wide range of pricing, discounting, marketing and
promotion, sales commission, customer incentive programs and other business arrangements. Activities subject to these laws could also
involve the improper use or misrepresentation of information obtained in the course of clinical trials, creation of fraudulent data in
preclinical studies or clinical trials or illegal misappropriation of drug product, which could result in regulatory sanctions and cause
serious harm to our reputation. It is not always possible to identify and deter misconduct by employees and other third parties, and
the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity 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 comply with such laws or
regulations. Additionally, we are subject to the risk that a person or government could allege such fraud or other misconduct, even if
none occurred. 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 and results of operations, including the imposition of significant civil,
criminal and administrative penalties, damages, monetary fines, disgorgements, possible exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid,
other U.S. federal healthcare programs or healthcare programs in other jurisdictions, individual imprisonment, other sanctions, contractual
damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, and curtailment of our operations.
| 71 | |
**We
currently rely on third-party contract manufacturing organizations, or CMOs, for the production of clinical supply of ateganosine and
intend to rely on CMOs for the production of commercial supply of ateganosine, if approved. Our dependence on CMOs may impair the development
and commercialization of the drug, which would adversely impact our business and financial position.**
We
have limited personnel with experience in manufacturing, and we do not own facilities for manufacturing. Instead, we rely on and expect
to continue to rely on CMOs for the supply of cGMP grade clinical trial materials and commercial quantities of ateganosine and any candidates
we develop, if approved. Reliance on CMOs may expose us to more risk than if we were to manufacture our product candidates ourselves.
We intend to have manufactured a sufficient clinical supply of ateganosine drug substance to enable us to complete our clinical trials,
and we have also engaged a CMO to provide clinical and commercial supply of the drug product.
The
facilities used to manufacture our product candidates must be inspected by the FDA and comparable foreign authorities. While we provide
oversight of manufacturing activities, we do not and will not control the execution of manufacturing activities by, and are or will be
essentially dependent on, our CMOs for compliance with cGMP requirements for the manufacture of our product candidates. As a result,
we are subject to the risk that our product candidates may have manufacturing defects that we have limited ability to prevent. If a CMO
cannot successfully manufacture material that conforms to our specifications and the regulatory requirements, we will not be able to
secure or maintain regulatory approval for the use of our product candidates in clinical trials, or for commercial distribution of our
product candidates, if approved. In addition, we have limited control over the ability of our CMOs to maintain adequate quality control,
quality assurance and qualified personnel. If the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authority finds deficiencies with or does not
approve these facilities for the manufacture of our product candidates or if it withdraws any such approval or finds deficiencies in
the future, we may need to find alternative manufacturing facilities, which would delay our development program and significantly impact
our ability to develop, obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize our product candidates, if approved. In addition, any failure
to achieve and maintain compliance with these laws, regulations and standards could subject us to the risk that we may have to suspend
the manufacture of our product candidates or that obtained approvals could be revoked. Furthermore, CMOs may breach existing agreements
they have with us because of factors beyond our control. They may also terminate or refuse to renew their agreement at a time that is
costly or otherwise inconvenient for us. If we were unable to find an adequate CMO or another acceptable solution in time, our clinical
trials could be delayed, or our commercial activities could be harmed.
We
rely on and will continue to rely on CMOs to purchase from third-party suppliers the raw materials necessary to produce our product candidates.
We do not and will not have control over the process or timing of the acquisition of these raw materials by our CMOs. Moreover, we currently
do not have any agreements for the production of these raw materials. Supplies of raw material could be interrupted from time to time
and we cannot be certain that alternative supplies could be obtained within a reasonable timeframe, at an acceptable cost, or at all.
In addition, a disruption in the supply of raw materials could delay the commercial launch of our product candidates, if approved, or
result in a shortage in supply, which would impair our ability to generate revenues from the sale of our product candidates. Growth in
the costs and expenses of raw materials may also impair our ability to cost effectively manufacture our product candidates. There are
a limited number of suppliers for the raw materials that we may use to manufacture our product candidates and we may need to assess alternative
suppliers to prevent a possible disruption of the manufacture of our product candidates.
Finding
new CMOs or third-party suppliers involves additional cost and requires our managements time and focus. In addition, there is
typically a transition period when a new CMO commences work. Although we generally have not, and do not intend to, begin a clinical trial
unless we believe we have on hand, or will be able to obtain, a sufficient supply of our product candidates to complete the clinical
trial, any significant delay in the supply of our product candidates or the raw materials needed to produce our product candidates, could
considerably delay conducting our clinical trials and potential regulatory approval of our product candidates.
As
part of their manufacture of our product candidates, our CMOs and third-party suppliers are expected to comply with and respect the proprietary
rights of others. If a CMO or third-party supplier fails to acquire the proper licenses or otherwise infringes the proprietary rights
of others in the course of providing services to us, we may have to find alternative CMOs or third-party suppliers or defend against
claims of infringement, either of which would significantly impact our ability to develop, obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize
our product candidates, if approved.
| 72 | |
**We
intend to continue to rely on third parties to conduct, supervise and monitor our clinical trials. If those third parties do not successfully
carry out their contractual duties, or if they perform in an unsatisfactory manner, it may harm our business.**
We
rely, and will continue to rely, on CROs, CRO-contracted vendors and clinical trial sites to ensure the proper and timely conduct of
our clinical trials, including our Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials of ateganosine. Our reliance on CROs for clinical development activities
limits our control over these activities, but we remain responsible for ensuring that each of our trials is conducted in accordance with
the applicable protocol and legal, regulatory and scientific standards.
We
and our CROs will be required to comply with the good laboratory practice requirements for our preclinical studies and GCP requirements
for our clinical trials, which are regulations and guidelines enforced by the FDA and are also required by comparable foreign regulatory
authorities. Regulatory authorities enforce GCP requirements through periodic inspections of trial sponsors, principal investigators
and clinical trial sites. If we or our CROs fail to comply with GCP requirements, the clinical data generated in our clinical trials
may be deemed unreliable and the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may require us to perform additional clinical trials
before approving our marketing applications. We cannot assure you that upon inspection by a given regulatory authority, such regulatory
authority will determine that any of our clinical trials comply with GCP requirements. In addition, our clinical trials must be conducted
with product produced under cGMP requirements. Accordingly, if our CROs fail to comply with these requirements, we may be required to
repeat clinical trials, which would delay the regulatory approval process.
Our
CROs are not our employees, and we do not control whether or not they devote sufficient time and resources to our clinical trials. Our
CROs may also have relationships with other commercial entities, including our competitors, for whom they may also be conducting clinical
trials, or other drug development activities, which could harm our competitive position. We face the risk of potential unauthorized disclosure
or misappropriation of our intellectual property by CROs, which may reduce our trade secret protection and allow our potential competitors
to access and exploit our proprietary technology. If our CROs do not successfully carry out their contractual duties or obligations,
fail to meet expected deadlines, or if the quality or accuracy of the clinical data they obtain is compromised due to the failure to
adhere to our clinical protocols or regulatory requirements or for any other reason, our clinical trials may be extended, delayed or
terminated, and we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for, or successfully commercialize any product candidate that we develop.
As a result, our financial results and the commercial prospects for any product candidate that we develop would be harmed, our costs
could increase, and our ability to generate revenue could be delayed.
If
our relationship with any CROs terminate, we may not be able to enter into arrangements with alternative CROs or do so on commercially
reasonable terms. Switching or adding additional CROs involves substantial cost and requires managements time and focus. In addition,
there is a natural transition period when a new CRO commences work. As a result, delays occur, which can materially impact our ability
to meet our desired clinical development timelines. Though we intend to carefully manage our relationships with our CROs, there can be
no assurance that we will not encounter challenges or delays in the future or that these delays or challenges will not have an adverse
impact on our business, financial condition and prospects.
**The
number and type of our collaborations could adversely affect our attractiveness to future collaborators or acquirers and the loss of,
or a disruption in our relationship with, any one or more collaborators could harm our business.**
If
any collaborations do not result in the successful development and commercialization of products or if one of our collaborators terminates
its agreement with us, we may not receive any future research and development funding or milestone or royalty payments under such collaborations.
If we do not receive the funding we expect under these agreements, our continued development of our product candidates could be delayed,
and we may need additional resources to develop additional product candidates. All of the risks relating to product development, regulatory
approval and commercialization described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K also apply to the activities of any collaborators and there
can be no assurance that our collaborations will produce positive results or successful products on a timely basis or at all.
| 73 | |
In
addition, subject to its contractual obligations to us, if one of our collaborators is involved in a business combination or otherwise
changes its business priorities, the collaborator might deemphasize or terminate the development or commercialization of our product
candidates. If a collaborator terminates its agreement with us, we may find it more difficult to attract new collaborators and the perception
of our business and our stock price could be adversely affected.
We
may in the future collaborate with additional pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for development and potential commercialization
of therapeutic products. We face significant competition in seeking appropriate collaborators. Our ability to reach a definitive agreement
for a collaboration will depend, among other things, upon our assessment of the collaborators resources and expertise, the terms
and conditions of the proposed collaboration and the proposed collaborators evaluation of a number of factors. If we are unable
to reach agreements with suitable collaborators on a timely basis, on acceptable terms, or at all, we may have to curtail the development
of a product candidate, reduce or delay its development program or one or more of our other development programs, delay its potential
commercialization or reduce the scope of any sales or marketing activities, or increase our expenditures and undertake development or
commercialization activities at our own expense. If we elect to fund and undertake development or commercialization activities on our
own, we may need to obtain additional expertise and additional capital, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all.
If we fail to enter into collaborations and do not have sufficient funds or expertise to undertake the necessary development and commercialization
activities, we may not be able to further develop our product candidates or bring them to market or continue to develop our programs,
and our business may be materially and adversely affected.
**Risks
Related to Healthcare Laws and Other Legal Compliance Matters**
**Enacted
and future healthcare legislation may increase the difficulty and cost for us to obtain marketing approval of and commercialize our development
candidates, if approved, and may affect the prices we may set.**
In
the United States and other jurisdictions, there have been, and we expect there will continue to be, a number of legislative and regulatory
changes and proposed changes to the healthcare system that could affect our future results of operations. In particular, there have been
and continue to be a number of initiatives at the U.S. federal and state levels that seek to reduce healthcare costs and improve the
quality of healthcare. For example, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation
Act, or collectively the ACA, has substantially changed the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private insurers. Among
the provisions of the ACA, those of greatest importance to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries include the following:
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an
annual, non-deductible fee payable by any entity that manufactures or imports certain branded prescription drugs and biologic agents
(other than those designated as orphan drugs), which is apportioned among these entities according to their market share in certain
government healthcare programs; | |
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a
Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program, in which manufacturers must agree to offer point-of-sale discounts off negotiated
prices of applicable brand drugs to eligible beneficiaries during their coverage gap period, as a condition for the manufacturers
outpatient drugs to be covered under Medicare Part D; | |
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requirements
to report certain financial arrangements with physicians and teaching hospitals, including reporting transfers of value
made or distributed to prescribers and other healthcare providers and reporting investment interests held by physicians and their
immediate family members; | |
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an
increase in the statutory minimum rebates a manufacturer must pay under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program; | |
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a
methodology by which rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program are calculated for drugs and biologics
that are inhaled, infused, instilled, implanted, or injected; | |
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extension
of a manufacturers Medicaid rebate liability to covered drugs dispensed to individuals who are enrolled in Medicaid managed
care organizations; | |
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expansion
of eligibility criteria for Medicaid programs thereby potentially increasing a manufacturers Medicaid rebate liability; | |
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a
new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to oversee, identify priorities in, and conduct comparative clinical effectiveness
research, along with funding for such research; | |
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establishment
of a Center for Medicare Innovation at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, to test innovative payment and service
delivery models to lower Medicare and Medicaid spending, potentially including prescription drug spending; | |
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expansion
of the entities eligible for discounts under the Public Health Service program; and | |
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a
licensure framework for follow on biologic products. | |
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Since
its enactment, there have been judicial and Congressional challenges to certain aspects of the ACA, and we expect there will be additional
challenges and amendments to the ACA in the future. It is uncertain the extent to which any such changes may impact our business or financial
condition.
Other
legislative changes have been proposed and adopted in the United States since the ACA was enacted. For example, the Budget Control Act
of 2011, resulted in aggregate reductions of Medicare payments to providers of 2% per fiscal year. These reductions went into effect
in April 2013 and, due to subsequent legislative amendments to the statute, will remain in effect through 2027 unless additional action
is taken by Congress. In January 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was signed into law, which, among other things, further
reduced Medicare payments to several types of providers, including hospitals, imaging centers and cancer treatment centers, and increased
the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years. Additionally, the
orphan drug tax credit was reduced as part of a broader tax reform. These new laws or any other similar laws introduced in the future
may result in additional reductions in Medicare and other health care funding, which could negatively affect our customers and accordingly,
our financial operations.
In
addition, there has been increasing legislative and enforcement interest in the United States with respect to specialty drug pricing
practices. Specifically, there have been Congressional inquiries and proposed federal and state legislation designed to bring more transparency
to drug pricing, reduce the cost of prescription drugs under Medicare, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient
programs and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for drugs. Moreover, payment methodologies may be subject to changes
in healthcare legislation and regulatory initiatives. We expect that additional U.S. federal healthcare reform measures will be adopted
in the future, any of which could limit the amounts that the U.S. federal government will pay for healthcare products and services, which
could result in reduced demand for our product candidates or additional pricing pressures.
Individual
states in the United States have also become increasingly aggressive in passing legislation and implementing 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. Legally mandated price controls on payment amounts by third-party payors or other restrictions
could harm our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. In addition, regional healthcare authorities and individual
hospitals are increasingly using bidding procedures to determine what pharmaceutical products and which suppliers will be included in
their prescription drug and other healthcare programs. This could reduce the ultimate demand for our product candidates or put pressure
on our product pricing.
In
markets outside of the United States, reimbursement and healthcare payment systems vary significantly by country, and many countries
have instituted price ceilings on specific products and therapies. We cannot predict the likelihood, nature, or extent of government
regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative action in the United States or any other jurisdiction. 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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**Our
business operations and current and future relationships with investigators, healthcare professionals, consultants, third-party payors,
patient organizations, and customers will be subject to applicable healthcare regulatory laws, which could expose us to penalties.**
Our
business operations and current and future arrangements with investigators, healthcare professionals, consultants, third-party payors,
patient organizations, and customers, may expose us to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations.
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 our product candidates, if approved. Such laws include:
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the
U.S. federal Anti-Kickback Statute, which prohibits, among other things, persons or entities from knowingly and willfully soliciting,
offering, receiving, or providing any remuneration (including any kickback, bribe, or certain rebate), directly or indirectly, overtly
or covertly, in cash or in kind, to induce or reward, or in return for, either the referral of an individual for, or the purchase,
lease, order, or recommendation of, any good, facility, item, or service, for which payment may be made, in whole or in part, under
U.S. federal and state healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. A person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge
of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation. The U.S. federal Anti-Kickback Statute has
been interpreted to apply to arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers on the one hand and prescribers, purchasers and formulary
managers on the other hand; | |
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the
U.S. federal false claims and civil monetary penalties laws, including the civil False Claims Act, or FCA, which, among other things,
impose criminal and civil penalties, including through civil whistleblower or qui tam actions, against individuals or entities for
knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, to the U.S. federal government, claims for payment or approval that are false or
fraudulent, knowingly making, using or causing to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent
claim, or from knowingly making a false statement to avoid, decrease or conceal an obligation to pay money to the U.S. federal government.
In addition, the government may assert that a claim including items and services resulting from a violation of the U.S. federal Anti-Kickback
Statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the FCA. A claim includes any request or demand for
money or property presented to the federal government. In addition, 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; | |
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the
U.S. federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, which imposes criminal and civil liability for,
among other things, knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program
or obtain, by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, any of the money or property owned by, or under
the custody or control of, any healthcare benefit program, regardless of the payor (e.g., public or private) and knowingly and willfully
falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false statement, in connection with the delivery of,
or payment for, healthcare benefits, items or services. Similar to the U.S. federal Anti-Kickback Statute, a person or entity does
not need to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation; | |
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HIPAA,
as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009, or HITECH, and their respective implementing
regulations, which impose, among other things, specified requirements relating to the privacy, security and transmission of individually
identifiable health information without appropriate authorization by covered entities subject to the rule, such as health plans,
healthcare clearinghouses and healthcare providers as well as their business associates that perform certain services involving the
use or disclosure of individually identifiable health information. HITECH also 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 the federal HIPAA laws and seek attorneys fees
and costs associated with pursuing federal civil actions; | |
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the
FDCA, which prohibits, among other things, the adulteration or misbranding of drugs, biologics and medical devices; | |
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the
U.S. federal legislation commonly referred to as the Physician Payments Sunshine Act and its implementing regulations, which requires
certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics, and medical supplies that are reimbursable under Medicare, Medicaid, or the Childrens
Health Insurance Program to report annually to the government information related to certain payments and other transfers of value
to physicians and teaching hospitals, as well as ownership and investment interests held by the physicians described above and their
immediate family members; and | |
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analogous
U.S. state laws and regulations, including: state anti-kickback and false claims laws, which may apply to our business practices,
including but not limited to, research, distribution, sales, and marketing arrangements and claims involving healthcare items or
services reimbursed by any third-party payor, including private insurers; state laws that require pharmaceutical companies to comply
with the pharmaceutical industrys voluntary compliance guidelines and the relevant compliance guidance promulgated by the
U.S. federal government, or otherwise restrict payments that may be made to healthcare providers and other potential referral sources;
state laws and regulations that require drug manufacturers to file reports relating to pricing and marketing information, which requires
tracking gifts and other remuneration and items of value provided to healthcare professionals and entities; and state laws governing
the privacy and security of health information in certain circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways
and often are not preempted by HIPAA, thus complicating compliance efforts. | |
Because
of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of the statutory exceptions and regulatory safe harbors available under such laws, it
is possible that some of our business activities, including our consulting agreements and other relationships with physicians and other
healthcare providers, some of whom receive stock or stock options as compensation for their services, could be subject tochallenge
under one or more of such laws. Ensuring that our current and future internal operations and business arrangements with third parties
comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations will involve substantial costs. It is possible that governmental authorities will
conclude that our business practices do not comply with current or future statutes, regulations, agency guidance or case law involving
applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations.
If
our operations are found to be in violation of any of the laws described above or any other governmental laws and regulations that may
apply to us, we may be subject to the imposition of civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, disgorgement, monetary fines,
possible exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs, individual imprisonment, contractual
damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, additional reporting requirements or oversight if we become subject
to a corporate integrity agreement or similar agreement to resolve allegations of non-compliance with these laws, and curtailment or
restructuring of our operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations.
If any of the physicians or other providers or entities with whom we expect to do business are found to not be in compliance with applicable
laws, they may be subject to criminal, civil or administrative sanctions, including exclusions from government funded healthcare programs
and imprisonment, which could affect our ability to operate our business. Further, defending against any such actions can be costly,
time-consuming and may require significant personnel resources. Therefore, even if we are successful in defending against any such actions
that may be brought against us, our business may be impaired.
**Any
clinical trial programs we conduct or research collaborations we enter into in the European Economic Area may subject us to the General
Data Protection Regulation.**
If
we conduct clinical trial programs or enter into research collaborations in the European Economic Area, or EEA, we may be subject to
the General Data Protection regulation, or GDPR. The GDPR applies extraterritorially and implements stringent operational requirements
for processors and controllers of personal data, including, for example, high standards for obtaining consent from individuals to process
their personal data, robust disclosures to individuals, a comprehensive individual data rights regime, data export restrictions governing
transfers of data from the EEA/European Union, or EU, to other jurisdictions, short timelines for data breach notifications, limitations
on retention of information, increased requirements pertaining to health data, other special categories of personal data and coded data
and additional obligations if we contract third-party processors in connection with the processing of personal data. The United Kingdom
has implemented its own version of the GDPR, which contains similar requirements. The GDPR provides that EU member states may establish
their own laws and regulations limiting the processing of personal data, including genetic, biometric or health data, which could limit
our ability to use and share personal data or could cause our costs to increase. If our or our partners or service providers
privacy or data security measures fail to comply with the GDPR requirements, we may be subject to litigation, regulatory investigations,
enforcement notices requiring us to change the way we use personal data and/or fines of up to 20 million Euros or up to 4% of the total
worldwide annual turnover of the preceding financial year, whichever is higher, as well as compensation claims by affected individuals,
negative publicity, reputational harm and a potential loss of business and goodwill.
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**We
are subject to environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, and we may become exposed to liability and substantial expenses
in connection with environmental compliance or remediation activities.**
Our
operations, including our development, testing and manufacturing activities, are subject to numerous environmental, health and safety
laws and regulations. These laws and regulations govern, among other things, the controlled use, handling, release and disposal of and
the maintenance of a registry for, hazardous materials and biological materials, such as chemical solvents, human cells, carcinogenic
compounds, mutagenic compounds and compounds that have a toxic effect on reproduction, laboratory procedures and exposure to blood-borne
pathogens. If we fail to comply with such laws and regulations, we could be subject to fines or other sanctions.
As
with other companies engaged in activities similar to ours, we face a risk of environmental liability inherent in our current and historical
activities, including liability relating to releases of or exposure to hazardous or biological materials. Environmental, health and safety
laws and regulations are becoming more stringent. We may be required to incur substantial expenses in connection with future environmental
compliance or remediation activities, in which case, the production efforts of our third-party manufacturers or our development efforts
may be interrupted or delayed.
**Recent
legislation may materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.**
Recently
enacted U.S. tax legislation has significantly changed the U.S. federal income taxation of U.S. corporations, including by reducing the
U.S. corporate income tax rate, limiting interest deductions, and revising the rules governing NOLs. Many of these changes are effective
immediately, without any transition periods or grandfathering for existing transactions. The legislation is unclear in many respects
and could be subject to potential amendments and technical corrections, as well as interpretations and implementing regulations by the
Treasury and Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, any of which could lessen or increase certain adverse impacts of the legislation.
In addition, it is unclear how these U.S. federal income tax changes will affect state and local taxation, which often uses federal taxable
income as a starting point for computing state and local tax liabilities.
The
reduction of the corporate tax rate under the legislation may cause a reduction in the economic benefit of deferred tax assets available
to us. Furthermore, under the legislation, although the treatment of tax losses generated before December 31, 2017, has generally not
changed, tax losses generated in calendar year 2018 and beyond will only be able to offset 80% of taxable income. This change may require
us to pay federal income taxes in future years despite generating a loss for federal income tax purposes in prior years.
While
some of the changes made by the tax legislation may adversely affect us in one or more reporting periods and prospectively, other changes
may be beneficial on a going-forward basis. We intend to work with our tax advisors and auditors to determine the full impact that the
recent tax legislation as a whole will have on us. We urge our investors to consult with their legal and tax advisors with respect to
such legislation.
**Risks
Related to Our Intellectual Property**
**We
depend on license agreements with the University of Texas Southwestern, or UTSW, to permit us to use patents and patent applications,
as well as to exploit specific technological know-how. Termination of these rights or the failure to comply with obligations under these
agreements could materially harm our business and prevent us from developing or commercializing our product candidates.**
We
are a party to license agreements with UTSW under which we were granted rights to patents and patent applications, as well as proprietary
technologies, that are important and necessary to our business. Our rights to use these patents and patent applications and employ the
inventions claimed in these licensed patents, as well as the exploitation of proprietary technology, are subject to the continuation
of, and our compliance with, the terms of our license agreements.
Our
license agreements impose upon us various diligence, payment and other obligations, including the following:
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our
obligation to pay UTSW various milestone payments; | |
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our
obligation to pay UTSW royalties based on net sales; and | |
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our
obligation to pay UTSW fees associated with the prosecution, maintenance, or filing of the patents and patent applications we have
licensed. | |
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If
we fail to comply with any of our obligations under the license agreements, or we are subject to a bankruptcy or dissolution, UTSW may
have the right to terminate their respective license agreements, in which event we would not be able to market any product candidates
covered by the licenses.
We
do not currently own any patents, and we are heavily reliant upon licenses from UTSW to certain patent rights that are important or necessary
to the development of our technology and product candidates. As a result, we may be limited in our ability to prevent competitors from
developing and commercializing competitive products.
We
do not control the prosecution, maintenance, or filing of the patents and patent applications that are licensed to us under the license
agreements. Thus, these patents and patent applications were not drafted by us or our attorneys, and we do not directly control the prosecution
of these patents and patent applications. We cannot be certain that drafting or prosecution of the patents and patent applications licensed
to us has been conducted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or will result in valid and enforceable patents. UTSW directly
controls the preparation, filing and prosecution of patent applications, and is responsible for maintaining the patents, covering technology
that we license.
If
we fail to comply with the obligations under our license agreement, including as a result of COVID-19 impacting our operations or due
to lack of funds, or if we use the licensed intellectual property in an unauthorized manner, we may be required to pay damages and our
licensors may have the right to terminate the license. If our license agreement is terminated, we may not be able to develop, manufacture,
market or sell the product candidates covered by our agreement. Such an occurrence could materially adversely affect the value of the
product candidates being developed under any such agreement.
Disputes
may arise regarding intellectual property subject to, and any of our rights and obligations under, any license or other strategic agreement,
including:
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the
scope of rights granted under the license agreement and other interpretation-related issues; | |
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the
extent to which our technology and processes infringe, misappropriate or violate the intellectual property of the licensor that is
not subject to the license agreement; | |
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our
diligence obligations under the license agreement and what activities satisfy those diligence obligations; | |
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the
sublicensing of patent and other rights to third parties under any such agreement or collaborative relationships; | |
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the
inventorship and ownership of inventions and know-how resulting from the joint creation or use of intellectual property by our licensors
and us and our partners; and | |
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the
priority of invention of patented technology. | |
In
addition, the agreements under which we license intellectual property or technology to or from third parties are complex, and certain
provisions in such agreements may be susceptible to multiple interpretations. The resolution of any contract interpretation disagreement
that may arise could narrow what we believe to be the scope of our rights to the relevant intellectual property or technology or increase
what we believe to be our financial or other obligations under the relevant agreement, either of which could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Moreover, if disputes over intellectual property that
we have licensed prevent or impair our ability to maintain our current licensing arrangements on commercially acceptable terms, we may
be unable to successfully develop and commercialize the affected product candidates.
Our
business also would suffer if any current or future licensors fail to abide by the terms of the license, if the licensed patents or other
rights are found to be invalid or unenforceable, or if we are unable to enter into necessary licenses on acceptable terms. Moreover,
our licensors may own or control intellectual property that has not been licensed to us and, as a result, we may be subject to claims,
regardless of their merit, that we are infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the licensors rights.
In
addition, if we are unable to successfully obtain rights to required third-party intellectual property rights or maintain the existing
intellectual property rights we have, we may have to seek alternative options, such as developing new product candidates with design-around
technologies, which may require more time and investment, or abandon development of the relevant research programs or product candidates
and our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could suffer.
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**We
have been granted licenses of use to patent applications. There can be no assurance that any of the patent applications that we have
licenses to will result in issued patents. As a result, our ability to protect our proprietary technology in the marketplace may be limited.**
We
have been granted licenses of use to patent applications in many countries worldwide. These applications cover a range of treatment methods.
Unless and until the pending patent applications are issued, their protective scope is impossible to determine. It is also impossible
to predict whether or how many of the patent applications will result in issued patents. Even if pending applications are issued, they
may be issued with coverage significantly narrower than what is currently sought.
**Our
proprietary position for our product candidates currently depends in part upon licenses to patents protecting methods of use, which may
not prevent a competitor or other third party from using the same product candidate for another use.**
Composition
of matter patent claims on the active pharmaceutical ingredient, or API, in pharmaceutical drug products are generally considered to
be the favored form of intellectual property protection for pharmaceutical products, as such patents generally provide protection without
regard to any particular method of use, manufacture or formulation of the API used. Method of use patent claims protect the use of a
product for the specified method. These types of patent claims do not prevent a competitor or other third party from making and marketing
an identical API for an indication that is outside the scope of the method claims. Moreover, even if competitors or other third parties
do not actively promote their product for our targeted indications or uses for which we may obtain patents, physicians may recommend
that patients use these products off-label, or patients may do so themselves. Although off-label use may infringe or contribute to the
infringement of method of use patents, the practice is common and such infringement is difficult to prevent or prosecute.
**Our
patents may be challenged in courts or in patent offices which could result in the invalidation, narrowing or unenforceability of our
patents and our patent portfolio may not provide us with sufficient rights to exclude others from commercializing products similar or
identical to ours.**
There
is no assurance that all the potentially relevant prior art relating to our patents and patent applications has been found, which can
invalidate a patent or prevent a patent from issuing from a pending patent application. Even if patents do successfully issue and even
if such patents further cover ateganosine or any future product candidate, third parties may challenge their validity, enforceability
or scope, which may result in such patents being narrowed, invalidated, or held unenforceable. Any successful challenge to any patents
owned by or licensed to us could deprive us of rights necessary for the successful commercialization of any product candidates that we
may develop. Further, if we encounter delays in regulatory approvals, the period during which we could market a product candidate under
patent protection could be reduced.
The
patent position of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies generally is highly uncertain, involves complex legal and factual questions
and has in recent years been the subject of much litigation. In addition, the laws of foreign countries may not protect our rights to
the same extent as the laws of the United States. For example, European patent law restricts the patentability of methods of treatment
of the human body more than U.S. law does. However, in certain instances, the laws of the United States are more restrictive than those
of foreign countries. For example, a recent series of Supreme Court Cases has narrowed the types of subject matter considered eligible
for patenting. Accordingly, certain diagnostic methods are considered ineligible for patenting because they are directed to a law
of nature. Further, publications of discoveries in scientific literature often lag the actual discoveries, and patent applications
in the United States and other jurisdictions are typically not published until 18 months after filing, or in some cases not at all. Therefore,
we cannot know with certainty whether we were the first to make the inventions claimed in our owned or licensed patents or pending patent
applications, or that we were the first to file for patent protection of such inventions. As a result, the issuance, scope, validity,
enforceability and commercial value of our patent rights are highly uncertain. Our pending and future patent applications may not result
in patents being issued which protect our technology or products, in whole or in part, or which effectively prevent others from commercializing
competitive technologies and products. Changes in either the patent laws or interpretation of the patent laws in the United States and
other countries may diminish the value of our patents or narrow the scope of our patent protection.
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The
issuance of a patent is not conclusive as to its inventorship, scope, validity or enforceability, and our owned and licensed patents
may be challenged in the courts or patent offices in the United States and abroad. Such challenges may result in patent claims being
narrowed, invalidated, held unenforceable, in whole or in part, or reduced in term. Such a result could limit our ability to stop others
from using or commercializing similar or identical technology and products. Moreover, patents have a limited lifespan. In the United
States, the natural expiration of a patent is generally 20 years after it is filed. While various extensions may be available, the life
of a patent is limited. Without patent protection for our current or future product candidates, we may be open to competition from generic
versions of such products. Given the amount of time required for the development, testing and regulatory review of new product candidates,
patents protecting such candidates might expire before or shortly after such candidates are commercialized. As a result, our owned and
licensed patent portfolio may not provide us with sufficient rights to exclude others from commercializing products similar or identical
to ours.
**We
may become subject to third parties claims alleging infringement of their patents and proprietary rights, or we may need to become
involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents, which could be costly and/or time consuming, delay or prevent the development
and commercialization of our product candidates or put our patents and other proprietary rights at risk.**
Our
commercial success depends, in part, upon our ability to develop, manufacture, market and sell our product candidates without alleged
or actual infringement, misappropriation or other violation of the patents and proprietary rights of third parties. Litigation relating
to infringement or misappropriation of patent and other intellectual property rights in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries
is common, including patent infringement lawsuits, *inter partes* review, interferences, oppositions and reexamination proceedings
before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, and corresponding foreign patent offices. The various markets in which we plan
to operate are subject to frequent and extensive litigation regarding patents and other intellectual property rights. In addition, many
companies in intellectual property-dependent industries, including the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, have employed intellectual
property litigation as a means to gain an advantage over their competitors.
Numerous
U.S., EU and foreign issued patents and pending patent applications, which are owned by third parties, exist in the fields in which we
are developing product candidates. Some claimants may have substantially greater resources than we do and may be able to sustain the
costs of complex intellectual property litigation to a greater degree and for longer periods of time than we could. In addition, patent
holding companies that focus solely on extracting royalties and settlements by enforcing patent rights may target us. As the biotechnology
and pharmaceutical industries expand and more patents are issued, the risk increases that our product candidates may be subject to claims
of infringement of the intellectual property rights of third parties.
We
may be subject to third-party claims including infringement, interference, or derivation proceedings before the USPTO or similar adversarial
proceedings or litigation in other jurisdictions. Even if we believe third party infringement claims are without merit, a court of competent
jurisdiction could hold that the third-party patents are valid, enforceable and infringed, and the holders of any such patents may be
able to block our ability to commercialize the applicable product candidate unless we obtained a license under the applicable patents,
or until such patents expire or are finally determined to be invalid or unenforceable.
Proceedings
challenging our patents or those that we license may also result in our patent claims being invalidated or narrowed in scope. Similarly,
if our patents or patent applications are challenged during interference or derivation proceedings, a court may hold that a third-party
is entitled to certain patent ownership rights instead of us. Further, if any third-party patents were held by a court of competent jurisdiction
to cover aspects of our compositions, formulations, methods of manufacture, or methods of treatment, prevention or use, the holders of
any such patents may be able to block our ability to develop and commercialize the applicable product candidate unless we obtained a
license or until such patent expires or is finally determined to be invalid or unenforceable.
Defending
such claims would cause us to incur substantial expenses and, if unsuccessful, could cause us to pay substantial damages if we are found
to be infringing a third partys patent rights. If we are found to have infringed such rights willfully, the damages may be enhanced
and may include attorneys fees. Further, if a patent infringement suit is brought against us or our third-party service providers,
our development, manufacturing or sales activities relating to the product or product candidate that is the subject of the suit may be
delayed or terminated.
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As
a result of patent infringement claims, or in order to avoid potential infringement claims, we may choose to seek, or be required to
seek, a license from the third party, which may require us to pay license fees or royalties or both. These licenses may not be available
on acceptable terms, or at all. Even if a license can be obtained on acceptable terms, the rights may be nonexclusive, which could give
our competitors access to the same intellectual property rights. If we are unable to enter into a license on acceptable terms, we could
be prevented from commercializing one or more of our product candidates, forced to modify such product candidates, or to cease some aspect
of our business operations, which could harm our business significantly. Modifying our product candidates to design around third-party
intellectual property rights may result in significant cost or delay to us and could prove to be technically infeasible.
Any
of these events, even if we were ultimately to prevail, could require us to divert substantial financial and management resources that
we would otherwise be able to devote to our business. In addition, if the breadth or strength of protection provided the patents and
patent applications we own or in-license is threatened, it could dissuade companies from collaborating with us to license, develop or
commercialize current or future product candidates.
If
we were to initiate legal proceedings against a third party to enforce a patent covering one of our product candidates, the defendant
could counterclaim that our patent is invalid or unenforceable. In patent litigation in the United States and in Europe, defendant counterclaims
alleging invalidity or unenforceability are commonplace. Grounds for a validity challenge could be an alleged failure to meet any of
several statutory requirements, for example, lack of eligibility, lack of novelty, obviousness or non-enablement. Third parties might
allege unenforceability of our patents because someone connected with prosecution of the patent withheld relevant information, or made
a misleading statement, during prosecution.
The
outcome of proceedings involving assertions of invalidity and unenforceability during patent litigation is unpredictable. With respect
to the validity of patents, for example, we cannot be certain that there is no invalidating prior art of which we and the patent examiner
were unaware during prosecution. If a defendant were to prevail on a legal assertion of invalidity or unenforceability, we would lose
at least part, and perhaps all, of the patent protection on our product candidates. Furthermore, our patents and other intellectual property
rights also will not protect our technology if competitors design around our protected technology without infringing on our patents or
other intellectual property rights.
Additionally,
because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some
of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. There could also be public announcements
of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors view these announcements
in a negative light, the price of our common stock could be adversely affected.
Finally,
even if resolved in our favor, litigation or other legal proceedings relating to intellectual property claims may cause us to incur significant
expenses and could distract our technical and management personnel from their normal responsibilities. In addition, there could be public
announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments and if securities analysts or investors
view these announcements in a negative light, the price of our common stock could be adversely affected. Such litigation or proceedings
could substantially increase our operating losses and reduce our resources available for development activities.
We
may not have sufficient financial or other resources to adequately conduct such litigation or proceedings. Some of our competitors may
be able to sustain the costs of such litigation or proceedings more effectively than we can because of their substantially greater financial
resources. Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of patent litigation or other proceedings could have an adverse
effect on our ability to compete in the marketplace.
****
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**We
may not identify relevant third-party patents or may incorrectly interpret the relevance, scope or expiration of a third-party patent,
which might adversely affect our ability to develop, manufacture and market our product candidates.**
We
cannot guarantee that any of our or our licensors patent searches or analyses, including but not limited to the identification
of relevant patents, the scope of patent claims or the expiration of relevant patents, are complete or thorough, nor can we be certain
that we have identified each and every third-party patent and pending application in the United States, Europe and elsewhere that is
relevant to or necessary for the commercialization of our product candidates in any jurisdiction. For example, in the United States,
applications filed before November 29, 2000 and certain applications filed after that date that will not be filed outside the United
States remain confidential until patents issue. Patent applications in the United States, EU and elsewhere are published approximately
18 months after the earliest filing for which priority is claimed, with such earliest filing date being commonly referred to as the priority
date. Therefore, patent applications covering our future product candidates, or their manufacture or use may currently be unpublished.
Additionally, pending patent applications that have been published can, subject to certain limitations, be later amended in a manner
that could cover our product candidates or the use of our product candidates. The scope of a patent claim is determined by an interpretation
of the law, the written disclosure in a patent and the patents prosecution history. Our interpretation of the relevance or the
scope of a patent or a pending application may be incorrect, which may negatively impact our ability to market our product candidates.
We may incorrectly determine that our product candidates are not covered by a third-party patent or may incorrectly predict whether a
third partys pending application will issue with claims of relevant scope. Our determination of the expiration date of any patent
in the United States, the EU or elsewhere that we consider relevant may be incorrect, which may negatively impact our ability to develop
and market our product candidates. Our failure to identify and correctly interpret relevant patents may negatively impact our ability
to develop and market our product candidates.
From
time to time we may identify patents or applications in the same general area as our products and product candidates. We may determine
these third-party patents are irrelevant to our business based on various factors including our interpretation of the scope of the patent
claims and our interpretation of when the patent expires. If the patents are asserted against us, however, a court may disagree with
our determinations. Further, while we may determine that the scope of claims that will issue from a patent application does not present
a risk, it is difficult to accurately predict the scope of claims that will issue from a patent application, our determination may be
incorrect, and the issuing patent may be asserted against us. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to successfully settle or otherwise
resolve such infringement claims. If we fail in any such dispute, in addition to being forced to pay monetary damages, we may be temporarily
or permanently prohibited from commercializing our product candidates. We might, if possible, also be forced to redesign our product
candidates so that we no longer infringe on the third-party intellectual property rights. Any of these events, even if we were ultimately
to prevail, could require us to divert substantial financial and management resources that we would otherwise be able to devote to our
business.
**Changes
in patent laws or patent jurisprudence could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect our product
candidates.**
As
is the case with other biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies, our success is heavily dependent on intellectual property, particularly
patents. Obtaining and enforcing patents in the biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical industries involve both technological complexity
and legal complexity. Therefore, obtaining and enforcing biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical patents is costly, time-consuming and inherently
uncertain. In addition, the America Invents Act (AIA) which was passed in September 2011, resulted in significant changes to the U.S.
patent system.
An
important change introduced by the AIA is that, as of March 16, 2013, the United States transitioned to a first-to-file
system for deciding which party should be granted a patent when two or more patent applications are filed by different parties claiming
the same invention. A third party that files a patent application in the USPTO after that date but before us could therefore be awarded
a patent covering an invention of ours even if we made the invention before it was made by the third party. This will require us to be
cognizant going forward of the time from invention to filing of a patent application, but circumstances could prevent us from promptly
filing patent applications on our inventions.
Among
some of the other changes introduced by the AIA are changes that limit where a patentee may file a patent infringement suit and provide
opportunities for third parties to challenge any issued patent with the USPTO. This applies to all of our U.S. patents, even those issued
before March 16, 2013. Because of a lower evidentiary standard in USPTO proceedings compared to the evidentiary standard in U.S. federal
courts necessary to invalidate a patent claim, a third party could potentially provide evidence in a USPTO proceeding sufficient for
the USPTO to hold a claim invalid even though the same evidence would be insufficient to invalidate the claim if first presented in a
district court action.
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Accordingly,
a third party may attempt to use the USPTO procedures to invalidate our patent claims that would not have been invalidated if first challenged
by the third party as a defendant in a district court action. It is not clear what, if any, impact the AIA will have on the operation
of our business. However, the AIA and its implementation could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of our
or our licensors patent applications and the enforcement or defense of our or our licensors issued patents.
Additionally,
the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on several patent cases in recent years either narrowing the scope of patent protection available in
certain circumstances or weakening the rights of patent owners in certain situations. In addition to increasing uncertainty with regard
to our ability to obtain patents in the future, this combination of events has created uncertainty with respect to the value of patents,
once obtained. Depending on decisions by Congress, the federal courts and the USPTO, the laws and regulations governing patents could
change in unpredictable ways that could weaken our ability to obtain new patents or to enforce our existing patents and patents that
we might obtain in the future. Similarly, the complexity and uncertainty of European patent laws has also increased in recent years.
In addition, the European patent system is relatively stringent in the type of amendments that are allowed during prosecution. Complying
with these laws and regulations could limit our ability to obtain new patents in the future that may be important for our business.
**Obtaining
and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment and other requirements
imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.**
Periodic
maintenance and annuity fees on any issued patent are due to be paid to the USPTO and European and other patent agencies over the lifetime
of a patent. In addition, the USPTO and European and other patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary,
fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent application process. While an inadvertent failure to make payment of such
fees or to comply with such provisions can in many cases be cured by payment of a late fee or by other means in accordance with the applicable
rules, there are situations in which such noncompliance will result in the abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application,
and the partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. Non-compliance events that could result in abandonment
or lapse of a patent or patent application include failure to respond to official actions within prescribed time limits, non-payment
of fees and failure to properly legalize and submit formal documents within prescribed time limits. If we or our licensors fail to maintain
the patents and patent applications covering our product candidates or if we or our licensors otherwise allow our patents or patent applications
to be abandoned or lapse, our competitors might be able to enter the market, which would hurt our competitive position and could impair
our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates in any indication for which they are approved.
**We
enjoy only limited geographical protection with respect to certain patents and we may not be able to protect our intellectual property
rights throughout the world.**
Filing,
prosecuting and defending patents covering our product candidates in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive.
Competitors may use our and our licensors technologies in jurisdictions where we have not obtained patent protection to develop
their own products and, further, may export otherwise infringing products to territories where we and our licensors have patent protection,
but enforcement is not as strong as that in the United States or the EU. These products may compete with our product candidates, and
our and our licensors patents or other intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent them from competing.
In
addition, we may decide to abandon national and regional patent applications before grant. The grant proceeding of each national or regional
patent is an independent proceeding which may lead to situations in which applications might in some jurisdictions be refused by the
relevant patent offices, while granted by others. For example, unlike other countries, China has a heightened requirement for patentability,
and specifically requires a detailed description of medical uses of a claimed drug. Furthermore, generic drug manufacturers or other
competitors may challenge the scope, validity or enforceability of our or our licensors patents, requiring us or our licensors
to engage in complex, lengthy and costly litigation or other proceedings. Generic drug manufacturers may develop, seek approval for and
launch generic versions of our products. It is also quite common that depending on the country, the scope of patent protection may vary
for the same product candidate or technology.
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The
laws of some jurisdictions do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws or rules and regulations in the
United States and the EU, and many companies have encountered significant difficulties in protecting and defending such rights in such
jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents,
trade secrets and other intellectual property protection, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents
or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights generally. Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in other
jurisdictions, whether or not successful, could result in substantial costs and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of
our business, could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and our patent applications at risk of not issuing,
and could provoke third parties to assert claims against us.
We
may not prevail in any lawsuits that we initiate, and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful.
Accordingly, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial
advantage from the intellectual property that we develop or license. Furthermore, while we intend to protect our intellectual property
rights in our expected significant markets, we cannot ensure that we will be able to initiate or maintain similar efforts in all jurisdictions
in which we may wish to market our product candidates. Accordingly, our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights in such countries
may be inadequate, which may have an adverse effect on our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates in all of our
expected significant foreign markets. If we or our licensors encounter difficulties in protecting, or are otherwise precluded from effectively
protecting, the intellectual property rights important for our business in such jurisdictions, the value of these rights may be diminished,
and we may face additional competition from others in those jurisdictions.
Some
countries also have compulsory licensing laws under which a patent owner may be compelled to grant licenses to third parties. In addition,
some countries limit the enforceability of patents against government agencies or government contractors. In these countries, the patent
owner may have limited remedies, which could materially diminish the value of such patent. If we or any of our licensors is forced to
grant a license to third parties with respect to any patents relevant to our business, our competitive position may be impaired.
**If
we do not obtain patent term extension in the United States under the Hatch-Waxman Act and in foreign countries having similar legislation,
thereby potentially extending the term of marketing exclusivity for our product candidates, our business may be materially harmed.**
Patents
have a limited lifespan. In the United States, if all maintenance fees are timely paid, the natural expiration of a patent is generally
20 years from its earliest U.S. non-provisional filing date. Various extensions may be available, but the life of a patent, and the protection
it affords, is limited. Even if patents covering our product candidates are obtained, once the patent life has expired for a product,
we may be open to competition from competitive medications, including generic medications. Given the amount of time required for the
development, testing and regulatory review of new product candidates, patents protecting such candidates might expire before or shortly
after such candidates are commercialized. As a result, our owned and licensed patent portfolio may not provide us with sufficient rights
to exclude others from commercializing products similar or identical to ours.
Depending
upon the timing, duration and conditions of FDA marketing approval of our product candidates, we may be able to extend the term of a
patent covering each product candidate under the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, referred to as the Hatch-Waxman
Amendments and similar legislation in the EU. The Hatch-Waxman Amendments permit a patent term extension of up to five years for a non-expired
patent which claims a human drug product, a method of using the product, or a method of manufacturing the product, as compensation for
effective patent term lost during product development and the FDA regulatory review process. Moreover, only one patent may be extended
covering the drug product and the total patent term including the extension cannot exceed 14 years following regulatory approval. However,
we may not receive an extension if we fail to apply within applicable deadlines, fail to apply prior to expiration of relevant patents
or otherwise fail to satisfy applicable requirements. Moreover, the length of the extension could be less than we request. If we are
unable to obtain patent term extension or the term of any such extension is less than we request, the period during which we can enforce
our patent rights for that product will be shortened and our competitors may obtain approval to market competing products sooner. As
a result, our revenue from applicable products could be reduced, possibly materially.
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Further,
under certain circumstances, patent terms covering our products or product candidates may be extended for time spent during the pendency
of the patent application in the USPTO (referred to as Patent Term Adjustment, or PTA). The laws and regulations underlying how the USPTO
calculates the PTA is subject to change and any such PTA granted by the USPTO could be challenged by a third-party. If we do not prevail
under such a challenge, the PTA may be reduced or eliminated, resulting in a shorter patent term, which may negatively impact our ability
to exclude competitors. Because PTA added to the term of patents covering pharmaceutical products has particular value, our business
may be adversely affected if the PTA is successfully challenged by a third party and our ability to exclude competitors is reduced or
eliminated.
**Intellectual
property discovered through government funded programs may be subject to federal regulations such as march-in rights, certain
reporting requirements and a preference for U.S.-based companies. Compliance with such regulations may limit our exclusive rights and
limit our ability to contract with non-U.S. manufacturers.**
We
may develop, acquire, or license intellectual property rights that have been generated through the use of U.S. government funding or
grants. Pursuant to the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, the U.S. government has certain rights in inventions developed with government funding.
These U.S. government rights include a non-exclusive, non-transferable, irrevocable worldwide license to use inventions for any governmental
purpose. In addition, the U.S. government has the right, under certain limited circumstances, to require us to grant exclusive, partially
exclusive, or non-exclusive licenses to any of these inventions to a third party if it determines that: (1) adequate steps have not been
taken to commercialize the invention; (2) government action is necessary to meet public health or safety needs; or (3) government action
is necessary to meet requirements for public use under federal regulations (also referred to as march-in rights). If the U.S. government
exercised its march-in rights in our future intellectual property rights that are generated through the use of U.S. government funding
or grants, we could be forced to license or sublicense intellectual property developed by us or that we license on terms unfavorable
to us, and there can be no assurance that we would receive compensation from the U.S. government for the exercise of such rights. The
U.S. government also has the right to take title to these inventions if the grant recipient fails to disclose the invention to the government
or fails to file an application to register the intellectual property within specified time limits. Intellectual property generated under
a government funded program is also subject to certain reporting requirements, compliance with which may require us to expend substantial
resources. In addition, the U.S. government requires that any products embodying any of these inventions or produced through the use
of any of these inventions be manufactured substantially in the United States. This preference for U.S. industry may be waived by the
federal agency that provided the funding if the owner or assignee of the intellectual property can show that reasonable but unsuccessful
efforts have been made to grant licenses on similar terms to potential licensees that would be likely to manufacture substantially in
the United States or that under the circumstances domestic manufacture is not commercially feasible.
For
example, some of our intellectual property, including the intellectual property licensed from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical
Center was funded in whole or in part by the United States government, the United States government has certain rights to such patent
rights and technology, including a non-exclusive license authorizing the government to use the invention for non-commercial purposes
and march-in rights, and impose certain reporting and domestic manufacturing requirements. These rights may permit the United States
government to disclose our confidential information to third parties and to exercise march-in rights to use or allow third parties to
use our licensed technology. The government can exercise its march-in rights if it determines that action is necessary because we fail
to achieve practical application of the government-funded technology, because action is necessary to alleviate health or safety needs,
to meet requirements of federal regulations, or to give preference to United States industry. In addition, our rights in such inventions
are and may be subject to certain requirements to manufacture products embodying such inventions in the United States. This preference
for U.S. industry may limit our ability to contract with non-U.S. product manufacturers for products covered by such intellectual property.
Any exercise by the government of any of the foregoing rights could harm our competitive position, business, financial condition, results
of operations and prospects.
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**Intellectual
property rights do not address all potential threats to our competitive advantage.**
The
degree of future protection afforded by our intellectual property rights is uncertain because intellectual property rights have limitations,
and may not adequately protect our business, or permit us to maintain our competitive advantage. The following examples are illustrative:
| 
| 
others
may be able to make products that are similar to ateganosine or our future product candidates but that are not covered by the claims
of the patents that we own or license from others; | |
| 
| 
others
may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or otherwise circumvent any of our technologies without infringing
our intellectual property rights; | |
| 
| 
we
or any of our collaborators might not have been the first to conceive and reduce to practice the inventions covered by the patents
or patent applications that we own, license or will own or license; | |
| 
| 
we
or any of our collaborators might not have been the first to file patent applications covering certain of the patents or patent applications
that we or they own or have obtained a license, or will own or will have obtained a license; | |
| 
| 
it
is possible that our pending patent applications will not lead to issued patents; | |
| 
| 
issued
patents that we own may not provide us with any competitive advantage, or may be held invalid or unenforceable, as a result of legal
challenges by our competitors; | |
| 
| 
our
competitors might conduct research and development activities in countries where we do not have patent rights, or in countries where
research and development safe harbor laws exist, and then use the information learned from such activities to develop competitive
products for sale in our major commercial markets; | |
| 
| 
ownership
of our patents or patent applications may be challenged by third parties; and | |
| 
| 
the
patents of third parties or pending or future applications of third parties, if issued, may have an adverse effect on our business. | |
**Our
reliance on third parties requires us to share our trade secrets, which increases the possibility that our trade secrets will be misappropriated
or disclosed, and confidentiality agreements with employees and third parties may not adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets
and protect other proprietary information.**
We
consider proprietary trade secrets or confidential know-how and unpatented know-how to be important to our business. We may rely on trade
secrets or confidential know-how to protect our technology, especially where patent protection is believed by us to be of limited value.
Because we expect to rely on third parties to manufacture ateganosine and any future product candidates, and we expect to collaborate
with third parties on the development of ateganosine and any future product candidates, we must, at times, share trade secrets with them.
We also conduct joint research and development programs that may require us to share trade secrets under the terms of our research and
development partnerships or similar agreements. However, trade secrets or confidential know-how can be difficult to maintain as confidential.
To
protect this type of information against disclosure or appropriation by competitors, our policy is to require our employees, consultants,
contractors and advisors to enter into confidentiality agreements and, if applicable, material transfer agreements, consulting agreements
or other similar agreements with us prior to beginning research or disclosing proprietary information. These agreements typically limit
the rights of the third parties to use or disclose our confidential information, including our trade secrets. However, current or former
employees, consultants, contractors and advisers may unintentionally or willfully disclose our confidential information to competitors,
and confidentiality agreements may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.
The need to share trade secrets and other confidential information increases the risk that such trade secrets become known by our competitors,
are inadvertently incorporated into the technology of others, or are disclosed or used in violation of these agreements. Given that our
proprietary position is based, in part, on our know-how and trade secrets, a competitors discovery of our trade secrets or other
unauthorized use or disclosure would impair our competitive position and may have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Enforcing a claim that a third party obtained illegally and is using trade secrets or confidential know-how is expensive, time consuming
and unpredictable. The enforceability of confidentiality agreements may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
In
addition, these agreements typically restrict the ability of our advisors, employees, third-party contractors and consultants to publish
data potentially relating to our trade secrets, although our agreements may contain certain limited publication rights. Despite our efforts
to protect our trade secrets, our competitors may discover our trade secrets, either through breach of our agreements with third parties,
independent development or publication of information by any of our third-party collaborators. A competitors discovery of our
trade secrets would impair our competitive position and have an adverse impact on our business.
| 87 | |
**If
our trademarks and trade names are not adequately protected, then we may not be able to build name recognition in our markets of interest
and our business may be adversely affected.**
We
expect to rely on trademarks as one means to distinguish any of our product candidates that are approved for marketing from the products
of our competitors. We have not yet selected trademarks for our product candidates and have not yet begun the process of applying to
register trademarks for any other of our product candidates. Once we select trademarks and apply to register them, our trademark applications
may not be approved. Third parties may oppose our trademark applications, or otherwise challenge our use of the trademarks. In the event
that our trademarks are successfully challenged, we could be forced to rebrand our products, which could result in loss of brand recognition
and could require us to devote resources to advertising and marketing new brands. Our competitors may infringe our trademarks and we
may not have adequate resources to enforce our trademarks.
In
addition, any proprietary name we propose to use with our clinical-stage product candidates or any other product candidate in the United
States must be approved by the FDA, regardless of whether we have registered it, or applied to register it, as a trademark. The FDA typically
conducts a review of proposed product names, including an evaluation of the potential for confusion with other product names. If the
FDA objects to any of our proposed proprietary product names, we may be required to expend significant additional resources in an effort
to identify a suitable proprietary product name that would qualify under applicable trademark laws, not infringe the existing rights
of third parties and be acceptable to the FDA. The EMA may also object to our proposed proprietary product name that infringes the existing
rights of third parties.
If
our trademarks and trade names are not adequately protected, then we may not be able to build name recognition in our markets of interest
and our business may be adversely affected. Over the long term, if we are unable to establish name recognition based on our trademarks
and trade names, then we may not be able to compete effectively, and our business may be adversely affected. Our efforts to enforce or
protect our proprietary rights related to trademarks, trade secrets, domain names, copyrights or other intellectual property may be ineffective
and could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results
of operations and growth prospects.
**We
may need to license certain intellectual property from third parties, and such licenses may not be available or may not be available
on commercially reasonable terms.**
A
third party may hold intellectual property, including patent rights that are important or necessary to the development or commercialization
of ateganosine or our future product candidates. It may be necessary for us to use the patented or proprietary technology of third parties
to commercialize ateganosine or our product candidates, in which case we would be required to obtain a license from these third parties.
Such a license may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, which could materially harm our business. At this time,
we are unaware of any intellectual property that interferes with ours or is complementary and needed to commercialize ateganosine.
**We
may be subject to claims that our employees, consultants or independent contractors have wrongfully used or disclosed confidential information
of their former employers or other third parties.**
We
employ individuals who were previously employed at other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies. Although we seek to protect our ownership
of intellectual property rights by ensuring that our agreements with our employees, collaborators and other third parties with whom we
do business include provisions requiring such parties to assign rights in inventions to us, we may be subject to claims that we or our
employees, consultants or independent contractors have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed confidential information of our employees
former employers or other third parties. We may also be subject to claims that former employers or other third parties have an ownership
interest in our patents. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. There is no guarantee of success in defending these
claims, and if we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property
rights, such as exclusive ownership or right to use. Even if we are successful, litigation could result in substantial cost and be a
distraction to our management and other employees.
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**Our
proprietary information may be lost, or we may suffer security breaches.**
In
the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data, including intellectual property, clinical trial data, proprietary
business information, personal data and personally identifiable information of our clinical trial subjects and employees, in our data
centers and on our networks. The secure processing, maintenance and transmission of this information is critical to our operations. Despite
our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee
error, malfeasance or other disruptions. Although, to our knowledge, we have not experienced any such material security breach to date,
any such breach could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen.
Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect
the privacy of personal information, significant regulatory penalties, disruption of our operations, damage to our reputation and cause
a loss of confidence in us and our ability to conduct clinical trials, which could adversely affect our reputation and delay our clinical
development of our product candidates.
**Risks
Related to Our Employees, Managing Our Growth and Our Operations**
**Our
future success depends on our ability to retain our key personnel and to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel.**
We
are highly dependent on the development, regulatory, commercialization and business development expertise of Vlad Vitoc as well as the
other principal members of our management, scientific and clinical teams. Although we have employment agreements, offer letters or consulting
agreements with our executive officers, these agreements do not prevent them from terminating their services at any time.
If
we lose one or more of our executive officers or key employees, our ability to implement our business strategy successfully could be
seriously harmed. Furthermore, replacing executive officers and key employees 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
product candidates, gain regulatory approval, and commercialize new products. Competition to hire from this limited pool is intense,
and we may be unable to hire, train, retain or motivate these additional key personnel on acceptable terms given the competition among
numerous pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for similar personnel. We also experience competition for the hiring of scientific
and clinical personnel from universities and research institutions. In addition, we rely on consultants and advisors, including scientific
and clinical advisors, to assist us in formulating our research and development and commercialization strategy. Our consultants and advisors
may be engaged by entities other than us and may have commitments under consulting or advisory contracts with other entities that may
limit their availability to us. If we are unable to continue to attract and retain highly qualified personnel, our ability to develop
and commercialize product candidates will be limited.
**We
expect to expand our development, regulatory, and sales and marketing capabilities, and as a result, we may encounter difficulties in
managing our growth, which could disrupt our operations.**
We
expect to experience significant growth in the number of our employees and the scope of our operations, particularly in the areas of
development, regulatory affairs and sales and marketing. To manage our anticipated future growth, we must continue to implement and improve
our managerial, operational and financial systems, expand our facilities or acquire new facilities and continue to recruit and train
additional qualified personnel. Due to our limited financial resources and the limited experience of our management team in managing
a company with such anticipated growth, we may not be able to effectively manage the expansion of our operations or recruit and train
additional qualified personnel. The expansion of our operations may lead to significant costs and may divert our management and business
development resources. Any inability to manage growth could delay the execution of our business plans or disrupt our operations.
**We
may engage in acquisitions that could disrupt our business, cause dilution to our stockholders or reduce our financial resources.**
In
the future, we may enter into transactions to acquire other businesses, products or technologies. If we do identify suitable candidates,
we may not be able to make such acquisitions on favorable terms, or at all. Any acquisitions we make may not strengthen our competitive
position, and these transactions may be viewed negatively by customers or investors. We may decide to incur debt in connection with an
acquisition or issue our common stock or other equity securities to the stockholders of the acquired company, which would reduce the
percentage ownership of our existing stockholders. We could incur losses resulting from undiscovered liabilities of the acquired business
that are not covered by the indemnification we may obtain from the seller. In addition, we may not be able to successfully integrate
the acquired personnel, technologies and operations into our existing business in an effective, timely and non-disruptive manner. Acquisitions
may also divert management attention from day-to-day responsibilities, increase our expenses and reduce our cash available for operations
and other uses. We cannot predict the number, timing or size of future acquisitions or the effect that any such transactions might have
on our operating results.
| 89 | |
**Our
business and operations would suffer in the event of system failures.**
Our
computer systems, as well as those of our CROs and other contractors and consultants, are vulnerable to damage from computer viruses,
unauthorized access, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures. If such an event were to occur
and cause interruptions in our operations, it could result in a material disruption of our development programs. For example, the loss
of preclinical or clinical trial data from completed, ongoing or planned trials 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 and the further development of ateganosine or any other product candidate could be delayed.
****
**Risks
Relating to Investing in Digital Securities**
****
**The
launch of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) may adversely impact our business.**
The
introduction of a government-issued digital currency could eliminate or reduce the need or demand for private-sector issued crypto currencies,
or significantly limit their utility. National governments around the world could introduce CBDCs, which could in turn limit the size
of the market opportunity for cryptocurrencies, including Solana.
**Absent
federal regulations, there is a possibility that any digital asset we acquire may be classified as a security. Any classification
of any digital asset we acquire as a security would subject us to additional regulation and could materially impact the
operation of our business.**
We
intend to only acquire digital assets that we believe would not be considered a security by the SEC and other U.S. federal
or state regulator publicly stated may not agree our assessment. Despite the Trump Administrations Executive Order titled Strengthening
American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology which includes as an objective, protecting and promoting the ability
of individual citizens and private sector entities alike to access and to maintain self-custody of digital assets, leading
digital assets that we intend to acquire, such as Solana, have not yet been classified with respect to U.S. federal securities laws.
Therefore, while (for the reasons discussed below) we intend to only invest in leading digital assets, that we conclude are not a security
within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws, and registration of the Company under The Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the 1940 Act) is therefore not required under the applicable securities laws, we acknowledge that a regulatory
body or federal court may determine otherwise. Our conclusion, even if reasonable under the circumstances, would not preclude legal or
regulatory action based on such a finding that any leading digital asset we acquire, such as Solana, is a security which
would require us to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act.
We
intend to adapt our process for analyzing the U.S. federal securities law status of any cryptocurrencies we acquire over time, as guidance
and case law have evolved. As part of our U.S. federal securities law analytical process, we intend to take into account a number of
factors, including the various definitions of security under U.S. federal securities laws and federal court decisions interpreting
the elements of these definitions, such as the U.S. Supreme Courts decisions in the *Howey* and *Reves*cases, as well
as court rulings, reports, orders, press releases, public statements, and speeches by the SEC Commissioners and SEC Staff providing guidance
on when a digital asset or a transaction to which a digital asset may relate may be a security for purposes of U.S. federal securities
laws.
Application
of securities laws to the specific facts and circumstances of digital assets is complex and subject to change. As such, we are at risk
of enforcement proceedings against us, which could result in potential injunctions, cease-and-desist orders, fines, and penalties if
any digital asset we acquires is determined to be a security by a regulatory body or a court. Such developments could subject us to fines,
penalties, and other damages, and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, and prospects.
| 90 | |
**If
we were deemed to be an investment company under the 1940 Act, applicable restrictions likely would make it impractical for us to continue
segments of our business as currently contemplated.**
Under
Sections 3(a)(1)(A) and (C) of the 1940 Act, a company generally will be deemed to be an investment company if (i) it is,
or holds itself out as being, engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading
in securities or (ii) it engages, or proposes to engage, in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding, or trading in securities
and it owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets (exclusive of
U.S. government securities, shares of registered money market funds under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act, and cash items) on an unconsolidated
basis. Rule 3a-1 under the 1940 Act generally provides that notwithstanding the Section 3(a)(1)(C) test described in clause (ii) above,
an entity will not be deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the 1940 Act if no more than 45% of the value
of its assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities, shares of registered money market funds under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act, and
cash items) consists of, and no more than 45% of its net income after taxes (for the past four fiscal quarters combined) is derived from,
securities other than U.S. government securities, shares of registered money market funds under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act, securities
issued by employees securities companies, securities issued by qualifying majority owned subsidiaries of such entity, and securities
issued by qualifying companies that are controlled primarily by such entity. We do not believe that we are an investment company
as such term is defined in either Section 3(a)(1)(A) or Section 3(a)(1)(C) of the 1940 Act.
Since
our formation, we have been a biopharmaceutical industry with a focus is on developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer. Recently,
we have begun focusing on pursuing opportunities to expand our portfolio into digital assets. We only intend to acquire digital assets
that we conclude are investment securities, and as such do not intend to hold ourselves out as being engaged primarily, or propose to
engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities within the meaning of Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the
1940 Act.
With
respect to Section 3(a)(1)(C), we believe we satisfy the elements of Rule 3a-1 and therefore are deemed not to be an investment company
under, and we intend to conduct our operations such that we will not be deemed an investment company under, Section 3(a)(1)(C). We believe
that we are not an investment company pursuant to Rule 3a-1 under the 1940 Act because, on a consolidated basis with respect to wholly-owned
subsidiaries but otherwise on an unconsolidated basis, no more than 45% of the value of the Companys total assets (exclusive of
U.S. government securities, shares of registered money market funds under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act, and cash items) consists of, and
no more than 45% of the Companys net income after taxes (for the last four fiscal quarters combined) is derived from, securities
other than U.S. government securities, shares of registered money market funds under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act, securities issued by
employees securities companies, securities issued by qualifying majority owned subsidiaries of the Company, and securities issued
by qualifying companies that are controlled primarily by the Company.
Digital
assets, as well as new business models and transactions enabled by blockchain technologies, present novel interpretive questions under
the 1940 Act. There is a risk that assets or arrangements that we conclude are not securities prior to acquisition could be deemed to
be securities by the SEC or another authority for purposes of the 1940 Act, which would increase the percentage of securities held by
us for 1940 Act purposes. The SEC has requested information from a number of participants in the digital assets ecosystem, regarding
the potential application of the 1940 Act to their businesses. For example, in an action unrelated to the Company, in February 2022,
the SEC issued a cease-and-desist order under the 1940 Act to BlockFi Lending LLC, in which the SEC alleged that BlockFi was operating
as an unregistered investment company because it issued securities and also held more than 40% of its total assets, excluding cash, in
investment securities, including the loans of digital assets made by BlockFi to institutional borrowers.
If
we were deemed to be an investment company, Rule 3a-2 under the 1940 Act is a safe harbor that provides a one year grace period for
transient investment companies that have a bona fide intent to be engaged primarily, as soon as is reasonably possible (in any event
by the termination of such one year period), in a business other than that of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding, or trading in
securities, with such intent evidenced by the companys business activities and an appropriate resolution of its board of
directors. The grace period is available not more than once every three years and runs from the earlier of (i) the date on which the
issuer owns securities and/or cash having a value exceeding 50% of the issuers total assets on either a consolidated or
unconsolidated basis or (ii) the date on which the issuer owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding
40% of the value of such issuers total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated
basis. Accordingly, the grace period may not be available at the time that we seek to rely on Rule 3a-2; however, Rule 3a-2 is a
safe harbor and we may rely on any exemption or exclusion from investment company status available to us under the 1940 Act at any
given time. Furthermore, reliance on Rule 3a-2, Section 3(a)(1)(C), or Rule 3a-1 could require us to take actions to dispose of
securities, limit our ability to make certain investments or enter into joint ventures, or otherwise limit or change our service
offerings and operations. If we were to be deemed an investment company in the future, restrictions imposed by the 1940
Actincluding limitations on our ability to issue different classes of stock and equity compensation to directors, officers,
and employees and restrictions on management, operations, and transactions with affiliated personslikely would make it
impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations, financial condition, and prospects.
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**We
may be subject to regulatory developments related to crypto assets and crypto asset markets, which could adversely affect our business,
financial condition, and results of operations.**
As
digital assets are relatively novel and the application of state and federal securities laws and other laws and regulations to digital
assets is unclear in certain respects, it is possible that regulators in the United States or foreign countries may interpret or apply
existing laws and regulations in a manner that adversely affects the price any digital assets we may hold in the future. The U.S. federal
government, states, regulatory agencies, and foreign countries may also enact new laws and regulations, or pursue regulatory, legislative,
enforcement or judicial actions, that could materially impact the price of any digital assets we acquire in the future or the ability
of individuals or institutions to own or transfer digital assets.
If
any digital asset we acquire is determined to constitute a security for purposes of the federal securities laws, the additional regulatory
restrictions imposed by such a determination could adversely affect the market price of such digital security and in turn adversely affect
the market price of our common stock. Moreover, the risks of us engaging in a cryptocurrency treasury strategy have created, and could
continue to create complications due to the lack of experience that third parties have with companies engaging in such a strategy, such
as increased costs of director and officer liability insurance or the potential inability to obtain such coverage on acceptable terms
in the future.
**Cryptocurrency
assets are less liquid than our existing cash and cash equivalents and may not be able to serve as a source of liquidity for us to the
same extent as cash and cash equivalents.**
Historically,
the crypto markets have been characterized by: significant volatility in price, limited liquidity and trading volumes compared to sovereign
currencies markets; relative anonymity; a developing regulatory landscape; potential susceptibility to market abuse and manipulation;
compliance and internal control failures at exchanges; and various other risks inherent in its entirely electronic, virtual form and
decentralized network. During times of market instability, we may not be able to sell any digital assets we hold at favorable prices
or at all. Further, any digital assets which we hold with our custodians will not enjoy the same protections as are available to cash
or securities deposited with or transacted by institutions subject to regulation by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the
Securities Investor Protection Corporation. If we are unable to sell any digital assets we hold, enter into additional capital raising
transactions using any digital assets we hold as collateral, or otherwise generate funds using any digital assets we hold, or if we are
forced to sell any digital assets we hold at a significant loss, in order to meet our working capital requirements, our business and
financial condition could be negatively impacted.
**We
are not subject to legal and regulatory obligations that apply to investment companies such as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds,
or to obligations applicable to investment advisers.**
Mutual
funds, exchange-traded funds and their directors and management are subject to extensive regulation as investment companies
and investment advisers under U.S. federal and state law; this regulation is intended for the benefit and protection of
investors. We are not subject to, and do not otherwise voluntarily comply with, these laws and regulations. This means, among other things,
that the execution of or changes to our Treasury Reserve Policy or our cryptocurrency strategy, our use of leverage, the manner in which
our cryptocurrency assets are custodied, our ability to engage in transactions with affiliated parties and our operating and investment
activities generally are not subject to the extensive legal and regulatory requirements and prohibitions that apply to investment companies
and investment advisers. Consequently, our board of directors has broad discretion over the investment, leverage and cash management
policies it authorizes, in respect of any activities we may pursue, and has the power to change our current policies, including our strategy
of acquiring and holding digital assets.
| 92 | |
**If
we or our third-party service providers experience a security breach or cyberattack and unauthorized parties obtain access to any of
our acquired digital assets, or if our private keys are lost or destroyed, or other similar circumstances or events occur, we may lose
some or all of our digital assets and our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.**
We
expect that any digital asset we own will be held in custody accounts at U.S.-based institutional-grade digital asset custodians. Security
breaches and cyberattacks are of particular concern with respect to digital assets. Cryptocurrencies and the entities that provide services
to participants in such ecosystem have been, and may in the future be, subject to security breaches, cyberattacks, or other malicious
activities. For example, in October 2021 it was reported that hackers exploited a flaw in the account recovery process and stole from
the accounts of at least 6,000 customers of the Coinbase exchange, although the flaw was subsequently fixed and Coinbase reimbursed affected
customers. Similarly, in November 2022, hackers exploited weaknesses in the security architecture of the FTX Trading digital asset exchange
and reportedly stole over $400 million in digital assets from customers. A successful security breach or cyberattack could result in:
| 
| 
| 
a
partial or total loss of our digital assets in a manner that may not be covered by insurance or the liability provisions of the custody
agreements with the custodians who hold our Solana; | |
| 
| 
| 
harm
to our reputation and brand; | |
| 
| 
| 
improper
disclosure of data and violations of applicable data privacy and other laws; or | |
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| 
| 
significant
regulatory scrutiny, investigations, fines, penalties, and other legal, regulatory, contractual and financial exposure. | |
Further,
any actual or perceived data security breach or cybersecurity attack directed at other companies with digital assets or companies that
operate digital asset networks, regardless of whether we are directly impacted, could lead to a general loss of confidence in the broader
cryptocurrency ecosystem, which could negatively impact us.
Attacks
upon systems across a variety of industries, including cryptocurrency industries, are increasing in frequency, persistence, and sophistication,
and, in many cases, are being conducted by sophisticated, well-funded and organized groups and individuals, including state actors. The
techniques used to obtain unauthorized, improper or illegal access to systems and information (including personal data and digital assets),
disable or degrade services, or sabotage systems are constantly evolving, may be difficult to detect quickly, and often are not recognized
or detected until after they have been launched against a target. These attacks may occur on our systems or those of our third-party
service providers or partners. We may experience breaches of our security measures due to human error, malfeasance, insider threats,
system errors or vulnerabilities or other irregularities. In particular, we expect that unauthorized parties will attempt to gain access
to our systems and facilities, as well as those of our partners and third-party service providers, through various means, such as hacking,
social engineering, phishing and fraud. Threats can come from a variety of sources, including criminal hackers, hacktivists, state-sponsored
intrusions, industrial espionage, and insiders. In addition, certain types of attacks could harm us even if our systems are left undisturbed.
For example, certain threats are designed to remain dormant or undetectable, sometimes for extended periods of time, or until launched
against a target and we may not be able to implement adequate preventative measures. Further, there has been an increase in such activities
due to the increase in work-from-home arrangements. The risk of cyberattacks could also be increased by cyberwarfare in connection with
the ongoing Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts, or other future conflicts, including potential proliferation of malware into systems
unrelated to such conflicts. Any future breach of our operations or those of others in the cryptocurrency industry, including third-party
services on which we rely, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
**We
have limited history in generating staking revenues from digital assets, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition
and operating results.**
Until
recently, our business focus was in the biopharmaceutical industry with a focus is on developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer.
| 93 | |
We
have recently shifted the focus of our operations to include a treasury policy under which our resources will be allocated to digital
assets.
We
have a limited operating history with the current scale of our business, which makes it difficult to forecast our prospects and future
results of operations. You should take into account the risks and uncertainties frequently encountered by companies in rapidly evolving
markets. If our assumptions regarding the risks and uncertainties of the cryptocurrency market, which we use to plan our business, are
incorrect or change, or if we do not address these risks successfully, our business would be harmed.
**Competition
from other companies staking and utilizing digital assets in their treasury plans.**
We
expect to contend with other companies also focused on developing digital asset staking operations. Market participants with sufficient
knowledge and capital has the ability acquire tokens on the open market and start staking, which would increase competition.
**We
may fail to develop and execute successful investment or trading strategies.**
The
success of our investment and trading activities will depend on the ability of our investment team to identify overvalued and undervalued
investment opportunities and to exploit price discrepancies. This process involves a high degree of uncertainty. No assurance can be
given that we will be able to identify suitable or profitable investment opportunities in which to deploy our capital. The success of
any trading activities will depend on our ability to remain competitive with other over-the-counter traders and liquidity providers.
Competition in trading is based on price, offerings, level of service, technology, relationships and market intelligence. The success
of investment activities depends on our ability to source deals and obtain favorable terms. Competition in investment activities is based
on relationships. The barrier to entry in each of these businesses is very low and competitors can easily and will likely provide similar
services in the near future. The success of our venture investments and trading business could suffer if we are not able to remain competitive.
**We
may make, or otherwise be subject to, trade errors.**
Errors
may occur with respect to any trades executed on our behalf. Trade errors can result from a variety of situations, including, for example,
when the wrong investment is purchased or sold or when the wrong quantity is purchased or sold. Trade errors frequently result in losses,
which could be material. To the extent that an error is caused by a third party, we may seek to recover any losses associated with the
error, although there may be contractual limitations on any third partys liability with respect to such error.
****
**Risks
Relating to Our Common Stock**
**If
we are unable to comply with the continued listing requirements of the NYSE American, then our Common Stock would be delisted from the
NYSE American, which would limit investors ability to effect transactions in our Common Stock and subject us to additional trading
restrictions.**
Our
Common Stock is currently listed on the NYSE American and the continued listing of our Common Stock on the NYSE American is contingent
on our continued compliance with a number of listing requirements. If we are unable to comply with the continued listing requirements
of the NYSE American, our Common Stock would be delisted from the NYSE American, which would limit investors ability to effect
transactions in our Common Stock and subject us to additional trading restrictions. In order to maintain our listing, we must maintain
certain share prices, financial and share distribution targets, including maintaining a minimum amount of stockholders equity
and a minimum number of public stockholders, as well as satisfy other listing requirements of the NYSE American. In addition to these
objective standards, NYSE American may delist the securities of any issuer for other reasons involving the judgment of NYSE American.
Section
1003(a)(i) of the NYSE American Company Guide requires a listed company to have stockholders equity of $50 million if the listed
company has sustained losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in its five most recent fiscal years. Our stockholders
equity was approximately $2 million as of December 31, 2025, and we had losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in each of
our fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. However, we are in compliance
with NYSE American listing standards as we currently satisfy the alternate compliance standards provided in Section 1003(a) which provide
that the NYSE American will not normally consider suspending dealings in, or removing from the list, the securities of an issuer which
is below any stockholders equity requirement described above if the issuer is in compliance with the following of the NYSE American
Company Guide since: (i) total value of our market capitalization is at least $50,000,000 or total assets and revenue of $50,000,000
each in its last fiscal year, or in two of its last three fiscal years; and (ii) the issuer has at least 1,100,000 shares publicly held,
a market value of publicly held shares of at least $15,000,000 and 400 round lot shareholders. There is no assurance that we will be
able to regain or maintain compliance with the NYSE American continued listing standards and/or continue our listing on the NYSE American
in the future.
| 94 | |
If
the NYSE American delists our Common Stock from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list our securities on another national
securities exchange, we expect the Common Stock would qualify to be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could
face significant material adverse consequences, including:
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a
limited availability of market quotations for our securities; | |
| 
| 
reduced
liquidity for our securities; | |
| 
| 
substantially
impair our ability to raise additional funds; | |
| 
| 
the
loss of institutional investor interest and a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in
the future; | |
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| 
a
determination that our Common Stock is a penny stock, which will require brokers trading in our Common Stock to adhere
to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities; | |
| 
| 
a
limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and | |
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| 
potential
breaches of representations or covenants of our agreements pursuant to which we made representations or covenants relating to our
compliance with applicable listing requirements, which, regardless of merit, could result in costly litigation, significant liabilities
and diversion of our managements time and attention and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, business
and results of operations. | |
****
**Our
shares of common stock are thinly traded, and the price may not reflect our value; there can be no assurance that there will be an active
market for our shares now or in the future.**
We
have a trading symbol for our common stock (MAIA) and our common stock is currently listed on the NYSE American.
Our
shares of common stock are thinly traded, and as such the price, if traded, may not reflect our value. There can be no assurance that
there will be an active market for our shares of common stock either now or in the future. The market liquidity will be dependent on,
among other things, the perception of our operating business and any steps that our management might take to bring us to the awareness
of investors. There can be no assurance given that there will be any awareness generated or, if given, that it will be positive.
Consequently,
investors may not be able to liquidate their investment or may be able to liquidate it only at a price that does not reflect the value
of the business. If a more active market should develop, the price may be highly volatile. Due to the possibility of our common stock
being priced lower than its actual value, many brokerage firms may not be willing to effect transactions in the securities. Even if an
investor finds a broker willing to effect a transaction in the shares of our common stock, the combination of brokerage commissions,
transfer fees, taxes, if any, and any other selling costs may exceed the selling price.
**The
price of our common stock may be volatile.**
Securities
markets worldwide have experienced in the past, and are likely to experience in the future, significant price and volume fluctuations.
This market volatility, as well as general economic, market, or political conditions could reduce the market price of our common stock
regardless of our results of operations. The trading price of our common stock has been and is likely to continue to be volatile and
could be subject to wide price fluctuations in response to various factors including, among other things, the risk factors described
herein and other factors beyond our control. Factors affecting the trading price of our common stock could include, but are not limited
to:
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| 
market
conditions in the broader stock market; | |
| 
| 
actual
or anticipated variations in our quarterly results of operations; | |
| 
| 
developments
in our industry in general; | |
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| 
results
from our ongoing clinical trials and future clinical trials with our current and future product candidates or of our competitors; | |
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| 
adverse
results or delays in clinical trials; | |
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| 
failure
to commercialize our product candidates; | |
| 95 | |
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| 
unanticipated
serious safety concerns related to the use of our product candidates; | |
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| 
changes
in our projected operating results that we provide to the public, our failure to meet these projections or changes in recommendations
by securities analysts that elect to follow our common stock; | |
| 
| 
any
delay in our regulatory filings for our product candidates and any adverse development or perceived adverse development with respect
to the applicable regulatory authoritys review of such filings, including without limitation the FDAs issuance of a
refusal to file letter or a request for additional information; | |
| 
| 
regulatory
or legal developments in the United States and other countries; | |
| 
| 
the
level of expenses related to future product candidates or clinical development programs; | |
| 
| 
our
failure to achieve product development goals in the timeframe we announce; | |
| 
| 
issuance
of new, negative or changed securities analysts reports or recommendations or estimates; | |
| 
| 
sales,
or anticipated sales, of our stock, including sales by our officers, directors and significant stockholders; | |
| 
| 
additions
or departures of key personnel; | |
| 
| 
regulatory
or political developments; | |
| 
| 
the
publics response to press releases or other public announcements by us or third parties, including our filings with the SEC; | |
| 
| 
announcements,
media reports or other public forum comments related to litigation, claims or reputational charges against us; | |
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| 
guidance,
if any, that we provide to the public, any changes in this guidance, or our failure to meet this guidance; | |
| 
| 
the
development and sustainability of an active trading market for our common stock; | |
| 
| 
investor
perceptions of the investment opportunity associated with our common stock relative to other investment alternatives; | |
| 
| 
other
events or factors, including those resulting from system failures and disruptions, earthquakes, hurricanes, war, acts of terrorism,
global outbreaks or pandemic, other natural disasters or responses to these events; | |
| 
| 
changes
in accounting principles; | |
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| 
litigation
and governmental investigations; and | |
| 
| 
changing
economic conditions. | |
These
and other factors may cause the market price and demand for shares of our common stock to fluctuate substantially, which may limit or
prevent investors from readily selling their shares of common stock and may otherwise negatively affect the liquidity of our common stock.
**We
could be subject to securities class action litigation.**
In
the past, when the market price of a stock has been volatile, holders of that stock sometimes have instituted securities class action
litigation against the company that issued the stock following a decline in the market price of their securities. This risk is especially
relevant for us because biotechnology companies have experienced significant share price volatility in recent years. Securities litigation
against us, regardless of the merits or outcome, could result in substantial costs and divert the time and attention of our management
from our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
**Future
sales of our common stock, or the perception in the public markets that these sales may occur, could cause the market price for our common
stock to decline.**
At
the time of this date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we have 1,752,945 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
outstanding under the MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. 2018 Stock Option Plan (the MAIA 2018 Plan) with a weighted-average exercise
price of $1.80 per share; 3,503,589 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding under the MAIA Biotechnology,
Inc. Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the MAIA 2020 Plan) with a weighted-average exercise price of $2.49
per share; 7,663,631 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding under our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the MAIA
2021 Plan) with a weighted-average exercise price of $2.14 per share; 367,890 shares of Common Stock reserved for future issuance
under the MAIA 2021 Plan and 13,086,220 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase shares of common stock at a weighted average
exercise price of $1.92 per share. In addition, we have $5,519,076 of common stock available for sale our At-the-Market Offering Agreement
dated March 22, 2025 with H.C. Wainwright and Co. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that market sales of shares of our common stock
or the availability of shares of our common stock for sale will have on the market price of our common stock prevailing from time to
time. Sales of substantial amounts of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that those sales will occur,
could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. Of the shares of common stock outstanding, 13,572,866 are restricted securities
within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and subject to certain restrictions on resale. Restricted securities may be sold
in the public market only if they are registered under the Securities Act, or are sold pursuant to an exemption from registration such
as Rule 144 or Rule 701.
| 96 | |
**We
do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future, and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders is restricted by applicable
laws and regulations.**
We
may retain future earnings, if any, for future operations, expansion and debt repayment and have no current plans to pay any cash dividends
for the foreseeable future. As a result of our current dividend policy, you may not receive any return on an investment in our common
stock unless you sell our common stock for a price greater than that which you paid for it. Any future determination to declare and pay
cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our financial condition, results
of operations, cash requirements, contractual restrictions and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant. Our ability
to declare and pay dividends to our stockholders is subject to certain laws, regulations, and policies, including minimum capital requirements
and, as a Delaware corporation, we are subject to certain restrictions on dividends under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the DGCL).
Under the DGCL, our board of directors may not authorize payment of a dividend unless it is either paid out of our surplus, as calculated
in accordance with the DGCL, or if we do not have a surplus, it is paid out of our net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend
is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. Our ability to pay dividends depends on our receipt of cash dividends from our operating
subsidiaries, which may further restrict our ability to pay dividends as a result of the laws of their jurisdiction of organization or
agreements of our subsidiaries, including agreements governing our indebtedness. For more information, see *Dividend Policy*.
**Claims
for indemnification by our directors and officers may reduce our available funds to satisfy successful third-party claims against us
and may reduce the amount of money available to us.**
Our
amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers,
in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Pursuant to our amended and restated bylaws and the DGCL, our directors
will not be liable to the Company or any stockholders for damages for any breach of fiduciary duty, except (i) acts that breach his or
her duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders; (ii) acts or omissions without good faith or involving intentional misconduct
or knowing violation of the law; (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL regarding director liability for unlawful payment of a dividend
or unlawful stock purchase or redemption; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. In
addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and directors. The indemnification agreements
provide the executive officers and directors with contractual rights to indemnification, expense advancement and reimbursement, to the
fullest extent permitted under the DGCL. The bylaws also require us, if so requested, to advance expenses that such director or officer
incurred in defending or investigating a threatened or pending action, suit or proceeding, provided that such person will return any
such advance if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification by us. Any claims for indemnification
by our directors and officers may reduce our available funds to satisfy successful third-party claims against us and may reduce the amount
of money available to us.
**We
may, in the future, issue additional capital stock, which would reduce investors percent of ownership and may dilute our share
value.**
We
have the right to raise additional capital or incur borrowings from third parties to finance our business. The issuance of additional
equity securities, whether pursuant to that certain At-the-Market (ATM) Offering Agreement dated February 14, 2024 with
H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC pursuant to each of which we may also sell an amount of shares of common stock that does not exceed the
number or dollar amount of shares of common stock that would cause the Company or the offering of the Shares to not satisfy the eligibility
and transaction requirements for use of Form S-3, including, if applicable, General Instruction I.B.6 of Registration Statement on Form
S-3, as more fully described elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or otherwise, will dilute the holdings of existing stockholders
and may reduce the share price of our common stock. We may also implement public or private mergers, business combinations, business
acquisitions and similar transactions pursuant to which it would issue substantial additional capital stock to outside parties, causing
substantial dilution in the ownership of the Company by our existing stockholders. Our Board of Directors has the authority, without
the consent of any of the stockholders, to cause us to issue more shares of common stock and/or preferred stock at such price and on
such terms and conditions as are determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion. The issuance of additional shares of capital
stock by us will dilute your ownership percentage in the Company and could impair our ability to raise capital in the future through
the sale of equity securities.
**Certain
stockholders who are also officers and directors of the Company may have significant control over our management.**
Our
directors and executive officers own as of March 23, 2026, an aggregate of 5,042,557 shares of our common stock, which constitutes 8.6%
of our issued and outstanding common stock. As a result, our directors and executive officers may have a significant influence on our
affairs and management, as well as on all matters requiring stockholder approval, including electing and removing members of our Board
of Directors, causing us to engage in transactions with affiliated entities, causing or restricting our sale or merger, and certain other
matters. Such concentration of ownership and control could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of
us even when such a change of control would be in the best interests of our stockholders.
**Anti-takeover
protections in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, or our contractual obligations
may discourage or prevent a takeover of our Company, even if an acquisition would be beneficial to our stockholders.**
Provisions
contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, as well as provisions of the
DGCL, could delay or make it more difficult to remove incumbent directors or could impede a merger, takeover or other business combination
involving us or the replacement of our management, or discourage a potential investor from making a tender offer for our common stock,
which, under certain circumstances, could reduce the market value of our common stock, even if it would benefit our stockholders. Among
other things, these provisions:
| 
| 
do
not permit cumulative voting in the election of directors, which would otherwise allow less than a majority of stockholders to elect
director candidates; | |
| 
| 
delegate
the sole power of a majority of the board of directors to fix the number of directors; | |
| 
| 
provide
the power to our board of directors to fill any vacancy on our board of directors, whether such vacancy occurs as a result of an
increase in the number of directors or otherwise; | |
| 
| 
generally
limit stockholders ability to call special meetings of stockholders and generally prohibit stockholder action to be taken by written
consent; and | |
| 
| 
establish
advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on
by stockholders at stockholder meetings. | |
| 97 | |
****
**Our
amended and restated bylaws designate the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types
of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders ability to obtain a favorable
judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees, agents or other stockholders.**
Our
amended and restated bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of
Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for any (i) derivative action or proceeding brought
on our behalf, (ii) action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty or other wrongdoing by any current or former director, officer,
employee, agent or stockholder to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim against us or any current
or former director, officer or other employee of the company, arising out of or pursuant to arising under any provision of the DGCL,
our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, or our amended and restated bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction
on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (iv) action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the
law of the State of Delaware, except for, as to each of (i) through (iv) above, any action as to which the Court of Chancery of the State
of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the
State of Delaware (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of
Delaware within ten (10) days following such determination), in which case the United States District Court for the District of Delaware
or other state courts of the State of Delaware, as applicable, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive
forum for any such claims. However, the exclusive forum provisions shall not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created
by the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) or any other claim for which
the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction, for which the federal district courts of the District of Delaware shall be the sole and
exclusive forum unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum. Section 22 of the Securities Act creates
concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities
Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring
or holding any interest in any shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provision in
our amended and restated bylaws. This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholders ability to bring a claim in a different
judicial forum, including one that it may find favorable or convenient for a specified class of disputes with us or our directors, officers,
other stockholders, or employees, which may discourage such lawsuits, make them more difficult or expensive to pursue, and result in
outcomes that are less favorable to such stockholders than outcomes that may have been attainable in other jurisdictions. By agreeing
to this provision, however, stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules
and regulations thereunder. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies certificates of incorporation
has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that a court could find these types of provisions to be inapplicable or
unenforceable. If a court were to find the choice of forum provisions in our amended and restated bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable
in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
**We
are considered a smaller reporting company and are exempt from certain disclosure requirements, which could make our stock
less attractive to potential investors.**
Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act defines a smaller reporting company as an issuer that is not an investment company, an asset-backed
issuer, or a majority-owned subsidiary of a parent that is not a smaller reporting company and that:
| 
| 
Had
a public float of less than $250 million as of the last business day of its most recently completed fiscal quarter, computed by multiplying
the aggregate number of worldwide number of shares of its voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates by the price
at which the common equity was last sold, or the average of the bid and asked prices of common equity, in the principal market for
the common equity; or | |
| 
| 
In
the case of an initial registration statement under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act for shares of its common equity, had a
public float of less than $250 million as of a date within 30 days of the date of the filing of the registration statement, computed
by multiplying the aggregate worldwide number of such shares held by non-affiliates before the registration plus, in the case of
a Securities Act registration statement, the number of such shares included in the registration statement by the estimated offering
price of the shares; or | |
| 
| 
In
the case of an issuer who had annual revenue of less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year for which audit
financial statements are available, had a public float as calculated under paragraph (1) or (2) of this definition that was either
zero or less than $700 million. | |
As
a smaller reporting company we are not required and may not include a Compensation Discussion and Analysis section in our
proxy statements; we provide only 3 years of business development information; provide fewer years of selected data; and have other scaled
disclosure requirements that are less comprehensive than issuers that are not smaller reporting companies which could make
our stock less attractive to potential investors, which could make it more difficult for you to sell your shares.
| 98 | |
****
**We
are considered an emerging growth company, and the reduced reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies
may make our common stock less attractive to investors.**
We
are an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or JOBS Act. For as long as we continue
to be an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other
public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including exemption from compliance with the auditor attestation requirements
of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation and exemptions from the requirements
of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously
approved. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth
anniversary of the closing of our initial public offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion
or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates
exceeds $700 million as of the end of our prior second fiscal quarter, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion
in non-convertible debt during the prior three year period.
In
addition, under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those
standards apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the extended transition period for adopting new or revised accounting
standards under the JOBS Act as an emerging growth company. As a result of this election, our financial statements may not be comparable
to companies that comply with public company effective dates.
We
cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find
our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our share price may
be more volatile.
**General
Risk Factors**
**Changes
in accounting standards and subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters may materially
impact reporting of our financial condition and results of operations.**
Accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States and related accounting pronouncements, implementation guidelines, and interpretations
we apply to a wide range of matters that are relevant to our business, such as accounting for long-lived asset impairment and share-based
compensation, are complex and involve subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by our management. Changes in these rules or their
interpretation or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates or judgments by our management could significantly change or add significant
volatility to our reported or expected financial performance.
**Our
failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.**
Our
management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. 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 in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Under standards established
by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and the Exchange Act, a deficiency in internal control over financial
reporting exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or personnel, in the normal course of performing
their assigned functions, to prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. The PCAOB and Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act define a
material weakness as a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a
reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented, or detected and
corrected, on a timely basis.
We
are required, pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness
of our internal control over financial reporting. Our auditors will also need to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control
over financial reporting upon losing our Emerging Growth Company status and becoming an accelerated filer or a large accelerated filer.
If we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective in the future or our independent registered
public accounting firm is unable to express an unqualified opinion as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting,
investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our common stock could be
adversely affected, and we could become subject to litigation or investigations by the stock exchange on which our common stock are listed,
the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources and could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
****
| 99 | |
****
**The
lack of public company experience of our management team could adversely impact our ability to comply with the reporting requirements
of U.S. securities laws, which could have a materially adverse effect on our business.**
Our
officers have limited public company experience, which could impair our ability to comply with legal and regulatory requirements such
as those imposed by Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Such responsibilities include complying with federal securities laws and making required disclosures
on a timely basis. Any such deficiencies, weaknesses or lack of compliance could have a materially adverse effect on our ability to comply
with the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, which is necessary to maintain our public company status. If we were to fail to
fulfill those obligations, our ability to continue as a U.S. public company would be in jeopardy in which event you could lose your entire
investment in our Company.
**Unanticipated
changes in the insurance market or factors affecting self-insurance reserve estimates could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.**
We
use a combination of insurance and self-insurance coverage to provide for potential liabilities for workers compensation, general
liability, property losses, auto liability, directors and officers liability, pharmacy liability and employee health care benefits. However,
there are types of losses we may incur but against which we cannot be insured or which we believe are not economically reasonable to
insure, such as losses due to acts of war, employee and certain other crime, certain wage and hour and other employment-related claims,
including class actions, actions based on certain customer protection laws, certain cyber events and some natural and other disasters
or similar events. If we incur these losses and they are material, our business could suffer. Liabilities associated with the risks that
are retained by us are determined, based in part, by considering historical claims experience, severity factors, inflation, and other
actuarial assumptions. Our determination of the risk we retain is subject to a high degree of variability related to, among other things,
future interest and inflation rates, future economic conditions, litigation trends and benefit-level changes. Any deviation of actual
claims and other expenses related to these and other risks in excess of our assumptions, estimates, and historical trends, may have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
**Unstable
global market and economic conditions may have serious adverse consequences on our business, financial condition and results of operations.**
The
global economy, including credit and financial markets, has experienced extreme volatility and disruptions, including severely diminished
liquidity and credit availability, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, increases in unemployment rates, increases
in inflation rates and uncertainty about economic stability. For example, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the conflict between U.S.,
Israel and Iran have created extreme volatility in the global capital markets and may continue to have further global economic consequences,
including disruptions of the global supply chain and energy markets. Any such volatility and disruptions may have adverse consequences
on us or the third parties on whom we rely. If the equity and credit markets deteriorate, including as a result of geopolitical unrest
or war, it may make any necessary debt or equity financing more difficult to obtain in a timely manner or on favorable terms, more costly
or more dilutive.
| 100 | |
Any
of the abovementioned factors could affect our business, prospects, financial condition, and operating results. The extent and duration
of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial. Any such disruptions
may also magnify the impact of other risks described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
**Adverse
developments affecting the financial services industry, such as actual events or concerns involving liquidity, defaults or non-performance
by financial institutions or transactional counterparties, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.**
Actual
events involving limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that affect financial institutions, transactional
counterparties or other companies in the financial services industry generally, or concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds
or other similar risks, have in the past led and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems. On March 10 and March 12,
2023, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) took control and was appointed receiver of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB)
and Signature Bank, respectively, after each bank was unable to continue its operations. We are unable to predict the extent or nature
of the impacts of the failures of SVB and Signature Bank and related circumstances at this time. Similarly, we cannot predict the impact
that the high market volatility and instability of the banking sector more broadly could have on economic activity and our business in
particular. The failure of other banks and financial institutions and measures taken, or not taken, by governments, businesses and other
organizations in response to these events could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Although
we do not hold any of our funds at SVB or Signature Bank, if the financial institutions with which we do business enter receivership
or become insolvent in the future, there is no guarantee that the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC will intercede
to provide us and other depositors with access to balances in excess of the $250,000 FDIC insurance limit, that we would be able to access
our existing cash, that we would be able to maintain any required letters of credit or other credit support arrangements, or that we
would be able to adequately fund our business for a prolonged period of time or at all, any of which could have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if any parties with which we conduct business are unable
to access funds pursuant to such instruments or lending arrangements with such a financial institution, such parties ability to
continue to fund their business and perform their obligations to us could be adversely affected, which, in turn, could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
**Item
1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.**
None.
**Item 1C. Cybersecurity.**
We
believe cybersecurity is critical to advancing our technological advancements. As a biopharmaceutical company, we face a multitude of
cybersecurity threats that range from attacks common to most industries, such as ransomware and denial-of service. Our customers, suppliers,
subcontractors, and business partners face similar cybersecurity threats, and a cybersecurity incident impacting us or any of these entities
could materially adversely affect our operations, performance, and results of operations. These cybersecurity threats and related risks
make it imperative that we expend resources on cybersecurity.
Our
Board of Directors oversees managements processes for identifying and mitigating risks, including cybersecurity risks, to
help align our risk exposure with our strategic objectives. Senior leadership, including our cybersecurity consultant,
regularly briefs the Board of Directors on our cybersecurity and information security posture and the Board of Directors is apprised
of cybersecurity incidents deemed to have a moderate or higher business impact, even if immaterial to us. The
full Board retains oversight of cybersecurity because of its importance. In the event of an incident, we intend to follow our
detailed incident response playbook, which outlines the steps to be followed from incident detection to mitigation, recovery, and
notification, including notifying functional areas (e.g., legal), as well as senior leadership and the Board, as appropriate. Our
Cybersecurity consultant has extensive information technology and program management experience. We
have implemented
a governance structure and processes to assess, identify, manage, and report cybersecurity risks.
| 101 | |
As
a biopharmaceutical company, we must comply with extensive regulations, including requirements imposed by the Federal Drug Administration
related to adequately safeguarding patient information and reporting cybersecurity incidents to the SEC. We work with our cybersecurity
consultant on assessing cybersecurity risk and on policies and practices aimed at mitigating these risks. We believe we are positioned
to meet the requirements of the SEC. In addition to following SEC guidance and implementing pre-existing third party frameworks, we have
developed our own practices and frameworks, which we believe enhance our ability to identify and manage cybersecurity risks. Third parties
also play a role in our cybersecurity. We engage third-party services to conduct evaluations of our security controls, whether through
penetration testing, independent audits, or consulting on best practices to address new challenges. Assessing, identifying, and managing
cybersecurity related risks are factored into our overall business approach.
We
rely heavily on our supply chain to deliver our products and services, and a cybersecurity incident at a supplier, subcontractor or business
partner could materially adversely impact us. We require that our subcontractors report cybersecurity incidents to us so that we can
assess the impact of the incident on us. Notwithstanding the extensive approach we take to cybersecurity, we may not be successful in
preventing or mitigating a cybersecurity incident that could have a material adverse effect on us. While we maintain cybersecurity insurance,
the costs related to cybersecurity threats or disruptions may not be fully insured. See Risk Factors for a discussion of
cybersecurity risks.
**Item
2. Properties.**
Our
headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois where we currently lease office space with approximately 124 square feet under a twelve month lease
starting in April 2025, under which we currently pay $3,325 per month. We believe that this space is sufficient to meet our needs for
the foreseeable future and that any additional space we may require will be available on commercially reasonable terms. Additionally,
we intend to maintain our business model designed to leverage virtual technology to minimize brick and mortar facilities while optimizing
our ability to attract top talented employees that may reside in any geography.
**Item
3. Legal Proceedings.**
At
the date of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, we are not party to any material legal proceedings. From time to time, we may be involved
in legal proceedings or subject to claims incident to the ordinary course of business. Regardless of the outcome, such proceedings or
claims can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of resources and other factors, and there
can be no assurances that favorable outcomes will be obtained.
**Item
4. Mine Safety Disclosures.**
Not
applicable
| 102 | |
****
**PART
II**
**Item
5. Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.**
**Market
Information and Holders**
Our
common stock is traded on NYSE American under the symbol MAIA. As of March 23, 2026, 60,671,491 shares of the
Companys common stock were issued and outstanding and were owned by approximately 171 holders of record. The actual number of
stockholders is greater than this number of record holders and includes stockholders who are beneficial owners, but whose shares are
held in street name by brokers and other nominees.
**Dividend
Policy**
We
have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock or any other securities. We anticipate that we will retain all available
funds and any future earnings, if any, for use in the operation of our business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable
future. In addition, future debt instruments may materially restrict our ability to pay dividends on our common stock. Payment of future
cash dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of the board of directors after taking into account various factors, including our
financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs, the requirements of current or then-existing debt instruments
and other factors the board of directors deems relevant.
**Recent
Sales of Unregistered Securities**
On
November 13, 2025, we issued 7,951 restricted shares of common stock to Prevail InfoWorks, Inc. in consideration of research and development
services rendered having a value of $14,550. We did not receive any proceeds from the issuance of these shares.
On
November 14, 2025, we issued 32,211 restricted shares of common stock to FGMK, LLC in consideration of accounting and consulting services
rendered having a value of $33,500. We did not receive any proceeds from the issuance of these shares.
On
December 3, 2025, we issued 301,608 restricted shares of common stock to HitGen, Inc. in consideration of research and development services
rendered having a value of $277,480. We did not receive any proceeds from the issuance of these shares.
On
December 5, 2025, we issued 16,724 restricted shares of common stock to Prevail InfoWorks, Inc. in consideration of research and development
services rendered having a value of $29,101. We did not receive any proceeds from the issuance of these shares.
On January 12, 2026, the
Company issued 8,362 shares of common stock having a value of $14,550.36 (based on $1.74 price using the calculated by using 120% of the
dollar value weighted average price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange for the thirty (30) trading days immediately preceding
the date of the purchase payment or the minimum share price of $1.74) to a service provider under a master services agreement in consideration
of services rendered.
On February 20, 2026, the
Company issued 5,449 shares of common stock having a value of $14,550.36 (based on $2.67 price using the calculated by using 120% of the
dollar value weighted average price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange for the thirty (30) trading days immediately preceding
the date of the purchase payment or the minimum share price of $1.74) to a service provider under a master services agreement in consideration
of services rendered.
On March 12, 2026, the Company
issued 6,037 shares of common stock having a value of $14,550.36 (based on $2.41 price using the calculated by using 120% of the dollar
value weighted average price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange for the thirty (30) trading days immediately preceding
the date of the purchase payment or the minimum share price of $1.74) to a service provider under a master services agreement in consideration
of services rendered.
No
underwriters were involved in the foregoing issuances of securities. The securities described above were issued to investors in reliance
upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, as set forth in Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act
relative to transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering, to the extent an exemption from such registration was required.
The recipient of securities in the transactions described above represented that it was an accredited investor and was acquiring the
securities for their own account for investment purposes only, and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution
thereof and that they could bear the risks of the investment and could hold the securities for an indefinite period of time and appropriate
legends were affixed to the instruments representing such securities issued in such transactions.
****
**Issuers
Purchases of Equity Securities**
None.
**Item
6. [Reserved]**
**Item
7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.**
*You
should read the following discussion together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations, estimates
and projections about our business and operations. Our actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated and expressed
in such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those which we discuss under Risk Factors
and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.*
****
**Overview**
We
are a clinical stage biotechnology company engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of therapies targeting cancer.
Our initial disease target is lung cancer, a serious medical condition with an incidence of over 236,000 new cases in the US in 2022,
representing 12.3% of all cancers, and over 130,000 deaths, or 21.4% of all cancers. Worldwide, lung cancer incidence is over 2,200,000
per year (ranking second only after breast cancer), and mortality over 1,800,000 (ranking first). Specifically, we are targeting Non-Small
Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), which represents 85% of all lung cancers. Ateganosine (THIO, 6-thio-dG or 6-thio-2 -deoxyguanosine),
our lead asset, is an investigational dual mechanism of action drug candidate incorporating telomere targeting and immunogenicity.
| 103 | |
We
are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer. Ateganosine (THIO, 6-thio-dG or 6-thio-2
-deoxyguanosine), our lead asset, is an investigational dual mechanism of action drug candidate incorporating telomere targeting
and immunogenicity. In July 2022, the first patient was administered with ateganosine in our Phase 2 human trial (THIO-101) in Australia.
In December 2022, regulatory authorities in three European countries, Hungary, Poland, and Bulgaria, approved the implementation of THIO-101,
Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating ateganosine in patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). In the trial, patients with advanced
NSCLC are treated first with ateganosine followed a few days later by the immune checkpoint inhibitor Libtayo (cemiplimab),
manufactured and commercialized by Regeneron. Cemiplimab is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor
PD-1 on T-cells. Cemiplimab has been approved in the United States and the rest of the world for multiple cancer indications, including
NSCLC. In February 2021, we signed a clinical supply agreement with Regeneron to receive cemiplimab at no cost, which represents a significant
cost-savings for the study. In return, we have granted Regeneron exclusive development rights in combination with PD-1 inhibitors for
NSCLC for the study period. In July 2025, we initiated an expansion of the THIO-101 trial focused on third-line NSCLC patients who are
resistant to checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy. The expansion will enroll up to 48 patients with two arms: Arm 1, continuing the
evaluation of ateganosine sequenced with Libtayo (cemiplimab); and Arm 2, evaluating ateganosine as a monotherapy, to further gain
experience of ateganosine in the contribution of components. Based on the clinical data generated by our THIO-101 trial, we plan to seek
filing for an accelerated approval of ateganosine in the United States for the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC in 2026, but
even if granted, accelerated approval status does not guarantee an accelerated review or marketing approval by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA).We initiated a Phase 3 pivotal trial in 2025, named THIO-104, to evaluate the efficacy of ateganosine administered in sequence
with a checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) in third-line NSCLC patients who are resistant to checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy. The multicenter,
open-label, pivotal Phase 3 trial is designed to provide a direct comparison to chemotherapy in a 1:1 randomization of up to 300 patients.
In addition, the originally planned Phase 2 clinical trial in multiple tumor indications (THIO-102) is now divided into different trials
for one tumor indication each: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), colorectal cancer (CRC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Phase 2 clinical
trials in HCC, CRC and SCLC are planned to be initiated in 2026, evaluating treatment with ateganosine administered in sequence with
BeOnes immune checkpoint inhibitor, tislelizumab. Clinical trials with other solid tumors (ST), such as breast, prostate, gastric,
pancreatic and ovarian, may still be considered for potential future trials.
We
were incorporated in Delaware in August 2018, and have operations in Chicago, Illinois, with some of our team members setup virtually
and working remotely in California, North Carolina, and New Jersey, among others. Our principal executive office is located at 444 West
Lake Street, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60606, and our phone number is (312) 416-8592. In July 2021, we established a wholly-owned Australian
subsidiary, MAIA Biotechnology Australia Pty Ltd., to conduct various preclinical and clinical activities for the development of our
product candidates. ln April 2022, we established a wholly owned Romanian subsidiary, MAIA Biotechnology Romania S.R.L. to conduct various
preclinical and clinical activities for the development of our product candidates. Our website address is www.MAIABiotech.com. The information
contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, and you should not consider any information
contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus supplement or in deciding whether to purchase our
securities.
We
accomplished the following key milestones in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and the first quarter of 2026:
| 
| 
On
January 7, 2025, we announced that we had entered into a clinical supply agreement with global oncology company BeiGene to assess
the efficacy of ateganosine, its small molecule telomere-targeting anticancer agent, in combination with BeiGenes immune checkpoint
inhibitor (CPI) tislelizumab in three cancer indications. The single arm pivotal Phase 2 trials will study the drug combination in
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and colorectal cancer (CRC). Under the terms of the collaboration,
MAIA will sponsor and fund the planned clinical trials and BeiGene will provide tislelizumab. MAIA maintains global development and
commercial rights to ateganosine and is free to develop the programs in combination with other agents and in other indications. Since
May 2025, BeiGene has changed its company name to BeOne Medicines. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
February 4, 2025, we announced positive updated data from THIO-101 Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating its lead clinical candidate,
ateganosine, sequenced with Regenerons immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) cemiplimab (Libtayo) in patients
with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who failed two or more standard-of-care therapy regimens. As of January 15, 2025,
third line (3L) data updates showed that: (i) median overall survival (OS) of 16.9 months for the 22 NSCLC patients who received
at least one dose of ateganosine (the intent-to-treat population) in parts A and B of the trial. (ii) The analysis demonstrated a
95% confidence interval (CI) lower bound of 12.5 months and a 99% CI lower bound of 10.8 months. (iii) The treatment has been generally
well-tolerated to date in this heavily pre-treated population. | |
| 104 | |
| 
| 
On
February 24, 2025, we issued and sold 1,810,000 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 1,810,000 shares of our common
stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and Company directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements dated
February 18, 2025 at a price per share of $1.50 for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $2.72 million. The warrants
issued in the private placement have an exercise price of $1.87, are exercisable one year after issuance and expire five years after
the initial exercise date. The securities sold to our directors participating in the private placement were issued pursuant to our
2021 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
February 26, 2025, we announced the trial design for the expansion of its THIO-101 pivotal Phase 2 trial in non-small cell lung cancer
(NSCLC). The expansion of the study will assess overall response rates (ORR) in advanced NSCLC patients receiving third line (3L)
therapy who were resistant to previous checkpoint inhibitor treatments (CPI) and chemotherapy. The THIO-101 study in 3L will enroll
up to 48 patients with two arms: Arm 1, continuing the evaluation of ateganosine sequenced with Libtayo (cemiplimab);
and Arm 2, evaluating ateganosine as a monotherapy, to further gain experience of ateganosine in the contribution of components.
Treatment cycles for patients in both arms will administer ateganosine on 3 consecutive days, followed by immune activation on day
4. Arm 1 will administer Libtayo on day 5. The Company plans to enroll an additional 100 patients for the registration phase of the
trial. MAIA expects to conduct the trials in the U.S. and select countries in Europe and Asia. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
February 27, 2025, we announced plans to initiate a Phase 3 pivotal trial in 2025, named THIO-104, to evaluate the efficacy of ateganosine
administered in sequence with a checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) in third-line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who are resistant
to checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy. The multicenter, open-label, pivotal Phase 3 trial is designed to provide a direct comparison
to chemotherapy in a 1:1 randomization of up to 300 patients. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
March 3, 2025, we issued and sold 952,300 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 952,300 shares of our common stock in
a non-brokered private placement to accredited investors and certain Company directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements
dated February 24, 2025 at a price per share of $1.50 for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $1.43 million, prior to
offering expenses payable by the Company. The warrants issued in the private placement have an exercise price of $1.85, are
exercisable one year after issuance and expire five years after the initial exercise date. The securities sold to our directors
participating in the private placement were issued pursuant to our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
March 18, 2025, MAIA announced that the United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council had approved ateganosine as the
nonproprietary (generic) name for its lead molecule THIO, a telomere-targeting anticancer agent in clinical development as a first-in-class
treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The company chose a name inspired by the mechanism of action of THIO:
altering telomeric guanosine of the cancer cells. The generic name ateganosine is a unique and consistent identity that aims to support
clear communication between healthcare providers, patients and researchers. MAIA will retain the name ateganosine in its clinical
trial designations (THIO-101, THIO-102, THIO-103, THIO-104). | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
March 20, 2025, we announced the publication of preclinical data for its lead proprietary telomere-targeting ateganosine dimer in
the peer-reviewed scientific journal Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Archives of Pharmacology. In a preclinical study, ateganosine and
its new described dimer form were found to be potent inhibitors of Glutathione S-transferase Pi (GSTP1), a key enzyme implicated
in cancer progression and chemoresistance and a highly important factor for the detoxification of cancer cells. The findings suggest
that the dimerized form of ateganosine could enhance chemotherapeutic efficacy by effectively targeting GSTP1 and reducing drug resistance.
The article, titled Investigation of the inhibitory effects of the telomere-targeted compounds on glutathione S-transferase
P1, was published on February 15, 2025. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
May 8, 2025, we issued and sold 719,999 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 719,999 shares of our common stock in a
non-brokered private placement to accredited investors and certain Company directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements
dated May 5, 2025 at a price per share of $1.50 for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $1.08 million, prior to
offering expenses payable by the Company. The warrants issued in the private placement have an exercise price of $2.05, are
exercisable one year following issuance and have a term of six years from the issuance date The securities being sold to the Company
directors participating in the offering are being issued pursuant to the Companys 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
| 105 | |
| 
| 
On
June 3, 2025, we issued and sold 463,332 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 463,332 shares of our common stock in
a non-brokered private placement to accredited investors and a Company director pursuant to securities purchase agreements dated
May 27, 2025 at a price per share of $1.50 for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $0.7 million, prior to offering expenses
payable by the Company. The warrants issued in the private placement have an exercise price of $1.71, are exercisable six months
following issuance and have a term of five years from the issuance date The securities being sold to the Company director participating
in the offering are being issued pursuant to the Companys 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
June 5, 2025, we announced updated data from its THIO-101 pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial. As of May 15, 2025, third line (3L) data
showed median overall survival (OS) of 17.8 months for the 22 NSCLC patients who received at least one dose of ateganosine (the intent-to-treat
population) in parts A and B of the trial. The updated analysis continues to demonstrate a 95% confidence interval (CI) lower bound
of 12.5 months and a 99% CI lower bound of 10.8 months. The Company also mentioned that treatment had been generally well-tolerated
to date in this heavily pre-treated population. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
June 5, 2025, we announced that a new partial response (PR) was identified in a patient after 20 months of treatment in our Phase
2 THIO-101 clinical trial. A partial response is defined as a decrease in tumor size of at least 30%. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
June 18, 2025, we announced its entry into a clinical master supply agreement with Roche for future studies investigating the combination
of MAIAs telomere targeting agent ateganosine (THIO), sequenced with Roches checkpoint inhibitor (CPI), atezolizumab
(Tecentriq), for the treatment of multiple hard-to-treat cancers. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
June 24, 2025, we announced the appointment of two prominent oncologists to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), Claudia Fulgenzi,
MD, and David J. Pinato, MD, MRCP (UK), PhD. Both are specialists in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a tumor type to be studied in
future clinical trials of MAIAs lead candidate ateganosine (THIO) sequenced with a checkpoint inhibitor. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
July 9, 2025, we announced the dosing of the first patient in Taiwan in the expansion phase of our THIO-101 Phase 2 trial for advanced
non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The trials entry into another continent marks a key milestone for MAIA, opening a significantly
larger patient pool for its evaluations of ateganosine (THIO). MAIA also announced that screening for the trial is ongoing in Europe
and Asia. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
July 17, 2025, we announced the publication of preclinical data from its second generation ateganosine prodrugs platform in Nucleic
Acids Research (NAR), a leading open-access peer-reviewed scientific journal. The study, titled Novel Telomere-Targeting Dual-Pharmacophore
Dinucleotide Prodrugs for Anticancer Therapy, details MAIAs lead ateganosine (THIO)-derived second-generation prodrugs
as promising new molecules in its strategy for enhancing cancer treatment and overcoming drug resistance. The manuscript with the
data was published on June 26, 2025, in Volume 53, Issue 12 of the NAR journal. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
July 28, 2025, we announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for ateganosine (THIO,
6-thio-dG or 6-thio2-deoxyguanosine) for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Ateganosine is currently being
evaluated in a pivotal Phase 2 THIO-101 clinical trial evaluating its anti-tumor activity when followed by a checkpoint inhibitor. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
August 13, 2025, we announced that the European Patent Office granted a patent broadly covering a portfolio of ateganosine-based
analogues for telomere targeting anticancer therapy and methods of using ateganosine (THIO) alone or before administration of checkpoint
inhibitors (CPIs). The patent, titled Mercaptopurine Ribonucleoside Analogues for Altering Telomerase Mediated Telomere,
was invented by MAIAs Chief Scientific Officer Sergei M. Gryaznov, PhD and Scientific Advisory Board member Jerry W. Shay,
PhD. MAIAs global patent and patent-pending estate covers several areas including telomerase mediated telomere altering compounds
and treatment of therapy-resistant cancers. Further, ateganosines immunogenic treatment strategy, which focuses on sequential
combination with checkpoint inhibitors, has been filed worldwide. MAIAs IP portfolio for ateganosine currently comprises 10
issued patents worldwide including Europe (validated in 19 countries) along with 24 pending patent applications. | |
| 106 | |
| 
| 
On
August 27, 2025, we announced that a manuscript detailing developments in its Phase 2 THIO-101 clinical trial was accepted and published
in the international peer-reviewed open access scientific journal, Cells, in a special issue, Cellular Mechanisms of Anti-Cancer
Therapies. The manuscript, titled Perioperative Management of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Era of Immunotherapy,
was authored by a group of oncology researchers in Turkey and the U.S. including MAIA scientists Sergei Gryaznov, Ph.D., Chief Scientific
Officer and Ilgen Mender, Director of Biology Research, along with MAIA Scientific Advisory Board members Z. Gunnur Dikmen, M.D.,
Ph.D. and Saadettin Kilikap, M.D., M.Sc. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
September 11, 2025, we highlighted positive efficacy data from its Phase 2 clinical trial, THIO-101, including that as of June 30,
2025: (i) estimated median progression free survival (PFS) in third-line treatment (180 mg dose) was 5.6 months; (ii) Estimated median
overall survival (OS) was 17.8 months, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) lower bound of 12.5 months and a 99% CI lower bound of
10.8 months, consistent with the prior data readout (May 15, 2025); (iii) Across patients of all treatment lines, 2 patients have
completed 33 cycles of therapy, highlighting ateganosine potential for extended dosing, which usually translates into longer
patient survival. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
September 24, 2025, announced today that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a $2.3 million grant for the expansion
of its THIO-101 Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating ateganosine as a third-line treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell
lung cancer (NSCLC). | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
October 1, 2025, we issued and sold 1,733,766 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 1,733,766 shares of our common
stock in a non-brokered private placement to accredited investors and certain Company directors pursuant to securities purchase
agreements dated September 29, 2025 at a price per share of $1.30 for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $2.25
million, prior to offering expenses payable by the Company. The warrants issued in the private placement have an exercise price of
$1.57, are exercisable six months following issuance and have a term of three after the initial exercise date. The securities sold
to our directors participating in the private placement were issued pursuant to our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
October 7, 2025 we announced our launch of a new digital asset treasury strategy focused on top-tier cryptocurrency asset. Due to cryptocurrency volatility, the Companys digital asset
strategy is currently on hold. As of the date of this report, the Company holds approximately $0 in digital
assets. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
October 16, 2025, we issued and sold 603,769 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 603,769 shares of our common stock
in a non-brokered private placement to accredited investors pursuant to securities purchase agreements dated October 13, 2025 at a
price per share of $1.22 for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $736,600, prior to offering expenses payable by the
Company. The warrants issued in the private placement have an exercise price of $1.52, are exercisable six months following issuance
and have a term of three years from the issuance date. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
October 23, 2025, we announced that as of September 17, 2025, a patient that began therapy in March 2023 has shown survival of 30
months, or 912 days, an outstanding measure relative to many of the high-risk cancers. The patient with thirty month survival
received therapy every three weeks, and concluded treatment upon reaching the maximum treatment duration of 2 years based on
protocol requirements. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
October 27, 2025, we announced that we have enrolled five patients from Taiwan and Turkey in the expansion phase of its THIO-101
Phase 2 trial. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
November 20, 2025, we announced Romania as an additional country to begin screening patients for the expansion phase of its THIO-101
Phase 2 clinical trial which evaluates ateganosine sequenced with an immune checkpoint inhibitor as a third-line treatment for non-small
cell lung cancer (NSCLC). | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
November 21, 2025, we announced that we have enrolled twelve patients from Taiwan, Turkey, Hungary and Poland in the expansion phase
of its THIO-101 Phase 2 trial. | |
| 107 | |
| 
| 
On
December 11, 2025, we announced that the first patient has been dosed in THIO-104 Phase 3 pivotal trial evaluating the efficacy of
ateganosine administered in sequence with a checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) as a third-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung
cancer (NSCLC). The multicenter, open-label trial is designed to assess overall survival for ateganosine sequenced with a CPI compared
to investigators choice of chemotherapy in a 1:1 randomization of up to 300 patients. MAIA has received regulatory approval
to screen patients in Taiwan, Turkey, select European Medicines Agency (EMA) countries, and Georgia. Screening and enrollment are
now underway. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
December 22, 2025, we issued and sold 1,233,488 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 1,233,488 shares of our common
stock in a non-brokered private placement to accredited investors and certain Company directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements
dated December 16, 2025 at a price per share of $1.224 for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $1.51 million, prior
to offering expenses payable by the Company. The warrants issued in the private placement have an exercise price of $1.36, are exercisable
six months following issuance and have a term of three years after the initial exercise date. The securities sold to our directors
participating in the private placement were issued pursuant to our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
January 20, 2026, we provided a corporate update on 2025 achievements and highlighted key targeted milestones and growth catalysts
for 2026. The targeted milestones include: (i) initial measures of efficacy from Phase 3 study, with interim disease control rates
(DCR), overall response rates (ORR) and progression free survival (PFS) analysis of ateganosine compared to the control arm will
support regulatory discussions; (ii) expected conclusion of Part C of Phase 2 study, which will provide additional clinical efficacy
data to support regulatory review for commercial approval; (iii) Plan to engage in regulatory interactions with the FDA to expand
ongoing FDA dialogue under the Fast Track designation, including discussions around trial enhancements and prospects for Accelerated
Approval and Priority Review; (iv) clinical development of second-generation molecules planned to start in Phase 1 trials, with additional
small molecules fully developed in-house with better expected efficacy compared to ateganosine. | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
On
March 4, 2026, we issued and sold 20,000,000 shares of our common stock in a underwritten public offering at a price of $1.50 per
share for aggregate gross proceeds of $30 million, prior to deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses. In addition, on March 9, 2026, the Company closed on the partial exercise
of underwriter over-allotment option for the above referenced public offering for an additional 2,005,875 shares of common stock at the
public offering price of $1.50 per share resulting in additional gross proceeds of approximately $3 million. After giving effect to the
partial exercise of the over-allotment option, the total number of shares sold by Company in the public offering increased to 22,005,875
and gross proceeds increased to approximately $33 million | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
In
addition to NSCLC, HCC, SCLC and CRC we plan to conduct clinical trials evaluating ateganosine in sequential combination with an
immune checkpoint inhibitor in several other cancer indications, including solid tumors, such as breast, prostate, gastric, pancreatic
and ovarian cancers. THIO-103 is a Phase 2 clinical trial planned to evaluate treatment with ateganosine in first-line patients for
both NSCLC and SCLC. | |
**Impact
of the War in Ukraine and the conflict in Iran on Our Operations**
The
short and long-term implications of Russias invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in Iran are difficult to predict at this
time. The imposition of sanctions and counter sanctions may have an adverse effect on the economic markets generally and could
impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Because of the highly uncertain and dynamic nature of these
events, the Company terminated any planned research activities in Russia.
| 108 | |
**Financial
Operations Overview and Analysis For the Years Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024**
**Comparison
of the Years Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024**
| 
| | 
Years Ended December 31, | | | 
Change | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | | 
Dollars | | | 
Percentage | | |
| 
Operating expenses: | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Research and development expenses | | 
$ | 14,547,332 | | | 
$ | 10,009,229 | | | 
$ | 4,538,103 | | | 
| 45 | % | |
| 
General and administrative expenses | | 
| 9,722,354 | | | 
| 6,947,981 | | | 
| 2,774,373 | | | 
| 40 | % | |
| 
Total operating costs and expenses | | 
| 24,269,686 | | | 
| 16,957,210 | | | 
| 7,301,585 | | | 
| 43 | % | |
| 
Loss from operations | | 
| (24,269,686 | ) | | 
| (16,957,210 | ) | | 
| (7,312,476 | ) | | 
| 43 | % | |
| 
Other income (expense): | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Interest expense | | 
| | | | 
| (57 | ) | | 
| 57 | | | 
| (100 | )% | |
| 
Interest income | | 
| 313,954 | | | 
| 318,367 | | | 
| (4,413 | ) | | 
| (1 | )% | |
| 
Australian research and development incentives | | 
| | | | 
| 79,954 | | | 
| (79,954 | ) | | 
| (100 | )% | |
| 
Grant income | | 
| 361,350 | | | 
| | | | 
| 361,350 | | | 
| | % | |
| 
Change in fair value of warrant liability | | 
| 1,198,210 | | | 
| (6,682,758 | ) | | 
| 7,880,968 | | | 
| (118 | )% | |
| 
Loss on fair value of warrants over proceeds | | 
| | | | 
| (12,952 | ) | | 
| 12,952 | | | 
| (110 | )% | |
| 
Other income (expense), net | | 
| 1,873,514 | | | 
| (6,297,446 | ) | | 
| 8,170,960 | | | 
| (130 | )% | |
| 
Net loss | | 
$ | (22,396,172 | ) | | 
$ | (23,254,656 | ) | | 
$ | 858,484 | | | 
| (4 | )% | |
**Operating
Expenses**
*Research
and development expenses*
Research
and development expenses increased by approximately $4,538,000 (or approximately 45%) from approximately $10,009,000 for the year ended
December 31, 2024 to approximately $14,547,000 for the year ended December 31, 2025. The increase was primarily related to an increase
in payroll expense of approximately $377,000 related to an increase in salaries of research and development employees, an increase in
stock based compensation of approximately $204,000, an increase in Scientific pre-clinical research of approximately $1,699,000, an increase
of other expenses related to research and development of approximately $47,000, an increase in clinical expenses related to the clinical
trial of ateganosine of approximately $2,174,000, and an increase in professional fees of $37,000.
*General
and administrative expenses*
General
and administrative expenses increased by approximately $2,775,000 (or approximately 40%) from approximately $6,948,000 for the year ended
December 31, 2024 to approximately $9,722,000 for the year ended December 31, 2025. The increase was primarily related to an increase
in other expenses of approximately $1,548,000 related to higher investor relations expenses, an increase in payroll expense of approximately
$281,000 relating to the increase in salaries of general and administrative employees, an increase in stock-based compensation of approximately
$515,000, and an increase in professional fees of approximately $431,000,
*Other
income (expense), net*
Other
income (expense), net increased by approximately $8,171,000 (or approximately 130%) from other expense, net of approximately
$6,297,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024 to other income, net of approximately $1,874,000 for the year ended December 31,
2025. The increase was primarily related to the change in the loss on fair value of the warrant liability of approximately
$7,881,000, a change in the loss on fair value of warrants over proceeds of approximately $13,000, an increase for grant income of
approximately $361,000, offset by a reduction in the Australia research and development incentives of approximately $80,000 and a
reduction of interest income, net of approximately $4,000.
| 109 | |
**Liquidity
and Capital Resources**
The
following table presents selected financial information and statistics as of and for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:
**Years
Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024**
| 
| | 
As of December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Balance Sheet Data: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Cash | | 
$ | 8,658,031 | | | 
$ | 9,601,298 | | |
| 
Working capital (1) | | 
| 3,865,458 | | | 
| 6,322,441 | | |
| 
Total assets | | 
| 9,704,656 | | | 
| 10,155,279 | | |
| 
Accrued bonus | | 
| 1,199,955 | | | 
| 941,098 | | |
| 
Total stockholders equity | | 
| 2,375,863 | | | 
| 3,634,636 | | |
(1)
We define working capital as current assets less current liabilities.
**Capital
Resources**
*Sale
of Common Stock*
Between
February 14, 2024 and December 31, 2024, we sold 3,274,360 shares of Common Stock at an average price of approximately $3.09 per share,
resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $10,111,996 under the ATM Agreements dated February 14, 2024 and May 15, 2024,
for which we paid Wainwright approximately $303,350 in commissions and $355,451 in other issuance costs resulting in net proceeds to
us of approximately $9,453,195.
On
March 14, 2024, we issued and sold 2,496,318 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 2,496,318 shares of our Common
Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to securities purchase
agreements dated March 11, 2024 at a price $1.17 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $2.92 million. The
warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $1.30, which price represents the greater of the book or market value of the stock
on the date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing six months following issuance and have a term of five
and a half years from the initial issuance date. The securities sold to our directors participating in the March 14, 2024 private
placement were issued pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan. The following Company directors participated in the aforementioned private
placement as follows: (i) Stan Smith purchased 170,940 shares and 170,940 warrants for an aggregate purchase price of $200,0000;
(ii) Louie Ngar Yee purchased 170,940 shares and 170,940 warrants for an aggregate purchase price of $200,000; (iii) Cristian Luput
purchased 69,282 shares and 69,282 warrants for an aggregate purchase price of $81,060 (iv) Steven Chaouki purchased 34,641 shares
of common stock and 34,461 warrants for an aggregate purchase price of $40,530 and (v) Ramiro Guerrero purchased 6,928 shares and
6,928 warrants for an aggregate purchase price of $8,106.
| 110 | |
On
March 28, 2024, we issued and sold 578,643 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 578,643 shares of our Common Stock in
a private placement to certain accredited investors pursuant to securities purchase agreements dated March 25, 2024 at a price of
$2.295 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $1.33 million. The warrants are exercisable at a price per
Share of $2.55, which price represents the greater of the book or market value of the stock on the date the purchase agreement was
executed, are exercisable commencing six months following issuance and have a term of five and a half years from the initial
issuance date.
On
April 25, 2024, we issued and sold 494,096 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 494,096 shares of our Common Stock in
a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements
dated April 22, 2024 at a price of $2.034 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $1.0 million. The
warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $2.26, which price represents the greater of the book or market value of the stock
on the date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing six months following issuance and have a term of five
and a half years from the initial issuance date. The securities sold to our directors participating in the April 25, 2024 private
placement were issued pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan. Company director Stan Smith purchased 147,492 shares and 147,492 warrants for
an aggregate purchase price of approximately $300,000 and Company director Louie Ngar Yee purchased 19,665 shares and 19,665
warrants for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $40,000.
On
November 1, 2024, we issued and sold 1,079,784 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 1,079,784 shares of our Common
Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to securities purchase
agreements dated October 28, 2024 at a price of $2.259 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $2.44
million. The warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $2.51, which price represents the greater of the book or market value
of the stock on the date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing six months following issuance and have a
term of five and a half years from the initial issuance date. The securities sold to our directors participating in the November 1,
2024 private placement were issued pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan. Company director Stan Smith purchased 100,000 shares and 100,000
warrants for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $225,900; Company director Ramiro Guerrero purchased 88,534 shares and
88,534 warrants for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $200,000; Company director Steven Chaouki purchased 22,133 shares
and 22,133 warrants for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $50,000; and Company director Cristian Luput purchased 22,133
shares and 22,133 warrants for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $50,000. In addition, the son of Company director Stan
Smith purchased 40,000 shares and 40,000 warrants for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $90,360 and related party 5%
stockholder FGMK Business Holdings, LLC purchased 243,470 shares and 243,670 warrants for a purchase price of approximately
$550,000.
On
December 13, 2024, we issued and sold 507,364 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 507,364 shares of our Common Stock
in a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements
dated December 9, 2024 at a price of $1.872 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $950,000. The warrants
are exercisable at a price per Share of $2.08, which price represents the greater of the book or market value of the stock on the
date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing six months following issuance and have a term of five and a
half years from the initial issuance date. The securities sold to our directors participating in the December 13, 2024 private
placement were issued pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan. Company director Stan Smith purchased 25,000 shares and 25,000 warrants for an
aggregate purchase price of approximately $46,800 and Company director Ramiro Guerrero purchased 53,418 shares and 53,418 warrants
for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $100,000. In addition, Sylvia Guerrero, the sister of one of the Company directors
purchased 5,341 shares and 5,341 warrants for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $10,000.
| 111 | |
From
October 1, 2025 thru December 31, 2025, we sold 236,271 shares of Common Stock through Wainwright under the ATM Agreement dated
March 22, 2025 at an average price of approximately $1.78 per share, resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of approximately
$420,780, for which we paid Wainwright approximately $12,623 in commissions and other issuance costs of 1,459, resulting in net
proceeds to us of approximately $406,698. From January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, we sold 3,782,335 shares
of Common Stock through Wainwright under the ATM Agreements dated December 19, 2024 and March 22, 2025 at an average price of
approximately $1.90 per share, resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $7,202,016, for which we paid Wainwright
approximately $216,060 in commissions and other issuance costs of $111,555, resulting in net proceeds to us of approximately
$6,874,401.
On
February 24, 2025, we issued and sold 1,810,000 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 1,810,000 shares of our Common
Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to securities purchase
agreements dated February 18, 2025 at a price of $1.50 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $2.7
million. The warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $1.87, which price represents the greater of the book or market value
of the stock on the date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing one year following issuance and have a term
of six years from the initial issuance date. The securities sold to our directors participating in the February 24, 2025 private
placement were issued pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan. Company director Stan Smith purchased 50,000 shares and 50,000 warrants for an
aggregate purchase price of approximately $75,000 and Company director Ramiro Guerrero purchased 73,333 shares and 73,333 warrants
for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $110,000. In addition, related party 5% stockholder FGMK Business Holdings, LLC
purchased 1,350,000 shares and 1,350,000 warrants for a purchase price of approximately $550,000.
On
March 3, 2025, we issued and sold 952,633 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 952,633 shares of our Common Stock in
a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements
dated February 24, 2025 at a price of $1.50 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $1.4 million. The
warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $1.85, which price represents the greater of the book or market value of the stock
on the date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing one year following issuance and have a term of six years
from the initial issuance date. The securities sold to our directors participating in the March 3, 2025 private placement were
issued pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan. Company director Stan Smith purchased 25,000 shares and 25,000 warrants for an aggregate
purchase price of approximately $37,500 and Company director Ramiro Guerrero purchased 33,333 shares and 33,333 warrants for an
aggregate purchase price of approximately $50,000.
On
May 8, 2025, we issued and sold 719,999 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 719,999 shares of our Common Stock in a
private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements
dated May 5, 2025 at a price of $1.50 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $1.1 million. The warrants
are exercisable at a price per Share of $2.05, which price represents the greater of the book or market value of the stock on the
date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing one year following issuance and have a term of six years from
the initial issuance date. The securities sold to our directors participating in the May 8, 2025 private placement were issued
pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan. Company director Stan Smith purchased 66,666 shares and 66,666 warrants for an aggregate purchase
price of approximately $100,000 and Company director Ramiro Guerrero purchased 20,000 shares and 20,000 warrants for an aggregate
purchase price of approximately $30,000.
On
June 3, 2025, we issued and sold 463,332 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 463,332 shares of our Common Stock in a
private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements
dated May 27, 2025 at a price of $1.50 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $0.7 million. The warrants
are exercisable at a price per Share of $1.71, which price represents the greater of the book or market value of the stock on the
date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing six months following issuance and have a term of five years
from the initial issuance date. The securities sold to our directors participating in the June 3, 2025 private placement were issued
pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan. Company director Stan Smith purchased 33,333 shares and 33,333 warrants for an aggregate purchase
price of approximately $50,000.
| 112 | |
On
October 1, 2025, we issued and sold 1,733,766 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 1,733,766 shares of our Common
Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to securities purchase
agreements dated September 29, 2025 at a price of $1.30 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $2.3
million. The warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $1.57, which price represents the greater of the book or market value
of the stock on the date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing six months following issuance and have a
term of three years from the initial issuance date. The securities sold to our directors participating in the October 1, 2025
private placement were issued pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan. Company director Stan Smith purchased 19,230 shares and 19,230
warrants for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $25,000.
On
October 16, 2025, we issued and sold 603,769 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 603,769 shares of our Common Stock
in a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements
dated October 13, 2025 at a price of $1.22 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $0.7 million. The
warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $1.52, which price represents the greater of the book or market value of the stock
on the date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing six months following issuance and have a term of three
years from the initial issuance date.
On
December 22, 2025, we issued and sold 1,233,488 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 1,233,488 shares of our Common
Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to securities purchase
agreements dated December 16, 2025 at a price of $1.224 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $1.5
million. The warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $1.36, which price represents the greater of the book or market value
of the stock on the date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing six months following issuance and have a
term of three years from the initial issuance date. The securities sold to our directors participating in the December 22, 2025
private placement were issued pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan. Company director Louie Ngar Yee purchased 81,699 shares and 81,699
warrants for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $100,000, Company director Stan Smith purchased 57,189 shares and 57,189
warrants for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $70,000, and Company director Steven Chaouki purchased 40,849 shares and
40,849 warrants for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $50,000,
*National
Institute of Health Grant*
On
September 24, 2025, we announced that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded us a $2.3 million grant for the expansion of
its THIO-101 Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating ateganosine as a third-line treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer
(NSCLC)
We
will need to raise additional capital to fund our operations, to develop and commercialize ateganosine, and to develop, acquire or in-license
other products. We may seek to fund our operations through public equity, private equity, or debt financings, as well as other sources.
We cannot make any assurances that additional financings will be available to us and, if available, on acceptable terms or at all. This
could negatively impact our business and operations and could also lead to the reduction of our operations.
****
**Cash
Flows**
**Cash
Flows Years Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024**
****
| 
| | 
Years Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Net cash flows used in operating activities | | 
$ | (18,844,598 | ) | | 
$ | (15,704,461 | ) | |
| 
Net cash flows provided by financing activities | | 
| 17,906,547 | | | 
| 18,176,609 | | |
| 
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash | | 
| (5,216 | ) | | 
| (21,545 | ) | |
| 
Net (decrease) increase in cash | | 
$ | (943,267 | ) | | 
$ | 2,450,603 | | |
**
| 113 | |
**
*Operating
Activities*
For
the year ended December 31, 2025, net cash used in operating activities was approximately $18,845,000, which consisted of a consolidated
net loss of approximately $22,396,000 offset by non-cash charges of approximately $2,052,000 which primarily includes approximately $2,631,000
in stock-based compensation, approximately $619,000 of expense related restricted shares issued for consulting services, and a gain of
approximately $1,198,000 related to the changes in fair value of the warrant liability. Total changes in operating assets and liabilities
of approximately $1,499,000 were primarily driven by an approximate $520,000 increase in accounts payable, an approximate $1,479,000
increase in accrued expenses, an approximate increase of $80,000 in Australian research and development incentives receivable, and an
approximate $580,000 decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets.
For
the year ended December 31, 2024, net cash used in operating activities was approximately $15,704,000, which consisted of a consolidated
net loss of approximately $23,255,000 offset by non-cash charges of approximately $8,788,000 which primarily includes approximately $1,913,000
in stock-based compensation, approximately $179,000 of expense related restricted shares issued for consulting services, and a loss of
approximately $6,683,000 related to the changes in fair value of the warrant liability, and the loss on fair value of warrants over proceeds
of approximately $13,000. Total changes in operating assets and liabilities of approximately $1,238,000 were primarily driven by an approximate
$119,000 decrease in accounts payable, an approximate $980,000 decrease in an accrued expenses, an approximate increase of $57,000 in
Australian research and development incentives receivable, and an approximate $196,000 decrease in prepaid expenses and other current
assets.
*Financing
Activities*
Net
cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2025 was approximately $17,907,000 and consisted primarily of approximately
$10,419,000 in gross proceeds from private placement offerings, proceeds from the at-the-market offering of approximately $7,202,000,
proceeds from the exercise of stock options of approximately $1,000, proceeds from the exercise of warrants of approximately $902,000
and were offset by approximately $617,000 of offering costs.
Net
cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 was approximately $18,177,000 and consisted primarily of approximately
$8,643,000 in gross proceeds from private placement offerings, proceeds from the at-the-market offering of approximately $10,112,000,
proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $217,000, and were offset by approximately $795,000 of offering costs.
*Critical
Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates*
Managements
discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of our operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which
have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. 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. The most significant estimates in the Companys
financial statements relate to the valuation of stock options and warrants and accruals for outsourced research and development activities.
These estimates and assumptions are based on current facts, historical experience and various other factors believed to be reasonable
under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities
and the recording of expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from
these estimates. To the extent there are material differences between the estimates and actual results, the Companys future results
of operations will be affected. We define our critical accounting policies as those accounting principles that require it to make subjective
estimates and judgments about matters that are uncertain and are likely to have a material impact on our financial condition and results
of operations, as well as the specific manner in which we apply those principles. While our significant accounting policies are more
fully described in Note 1 to our financial statements, we believe the following are the critical accounting policies used in the preparation
of its financial statements that require significant estimates and judgments.
**
| 114 | |
**
*Stock-based
compensation*
Our
stock-based awards are classified as equity (restricted stock awards and stock options). We recognize related stock-based compensation
expense based on the grant date fair value of the awards. The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the trading value of
the Companys common stock. We estimate the fair value of stock options and warrants using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model
which requires the use of subjective assumptions that could materially impact the estimation of fair value and related compensation expense
to be recognized. One of these assumptions include the expected volatility of our stock price. Developing this assumption requires the
use of judgment. The Company lacks sufficient company-specific historical and implied volatility information. Therefore, we estimate
our expected stock volatility based on the historical volatility of a publicly traded set of peer companies, while corroborating these
volatilities with our actual limited historical volatility information.
Two
of the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model are historical volatility and fair value of common stock. Historical
volatility is subject to uncertainty due to changes in the market over time. The fair value of our common stock is subject to uncertainty
due to the possibility of changes in the results of our clinical trials, which could impact the fair value of our common stock. The total
expense related to stock options is material to our financial statements on an annual basis, and significant fluctuations in the volatility
assumption or the fair value of our common stock could result in material changes in related compensation expense to be recognized.
*Prepaid
and Accrued Research and Development Expenses*
As
part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our prepaid and accrued research
and development expenses. This process involves reviewing open contracts and purchase orders, communicating with our personnel to identify
services that have been performed on our behalf and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the
service when we have not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of the actual cost. We make estimates of our prepaid and accrued research
and development expenses as of each balance sheet date in our financial statements based on facts and circumstances known to us at the
time. We confirm the accuracy of estimates with the service providers and make adjustments if necessary. Examples of estimated prepaid
and accrued research and development expenses include expenses for:
| 
| 
Contract
Research Organizations (CROs) in connection with clinical studies; | |
| 
| 
Investigative
sites in connection with clinical studies; | |
| 
| 
Vendors
in connection with preclinical development activities; and | |
| 
| 
Vendors
related to product manufacturing, development and distribution of clinical materials. | |
We
base our expenses related to clinical studies on our estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to contracts with
multiple CROs that conduct and manage clinical studies on our behalf. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation,
vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows. The scope of services under these contracts can be modified and
some of the agreements may be canceled by either party upon written notice. There may be instances in which payments made to our vendors
will exceed the level of services provided and result in a prepayment of the clinical expense. Payments under some of these contracts
depend on factors such as the successful enrollment of subjects and the completion of clinical study milestones. In accruing service
fees, we estimate the time period over which services will be performed and the level of effort to be expended in each period. If the
actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from our estimate, we adjust the accrual or prepaid accordingly.
Although we do not expect our estimates to be materially different from amounts actually incurred, if our estimates of the status and
timing of services performed differ from the actual status and timing of services performed we may report amounts that are too high or
too low in any particular period. To date, there have been no material differences between our estimates and the amount actually incurred.
**Item
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.**
We
are a smaller reporting company, as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information required
by this Item.
| 115 | |
**Item
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.**
Beginning
on page F-2 are the consolidated financial statements with applicable notes and the related Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm.
**Item
9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.**
None.
**Item
9A. Controls and Procedures.**
**Managements
Evaluation of our Disclosure Controls and Procedures**
Under
the supervision of and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, who is our principal executive
officer, and our Head of Finance, who is our principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure
controls and procedures as of December 31, 2025, the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. The term disclosure controls
and procedures, as set forth in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange
Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to
be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported,
within the time periods specified in the rules and forms promulgated by the SEC. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without
limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it
files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the companys management, including its principal executive
and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating
our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and
operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met.
Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating
the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any system of controls also is based in part
upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving
its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or
the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a control system, misstatements
due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December
31, 2025, our Chief Executive Officer and Head of Finance concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were
effective at the reasonable assurance level.
****
**Managements
Report on Internal Controls 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 Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision and with the participation
of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to provide reasonable assurance regarding
the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
U.S. GAAP. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined
to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
As
of December 31, 2025, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of
our internal control over financial reporting based on the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal
Control-Integrated Framework 2013 (1992 Framework). Based on this assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2025,
our internal controls over financial reporting were effective.
****
**Changes
in Internal Control over Financial Reporting**
There
were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2025 that have materially
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting
This
Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of the Companys registered public accounting firm regarding
internal control over financial reporting. Managements report was not subject to attestation by the companys registered
public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the SEC.
**Item
9B. Other Information.**
None.
**Item
9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.**
Not
applicable.
| 116 | |
**PART
III**
**Item
10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.**
The
information required by this Item will be set forth in our definitive proxy statement with respect to our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders
to be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the 2025 fiscal year and is incorporated herein by reference.
We
have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all our employees, officers and directors, including those officers
responsible for financial reporting. Our code of business conduct and ethics is available on the investor relations section of our website.
We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our
Code of Conduct by posting such information on the website address and location specified above.
We
have adopted an insider trading policy applicable to our directors, officers, employees, and other covered persons, and have implemented
processes for the company, that we believe are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations,
and the NYSE American listing standards. Our insider trading policy is filed as Exhibit 19.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
**Item
11. Executive Compensation.**
The
information required by this Item will be set forth in our definitive proxy statement with respect to our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders
to be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the 2025 fiscal year, and is incorporated herein by reference.
**Item
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.**
The
information required by this Item will be set forth in our definitive proxy statement with respect to our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders
to be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the 2025 fiscal year, and is incorporated herein by reference.
**Item
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.**
The
information required by this Item will be set forth in our definitive proxy statement with respect to our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders
to be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the 2025 fiscal year, and is incorporated herein by reference.
**Item
14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.**
The
information required by this Item will be set forth in our definitive proxy statement with respect to our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders
to be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the 2025 fiscal year, and is incorporated herein by reference.
**PART
IV**
**Item
15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.**
(a)(1)
Financial Statements.
The
consolidated financial statements required by this item are submitted in a separate section beginning on page F-2 of this Annual Report
on Form10-K.
(a)(2)
Exhibits.
The
exhibits filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are set forth on the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the signature page
of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.
**Item
16. Form 10-K Summary**
None.
| 117 | |
**Exhibit
Index**
| 
Exhibit
Number | 
| 
Description | |
| 
1.1 | 
| 
At The Market Offering Agreement dated February 14, 2024 between MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. and H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
1.2 | 
| 
Underwriting Agreement dated March 7, 2026, by and between MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. and Konik Capital Partners LLC, filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4, 2026. | |
| 
3.1(1) | 
| 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of MAIA Biotechnology, Inc | |
| 
3.2(1) | 
| 
Amended
and Restated Bylaws of MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. | |
| 
3.3 | 
| 
Certificate
of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of MAIA Biotechnology, Inc., filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the registrants
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
4.1* | 
| 
Description of Registrants Securities. | |
| 
4.2(1) | 
| 
Form
of Representatives Warrant (Included in Exhibit 10.19) | |
| 
4.3(3) | 
| 
Form
of Warrant | |
| 
4.4(3) | 
| 
Specimen
certificate representing shares of common stock | |
| 
4.5 | 
| 
Common Stock Purchase Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 16, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
4.6 | 
| 
Form of Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 17, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
4.7 | 
| 
Form of Wainwright Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 17, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
4.8 | 
| 
Form of Investor Warrants, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
4.9 | 
| 
Form of Director Warrants, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
4.10 | 
| 
Form of Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
4.11 | 
| 
Form of Investor Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, 2024. | |
| 
4.12 | 
| 
Form of Director Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, 2024. | |
| 
4.13 | 
| 
Form of Investor Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2024. | |
| 
4.14 | 
| 
Form of Director Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2024. | |
| 
4.15 | 
| 
Form of Investor Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 10, 2024 | |
| 
4.16 | 
| 
Form of Director Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 10, 2024. | |
| 
4.17 | 
| 
Form of Investor Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 2025 | |
| 
4.18 | 
| 
Form of Director Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 2025. | |
| 
4.19 | 
| 
Form of Investor Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2025 | |
| 
4.20 | 
| 
Form of Director Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2025. | |
| 118 | |
| 
4.21 | 
| 
Form of Investor Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 2025. | |
| 
4.22 | 
| 
Form of Director Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 2025. | |
| 
4.23 | 
| 
Form of Investor Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2025. | |
| 
4.24 | 
| 
Form of Director Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2025. | |
| 
4.25 | 
| 
Form of Investor Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2025. | |
| 
4.26 | 
| 
Form of Director Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2025. | |
| 
4.27 | 
| 
Form of Investor Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2025 and incorporated by reference. | |
| 
4.28 | 
| 
Form of Director Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2025 and incorporated by reference. | |
| 
4.29 | 
| 
Form of Investor Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 28, 2025 and incorporated by reference. | |
| 
4.30 | 
| 
Form of Director Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 28, 2025 and incorporated by reference. | |
| 
4.31 | 
| 
Form of Investor Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2025 and incorporated by reference. | |
| 
4.32 | 
| 
Form of Director Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2025 and incorporated by reference. | |
| 
4.33 | 
| 
Form of Investor Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 14, 2025 and incorporated by reference. | |
| 
4.34 | 
| 
Form of Investor Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 2025 and incorporated by reference. | |
| 
4.35 | 
| 
Form of Director Warrant, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 2025 and incorporated by reference. | |
| 
10.1(1) | 
| 
Form of Indemnification Agreement. | |
| 
10.2 | 
| 
Employment Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2025, between the Company and Vlad Vitoc., filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.3 | 
| 
Employment Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2025, between the Company and Sergei Gryaznov, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.4(3) | 
| 
Supply and Non-Exclusive License Agreement between the Company and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. dated February 1, 2021. | |
| 
10.5(3) | 
| 
Patent & Technology License Agreement between the Company and The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System on behalf of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center dated December 8, 2020. | |
| 
10.6(3) | 
| 
Patent & Technology License Agreement between the Company and The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System on behalf of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center dated December 23, 2020. | |
| 
10.7+(4) | 
| 
MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. 2018 Stock Option Plan. | |
| 
10.8+(4) | 
| 
MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. Amended & Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
| 
10.9+(5) | 
| 
MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
| 
10.10+ | 
| 
Amendment to the MAIA Biotechnology Inc 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, filed as Annex A to the Registrants Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 19, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference | |
| 
10.11+(5) | 
| 
Form of Director Stock Option Award under Amended & Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
| 
10.12+(5) | 
| 
Form of Compensatory Management Stock Option Award Agreement under Amended & Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
| 
10.13+(5) | 
| 
Form of Consulting Stock Option Award Agreement under Amended & Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
| 119 | |
| 
10.14+(5) | 
| 
Form of Employee Stock Option Award Agreement under Amended & Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
| 
10.15+(6) | 
| 
Form of Incentive Stock Option Award under 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
| 
10.16+(6) | 
| 
Form of Non-qualified Stock Option Award under 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
| 
10.17+(6) | 
| 
Form of Director and Consultant Non-qualified Stock Option Award under 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
| 
10.18(1) | 
| 
Underwriting Agreement dated as of July 27, 2022 between the Company and ThinkEquity, LLC | |
| 
10.19 | 
| 
Sales Agreement dated September 1, 2023 by and between MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. and ThinkEquity LLC filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 1, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.20 | 
| 
Employment Agreement dated August 30, 2023 between Jeffrey Himmelreich and MAIA Biotechnology, Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 15, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.21 | 
| 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 17, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.22 | 
| 
Form of Lock-Up Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 17, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.23 | 
| 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.24 | 
| 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.25 | 
| 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.26 | 
| 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.27 | 
| 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 10, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.28 | 
| 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.29 | 
| 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.30 | 
| 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.31 | 
| 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.32 | 
| 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.33 | 
| 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.34 | 
| 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 28, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.35 | 
| 
Form of Inducement Letter, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 17, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 120 | |
| 
10.36 | 
| 
Stock Purchase Agreement dated June 24, 2025 between MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. and Prevail Partners, LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.37 | 
| 
Form of Inducement Letter, filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.38 | 
| 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10..39 | 
| 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 14, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.40 | 
| 
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
10.41 | 
| 
Form of Lock-up Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4, 2026. | |
| 
19.1 | 
| 
Insider Trading Policy filed as Exhibit 19.1 of the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 21, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
21.1 | 
| 
List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant, filed as Exhibit 21.1 to the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 21, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
23.1* | 
| 
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. | |
| 
31.1* | 
| 
Certification
of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant
to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 
31.2* | 
| 
Certification
of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant
to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 
32.1* | 
| 
Certification
of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002. | |
| 
32.2* | 
| 
Certification
of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002. | |
| 
97.1 | 
| 
Clawback
Policy, filed as Exhibit 97.1 to the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on March 21, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 
101.INS | 
| 
Inline
XBRL Instance Document the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because 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.DEF | 
| 
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |
| 
101.LAB | 
| 
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |
| 
101.PRE | 
| 
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |
| 
104 | 
| 
Cover
Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | |
*
Filed herewith.
(1)
Filed as an exhibit to the registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 1, 2022.
(2)
Filed as an exhibit to the registrants Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on May 31, 2022.
(3)
Filed as an exhibit to the registrants Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on April 11, 2022.
(4)
Filed as an exhibit to the registrants Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on August 1, 2022.
(5)
Filed as an exhibit to the registrants Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on June 29, 2022.
(6)
Filed as an exhibit to the registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 22, 2022.
+
Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.
Pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K, certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted (indicated by [***])
because the Registrant has determined that the information is not material and is the type that the Registrant treats as private or confidential.
| 121 | |
**SIGNATURES**
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated:
March 23, 2026.
| 
| 
MAIA
BIOTECHNOLOGY, INC. | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
By: | 
/s/
Vlad Vitoc | |
| 
| 
Name: | 
Vlad
Vitoc | |
| 
| 
Title: | 
Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman | |
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| 
Name | 
| 
Title | 
| 
Date | |
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/
Vlad Vitoc | 
| 
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer | 
| 
March
23, 2026 | |
| 
Vlad
Vitoc | 
| 
(Principal
Executive Officer) | 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/
Jeffrey C. Himmelreich | 
| 
Head
of Finance | 
| 
March
23, 2026 | |
| 
Jeffrey
C. Himmelreich | 
| 
(Principal
Financial Officer) | 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/
Steven Chaouki | 
| 
Director | 
| 
March
23, 2026 | |
| 
Steven
Chaouki | 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/
Ramiro Guerrero | 
| 
Director | 
| 
March
23, 2026 | |
| 
Ramiro
Guerrero | 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/
Louie Ngar Yee | 
| 
Director | 
| 
March
23, 2026 | |
| 
Louie
Ngar Yee | 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/
Cristian Luput | 
| 
Director | 
| 
March
23, 2026 | |
| 
Cristian
Luput | 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/
Stan V. Smith | 
| 
Director | 
| 
March
23, 2026 | |
| 
Stan
V. Smith | 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/
Jean-Manass Theagne | 
| 
Director | 
| 
March
23, 2026 | |
| 
Jean-Manass
Theagne | 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 122 | |
**INDEX
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
| 
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Grant Thornton LLP PCAOB ID 248) | 
F-2 | |
| 
Consolidated
Balance Sheets | 
F-3 | |
| 
Consolidated
Statements of Operations | 
F-4 | |
| 
Consolidated
Statements of Comprehensive Loss | 
F-5 | |
| 
Consolidated
Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity | 
F-6 | |
| 
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows | 
F-8 | |
| 
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements | 
F-9 | |
| F-1 | |
**REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM**
Board
of Directors and Stockholders
MAIA
Biotechnology, Inc.
**Opinion
on the financial statements**
We
have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the
Company) as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, changes
in stockholders equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2025, and the related notes
(collectively referred to as the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the results of
its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2025, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
**Basis
for opinion**
These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on the Companys consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (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. The Company
is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits
we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
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.
/s/
GRANT THORNTON LLP
We
have served as the Companys auditor since 2022.
Charlotte,
North Carolina
March
23, 2026
| F-2 | |
**MAIA
Biotechnology, Inc. and Subsidiaries**
**Consolidated
Balance Sheets**
| 
| | 
December 31, 2025 | | | 
December 31, 2024 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
ASSETS | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Current assets: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Cash | | 
$ | 8,658,031 | | | 
$ | 9,601,298 | | |
| 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 
| 1,043,825 | | | 
| 473,834 | | |
| 
Australia research and development incentives receivable | | 
| | | | 
| 77,347 | | |
| 
Total current assets | | 
| 9,701,856 | | | 
| 10,152,479 | | |
| 
Other assets | | 
| 2,800 | | | 
| 2,800 | | |
| 
Total assets | | 
$ | 9,704,656 | | | 
$ | 10,155,279 | | |
| 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Current liabilities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Accounts payable | | 
$ | 2,038,803 | | | 
$ | 1,512,436 | | |
| 
Accrued expenses | | 
| 3,797,595 | | | 
| 2,317,602 | | |
| 
Total current liabilities | | 
| 5,836,398 | | | 
| 3,830,038 | | |
| 
Long term liabilities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Warrant liability | | 
| 1,492,395 | | | 
| 2,690,605 | | |
| 
Total liabilities | | 
| 7,328,793 | | | 
| 6,520,643 | | |
| 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7) | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | |
| 
Stockholders equity (deficit) | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Preferred stock, 0.0001 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, 0 shares issued and outstanding | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 150,000,000 and 70,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, 38,624,289 and 26,157,788 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively | | 
| 3,863 | | | 
| 2,616 | | |
| 
Additional paid-in capital | | 
| 112,053,233 | | | 
| 90,897,468 | | |
| 
Accumulated deficit | | 
| (109,631,005 | ) | | 
| (87,234,833 | ) | |
| 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | 
| (50,228 | ) | | 
| (30,615 | ) | |
| 
Total stockholders equity | | 
| 2,375,863 | | | 
| 3,634,636 | | |
| 
Total liabilities and stockholders equity | | 
$ | 9,704,656 | | | 
$ | 10,155,279 | | |
See
the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
| F-3 | |
**MAIA
Biotechnology, Inc. and Subsidiaries**
**Consolidated
Statements of Operations**
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
Years Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Operating expenses: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Research and development expenses | | 
$ | 14,547,332 | | | 
$ | 10,009,229 | | |
| 
General and administrative expenses | | 
| 9,722,354 | | | 
| 6,947,981 | | |
| 
Total operating expenses | | 
| 24,269,686 | | | 
| 16,957,210 | | |
| 
Loss from operations | | 
| (24,269,686 | ) | | 
| (16,957,210 | ) | |
| 
Other income (expense): | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Interest expense | | 
| | | | 
| (57 | ) | |
| 
Interest income | | 
| 313,954 | | | 
| 318,367 | | |
| 
Australian research and development incentives | | 
| | | | 
| 79,954 | | |
| 
Grant income | | 
| 361,350 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Change in fair value of warrant liability | | 
| 1,198,210 | | | 
| (6,682,758 | ) | |
| 
Loss on fair value of warrants over proceeds | | 
| | | | 
| (12,952 | ) | |
| 
Other income (expense) net: | | 
| 1,873,514 | | | 
| (6,297,446 | ) | |
| 
Net loss | | 
$ | (22,396,172 | ) | | 
$ | (23,254,656 | ) | |
| 
Net loss per share | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Basic and diluted | | 
$ | (0.70 | ) | | 
$ | (1.05 | ) | |
| 
Weighted average common shares outstanding basic and diluted | | 
| 32,114,608 | | | 
| 22,197,517 | | |
See
the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
| F-4 | |
**MAIA
Biotechnology, Inc. and Subsidiaries**
**Consolidated
Statements of Comprehensive Loss**
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
Years Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Net loss | | 
$ | (22,396,172 | ) | | 
$ | (23,254,656 | ) | |
| 
Foreign currency translation adjustment | | 
| (19,613 | ) | | 
| (14,355 | ) | |
| 
Comprehensive loss | | 
$ | (22,415,785 | ) | | 
$ | (23,269,011 | ) | |
See
the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
| F-5 | |
**MAIA
Biotechnology, Inc.**
**Consolidated
Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity**
**for
the Year ended December 31, 2025**
| 
| | 
Shares | | | 
Amount | | | 
Shares | | | 
Amount | | | 
Capital | | | 
Deficit | | | 
Income
(Loss) | | | 
Equity | | |
| 
| | 
Preferred Stock | | | 
Common Stock | | | 
Additional Paid-In | | | 
Accumulated | | | 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive | | | 
Total Stockholders | | |
| 
| | 
Shares | | | 
Amount | | | 
Shares | | | 
Amount | | | 
Capital | | | 
Deficit | | | 
Income (Loss) | | | 
Equity | | |
| 
Balance at December 31, 2024 | | 
| | | | 
$ | | | | 
| 26,157,788 | | | 
$ | 2,616 | | | 
$ | 90,897,468 | | | 
$ | (87,234,833 | ) | | 
$ | (30,615 | ) | | 
$ | 3,634,636 | | |
| 
Issuance of restricted stock | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 506,823 | | | 
| 50 | | | 
| 618,763 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 618,813 | | |
| 
Exercise of stock options | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 570 | | | 
| | | | 
| 844 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 844 | | |
| 
Stock-based compensation expense | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 2,631,652 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 2,631,652 | | |
| 
Issuance of common shares in connection with At-The-Market financing, net of $327,615 of issuance costs | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 3,782,335 | | | 
| 379 | | | 
| 6,874,022 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 6,874,401 | | |
| 
Issuance of common shares in connection with the Private Placement Offerings, net of $289,518 of issuance costs | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 7,516,987 | | | 
| 752 | | | 
| 6,023,757 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 6,024,509 | | |
| 
Issuance of warrants in connection with the Private Placement Offerings | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 4,105,215 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 4,105,215 | | |
| 
Exercise of warrants | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 659,786 | | | 
| 66 | | | 
| 901,512 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 901,578 | | |
| 
Foreign currency translation adjustment | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| (19,613 | ) | | 
| (19,613 | ) | |
| 
Net loss | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| (22,396,172 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| (22,396,172 | ) | |
| 
Balance at December 31, 2025 | | 
| | | | 
$ | | | | 
| 38,624,289 | | | 
$ | 3,863 | | | 
$ | 112,053,233 | | | 
$ | (109,631,005 | ) | | 
$ | (50,228 | ) | | 
$ | 2,375,863 | | |
See
the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
| F-6 | |
**MAIA
Biotechnology, Inc.**
**Consolidated
Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity**
**for
the Year ended December 31, 2024**
| 
| | 
Preferred Stock | | | 
Common Stock | | | 
Additional Paid-In | | | 
Accumulated | | | 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive | | | 
Total Stockholders | | |
| 
| | 
Shares | | | 
Amount | | | 
Shares | | | 
Amount | | | 
Capital | | | 
Deficit | | | 
Income (Loss) | | | 
Equity | | |
| 
Balance at December 31, 2023 | | 
| | | | 
$ | | | | 
| 16,986,254 | | | 
$ | 1,699 | | | 
$ | 64,472,249 | | | 
$ | (63,980,177 | ) | | 
$ | (16,260 | ) | | 
$ | 477,511 | | |
| 
Balance | | 
| | | | 
$ | | | | 
| 16,986,254 | | | 
$ | 1,699 | | | 
$ | 64,472,249 | | | 
$ | (63,980,177 | ) | | 
$ | (16,260 | ) | | 
$ | 477,511 | | |
| 
Issuance of restricted stock | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 75,550 | | | 
| 7 | | | 
| 179,483 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 179,490 | | |
| 
Exercise of stock options | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 120,110 | | | 
| 12 | | | 
| 217,146 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 217,158 | | |
| 
Stock-based compensation expense | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 1,912,744 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 1,912,744 | | |
| 
Issuance of common shares in connection with At-The-Market financing, net of $658,801 of issuance costs | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 3,274,360 | | | 
| 328 | | | 
| 9,452,867 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 9,453,195 | | |
| 
Issuance of common shares in connection with the Private Placement Offerings, net of $136,456 of issuance costs | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 5,156,205 | | | 
| 516 | | | 
| 2,683,987 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 2,684,503 | | |
| 
Issuance of warrants in connection with the Private Placement Offerings | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 1,917,075 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 1,917,075 | | |
| 
Exercise of warrants | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 545,309 | | | 
| 54 | | | 
| 3,191,621 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 3,191,675 | | |
| 
Reclassification of liability classified warrants to equity | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 6,870,296 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 6,870,296 | | |
| 
Foreign currency translation adjustment | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| (14,355 | ) | | 
| (14,355 | ) | |
| 
Net loss | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| (23,254,656 | ) | | 
| | | | 
| (23,254,656 | ) | |
| 
Balance at December 31, 2024 | | 
| | | | 
$ | | | | 
| 26,157,788 | | | 
$ | 2,616 | | | 
$ | 90,897,468 | | | 
$ | (87,234,833 | ) | | 
$ | (30,615 | ) | | 
$ | 3,634,636 | | |
| 
Balance | | 
| | | | 
$ | | | | 
| 26,157,788 | | | 
$ | 2,616 | | | 
$ | 90,897,468 | | | 
$ | (87,234,833 | ) | | 
$ | (30,615 | ) | | 
$ | 3,634,636 | | |
See
the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
| F-7 | |
**MAIA
Biotechnology, Inc. and Subsidiaries**
**Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows**
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
Years Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Cash flows from operating activities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Net loss | | 
$ | (22,396,172 | ) | | 
$ | (23,254,656 | ) | |
| 
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Stock-based compensation | | 
| 2,631,652 | | | 
| 1,912,744 | | |
| 
Restricted shares issued for consulting and research expense | | 
| 618,813 | | | 
| 179,490 | | |
| 
Change in fair value of warrant liability | | 
| (1,198,210 | ) | | 
| 6,682,758 | | |
| 
Loss on fair value of warrants over proceeds | | 
| | | | 
| 12,952 | | |
| 
Change in operating assets and liabilities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 
| (579,766 | ) | | 
| (195,935 | ) | |
| 
Australia research and development incentives receivable | | 
| 80,410 | | | 
| 56,805 | | |
| 
Accounts payable | | 
| 519,720 | | | 
| (118,827 | ) | |
| 
Accrued expenses | | 
| 1,478,955 | | | 
| (979,792 | ) | |
| 
Net cash used in operating activities | | 
| (18,844,598 | ) | | 
| (15,704,461 | ) | |
| 
Cash flows from financing activities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | | 
| 844 | | | 
| 217,158 | | |
| 
Proceeds from exercise of warrants | | 
| 901,578 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Proceeds from private placement round 1 2024 | | 
| | | | 
| 2,920,696 | | |
| 
Proceeds from private placement round 2 2024 | | 
| | | | 
| 1,327,990 | | |
| 
Proceeds from private placement round 3 2024 | | 
| | | | 
| 1,004,999 | | |
| 
Proceeds from private placement round 4 2024 | | 
| | | | 
| 2,439,236 | | |
| 
Proceeds from private placement round 5 2024 | | 
| | | | 
| 949,791 | | |
| 
Proceeds from private placement round 1 2025 | | 
| 2,715,000 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Proceeds from private placement round 2 2025 | | 
| 1,428,949 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Proceeds from private placement round 3 2025 | | 
| 1,079,998 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Proceeds from private placement round 4 2025 | | 
| 694,999 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Proceeds from private placement round 5 2025 | | 
| 2,253,900 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Proceeds from private placement round 6 2025 | | 
| 736,600 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Proceeds from private placement round 7 2025 | | 
| 1,509,796 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Proceeds from private placement | | 
| 1,509,796 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Proceeds from At-The-Market offering | | 
| 7,202,016 | | | 
| 10,111,996 | | |
| 
Payment of offering transactions costs | | 
| (617,133 | ) | | 
| (795,257 | ) | |
| 
Net cash provided by financing activities | | 
| 17,906,547 | | | 
| 18,176,609 | | |
| 
Net effect of foreign currency exchange on cash | | 
| (5,216 | ) | | 
| (21,545 | ) | |
| 
Net (decrease) increase in cash | | 
| (943,267 | ) | | 
| 2,450,603 | | |
| 
Cash at beginning of period | | 
| 9,601,298 | | | 
| 7,150,695 | | |
| 
Cash at end of period | | 
$ | 8,658,031 | | | 
$ | 9,601,298 | | |
| 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Warrants issued in connection with private placement offering 1 2024 | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 2,049,600 | | |
| 
Warrants issued in connection with private placement offering 2 2024 | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 1,190,111 | | |
| 
Warrants issued in connection with private placement offering 3 2024 | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 677,919 | | |
| 
Warrants issued in connection with private placement offering 4 2024 | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 1,800,389 | | |
| 
Warrants issued in connection with private placement offering 5 2024 | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 635,345 | | |
| 
Warrants issued in connection with private placement offering 1 2025 | | 
$ | 1,107,202 | | | 
$ | | | |
| 
Warrants issued in connection with private placement offering 2 2025 | | 
$ | 571,566 | | | 
$ | | | |
| 
Warrants issued in connection with private placement offering 3 2025 | | 
$ | 462,592 | | | 
$ | | | |
| 
Warrants issued in connection with private placement offering 4 2025 | | 
$ | 300,245 | | | 
$ | | | |
| 
Warrants issued in connection with private placement offering 5 2025 | | 
$ | 865,348 | | | 
$ | | | |
| 
Warrants issued in connection with private placement offering 6 2025 | | 
$ | 251,539 | | | 
$ | | | |
| 
Warrants issued in connection with private placement offering 7 2025 | | 
$ | 546,723 | | | 
$ | | | |
See
the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
| F-8 | |
**MAIA
Biotechnology, Inc. and Subsidiaries**
**Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements**
**For
the Years Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024**
**1.
NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
****
**Description
of Business, Organization, and Principles of Consolidation**
MAIA
Biotechnology, Inc. and Subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) is a biopharmaceutical company that develops oncology
drug candidates to improve and extend the lives of people with cancer. MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. (MAIA) was incorporated
in the state of Delaware on August 3, 2018. These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MAIA and its subsidiaries,
as follows:
| 
| 
| 
In
July 2021, the Company established a wholly owned Australian subsidiary, MAIA Biotechnology Australia Pty Ltd, to conduct various
pre-clinical and clinical activities for the development of the Companys product candidates. | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
In
April 2022, the Company established a wholly owned Romanian subsidiary, MAIA Biotechnology Romania S.R.L., to conduct various pre-clinical
and clinical activities for the development of the Companys product candidates. | |
****
**Liquidity**
At
December 31, 2025, the Company had working capital of$3,865,458, an accumulated deficit of $109,631,005, cash of $8,658,031 and
current liabilities of $5,836,398. Since its inception the Company has experienced net losses and negative cash flows from operations
each fiscal year. The Company has no revenues and expects to continue to incur operating losses for the foreseeable future, and may never
become profitable. The Company is dependent on its ability to continue to raise equity and/or debt financing to continue operations,
and the attainment of profitable operations.
****
| F-9 | |
****
**Impact
of the War in Ukraine and War in Israel on Our Operations**
The
short and long-term implications of war in Ukraine and war in Israel are difficult to predict at this time. The imposition of sanctions
and counter sanctions may have an adverse effect on the economic markets generally and could impact our business, financial condition,
and results of operations. Because of the highly uncertain and dynamic nature of these events, the Company terminated any planned research
activities in the impacted areas.
****
**Basis
of Presentation and Consolidation Principles**
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S.
GAAP or GAAP). You should read the discussion and analysis together with such consolidated financial statements
and the related notes thereto.
The
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Companys wholly owned subsidiaries. All transactions and accounts
between and among its subsidiaries have been eliminated. All adjustments and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation of these audited
consolidated financial statements have been included.
**Segment
Information**
Operating
segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete information is available for evaluation by the
chief operating decision-maker (CODM) in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company and
the Companys chief operating decision-maker, the Companys Chief Executive Officer, view the Companys operations
and manage its business as a single operating segment, which is the business of discovering and developing products for the
treatment of immunotherapies for cancer. Segment Assets are reported on the consolidated balance sheets as total assets. For
additional information, see Note 9 - Segment Information.
****
**Use
of Estimates**
The
preparation of the Companys audited consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. The most significant estimates
in the Companys financial statements relate to the valuation of stock options and warrants, and prepaids or accruals for outsourced
research and development activities. These estimates and assumptions are based on current facts, historical experience and various other
factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying
values of assets and liabilities and the recording of expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ
materially and adversely from these estimates. To the extent there are material differences between the estimates and actual results,
the Companys future results of operations will be affected.
****
**Certain
Risks and Uncertainties**
The
Companys activities are subject to significant risks and uncertainties including the risk of failure to secure additional funding
to properly execute the Companys business plan. The Company is subject to risks that are common to companies in the pharmaceutical
industry, including, but not limited to, development by the Company or its competitors of new technological innovations, dependence on
key personnel, reliance on third party manufacturers, protection of proprietary technology, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
****
**Foreign
Currency Translation**
The
financial statements of the Companys foreign subsidiaries, where the local currency is the functional currency, are translated
using exchange rates in effect as of the applicable balance sheet dates for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates during
the period for results of operations. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustment is included in stockholders equity
as accumulated other comprehensive loss.
****
| F-10 | |
****
**Off-Balance
Sheet Risk and Concentrations of Credit Risk**
The
Company has no significant off-balance sheet risks, such as foreign exchange contracts, option contracts, or other foreign hedging arrangements.
Cash accounts are maintained at financial institutions that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk. At December
31, 2025 and 2024, substantially all of the Companys cash was deposited in accounts at two financial institutions. The Company
maintains its cash deposits, which at times may exceed the federally insured limits of $250,000 per financial institution, with a reputable
financial institutions. The Company believes such funds are subject to minimal credit risk.
****
**Cash
and Cash Equivalents**
The
Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of December
31, 2025 and 2024, the Company has no cash equivalents.
****
**Fair
Value Measurements**
The
Company is required to disclose information on all assets and liabilities reported at fair value that enables an assessment of the inputs
used in determining the reported fair values. Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements
and Disclosures (ASC 820) establishes a hierarchy of inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable
inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the observable inputs be used when available.
Under
this accounting guidance, fair value is defined as 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 at the measurement date. 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 a liability.
To increase the comparability of fair value measures, the following hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation methodologies used
to measure fair value:
| 
| 
| 
Level
1 - Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets. | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
Level
2 - Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets
and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active,
or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
Level
3 - Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made
by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment. | |
Fair
value measurements discussed herein are based upon certain market assumptions and pertinent information available to management as of
and during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. The carrying amount of accounts payable approximated fair value as they are short
term in nature. The fair value of warrants issued for services is estimated based on the Black-Scholes model during the years ended December
31, 2025 and 2024. The estimated fair value of the warrants issued with the convertible notes, warrants issued to underwriters and embedded
features, represented Level 3 measurements.
****
**General
and Administrative**
General
and administrative expenses primarily consist of costs for corporate functions, including payroll and related expenses, depreciation
and amortization, rent, outside legal expenses, insurance costs, and other general and administrative costs.
****
| F-11 | |
****
**Research
and Development**
The
Companys research and development expenses consist primarily of costs associated with the Companys clinical trials, salaries,
payroll taxes, employee benefits, and stock-based compensation charges for those individuals involved in ongoing research and development
efforts. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Advance payments for goods and services that will be used in future
research and development activities are recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets and
are expensed when the activity has been performed or when the goods have been received.
As
part of the process of preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to estimate its prepaid or accrued expenses.
This process involves reviewing quotations and contracts, identifying services that have been performed on the Companys behalf
and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service when the Company has not yet been invoiced
or otherwise notified of the actual cost. The majority of the Companys service providers invoice the Company monthly in arrears
for services performed or when contractual milestones are met. The Company makes estimates of its prepaid or accrued expenses as of each
balance sheet date in our consolidated financial statements based on facts and circumstances known to the Company at that time. The Company
periodically confirms the accuracy of its estimates with the service providers and makes adjustments if necessary. The significant estimates
in the Companys prepaid or accrued research and development expenses are related to expenses incurred with respect to CROs and
other vendors in connection with research and development and manufacturing activities.
The
Company bases its expense related to CROs and Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) on its estimates of the services received and
efforts expended pursuant to quotations and contracts with such vendors that conduct research and development and manufacturing activities
on the Companys behalf. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and
may result in uneven payment flows. There may be instances in which payments made to the Companys vendors will exceed the level
of services provided and result in a prepayment of the applicable research and development or manufacturing expense. In accruing service
fees, the Company estimates the time period over which services will be performed and the level of effort to be expended in each period.
If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from its estimate, the Company adjusts the accrual
or prepaid expense accordingly. Although the Company does not expect its estimates to be materially different from amounts actually incurred,
the Companys understanding of 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. There have been no
material changes in estimates for the periods presented.
****
**Research
and Development Incentive**
The
Company recognizes other income from Australian research and development incentives when there is reasonable assurance that the income
will be received, the relevant expenditure has been incurred, and the consideration can be reliably measured. The research and development
incentive is one of the key elements of the Australian Governments support for Australias innovation system and is supported
by legislative law primarily in the form of the Australian Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, as long as eligibility criteria are met. Under
the program, a percentage of eligible research and development expenses incurred by the Company through its subsidiary in Australia are
reimbursed.
Management
has assessed the Companys research and development activities and expenditures to determine which activities and expenditures
are likely to be eligible under the research and development incentive regime described above. At each period end, management estimates
the refundable tax offset available to the Company based on available information at the time and it is included in Australian research
and development incentives in the consolidated statements of operations.
**National
Institute of Health (NIH) Grant**
****
The
Company entered into an agreement with the National Cancer Institute for SBIR grant. Under the terms of the agreement, the National
Cancer Institute has committed to reimburse the Company up to $2,297,863
of qualifying research and development expenses over the three year term of the grant. The Companys ability to receive these
funds is contingent upon incurring eligible costs and achieving certain performance objectives. For additional information, see Note
10 Government Grants.
****
**Derivative
Financial Instruments**
The
Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks. The Company evaluates
all of its financial instruments, to determine if such instruments contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives.
| F-12 | |
Embedded
derivatives must be separately measured from the host contract if all the requirements for bifurcation are met. The assessment of the
conditions surrounding the bifurcation of embedded derivatives depends on the nature of the host contract. Bifurcated embedded derivatives
are recognized at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in the statement of operations. The Company has warrant liabilities
deemed derivative instruments. Total warrant liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 was $1,492,395 and
$2,690,605, respectively.
****
**Stock-Based
Compensation**
The
Company records share-based compensation for awards granted to employees, non-employees, and to members of the board of directors based
on the grant date fair value of awards issued, and the expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.
Forfeitures are recognized when they occur.
The
Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options. The use of the Black-Scholes-Merton
option-pricing model requires management to make assumptions with respect to the expected term of the option, the expected volatility
of the Common Stock consistent with the expected life of the option, risk-free interest rates and expected dividend yields of the Common
Stock. The Company has concluded that its historical share option exercise experience does not provide a reasonable basis upon which
to estimate expected term. Therefore, the expected term was determined according to the simplified method, which is the average of the
vesting tranche dates and the contractual term. Due to the lack of company specific historical and implied volatility data, the estimate
of expected volatility is primarily based on the historical volatility of a group of similar companies that are publicly traded. For
these analyses, companies with comparable characteristics are selected, including enterprise value and position within the industry,
and with historical share price information sufficient to meet the expected life of the share-based awards. The Company computes the
historical volatility data using the daily closing prices for the selected companies shares during the equivalent period of the
calculated expected term of its share-based awards. The risk-free interest rate is determined by reference to U.S. Treasury zero-coupon
issues with remaining maturities similar to the expected term of the options. The Company has not paid, and does not anticipate paying,
cash dividends on shares of its Common Stock.
All
stock-based compensation costs are recorded in general and administrative or research and development costs in the consolidated statements
of operations based upon the underlying individuals role at the Company.
****
**Common
Stock Warrants**
The
Company accounts for Common Stock warrants as either equity instruments or liabilities in accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities
from Equity (ASC 480), depending on the specific terms of the warrant agreement.
When
warrants are issued for services to non-employees, under ASC 718, Compensation Stock Compensation (ASC 718), the
warrants shall be classified as a liability if 1) the underlying shares are classified as liabilities or 2) the entity can be required
under any circumstances to settle the warrant by transferring cash or other assets. The measurement of equity-classified non-employee
share-based payments is generally fixed on the grant date and are considered compensatory, as defined by ASC 718. The Company uses the
Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to determine the fair value of the warrants.
****
**Income
Taxes**
Income
taxes are recorded in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (ASC 740), which provides for deferred taxes using an asset
and liability approach. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events
that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference
between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences
are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are provided, if based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not
that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with
the provisions of ASC 740. When uncertain tax positions exist, the Company recognizes the tax benefit of tax positions to the extent
that the benefit would more likely than not be realized assuming examination by the taxing authority. The determination as to whether
the tax benefit will more likely than not be realized is based upon the technical merits of the tax position as well as consideration
of the available facts and circumstances. The Company recognizes any interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits
as income tax expense.
| F-13 | |
Effective
January 1, 2025, the Company adopted ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which expanded income tax disclosure requirements,
including disaggregation of pretax income (loss) and income tax expense (benefit) by jurisdiction and disclosure of income taxes paid
(net of refunds received). The adoption affected disclosures only and did not impact the Companys financial position, results
of operations, or cash flows.
In July 2025, the One Big
Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21) was enacted. The Company recognized the income tax effects of the legislation in the period of
enactment in accordance with ASC 740. The legislation did not have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 2025. The Company will continue to evaluate the impact of the legislation on future periods.
No
provision or benefit for U.S. federal, state, or Australian income taxes has been recorded for the years ended December 31, 2025 and
2024, mainly due to net losses incurred by the Company. A provision of approximately $2,000 and $2,000 for Romanian income tax was recorded
for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
**Deferred
Offering Costs**
Deferred
offering costs consists of legal, accounting, underwriting fees and other costs that are directly related to a planned offerings and
will be charged to additional paid-in capital upon the completion of the follow on offering. The Company had no offering costs as of
December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
****
**Net
Loss Per Share**
Basic
loss per share of Common Stock is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
for the period. Diluted net loss per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the dilutive
effect of Common Stock equivalents outstanding for the period, determined using the treasury-stock method. Diluted loss per share excludes,
when applicable, the potential impact of stock options, unvested shares of restricted stock awards, and Common Stock warrants because
their effect would be anti-dilutive due to our net loss. Gains on warrant liabilities are only considered dilutive when the average market
price of the Common Stock during the period exceeds the exercise price of the warrants. Since the Company had a net loss in each of the
periods presented, basic and diluted net loss per common share are the same.
The
following table summarizes the Companys potentially dilutive securities, in common share equivalents, which have been excluded
from the calculation of dilutive loss per share as their effect would be anti-dilutive:
SCHEDULE OF ANTIDILUTIVE SHARES EXCLUDED FROM CALCULATION OF DILUTIVE LOSS PER SHARE
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
Years Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Shares issuable upon exercise of stock options | | 
| 12,878,381 | | | 
| 9,769,992 | | |
| 
Shares issuable upon exercise of warrants | | 
| 13,086,220 | | | 
| 6,718,176 | | |
**Leases**
In
February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU)
No. 2016-02, as amended, Leases (Topic 842), which applies to all leases. Under Topic 842, a right-of-use asset and
lease obligation will be recorded for all leases, whether operating or financing leases, while the statement of operations will
reflect lease expense for operating leases and amortization and interest expense for financing leases. At the inception of an
arrangement the Company determines whether the arrangement is or contains a lease based on the circumstances present. All leases
with a term greater than one year are recognized on the consolidated balance sheet as right-of-use assets, lease liabilities and, if
applicable, long-term lease liabilities. The Company has elected not to recognize on the consolidated balance sheet leases with
terms of one year or less. Lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use assets are recorded based on the present value of
lease payments over the expected lease term. The interest rate implicit in lease contracts is typically not readily determinable. As
such, the Company utilizes the appropriate incremental borrowing rate, which is the rate incurred to borrow on a collateralized
basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. Certain adjustments to the
right-of-use asset may be required for items such as initial direct costs paid or incentives received. At the inception of an
arrangement the Company determines whether the arrangement is or contains a lease based on the circumstances present. Currently none
of the Companys operating lease commitments are subject to the standard as its leases are short-term in nature (i.e., less
than twelve months).
| F-14 | |
**Recent
Accounting Standards**
In
December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires disclosure of disaggregated income
taxes paid, prescribes standard categories for the components of the effective tax rate reconciliation, and modifies other income tax-related
disclosures. ASU No. 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and allows for adoption on a prospective
basis, with a retrospective option. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption did not have an impact on the Companys financial
condition or results of operations. See Note 8 Income Taxes.
In
March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which requires detailed disclosure of significant
expense components and additional clarity when expenses are classified by function. ASU No. 2024-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2026 and allows for adoption on a prospective basis, with a retrospective option. Early adoption is permitted. We
do not expect the amendments in this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In
December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-10, Government Grants (Topic 832): Accounting for Government Grants Received by Business
Entities, which requires recognizing grants when compliance with conditions is probable. ASU 2025-10 is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2028 and allows for adoption on a prospective basis, with a retrospective option. Early adoption is
permitted. The adoption did have an immaterial impact on the Companys financial condition or results of operations. See Note
10 Government Grants.
From
time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standard setting bodies and are adopted by the Company as
of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company believes that the impact of recently issued standards that are
not yet effective will not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations upon adoption.
**2.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS**
**Consulting
Services**
The
consulting firm FGMK, LLC and its affiliate FGMK Business Holdings, LLC beneficially owns more than 5% of the stock of the Company and
is therefore a related party. On June 2, 2025, the Company expensed $31,570 related to the grant of 18,040 restricted shares of Common
Stock for payment of their accounting, tax and valuation services. On November 14, 2025, the Company expensed $33,500 related to the
grant of 32,211 restricted shares of Common Stock for payment of their accounting, tax and valuation services. In addition, FGMK Business
Holdings, LLC participated in the February 2025 private placement and purchased 1,350,000 shares of the Companys Common Stock
and warrants to purchase 1,350,000 shares of the Companys Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2,025,000.
FGMK Business Holdings, LLC also participated in the October 2025 private placement and purchased 769,230 shares of the Companys
Common Stock and warrants to purchase 769,230 shares of the Companys Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately
$999,999. On September 18, 2025, FGMK Business Holdings, LLC participated in the Warrant Inducement and exercised 243,470 warrants for
a purchase price of approximately $317,000. In addition, FGMK Business Holdings, LLC participated in the Warrant Amendment on September
29, 2025, reducing the exercise price of certain warrants they hold from $1.87 to $1.30 per share.
| F-15 | |
****
**10b5-1
Plan**
Certain
of our directors and executive officers previously adopted written plans, known as Rule 10b5-1 plans, in which they contracted with a
broker to buy shares of our Common Stock on a periodic basis. Each of these plans have expired as of the date of the accompanying consolidated
financial statements. Our directors and executive officers may, in the future, adopt Rule 10b5-1 plans in which they contract with a
broker to buy or sell shares of our Common Stock on a periodic basis. Under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, a broker executes trades pursuant to
parameters established by the director or officer at the time was entered into, without further direction from the director or officer.
The director or officer may amend or terminate the plan in limited circumstances. Our directors and executive officers may also buy or
sell additional shares of our Common Stock outside of a Rule 10b5-1 plan when they are not in possession of material nonpublic information.
****
**Private
Placements**
The
following Company directors participated in the March 2024 private placement as follows: (i) Stan Smith purchased 170,940 shares of our
Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 170,940 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $200,000;
(ii) Louie Ngar Yee purchased 170,940 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 170,940 shares of our Common Stock for
an aggregate purchase price of approximately $200,000; (iii) Cristian Luput purchased 69,282 shares of our Common Stock and warrants
to purchase up to 69,282 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $81,060; (iv) Steven Chaouki purchased
34,641 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 34,641 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of
approximately $40,530; and (v) Ramiro Guerrero purchased 6,928 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 6,928 shares
of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $8,106.
The
following Company directors participated in the April 2024 private placement as follows: (i) Stan Smith purchased 147,492 shares of our
Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 147,492 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $300,000;
and (ii) Louie Ngar Yee purchased 19,665 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 19,665 shares of our Common Stock
for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $40,000.
The
following Company directors participated in the November 2024 private placement as follows: (i) Stan Smith purchased 100,000 shares of
our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 100,000 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $225,900;
(ii) Ramiro Guerrero purchased 88,534 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 88,534 shares of our Common Stock for
an aggregate purchase price of approximately $200,000; (iii) Cristian Luput purchased 22,133 shares of our Common Stock and warrants
to purchase up to 22,133 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $50,000; and (iv) Steven Chaouki
purchased 22,133 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 22,133 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase
price of approximately $50,000. In addition, the son of Company director Stan Smith purchased 40,000 shares and 40,000 warrants for an
aggregate purchase price of approximately $90,360 and 5% stockholder FGMK Business Holdings, LLC purchased 243,470 shares and 243,470
warrants for a purchase price of approximately $550,000.
The
following Company directors participated in the December 2024 private placement as follows: (i) Stan Smith purchased 25,000 shares of
our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 25,000 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $46,800;
and (ii) Ramiro Guerrero purchased 54,518 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 53,418 shares of our Common Stock
for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $100,000. In addition, Sylvia Guerrero, the sister of one of the Company directors,
purchased 5,341 shares and 5,341 warrants for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $10,000.
The
following Company directors participated in the February 2025 private placement as follows: (i) Stan Smith purchased 50,000 shares of
our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 50,000 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $75,000;
and (ii) Ramiro Guerrero purchased 73,333 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 73,333 shares of our Common Stock
for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $110,000.
The
following Company directors participated in the March 2025 private placement as follows: (i) Stan Smith purchased 25,000 shares of our
Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 25,000 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $37,500;
and (ii) Ramiro Guerrero purchased 33,333 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 33,333 shares of our Common Stock
for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $50,000.
The
following Company directors participated in the May 2025 private placement as follows: (i) Stan Smith purchased 66,666 shares of our
Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 66,666 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $99,999;
and (ii) Ramiro Guerrero purchased 20,000 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 20,000 shares of our Common Stock
for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $30,000.
| F-16 | |
The
following Company director participated in the June 2025 private placement as follows: Stan Smith purchased 33,333 shares of our Common
Stock and warrants to purchase up to 33,333 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $50,000.
The
following Company director participated in the October 2025 private placement as follows: Stan Smith purchased 19,230 shares of our Common
Stock and warrants to purchase up to 19,230 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $25,000.
The
following Company directors participated in the December 2025 private placement as follows: (i) Stan Smith purchased 57,189 shares of
our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 57,189 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $70,000;
(ii) Louie Ngar Yee purchased 81,699 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 81,699 shares of our Common Stock for
an aggregate purchase price of approximately $100,000; and (iii) Steven Chaouki purchased 40,849 shares of our Common Stock and warrants
to purchase 40,849 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $50,000.
****
**3.
ACCRUED EXPENSES**
As
of December 31, 2025 and 2024, accrued expenses consisted of the following:
SCHEDULE
OF ACCRUED EXPENSES
| 
| | 
December 31, | | | 
December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Bonus | | 
$ | 1,199,955 | | | 
$ | 941,098 | | |
| 
Professional fees | | 
| 288,077 | | | 
| 123,317 | | |
| 
Research and development costs | | 
| 2,061,497 | | | 
| 1,035,355 | | |
| 
Other | | 
| 248,066 | | | 
| 217,832 | | |
| 
Total accrued expenses | | 
$ | 3,797,595 | | | 
$ | 2,317,602 | | |
**
*Accrued
Bonus*
During
the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company accrued $1,199,955 and $941,098, respectively, in bonus expense relating to employees
and officers of the Company. In April 2025, the Compensation Committee determined that bonuses relating to 2024 would not be paid to
all executive and non-executive employees. This change in estimated bonuses was recorded against the same general ledger accounts that
the original estimate was recorded to and is reflected within the general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses
on the statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025.
**
**4.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL LIABILITIES**
*Derivative
Liability*
Financial
liabilities consisting of warrant liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below. The fair value of the
warrant liabilities recorded are as follows:
SCHEDULE OF FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS OF EMBEDDED DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES AND WARRANT LIABILITIES
| 
| | 
Fair value at December 31, 2025 | | |
| 
| | 
Total | | | 
Level 1 | | | 
Level 2 | | | 
Level 3 | | |
| 
Liabilities: | | 
| | | 
| | | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
Warrant liability | | 
$ | 1,492,395 | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 1,492,395 | | |
| 
Total liabilities | | 
$ | 1,492,395 | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 1,492,395 | | |
| 
| | 
Fair value at December 31, 2024 | | |
| 
| | 
Total | | | 
Level 1 | | | 
Level 2 | | | 
Level 3 | | |
| 
Liabilities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Warrant liability | | 
$ | 2,690,605 | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 2,690,605 | | |
| 
Total liabilities | | 
$ | 2,690,605 | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 2,690,605 | | |
| F-17 | |
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had warrant liabilities of $1,492,395 and $2,690,605, respectively. The table
below provides a summary of the changes in fair value of the warrant liabilities measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable
inputs (Level 3):
SCHEDULE OF CHANGES IN FAIR VALUE OF THE DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES AND WARRANT LIABILITIES
| 
Warrant liabilities: | | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
Years Ended December 31, | | |
| 
Warrant liabilities: | | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Balance, beginning of period | | 
$ | 2,690,605 | | | 
$ | 2,152,188 | | |
| 
Issuance of warrants | | 
| | | | 
| 3,917,630 | | |
| 
Exercise of warrants | | 
| | | | 
| (3,191,675 | ) | |
| 
Amendment of warrants | | 
| | | | 
| (6,870,296 | ) | |
| 
(Gain) loss on fair value of warrant liability | | 
| (1,198,210 | ) | | 
| 6,682,758 | | |
| 
Balance, end of period | | 
$ | 1,492,395 | | | 
$ | 2,690,605 | | |
**5.
STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY**
**At-the-Market
Offering (H.C. Wainwright)**
On
February 14, 2024, the Company entered into an At The Market Offering Agreement (the ATM Agreement) with H.C. Wainwright
& Co., LLC (Wainwright), to sell shares of its Common Stock having an aggregate sales price of up to $1,445,000, from
time to time, through an at-the-market offering program under which Wainwright will act as sales agent. Effective March
25, 2024, the Company filed a prospectus supplement to amend, supplement and supersede certain information contained in the earlier prospectus
and prospectus supplement, which increased the number of shares of Common Stock the Company may offer and sell under the ATM Agreement
to an aggregate offering price of up to $4,950,000 from time to time. Effective May 15, 2024, the Company filed a prospectus supplement
to amend, supplement and supersede certain information contained in the earlier prospectus and prospectus supplement, which increased
the number of Shares the Company may offer and sell under the ATM Agreement to an aggregate offering price of up to $11,280,000 from
time to time. Effective December 23, 2024, the Company filed a prospectus supplement to amend, supplement and supersede certain information
contained in the earlier prospectus and prospectus supplement, which increased the number of Shares the Company may offer and sell under
the ATM Agreement to an aggregate offering price of up to $30,000,000 from time to time. Effective March 22, 2025, the Company filed
a prospectus supplement to amend, supplement and supersede certain information contained in the earlier prospectus and prospectus supplement,
which reduced the number of Shares the Company may offer and sell under the ATM Agreement to an aggregate offering price of up to $11,200,000
from time to time.
As
of the date of this Annual Report, the Company has sold 3,782,335 shares of its Common Stock under the ATM Agreement at an average price
of $1.90 per share, resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $7,202,016, for which we paid Wainwright $216,060 in commissions
and other financing expenses of $111,555 resulting in net proceeds to us of approximately $6,874,401.
**Private
Placements**
On
March 14, 2024, the Company issued and sold 2,496,318
shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 2,496,318
shares of its Common Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to
securities purchase agreements dated March 11, 2024 at a price $1.17
per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $2.92
million. The warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $1.30,
are exercisable commencing six months following issuance have a term of five and a half years from the initial issuance date., and
expiring on September
14, 2029 The securities sold to the Companys directors participating in the private placement were issued pursuant to
the MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. 2021 Equity Plan (the MAIA 2021 Plan).
On
March 28, 2024, the Company issued and sold 578,643
shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 578,643
shares of its Common Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors pursuant to securities purchase agreements dated
March 25, 2024 at a price of $2.295
per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $1.33
million. The warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $2.55,
are exercisable commencing six months following issuance, have a term of five and a half years from the initial issuance date and
expiring on September
28, 2029.
| F-18 | |
On
April 25, 2024, the Company issued and sold 494,096
shares of its Common Stock and warrants to purchase 494,096
shares of our Common Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to
securities purchase agreements dated April 22, 2024 at a price of $2.034
per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $1.0
million. The warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $2.26,
are exercisable commencing six months following issuance, have a term of five and a half years from the initial issuance date, and
expiring October
25, 2029. The securities sold to the Companys directors participating in the private placement were issued pursuant to
the MAIA 2021 Plan.
On
November 1, 2024, the Company issued and sold 1,079,784
shares of its Common Stock and warrants to purchase 1,079,784
shares of our Common Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to
securities purchase agreements dated October 28, 2024 at a price of $2.259
per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $2.44
million. The warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $2.51,
are exercisable commencing six months following issuance, have a term of five and a half years from the initial issuance date, and
expiring on May
1, 2030. The securities sold to the Companys directors participating in the private placement were issued pursuant to
the MAIA 2021 Plan.
On
December 13, 2024, the Company issued and sold 507,364
shares of its Common Stock and warrants to purchase 507,364
shares of our Common Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to
securities purchase agreements dated December 9, 2024 at a price of $1.872
per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $950,000.
The warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $2.08,
are exercisable commencing six months following issuance and have a term of five and a half years from the initial issuance date,
and expiring June
13, 2030. The securities sold to the Companys directors participating in the private placement were issued pursuant to
the MAIA 2021 Plan.
On
February 24, 2025, the Company issued and sold 1,810,000 shares of its Common Stock and warrants to purchase 1,810,000 shares of its
Common Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and Company directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements
dated February 18, 2025 at a price per share of $1.50 for which the Company received gross proceeds of approximately $2.7 million. The
warrants are exercisable at a price per share of $1.87, are exercisable commencing one year following issuance, have a term of six years
from the issuance date, and expiring on February 24, 2031. The securities sold to Company directors participating in the private placement
were issued pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan.
On
March 3, 2025, the Company issued and sold 952,633 shares of its Common Stock and warrants to purchase 952,633 shares of its Common Stock
in a private placement to certain accredited investors and Company directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements dated February
24, 2025 at a price per share of $1.50 for which the Company received gross proceeds of approximately $1.4 million. The warrants are
exercisable at a price per share of $1.85, are exercisable commencing one year following issuance, have a term of six years from the
issuance date, and expiring on March 3, 2031. The securities sold to Company directors participating in the private placement were issued
pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan.
On
May 8, 2025, the Company issued and sold 719,999 shares of its Common Stock and warrants to purchase 719,999 shares of its Common Stock
in a private placement to certain accredited investors and Company directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements dated May 5,
2025 at a price per share of $1.50 for which the Company received gross proceeds of approximately $1.08 million. The warrants are exercisable
at a price per share of $2.05, are exercisable commencing one year following issuance, have a term of six years from the issuance date,
and expiring on May 8, 2031. The securities sold to Company directors participating in the private placement were issued pursuant to
the MAIA 2021 Plan.
On
June 3, 2025, the Company issued and sold 463,332 shares of its Common Stock and warrants to purchase 463,332 shares of its Common Stock
in a private placement to certain accredited investors and Company directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements dated May 27,
2025 at a price per share of $1.50 for which the Company received gross proceeds of approximately $0.7 million. The warrants are exercisable
at a price per share of $1.71, are exercisable commencing six months following issuance, have a term of five years from the issuance
date, and expiring on June 3, 2030. The securities sold to Company directors participating in the private placement were issued pursuant
to the MAIA 2021 Plan.
| F-19 | |
On
October 1, 2025, the Company issued and sold 1,733,766 shares of its Common Stock and warrants to purchase 1,733,766 shares of its Common
Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and Company directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements dated September
29, 2025 at a price per share of $1.30 for which the Company received gross proceeds of approximately $2.3 million. The warrants are
exercisable at a price per share of $1.57, are exercisable commencing six months following issuance, have a term of three years from
the issuance date, and expiring on October 1, 2028. The securities sold to Company directors participating in the private placement were
issued pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan.
On
October 16, 2025, the Company issued and sold 603,769 shares of its Common Stock and warrants to purchase 603,769 shares of its Common
Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors pursuant to securities purchase agreements dated October
13, 2025 at a price per share of $1.22 for which the Company received gross proceeds of approximately $0.7 million. The warrants are
exercisable at a price per share of $1.52, are exercisable commencing six months following issuance, have a term of three years from
the issuance date, and expiring on October 16, 2028.
On
December 22, 2025, the Company issued and sold 1,233,488 shares of its Common Stock and warrants to purchase 1,233,488 shares of its
Common Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and Company directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements
dated December 16, 2025 at a price per share of $1.224 for which the Company received gross proceeds of approximately $1.5 million. The
warrants are exercisable at a price per share of $1.36, are exercisable commencing six months following issuance, have a term of three
years from the issuance date, and expiring on December 22, 2028. The securities sold to Company directors participating in the private
placement were issued pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan.
**MAIA
Biotechnology, Inc. Restricted Stock Awards**
During
the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company expensed $179,490
for investor services and accounting, tax and valuation services under general and administrative expenses related to the grant of 75,550
restricted shares of Common Stock. There are no
unvested restricted shares as of December 31, 2024.
During
the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company expensed $165,070
for investor services and accounting, tax and valuation services
under general and administrative expenses related to the grant of 114,767
restricted shares of Common Stock, and the Company expensed $453,745 for research and development services
under research and development expenses related to the grant of 392,056 restricted shares of Common Stock. There are no
unvested restricted shares as of December 31, 2025.
**MAIA
Stock Warrants**
Concurrently
with the closing of the Companys initial public offering, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 100,000
shares of its Common Stock to the Representative or its designees, at an exercise price of $6.25 per share (the Representatives
Warrants). The Representatives Warrants are exercisable beginning on January 23, 2023, and expire on July 27, 2027, pursuant
to the terms and conditions of the Representatives Warrants. On August 3, concurrently with the full exercise of the Underwriters
over-allotment option, the Company issued additional warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 15,000 shares of its Common Stock to
the Representative or its designees on the same terms. The warrants are not indexed to the Companys own stock and therefore meet
the definition of a derivative liability. The warrants are liability classified instruments and were initially recorded as $343,735,
which was the value determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method using a term of five years, risk free interest rate of 2.82% and
volatility of 77.5%. As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 the Company remeasured the warrant liability resulting in a value
of $27,455 and $71,672, respectively. The gain on remeasurement of the warrant liability in the amount of $44,217 and the loss on the
remeasurement of $31,461 was included in other (expense) income for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
| F-20 | |
Concurrently
with the closing of the Companys follow-on offering, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 127,775 shares
of its Common Stock to the Representative or its designees, at an exercise price of $2.81 per share (the Follow-On Representatives
Warrants). The Follow-On Representatives Warrants are exercisable beginning on October 24, 2023, and expire on April 24,
2028, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Follow-On Representatives Warrants. The Follow-On Representatives Warrants
are equity classified instruments and the value of the Follow-On Representatives Warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton
method was $241,109 using the term of five years, risk free interest rate of 4.09% and volatility of 86.3%. During 2024, 116,532 warrants
were exercised on various dates in cashless exercises and the investors were issued 22,869 shares of Common Stock. There were no warrants
exercised in 2025. As of December 31, 2025, there are 11,243 warrants exercisable through April 24, 2028.
On
November 9, 2023, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 239,234
shares of its Common Stock to Alumni Capital LP, at an exercise price of $2.09
per share. The warrants are exercisable beginning on November
10, 2023, and expire on November
10, 2027, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the warrants. The warrants are not indexed to the Companys own stock
and therefore meet the definition of a derivative liability. On November 13, 2023, 131,578
warrant shares vested in accordance with the terms. The warrants are liability classified instruments and were initially recorded as
$84,251,
which was the value determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method using a term of 3.87
years, risk free interest rate of 3.93%
and volatility of 90.0%.
Laidlaw & Company Ltd. acted as the financial advisor to the Company in connection with the warrant and were paid a cash fee of
$13,750.
The warrants were exercised on May
22, 2024 in a cashless exercise and Alumni was issued 54,976
shares of Common Stock. The Company remeasured the warrant liability at the time of the exercise resulting in a value of $375,705.
The warrant liability was removed to reflect the warrants being exercised and equity was increased by the value of $375,705.
As of December 31, 2025, the warrant liability resulted in a value of $0
and as of December 31, 2024, $291,454
was included in other (expense) income.
On
November 17, 2023, the Company issued warrants concurrently with the Companys registered direct offering to purchase an aggregate
of up to 2,424,243 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in a registered direct offering at an exercise price of $1.86 per share
(subject to customary adjustments set forth in the warrants). The warrants are exercisable six months following issuance and have a term
of five years from the initial exercise date. The warrants contain customary anti-dilution adjustments to the exercise price, including
share splits, share dividends, rights offerings and pro rata distributions. The warrants are not indexed to the Companys own stock
and therefore meet the definition of a derivative liability. The warrants are liability classified instruments and were initially recorded
as $1,903,915, which was the value determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method using a term of 5.38 years, risk free interest rate
of 3.85% and volatility of 90.0%. In 2024, 909,091 warrants were exercised on various dates in cashless exercises and the investor was
issued 909,091 shares of Common Stock. There were no warrants exercised in 2025. As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company
remeasured the warrant liability resulting in a value of $1,216,774 and $2,189,478, respectively. The gain on remeasurement of the warrant
liability of $972,704 and the loss on the remeasurement of $3,101,533 was included in other (expense) income for the years ended December
31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
On
November 17, 2023, concurrently with the closing of the Companys registered direct offering, the Company issued warrants to purchase
an aggregate of 169,697 shares of its Common Stock to the Representative or its designees, at an exercise price of $2.06 per share. These
representatives warrants were exercisable beginning November 15, 2023, and expire on November 15, 2028, pursuant to their terms
and conditions. The representatives warrants are not indexed to the Companys own stock and therefore meet the definition
of a derivative liability. The representatives warrants are liability classified instruments and were initially recorded as $123,811,
which was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method using a term of 4.88 years, risk free interest rate of 3.84% and volatility
of 90.0%. As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company remeasured the warrant liability resulting in a value of $130,553
and $230,038, respectively. The gain on remeasurement of the warrant liability in the amount of $99,485 and the loss on the remeasurement
of $106,227 is included in other (expense) income for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
| F-21 | |
Concurrently
with the closing of the Companys private placement on March 14, 2024, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of
up to 2,496,318 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in the private placement, at an exercise price of $1.30 per share are exercisable
beginning on September 14, 2024, and expire on September 14, 2029. The warrants issued were divided into two groups: warrants issued
to directors and warrants issued to non-affiliated investors. The warrants to purchase 452,731 shares of the Companys Common Stock
issued to directors were deemed options issued under the MAIA 2021 Plan and are equity classified instruments, and the value of these
warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $230,685 using a term of 5.5 years, risk free interest rate of 4.20% and
volatility of 95%. The warrants to purchase 2,043,587 share of the Companys Common Stock issued to non-affiliated investors were
not indexed to the Companys own stock and therefore met the definition of a derivative liability. The warrants issued to non-affiliated
investors were liability classified instruments when issued and were initially recorded at a value of $2,049,600, which was determined
using the Black-Scholes-Merton method using a term of 5.5 years, risk free interest rate of 4.20% and volatility of 95.0%. In May 2024,
the Company amended the warrant agreements to adjust them to be indexed to the Companys own stock, and they were therefore reclassed
to equity classified instruments in a non-cash transaction. When the warrant agreements were amended, the Company remeasured the warrant
liability resulting in a final warrant value of $5,089,063. The warrant liability for these warrants was removed and equity was increased
by $5,089,063 to account for the equity classification. The loss on the remeasurement of the warrant liability in the amount of $0 and
$3,039,463 is included in other (expense) income for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
Concurrently
with the closing of the Companys private placement offering on March 28, 2024, the Company issued warrants to purchase an
aggregate of up to 578,643
shares of its Common Stock to the investors in the private placement at an exercise price of $2.55
per share. The warrants are exercisable beginning on September
28, 2024, and expire on September
28, 2029. The warrants were not indexed to the Companys own stock and therefore meet the definition of a derivative
liability. The warrants were liability classified instruments when issued and were initially recorded at a value of $1,190,111,
which was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method using a term of 5.5
years, risk free interest rate of 4.20%
and volatility of 95.0%.
In May 2024, the Company amended the warrant agreements related to 437,031
warrants to adjust them to be indexed to the Companys own stock, and they were therefore reclassed to equity classified
instruments in a non-cash transaction. When the warrants agreements were amended, the Company remeasured the warrant liability
resulting in a final warrant value of $1,011,562.
The warrant liability for these 437,031
warrants was removed and equity was increased by $1,011,562
to account for the equity classification. The loss on the remeasurement of the warrant liability in the amount of $0
and $112,708
is included in other (expense) income for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. In 2025, 108,931 equity
classified warrants were exercised on various dates and the investors were issued 108,931
shares of Common Stock. The remaining 141,612
warrants remain liability classified instruments. As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company remeasured the warrant
liability, resulting in a value of $117,613
and $199,417,
respectively. The gain on remeasurement of the warrant liability in the amount of $81,804
and $91,840
is included in other (expense) income for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
Concurrently
with the closing of the Companys private placement offering on April 25, 2024, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate
of up to 494,096 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in the private placement at an exercise price of $2.26 per share. The warrants
are exercisable beginning on October 25, 2024, and expire on October 25, 2029. The warrants issued were divided into two groups: warrants
issued to directors and warrants issued to non-affiliated investors. The warrants to purchase 167,157 shares of the Companys Common
Stock issued to directors were deemed options issued under the MAIA 2021 Plan (as defined below) and are equity classified instruments
and the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $346,606 using a term of 5.5 years, risk free interest
rate of 4.70% and volatility of 95%. The warrants to purchase 326,939 shares of the Companys Common Stock issued to non-affiliated
investors were not indexed to the Companys own stock and therefore met the definition of a derivative liability. The warrants
were liability classified instruments when issued and were initially recorded at a value of $677,919, which was determined using the
Black-Scholes-Merton method using a term of 5.5 years, risk free interest rate of 4.70% and volatility of 95.0%. In May 2024, the Company
amended these warrant agreements to adjust them to be indexed to the Companys own stock, and they were therefore reclassed to
equity classified instruments in a non-cash transaction. When the warrant agreements were amended, the Company remeasured the warrant
liability resulting in a final warrant value of $769,671. The warrant liability for these warrants were removed and equity was increased
by $769,671 to account for the equity classification. In 2025, 12,291 warrants were exercised on various dates and the investors were
issued 12,291 shares of Common Stock. The loss on the remeasurement of the warrant liability in the amount of $0 and $91,752 is included
in other (expense) income for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
| F-22 | |
Concurrently
with the closing of the Companys private placement offering on November 1, 2024, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate
of up to 1,079,784 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in the private placement at an exercise price of $2.51 per share. The
warrants are exercisable beginning on May 1, 2025, and expire on May 1, 2030. The warrants issued were divided into two groups: warrants
issued to directors and warrants issued to non-affiliated investors. The warrants to purchase 232,800 shares of the Companys Common
Stock issued to directors were deemed options issued under the MAIA 2021 Plan (as defined below) and are equity classified instruments
and the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $494,851 using a term of 5.5 years, risk free interest
rate of 4.22% and volatility of 95%. The warrants to purchase 846,984 shares of the Companys Common Stock issued to non-affiliated
investors are indexed to the Companys own stock, and they were therefore equity classified instruments and the value of these
warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $1,800,389 using a term of 5.5 years, risk free interest rate of 4.22%
and volatility of 95%. In 2025, 379,970 warrants were exercised on various dates and the investors were issued 379,970 shares of Common
Stock.
Concurrently
with the closing of the Companys private placement offering on December 13, 2024, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate
of up to 507,364 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in the private placement at an exercise price of $2.08 per share. The warrants
are exercisable beginning on June 13, 2025, and expire on June 13, 2030. The warrants issued were divided into two groups: warrants issued
to directors and warrants issued to non-affiliated investors. The warrants to purchase 78,418 shares of the Companys Common Stock
issued to directors were deemed options issued under the MAIA 2021 Plan (as defined below) and are equity classified instruments and
the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $116,151 using a term of 5.5 years, risk free interest
rate of 4.25% and volatility of 95%. The warrants to purchase 428,946 shares of the Companys Common Stock issued to non-affiliated
investors are indexed to the Companys own stock and they were therefore equity classified instruments and the value of these warrants
determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $635,345 using a term of 5.5 years, risk free interest rate of 4.25% and volatility
of 95%. In 2025, 80,127 warrants were exercised on various dates and the investors were issued 80,127 shares of Common Stock.
Concurrently
with the closing of the Companys private placement offering on February 24, 2025, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate
of up to 1,810,000 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in the private placement at an exercise price of $1.87 per share. The
warrants are exercisable beginning on February 24, 2026, and expire on February 24, 2031. The warrants issued were divided into two groups:
warrants issued to directors and warrants issued to affiliated and non-affiliated investors. The warrants to purchase 123,333 shares
of the Companys Common Stock issued to directors were deemed options issued under the MAIA 2021 Plan (as defined below) and are
equity classified instruments and the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $176,680 using a term
of 6 years, risk free interest rate of 4.23% and volatility of 95%. The warrants to purchase 1,686,667 shares of the Companys
Common Stock issued to affiliated and non-affiliated investors are indexed to the Companys own stock and they were therefore equity
classified instruments and the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $2,416,223 using a term of
6 years, risk free interest rate of 4.23% and volatility of 95%. The total fair value ascribed to the warrants combined with the fair
value of the common stock issued in the private placement was then used for purposes of allocation of the equity classified warrant value
within the consolidated statements of changes in the stockholders equity.
Concurrently
with the closing of the Companys private placement offering on March 3, 2025, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate
of up to 952,633 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in the private placement at an exercise price of $1.85 per share. The warrants
are exercisable beginning on March 3, 2026, and expire on March 3, 2031. The warrants issued were divided into two groups: warrants issued
to directors and warrants issued to non-affiliated investors. The warrants to purchase 58,333 shares of the Companys Common Stock
issued to directors were deemed options issued under the MAIA 2021 Plan (as defined below) and are equity classified instruments and
the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $80,894 using a term of 6 years, risk free interest
rate of 3.97% and volatility of 95%. The warrants to purchase 894,300 shares of the Companys Common Stock issued to non-affiliated
investors are indexed to the Companys own stock and they were therefore equity classified instruments and the value of these warrants
determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $1,240,185 using a term of 6 years, risk free interest rate of 3.97% and volatility
of 95%. The total fair value ascribed to the warrants combined with the fair value of the common stock issued in the private placement
was then used for purposes of allocation of the equity classified warrant value within the consolidated statements of changes
in the stockholders equity.
| F-23 | |
Concurrently
with the closing of the Companys private placement offering on May 8, 2025, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate
of up to 719,999 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in the private placement at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. The warrants
are exercisable beginning on May 8, 2026, and expire on May 8, 2031. The warrants issued were divided into two groups: warrants issued
to directors and warrants issued to non-affiliated investors. The warrants to purchase 86,666 shares of the Companys Common Stock
issued to directors were deemed options issued under the MAIA 2021 Plan (as defined below) and are equity classified instruments and
the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $133,131 using a term of 6 years, risk free interest
rate of 4.09% and volatility of 95%. The warrants to purchase 633,333 shares of the Companys Common Stock issued to non-affiliated
investors are indexed to the Companys own stock and they were therefore equity classified instruments and the value of these warrants
determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $972,890 using a term of 6 years, risk free interest rate of 4.09% and volatility
of 95%. The total fair value ascribed to the warrants combined with the fair value of the common stock issued in the private placement
was then used for purposes of allocation of the equity classified warrant value within the consolidated statements of changes
in the stockholders equity.
Concurrently
with the closing of the Companys private placement offering on June 3, 2025, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate
of up to 463,332 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in the private placement at an exercise price of $1.71 per share. The warrants
are exercisable beginning on December 3, 2025, and expire on June 3, 2030. The warrants issued were divided into two groups: warrants
issued to directors and warrants issued to non-affiliated investors. The warrants to purchase 33,333 shares of the Companys Common
Stock issued to directors were deemed options issued under the MAIA 2021 Plan (as defined below) and are equity classified instruments
and the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $43,358 using a term of 5 years, risk free interest
rate of 4.04% and volatility of 95%. The warrants to purchase 429,999 shares of the Companys Common Stock issued to non-affiliated
investors are indexed to the Companys own stock and they were therefore equity classified instruments and the value of these warrants
determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $559,324 using a term of 5 years, risk free interest rate of 4.04% and volatility
of 95%. The total fair value ascribed to the warrants combined with the fair value of the common stock issued in the private placement
was then used for purposes of allocation of the equity classified warrant value within the consolidated statements of changes
in the stockholders equity.
On
June 17, 2025, the Company executed a Warrant Inducement Offer to select warrant holders allowing them to exercise their warrants held
at a reduction of the exercise price for cash. The warrants exercise price was reduced to $1.50 per share. Certain warrant holders
accepted the offer and warrants were exercised, resulting in the issuance of 219,283 shares of MAIA Common Stock for proceeds of approximately
$328,924. The fair value of the modified warrants was greater than the fair value of the original warrants at the modification date by
$105,154; therefore, the incremental cost was recognized as an increase to warrant additional paid in capital and a decrease to additional
paid in capital, there was no net equity difference.
On
September 18, 2025, the Company executed a Warrant Inducement Offer to select warrant holders allowing them to exercise their warrants
held at a reduction of the exercise price for cash. The warrants exercise price was reduced to $1.30 per share. Certain warrant
holders accepted the offer and warrants were exercised, resulting in the issuance of 440,503 shares of MAIA Common Stock for proceeds
of approximately $572,654. The fair value of the modified warrants was greater than the fair value of the original warrants at the modification
date by $60,275; therefore, the incremental cost was recognized as an increase to warrant additional paid in capital and a decrease to
additional paid in capital, there was no net equity difference.
On
September 29, 2025, the Company amended the price of selected warrants to select warrant holders reducing the exercise price from $1.87
to $1.30 per share. The fair value of the modified warrant cost was greater than the fair value of the original warrants at the modification
date by $124,127; therefore, the incremental cost was recognized as an increase to warrant additional paid in capital and a decrease
to additional paid in capital, there was no net equity difference.
Concurrently
with the closing of the Companys private placement offering on October 1, 2025, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate
of up to 1,733,766 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in the private placement at an exercise price of $1.57 per share. The
warrants are exercisable beginning on April 1, 2026, and expire on October 1, 2028. The warrants issued were divided into two groups:
warrants issued to directors and warrants issued to non-affiliated investors. The warrants to purchase 19,230 shares of the Companys
Common Stock issued to directors were deemed options issued under the MAIA 2021 Plan (as defined below) and are equity classified instruments
and the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $18,818 using a term of 3 years, risk free interest
rate of 3.56% and volatility of 90%. The warrants to purchase 1,714,536 shares of the Companys Common Stock issued to non-affiliated
investors are indexed to the Companys own stock and they were therefore equity classified instruments and the value of these warrants
determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $1,677,758 using a term of 3 years, risk free interest rate of 3.56% and volatility
of 90%. The total fair value ascribed to the warrants combined with the fair value of the common stock issued in the private placement
was then used for purposes of allocation of the equity classified warrant value within the consolidated statements of changes
in the stockholders equity.
| F-24 | |
Concurrently
with the closing of the Companys private placement offering on October 16, 2025, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate
of up to 603,769 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in the private placement at an exercise price of $1.52 per share. The warrants
are exercisable beginning on April 16, 2026, and expire on October 16, 2028. The warrants to purchase 603,769 shares of the Companys
Common Stock issued to non-affiliated investors are indexed to the Companys own stock and they were therefore equity classified
instruments and the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $475,967 using a term of 3 years, risk
free interest rate of 3.42% and volatility of 90%. The total fair value ascribed to the warrants combined with the fair value of the
common stock issued in the private placement was then used for purposes of allocation of the equity classified warrant value within the consolidated statements of changes in the stockholders equity.
As
part of the closing of the Companys private placement offering on October 16, 2025, the Company issued warrants to purchase an
aggregate 11,475 shares of its Common Stock as compensation to the Placement Agent at an exercise price of $1.52 per share. The warrants
were issued as of November 5, 2025, are exercisable beginning on May 5, 2026, and expire on November 5, 2028. The warrants to purchase
11,475 shares of the Companys Common Stock issued to non-affiliated investors are indexed to the Companys own stock and
they were therefore equity classified instruments and the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was
$6,518 using a term of 3 years, risk free interest rate of 3.65% and volatility of 90%.
Concurrently
with the closing of the Companys private placement offering on December 22, 2025, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate
of up to 1,233,488 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in the private placement at an exercise price of $1.36 per share. The
warrants are exercisable beginning on June 22, 2026, and expire on December 22, 2028. The warrants issued were divided into two groups:
warrants issued to directors and warrants issued to non-affiliated investors. The warrants to purchase 179,737 shares of the Companys
Common Stock issued to directors were deemed options issued under the MAIA 2021 Plan (as defined below) and are equity classified instruments
and the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $138,784 using a term of 3 years, risk free interest
rate of 3.56% and volatility of 90%. The warrants to purchase 1,053,751 shares of the Companys Common Stock issued to non-affiliated
investors are indexed to the Companys own stock and they were therefore equity classified instruments and the value of these warrants
determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $813,657 using a term of 3 years, risk free interest rate of 3.56% and volatility
of 90%. The total fair value ascribed to the warrants combined with the fair value of the common stock issued in the private placement
was then used for purposes of allocation of the equity classified warrant value within the consolidated statements of changes
in the stockholders equity.
SCHEDULE OF WARRANT EXERCISED TABLE
| 
| | 
Warrants Outstanding | | | 
Weighted Average Exercise Price | | | 
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years | | |
| 
Balance at January 1, 2025 | | 
| 6,718,176 | | | 
$ | 2.37 | | | 
| 4.56 | | |
| 
Issued | | 
| 7,027,830 | | | 
| 1.58 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Exercised | | 
| (659,786 | ) | | 
| 1.37 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Expired | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Balance at December 31, 2025 | | 
| 13,086,220 | | | 
$ | 1.92 | | | 
| 3.13 | | |
| F-25 | |
| 
| | 
Warrants Outstanding | | | 
Weighted Average Exercise Price | | | 
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years | | |
| 
Balance at January 1, 2024 | | 
| 3,650,278 | | | 
$ | 2.82 | | | 
| 5.00 | | |
| 
Issued | | 
| 4,225,099 | | | 
| 1.87 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Exercised | | 
| (1,157,201 | ) | | 
| 1.98 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Expired | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Balance at December 31, 2024 | | 
| 6,718,176 | | | 
$ | 2.37 | | | 
| 4.56 | | |
The
Companys warrant liability, which relates to warrants to purchase shares of common stock, is measured at fair value at each reporting
period and changes in fair value are recorded in other income (expense) within the statement of operations until the warrants are exercised,
expire, or are reclassified to stockholders equity. The weighted-average fair values of warrants issued during the years ended
December 31, 2025 and 2024 were $1.58 and $1.87, respectively. The warrants vested as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 were 9,702,689 and
5,442,246, respectively.
SCHEDULE OF SHARE-BASED PAYMENT AWARD, WARRANTS, VALUATION ASSUMPTIONS
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Risk-free interest rate | | 
| 3.42% - 4.70 | % | | 4.2% - 4.7 | % | |
| 
Expected term (in years) | | 
| 3 - 6 | | | 
| 5.5 | | |
| 
Expected volatility | | 
| 90% - 95 | % | | 
| 95 | % | |
| 
Expected dividend yield | | 
| | % | | 
| | % | |
****
**MAIA
Biotechnology, Inc. Stock Award Plans**
In
2018, the Company adopted the MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. 2018 Stock Option Plan (the MAIA 2018 Plan). MAIAs board
of directors administers the MAIA Plan for the purposes of attracting, retaining, and motivating key employees, directors, and consultants
of MAIA. The terms of the MAIA 2018 Plan continue to govern the 1,773,912 options outstanding in the plan of December 31, 2025.
In
2020, the Company adopted the MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the MAIA 2020 Plan),
also administered by the board of directors. The MAIA 2020 Plan permitted awards to take the form of stock options, restricted stock
and restricted stock units. The terms of the MAIA 2020 Plan continue to govern the 3,503.589 options outstanding in the plan as of December
31, 2025. There are no shares reserved for future issuance in the MAIA 2018 Plan or the MAIA 2020 Plan.
On
August 1, 2022 the Company approved the MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the MAIA 2021 Plan)
with 1,909,518 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance. On May 25, 2023, the MAIA 2021 Plan was amended to include an automatic
increase to the plan in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares of stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis
on December 31 of the preceding calendar year (the Increase Date); provided that, the board of directors may act prior
to any Increase Date to provide that there will be no increase for such year or that the increase for such year will be a lesser number
of shares of stock. The amount reserved for issuance under the MAIA 2021 Plan increased by 1,956,993 based on the fully diluted shares
outstanding as of December 31, 2022. The amount reserved for issuance under the MAIA 2021 Plan increased by 2,838,668 on January 1, 2024
based on the fully diluted shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023. The amount reserved for issuance under the MAIA 2021 Plan increased
by 2,250,000 shares on January 1, 2025 based on the fully diluted shares outstanding as of December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2025,
there were 431,153 shares of Common Stock available for future issuance under the MAIA 2021 Plan and 7,600,880 options outstanding in
the MAIA 2021 Plan. On December 31, 2025, the Companys board of directors increased the amount of shares available under the 2021
Plan by 6,458,889 shares to 6,890,042 shares effective January 1, 2026 pursuant to the annual increase provision, based on the fully
diluted shares outstanding as of December 31, 2025.
| F-26 | |
Stock
options are to be granted with an exercise price which is at least equal to the stocks estimated fair value at the date of
grant, and with a contractual term of no more than ten
years from the date of grant. In the case of an option granted to a 10%
stockholder, the exercise price shall be generally no less than 110%
of the fair market value per share on the date of grant, and the contractual term shall be seven
years. Outstanding options awarded under the MAIA 2021 Plan may, but need not, vest and therefore become exercisable in
periodic installments that may, but need not, be equal. The option may be subject to other terms and conditions as to the time or
times when it may be exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the board of directors may deem appropriate.
Unexercised options are canceled ninety days after termination of an employee, director, founder, or consultant. Unexercised options
are canceled immediately if an employee, director, founder, or consultant is terminated for cause; under certain other
circumstances, the period to cancellation may differ as described in the respective plan documents. Certain clauses in the MAIA 2018
Plan, the MAIA 2020 Plan, and the MAIA 2021 Plan (collectively, the Plans) also govern the Companys
exercise repurchase rights and various other features of awards granted under the Plans.
The
following table summarizes the activity and information regarding MAIAs outstanding and exercisable options classified as equity
awards as of December 31, 2025:
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITY AND INFORMATION REGARDING OUTSTANDING AND EXERCISABLE OPTIONS
| 
| | 
Options Outstanding | | | 
Weighted Average Exercise Price | | | 
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years | | | 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value | | |
| 
Balance at January 1, 2025 | | 
| 9,769,992 | | | 
$ | 2.43 | | | 
| 6.68 | | | 
| - | | |
| 
Granted | | 
| 4,019,830 | | | 
| 1.73 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Exercised | | 
| (570 | ) | | 
| 1.48 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Cancelled/forfeited | | 
| (910,871 | ) | | 
| 2.69 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Balance at December 31, 2025 | | 
| 12,878,381 | | | 
$ | 2.19 | | | 
| 6.42 | | | 
$ | 326,666 | | |
| 
Options exercisable at December 31, 2025 | | 
| 9,562,606 | | | 
$ | 2.27 | | | 
| 5.77 | | | 
$ | 231,171 | | |
The
value of option grants are calculated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with the following assumptions for options
granted during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
SCHEDULE OF SHARE-BASED PAYMENT AWARD, STOCK OPTIONS, VALUATION ASSUMPTIONS
| 
| | 
| 2025 | | | 
| 2024 | | |
| 
Risk-free interest rate | | 
| 3.53% - 4.43 | % | | 
| 3.51% - 4.77 | % | |
| 
Expected term (in years) | | 
| 5 6.10 | | | 
| 5 - 6.25 | | |
| 
Expected volatility | | 
| 90.0% - 95.0 | % | | 
| 95.0% - 152.5 | % | |
| 
Expected dividend yield | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
The
weighted-average fair values of stock options issued during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 **w**ere $1.73 and $2.41, respectively.
As of December 31, 2025, the total unrecognized compensation related to unvested employee and non-employee stock option awards granted
was $3,507,096 which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted average period of approximately 2.35 years.
Stock
based compensation related to the Companys stock plans are as follows:
SCHEDULE OF STOCK BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
Years Ended | | |
| 
| | 
December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
General and administrative | | 
$ | 1,789,142 | | | 
$ | 1,274,206 | | |
| 
Research and development | | 
| 842,510 | | | 
| 638,538 | | |
| 
Total stock-based compensation | | 
$ | 2,631,652 | | | 
$ | 1,912,744 | | |
****
| F-27 | |
****
**6.
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN**
Our
eligible employees have been permitted to participate in our 401(k) beginning October 1, 2022. Participation in the 401(k) plan is offered
for the benefit of our employees, including our named executive officers, who remain employed with us, and who satisfy certain eligibility
requirements. We match employee contributions using a benchmark to industry standards. The Company will make a safe harbor matching contribution
equal to 100% of employee salary deferrals that do not exceed 1% of their compensation plus 50% of their salary deferrals between 1%
and 6% of their compensation. The 2025 Company match is immaterial. Under the 401(k) plan, eligible employees may elect to defer a portion
of their compensation, within the limits prescribed by the Code, on a pre-tax or after-tax (Roth) basis, through contributions to the
401(k) plan. The 401(k) plan is intended to qualify under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code. As a tax-qualified retirement plan,
pre-tax contributions to the 401(k) plan and earnings on those pre-tax contributions are not taxable to the employees until distributed
from the 401(k) plan, and earnings on Roth contributions are not taxable when distributed from the 401(k) plan.
****
**7.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES**
****
**Legal**
From
time to time, the Company is involved in legal actions and claims arising in the normal course of business. Management believes there
are no matters which will have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial position, operations or cash flows.
****
**Patent
Licensing, Sponsored Research, and Patent & Technology Agreements**
Ateganosine
(THIO) - In November 2018 and as amended in December 2020, the Company entered into a Global Patent Licensing Agreement
(PLA) titled Patent and Technology License Agreement AGT. NO. L2264 - MAIA Biotechnology with the
University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) to license patent families for a specific compound (ateganosine,
THIO) from UTSW to MAIA. The agreement, as amended, has a term of 20
years. The agreement requires MAIA to reimburse UTSW for agreed-upon expenses related to ateganosine. The agreement requires certain
payments upon assignment of the license to a third party as well as upon reaching specific milestones, ranging between $1,000,000
and $50,000,000,
not to exceed a combined milestone payment total of $112,000,000.
As of December 31, 2025, no assignment has occurred and none of the defined milestones have been completed and therefore no
payments are due to UTSW related to the milestones. The agreement requires royalties of 2-4%
(depending on ateganosine reaching specified sales levels in the respective jurisdictions) royalty payments on net sales up to
$1,000,000,000, and 2.5-5%
on net sales above $1,000,000,000.
Also
in December 2020, the Company entered into a second license agreement with UTSW titled Patent and Technology License Agreement
AGT. NO. L3648 MAIA Biotechnology pursuant to which UTSW is licensing an additional compound to MAIA. The agreement has
a term of 20 years and requires the Company to reimburse UTSW for certain agreed-upon expenses. The agreement requires certain payments
upon assignment of the license to a third party as well as upon reaching specific milestones, ranging between $1,000,000 and $50,000,000,
not to exceed a combined milestone payment total of $112,000,000. As of December 31, 2025, no assignment has occurred and none of the
defined milestones have been completed and therefore no payments are due to UTSW related to the milestones.
The
agreement requires royalties of 2-4% (depending on ateganosine reaching specified sales levels in the respective jurisdictions) royalty
payments on net sales up to $1,000,000, and 2.5-5% on net sales above $1,000,000,000.
The
Company will also pay UTSW running royalties on a yearly basis as a percentage of Net Sales of the Company or its sublicensee. There
are single digit royalty rates for licensed products and licensed services covered by a Valid Claim (as defined in the agreement) and
dependent on whether Net Sales are greater than or less than/equal to $1,000,000,000, with Net Sales above that amount commanding a slightly
higher percentage. In each case, the royalty percentage is lower before patent issuance in each jurisdiction. In the event that the licensed
product or licensed service is not covered by a Valid Claim, the running royalty rates are reduced by fifty percent (50%). The royalty
obligations continue on a country-by-country basis until the later of expiration of the last Valid Claim in each country or ten (10)
years after the First Commercial Sale (as defined in UTSW2 Agreement) in each country.
| F-28 | |
Regeneron
- In February 2021, the Company reached an agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Regeneron) to perform one clinical
trial for the treatment of patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) involving a Regeneron drug candidate that utilizes one of
the Companys compounds/agents. The Company is responsible for all costs of the study with Regeneron supplying their drug cemiplimab
representing a cost savings for the Company. The overall term of the agreement is for five years unless earlier terminated for certain
reasons as defined in the agreement. Either party may terminate a study plan in the event that patient screening for the clinical study
does not commence within twelve (12) months after (a) the Effective Date, with respect to the initial study, or (b) the execution of
the applicable study plan, with respect to each other study. If either party terminates a study plan, the Company shall reimburse Regeneron
for the Regeneron product it received in connection with such study plan based on the actual out-of-pocket cost to Regeneron of such
Regeneron product. The THIO-101 study protocol was amended in December 2024 to increase the number of patients enrolled in an expansion
arm to further evaluate efficacy of the treatment in third-line NSCLC patients resistant to checkpoint inhibitor and chemotherapy. As
of December 31, 2025 neither party has terminated the agreement.
BeOne
Medicines, formerly known as BeiGene - In December 2024, the Company reached an agreement with BeiGene Swizerland GmbH, (BeOne)
to perform certain clinical trials for the treatment of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), liver cancer (HCC), and colorectal
cancer (CRC) involving a BeOne drug candidate that utilizes one of the Companys compounds/agents. The Company is responsible for
all costs of the study with BeOne supplying their drug tislelizumab representing a cost savings for the Company. The overall term of
the agreement is for seven years unless earlier terminated for certain reasons as defined in the agreement. As of December 31, 2025 neither
party has terminated the agreement.
Roche
- In June 2025, the Company reached an agreement with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, (Roche) to perform certain clinical
trials for the treatment of patients hard-to-treat cancers that utilizes one of the Companys compounds/agents. This agreement
will continue in force for five years, unless terminated earlier by either party for certain reasons as defined in the agreement.
The parties may mutually agree in writing to extend the term of this Agreement. As of December 31, 2025 neither party has terminated
the agreement.
**8.
INCOME TAXES**
The
Companys net deferred tax assets consist of the following components:
SCHEDULE
OF DEFERRED TAX ASSETS
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
| | 
December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Deferred tax assets: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Net operating loss carryforwards | | 
$ | 13,883,039 | | | 
$ | 8,238,806 | | |
| 
Stock-based compensation | | 
| 2,290,106 | | | 
| 1,753,825 | | |
| 
Research and development | | 
| 6,314,771 | | | 
| 4,622,097 | | |
| 
Accrued compensation | | 
| 395,645 | | | 
| 524,012 | | |
| 
Other | | 
| | | | 
| 49,420 | | |
| 
Total net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance | | 
| 22,883,561 | | | 
| 15,188,160 | | |
| 
Valuation allowance | | 
| (22,883,561 | ) | | 
| (15,188,160 | ) | |
| 
Net deferred tax asset | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | | | |
At
December 31, 2025, the Company has unused U.S. federal and state net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards of $54.7 million
that may be applied against future taxable income. The state NOL carryforwards begin to expire in 2030. The U.S. federal NOL carryforwards
may be carried forward indefinitely, however are limited to 80 percent of taxable income. The Company has unused Australian NOL carryforwards
of $0.3 million that may be carried forward indefinitely. The Company has unused U.S. federal research and development (R &
D) tax credits of $.07 million that begin to expire in 2041.
The
use of the Companys NOL and R & D credit carryforwards may, however, be subject to limitations as a result of an
ownership change. A corporation undergoes an ownership change, in general, if a greater than 50% change (by value) in
its equity ownership by one or more five-percent stockholders (or certain groups of non-five-percent stockholders) over a three year
period occurs. After such an ownership change, the corporations use of its pre-change NOL carryforwards and other pre-change
tax attributes to offset its post-change income is subject to an annual limitation determined by the equity value of the corporation
on the date the ownership change occurs multiplied by a rate determined monthly by the Internal Revenue Service.
| F-29 | |
If
an ownership change occurs and if the Company earns net taxable income, the Companys ability to use its pre-change NOLs to offset
U.S. federal and taxable income would be subject to these limitations, which could potentially result in increased future tax liability
compared to the tax liability the Company would incur if its use of NOL carryforwards were not so limited. In addition, for state income,
franchise and similar tax purposes, there may be periods during which the use of NOL carryforwards is suspended or otherwise limited,
which could accelerate or permanently increase the Companys state income, franchise, or similar taxes.
In
accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, the Company recorded a valuation allowance to fully offset its deferred tax
assets, because it is not more likely than not that the Company will realize future benefits associated with these deferred tax
assets at December 31, 2025 and 2024.The valuation allowance increased by approximately $7.7
million during the year ended December 31, 2025, related to U.S. federal, state, and foreign jurisdictions in the amounts of $4.8
million, $2.8
million, and $0.1
million, respectively. The valuation allowance increased by approximately $4.8
million during the year ended December 31, 2024, related to the U.S. federal, state and foreign jurisdictions in the amount of
$3.3
million, $1.5
million and zero,
respectively Increases to the valuation allowance were mainly due to increases in the NOL carryforward and other deferred tax
assets. The Company will continue to assess the realizability of the deferred tax assets at each interim and annual balance sheet
date based upon actual and forecasted operating results.
The
following table presents (loss) before income taxes disaggregated between U.S. domestic and foreign jurisdictions (in thousands):
SCHEDULE
OF (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES DISAGGREGATED BETWEEN U.S. DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
U.S. domestic | | 
$ | (22,181 | ) | | 
$ | (23,120 | ) | |
| 
Foreign | | 
| (211 | ) | | 
| (133 | ) | |
| 
Total | | 
$ | (22,392 | ) | | 
$ | (23,253 | ) | |
The
following table presents income tax expense (benefit) disaggregated by jurisdiction and by type (current or deferred) (in thousands):
SCHEDULE
OF INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT) DISAGGREGATED BY JURISDICTION AND BY TYPE (CURRENT OR DEFERRED)
| 
| | 
2025 Current | | | 
2025 Deferred | | | 
2025 Total | | | 
2024 Current | | | 
2024 Deferred | | | 
2024 Total | | |
| 
U.S. federal | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | | | |
| 
U.S. state | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Foreign | | 
| 2 | | | 
| | | | 
| 2 | | | 
| 2 | | | 
| | | | 
| 2 | | |
| 
Total | | 
$ | 2 | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 2 | | | 
$ | 2 | | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | 2 | | |
The
foreign current income tax expense relates to Romania and is immaterial in relation to the Companys consolidated results of operations.
Income
taxes paid (net of refunds received) were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. For disclosure purposes, amounts
were zero or rounded to zero (in thousands):
SCHEDULE OF INCOME TAXES PAID (NET OF REFUNDS RECEIVED)
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
U.S. federal | | 
$ | | | | 
$ | | | |
| 
U.S. state | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Foreign | | 
| 3 | | | 
| 3 | | |
| 
Total | | 
$ | 3 | | | 
$ | 3 | | |
The
income tax benefit differs from the benefit that would result from applying federal statutory rates to loss before income taxes as
follows (in thousands):
SCHEDULE OF FEDERAL STATUTORY RATES TO LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
| 
| | 
December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
U.S. statutory federal income tax | | 
$ | (4,702 | ) | | 
| 21.0 | % | | 
$ | (4,883 | ) | | 
| 21.0 | % | |
| 
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit | | 
| | | | 
| | % | | 
| | | | 
| | % | |
| 
Foreign tax effects: | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Australia: | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Non-deductible research expenses | | 
| 44 | | | 
| (0.2 | )% | | 
| 19 | | | 
| (0.1 | )% | |
| 
Other | | 
| 3 | | | 
| 0.0 | % | | 
| 11 | | | 
| 0.0 | % | |
| 
Romania: | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Other | | 
| 1 | | 
| 0.0 | % | | 
| 2 | | | 
| 0.0 | % | |
| 
Effect of changes in tax laws or rates | | 
| | | | 
| | % | | 
| | | | 
| | % | |
| 
Research tax credit | | 
| (240 | ) | | 
| 1.1 | % | | 
| (15 | ) | | 
| 0.1 | % | |
| 
Change in U.S. federal valuation allowance | | 
| 4,848 | | | 
| (21.7 | )% | | 
| 3,328 | | | 
| (14.3 | )% | |
| 
Nontaxable or nondeductible items: | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Stock-based compensation | | 
| 313 | | | 
| (1.4 | )% | | 
| 151 | | | 
| (0.7 | )% | |
| 
Warrant amendments | | 
| (252 | ) | | 
| 1.1 | % | | 
| 1,403 | | | 
| (6.0 | )% | |
| 
Change in uncertain tax positions | | 
| | | | 
| | % | | 
| | | | 
| | % | |
| 
Other adjustments: | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Global Intangible Low Taxed Income | | 
| | | | 
| 0.0 | % | | 
| 16 | | | 
| (0.1 | )% | |
| 
Deferred tax asset adjustments | | 
| (13 | ) | | 
| 0.1 | % | | 
| (30 | ) | | 
| 0.1 | % | |
| 
Income tax expense | | 
$ | 2 | | | 
| | % | | 
$ | 2 | | | 
| | % | |
| F-30 | |
The
Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740. When uncertain tax positions exist, the Company
recognizes the tax benefit of tax positions to the extent that the benefit would more likely than not be realized assuming examination
by the taxing authority. The determination as to whether the tax benefit will more likely than not be realized is based upon the technical
merits of the tax position as well as consideration of the available facts and circumstances. The Company recognizes any interest and
penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. The Company did not have any significant unrecognized tax
benefits during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, several
U.S. States, Australia, and Romania. The Companys tax returns since inception remain open to examination by the taxing authorities.
**9**.
**SEGMENT INFORMATION**
The
Company operates in one reportable segment. This determination is based on the Companys structure, the manner in which the chief
operating decision maker (CODM) reviews the operating results to assess performance and allocate resources, and the nature
of the Companys operations. The CODM, who is the Chief Executive Officer, regularly reviews consolidated financial information,
such as consolidated net loss. The CODMs review is for the purpose of assessing performance and making decisions about resource
allocation. See our consolidated financial statement in Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, and
Note 1, Description of Business, Organization, and Principles of Consolidation for additional information about these line
items and the related accounting policies.
**10**.
**GOVERNMENT GRANTS**
****
The
Company receives research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support specific primary research and clinical
development projects. In accordance with ASU 2025-10, the Company accounts for these as government grants and has elected the income-related
approach. Grant proceeds are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations when there is reasonable
assurance that the Company will comply with the conditions attached to the grant and the grant will be received. The Company has elected
to present these grant proceeds as a component of Other income, net, rather than as a reduction of the related Research and Development
(R&D) expenses.
During
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the Company operated under one active NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards (Award
#1R44CA309843-01). These grants are cost-reimbursable, meaning the Company is entitled to payment only after incurring allowable costs
as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement. As of December 31, 2025, the Company has recognized a receivable
of $0.4 million for qualified R&D expenditures that have been incurred but not yet reimbursed by the NIH.
NIH
grants are subject to audit and retrospective adjustment by the granting agency to ensure compliance. While the Company believes it has
complied with all material terms of the grant agreements, any costs found to be unallowable upon audit could be subject to repayment.
As of December 31, 2025, no such repayment is deemed probable.
**11.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS**
**Issuance
of Options**
From
January 1 to March 23, 2026, the Company issued 463,263 options at a weighted exercise price of $1.53 to consultants.
****
| F-31 | |
****
**Issuance
of Stock**
On
January 12, 2026, the Company issued 8,362 shares of common stock having a value of $14,550.36 (based on $1.74 price using the calculated
by using 120% of the dollar value weighted average price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange for the thirty (30) trading
days immediately preceding the date of the purchase payment or the minimum share price of $1.74) to a service provider under a master
services agreement in consideration of services rendered. The issuance was exempt under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1993,
as amended.
On
February 20, 2026, the Company issued 5,449 shares of common stock having a value of $14,550.36 (based on $2.67 price using the calculated
by using 120% of the dollar value weighted average price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange for the thirty (30) trading
days immediately preceding the date of the purchase payment or the minimum share price of $1.74) to a service provider under a master
services agreement in consideration of services rendered. The issuance was exempt under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1993,
as amended.
On
March 12, 2026, the Company issued 6,037 shares of common stock having a value of $14,550.36 (based on $2.41 price using the calculated
by using 120% of the dollar value weighted average price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange for the thirty (30) trading
days immediately preceding the date of the purchase payment or the minimum share price of $1.74) to a service provider under a master
services agreement in consideration of services rendered. The issuance was exempt under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1993,
as amended.
**Underwritten
Public Offering**
On March 4, 2026, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of
20,000,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $1.50 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $30 million, prior
to deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses. In addition, on March 9, 2026, the Company closed on the partial exercise
of underwriter over-allotment option for the above referenced public offering for an additional 2,005,875 shares of common stock at the
public offering price of $1.50 per share resulting in additional gross proceeds of approximately $3 million. After giving effect
to the partial exercise of the over-allotment option, the total number of shares sold by Company in the public offering increased to 22,005,875
and gross proceeds increased to approximately $33 million.
****
These
subsequent events may have a material impact on the Companys financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in future
periods, and they are disclosed here for informational purposes. Investors should consider the potential impact of these events on their
assessments of the Companys financial condition and performance.
**Liquidity Considerations**
Subsequent to December 31, 2025, the Company successfully
executed an underwritten public offering resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $33 million. The Companys current cash position
provides sufficient liquidity to meet its obligations for at least twelve months from the issuance date of this report. As a result of
receiving these proceeds, management has concluded that substantial doubt regarding the Companys ability to continue as a going concern
no longer exists.
| F-32 | |