Curanex Pharmaceuticals Inc (CURX) — 10-K

Filed 2026-03-30 · Period ending 2025-12-31 · 59,023 words · SEC EDGAR

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# Curanex Pharmaceuticals Inc (CURX) — 10-K

**Filed:** 2026-03-30
**Period ending:** 2025-12-31
**Accession:** 0001493152-26-013677
**Source:** [SEC EDGAR](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2025942/000149315226013677/)
**Origin leaf:** 9330de049c689b36b591c3adce79363d3a01646cc6f788ec50021c2aa153dc88
**Words:** 59,023



---

**
UNITED
STATES**
**SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**
**WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549**
**FORM
10-K**
**ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934**
For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025
**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 001-42815**
**CURANEX
PHARMACEUTICALS INC**
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| 
Nevada | 
| 
83-0741390 | |
| 
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) | 
| 
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification No.) | |
| 
2
Jericho Plaza, Suite 101B Jericho, NY | 
| 
11753 | |
| 
(Address
of principal executive offices) | 
| 
(Zip
Code) | |
**(718)
673-6078**
(Registrants
telephone number, including area code)
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| 
Title
of each class | 
| 
Trading
Symbol | 
| 
Name
of each exchange on which registered | |
| 
Common
Stock, $0.0001 par value | 
| 
CURX | 
| 
The
NASDAQ Capital Market LLC | |
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: **None.**
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes No 
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes No 
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No 
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T ( 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files). Yes No 
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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 and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2025 was 0N/A.
As
of March 30, 2026, there were 28,364,812 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
| | |
**CURANEX
PHARMACEUTICALS INC**
**Annual
Report on Form 10-K**
**For
the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025**
**TABLE
OF CONTENTS**
| 
| 
Page | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements | 
ii | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
PARTI | |
| 
Item
1. | 
Description of Business | 
1 | |
| 
Item
1A. | 
Risk Factors | 
49 | |
| 
Item
1B. | 
Unresolved Staff Comments | 
65 | |
| 
Item
1C. | 
Cybersecurity | 
65 | |
| 
Item
2. | 
Properties | 
65 | |
| 
Item
3. | 
Legal Proceedings | 
65 | |
| 
Item
4. | 
Mine Safety Disclosures | 
65 | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
PARTII | |
| 
Item
5. | 
Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | 
66 | |
| 
Item
6. | 
[Reserved] | 
66 | |
| 
Item
7. | 
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 
67 | |
| 
Item
7A. | 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 
72 | |
| 
Item
8. | 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | 
72 | |
| 
Item
9. | 
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 
72 | |
| 
Item
9A. | 
Controls and Procedures | 
72 | |
| 
Item
9B. | 
Other Information | 
73 | |
| 
Item
9C. | 
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections | 
73 | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
PART III | |
| 
Item
10. | 
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance | 
73 | |
| 
Item
11. | 
Executive Compensation | 
81 | |
| 
Item
12. | 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters | 
83 | |
| 
Item
13. | 
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence | 
84 | |
| 
Item
14. | 
Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 
85 | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
PARTIV | |
| 
Item
15. | 
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules | 
86 | |
| 
Item
16. | 
Form 10K Summary | 
86 | |
| 
Signatures | 
87 | |
| i | |
****
**Cautionary
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements**
**
This
Annual Report on Form 10-K (the Annual Report) includes a number of forward-looking statements that reflect managements
current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are projections in respect of future
events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as may,
should, expects, plans, anticipates, believes, estimates,
predicts, potential or continue or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.
Forward-looking statements contained in the Annual Report include, but are not limited to, statements about:
| 
| 
| 
our
future financial performance, including our revenue, costs of revenue, operating expenses and profitability; | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
the
sufficiency of our cash and cash equivalents to meet our liquidity needs; | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
the
availability of financing for smaller publicly traded companies like us; and | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
our
ability to effectively manage our growth and future expenses. | |
Any
such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in or contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Factors that
might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described in this Annual Report, including
those risks described in Part I, Item 1A, *Risk Factors*, and Part II, Item 7, *Management**s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations*, as well as others that we may consider immaterial
or do not anticipate at this time. The risks and uncertainties described in this Annual Report, including in Part I, Item 1A, *Risk
Factors*, and Part II, Item 7, *Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations*,
are not exclusive and further information concerning our company and our businesses, including factors that potentially could materially
affect our operating results or financial condition, may emerge from time to time. All forward-looking statements are based on our managements
beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. These statements, like all statements in this Annual
Report, speak only as of their date, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise these statements considering future developments.
We caution investors that our business and financial performance are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, and you should carefully
consider the factors set forth in other reports or documents that we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the SEC).
This
Annual Report also contains estimates, projections and other information concerning our industry, our business, which were obtained from
internal company surveys, market research, consultant surveys, publicly available information, reports of governmental agencies and industry
publications and surveys. Industry surveys, publications, consultant surveys and forecasts generally state that the information contained
therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed.
To our knowledge, certain third-party industry data that includes projections for future periods does not take into account the effects
of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. Accordingly, those third-party projections may be overstated and should not be given undue weight.
Forecasts are particularly likely to be inaccurate, especially over long periods of time. In addition, we do not necessarily know what
assumptions regarding general economic growth were used in preparing the forecasts we cite. Statements as to our market position are
based on the most currently available data. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the industry data presented in this
Annual Report, our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors. As a result of these
factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant
uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by us or any
other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or at all. Except to the extent required by law,
we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events,
a change in events, conditions, circumstances or assumptions underlying such statements, or otherwise.
As
used in this Annual Report and unless otherwise indicated, the terms Curanex, we, us, our,
or Company refer to Curanex Pharmaceuticals Inc, a Nevada corporation.
The
number of shares and the price per share of the Companys common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share (the Common Stock)
in this Annual Report reflect the 3-for-5 reverse stock split of the Companys outstanding Common Stock, effective November 19,
2024.
| ii | |
**PART
I**
**ITEM
1. Description of Business**
**Overview**
****
Curanex
is a developmental stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing innovative botanical drugs to
treat patients suffering from inflammatory diseases. Our mission is to address significant unmet medical needs and improve patients
lives by harnessing the power of natural substances. We are dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing botanical medicines
for treating patients with immune and inflammatory diseases and to develop therapies that may offer potential benefits to patients with
unmet clinical needs in various fields, such as autoimmune diseases, metabolic diseases and viral infections.
Our
current drug development pipeline encompasses six core indications: ulcerative colitis, atopic dermatitis, COVID-19, diabetes, nonalcoholic
fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gout. If successfully developed and approved, Phyto-N may improve the lives of many patients
worldwide. However, our research to date has been limited to preclinical studies for each of these indications.
Our
lead drug candidate, Phyto-N, is a proprietary botanical extract with chemical components and pharmacological activities that harnesses
potential anti-inflammatory properties of a medicinal plant with a long history of human use. Phyto-N has a long history of use in Chinese
traditional medicine, which focuses on an alternative herbal medical practice, and has shown positive results in animal models of multiple
inflammatory diseases. We aim to prioritize the development of Phyto-N and its active compounds, to conduct further preclinical and clinical
studies to evaluate its therapeutic potential and safety profile, and if warranted, to seek the necessary regulatory approval in order
to commercialize Phyto-N.
We
are planning to submit an Investigational New Drug application (IND) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in the fourth
quarter of 2026. If allowed to proceed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a Phase I trial will be initiated
30 days post-IND submission. If the Phase I trial is completed with positive results, we intend to proceed with a Phase II trial for
ulcerative colitis as our lead indication. Contingent upon the success of our ulcerative colitis trials, available funding, and other
strategic considerations, Curanex may subsequently initiate additional Phase II trials in other high-value indications such as atopic
dermatitis, coronavirus (COVID-19), gout, diabetes, and NAFLD, or may seek to license out these indications to third parties at the Phase
II stage. This multiple indication strategy represents our long-term vision to explore and maximize the value of Phyto-N and build a
robust pipeline of botanical drug candidates targeting inflammatory diseases. The successful completion of these clinical trials could
position Phyto-N as a potential botanical drug candidate for multiple inflammatory indications, addressing specific unmet medical needs.
If approved, Phyto-N could provide patients with new treatment options for various inflammatory conditions.
As
we progress towards clinical development, we will continue to invest in translational research to further elucidate the mechanisms of
action, biomarkers, and patient stratification strategies for Phyto-N. These efforts will support our precision medicine approach and
help us optimize the design and execution of our clinical trials to improve the chances of success. However, the process for conducting
clinical trials is uncertain and there is no assurance that our clinical development activities will meet our planned timelines. There
is also no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining FDA regulatory approval, in obtaining sufficient funds to pursue our growth
strategy, and in commercialization of our lead or other product candidates. As a part of this development strategy, Curanex will continue
to advance its botanical drug development program in a stepwise, data-driven manner consistent with regulatory expectations. The Company
expects to provide additional operational updates as material milestones are achieved and in accordance with applicable disclosure requirements.
Curanex
was originally incorporated as a New York corporation on June 1, 2018 under the name Durand
Damiel Health Inc, focusing on research and development (R&D) of health products and botanical medicines. On October 24, 2023,
the Company changed its name to Fordman Pharma Inc., and on November 9, 2023, the Company changed its name to Curanex Pharmaceuticals
Inc and changed its focus on discovering, developing and commercializing innovative botanical drugs for major unmet needs to treat patients
suffering from inflammatory diseases. On June 10, 2024, the Company completed its reincorporation to the State of Nevada by a merger
with a Nevada subsidiary, and as the surviving corporation, continuing its operations as a Nevada corporation. The Company does not have
any subsidiaries. On June 17, 2024, we entered into the Asset Purchase Agreement with Duraviva Pharma Inc (Duraviva), a
New York corporation, pursuant to which, on the same date, we acquired from Duraviva four (4) provisional patent applications and its
8 research and development animal studies and reports and the rights to use the studies for further R&D, clinical and commercial
purposes, constituting all or substantially all of the assets of Duraviva.
The
Company does not have any subsidiaries.
| 1 | |
**Recent
Developments**
Initial
Public Offering
On
August 27, 2025, the Company completed its initial public offering (the IPO) and its shares of common stock are quoted
on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol CURX. On September 12, 2025, we completed the additional closing related
to the IPO, in which the underwriters in the IPO fully exercised their over-allotment option pursuant to the underwriting agreement dated
August 25, 2025 with Dominari Securities, LLC, as representative of the underwriters.
GMP
Pilot-Scale Manufacturing Milestone
In
February 2026, Curanex successfully completed a pilot-scale batch of Phyto-N manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
This GMP-compliant material is intended to support Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)-compliant toxicology, pharmacokinetic, and other IND-enabling
nonclinical studies. Completion of the GMP pilot-scale batch represents an important step in strengthening the Companys manufacturing
foundation as it advances toward IND submission.
Key
Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) activities completed to date include:
| 
| Development
of quality control methods for botanical raw materials and extracted drug substance; | |
| 
| Laboratory-scale
process optimization, including extraction, concentration, and drying; and | |
| 
| Scale-up
and production of GMP-compliant pilot material. | |
With
GMP pilot-scale material now available, the Company is actively working on initiating formal GLP toxicology and pharmacokinetic studies
as part of its IND preparation.
Preclinical
Nonclinical Studies
The
Company has conducted a series of nonclinical studies to evaluate the safety and pharmacological profile of Phyto-N, progressing from
exploratory laboratory-scale work to formal dose-range finding studies in preparation for the GLP toxicology program required for IND
submission.
Exploratory
Nonclinical Studies
Initial
exploratory nonclinical studies were conducted using laboratory-scale material to assess the preliminary safety and metabolic profile
of Phyto-N:
| 
| Acute
Toxicity: Non-GLP acute toxicity studies conducted in rats and dogs did not identify
any treatment-related adverse toxicological findings. | |
| 
| Metabolism:
Hepatic microsomal metabolism studies demonstrated minimal interspecies variability,
supporting the scientific rationale for continued nonclinical development. | |
These
exploratory results, combined with Phyto-Ns established human use history of over 30 years in China, provided a sound scientific
foundation for advancing to formal dose-range finding and GLP toxicology studies.
| 2 | |
Dose-Range
Finding Toxicology Study
In
March 2026, the Company announced the successful completion of a dose-range finding toxicology study of Phyto-N, conducted in Sprague-Dawley
rats and dogs. The study evaluated repeat-dose oral tolerability over 28 days at multiple dose levels and was designed to inform dose
selection and study design for the Companys subsequent GLP-compliant toxicology studies. The highest dose tested represented approximately
six times the proposed clinical oral dose in dogs and approximately four times in rats.
All
animals underwent comprehensive safety assessments throughout the study period, including hematology, coagulation parameters, serum biochemistry,
and gross and histopathological examination of major organs. No treatment-related adverse findings of toxicological significance were
observed at any dose level in either species.
The
maximum feasible dose identified in this study will serve as the high-dose anchor for the design of the pivotal GLP toxicology studies
that will form a core component of the Companys IND submission. These results keep the program on schedule toward the Companys
target IND filing in the fourth quarter of 2026.
IND
Submission Target and Clinical Development Plans
Since
completing its IPO in August 2025, Curanex has steadily advanced its lead program in alignment with U.S. FDA regulatory requirements,
focusing on preclinical development and CMC readiness. The Company continues to target submission of its first IND application for ulcerative
colitis in the fourth quarter of 2026. Subject to the completion of required studies and regulatory clearance, Phase 1 clinical development
is planned to initiate in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The
Company expects to provide additional operational updates as material milestones are achieved and in accordance with applicable disclosure
requirements.
**Opportunities
and Challenges in the Pharmaceutical Industry for Botanical Drugs**
**Market
Overview**
The
global market for inflammatory disease treatments is rapidly growing, driven by increasing prevalence, unmet medical needs, and the limitations
of current therapies. The botanical and plant-derived drugs market includes pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and herbal remedies derived
from botanical sources, plants, and natural compounds for therapeutic purposes. These drugs may include herbal extracts, phytochemicals,
traditional medicines, and plant-based supplements used in managing various health conditions and promoting wellness. With over 100 types
of inflammatory diseases affecting various organ systems and requiring long-term or lifelong treatment, there is a significant demand
for innovative solutions that can provide efficacy, safety, and better quality of life for patients. Traditional anti-inflammatory drugs,
primarily chemical compounds, often have limited efficacy and severe side effects. In contrast, botanical drugs with their multi-target
mechanisms may represent a promising new frontier in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, with enormous market potential.
According
to the In-depth Market Research Report on the Global Phytomedicine Industry 2022-2026 released by the New Vision Industry
Research Center, the market for phytomedicine and its active ingredients has been expanding rapidly, reaching approximately 34 billion
USD, as consumer preferences shift towards natural and holistic health solutions. In summary, the botanical and plant-derived drugs market
offers substantial growth potential, driven by consumer preferences for natural therapies and increasing research efforts.
**Market
Opportunities for Phyto-N**
Phyto-N,
our lead product candidate, is a medicinal botanical plant with distinct chemical components and potentially a wide spectrum of therapeutic
effects. We believe that Phyto-N has a potential ability to target multiple disease pathways and regulate various pathological processes,
and if these efforts are successful and lead to regulatory approval of Phyto-N determined by clinical trials, will make it a pipeline
in a product that will address unmet needs in complex and hard-to-treat conditions. Our preclinical research on Phyto-N has shown
early positive results, as it indicated its potential anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and tissue-protective properties, which have
been observed through animal studies and which may have the potential to be used to treat autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders, and
viral infections, where current treatment options may fall short in terms of efficacy, safety, and durability of response.
| 3 | |
Phyto-N
has been used as an herbal medicine by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners to treat patients over the last 30 years in China and
has been shown promising results in managing symptoms of certain inflammatory diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, with some patients
experiencing extended periods of symptom relief. These promising results of Phyto-N, as demonstrated in animal disease models and its
use in traditional Chinese medicine, have motivated us to undertake rigorous scientific research and clinical development to further
evaluate its therapeutic potential. We are currently preparing for an IND application and planning clinical trials for Phyto-N. If these
efforts are successful and lead to regulatory approval, we believe that Phyto-N will address diverse medical needs. However, Phyto-N
has not received regulatory approval as a drug in any jurisdiction, including China, and drug development is a complex, lengthy, and
uncertain process, and there can be no assurance of clinical or commercial success.
We
acquired from Duraviva its research and development animal study reports, including preliminary safety study reports.
Duraviva
previously evaluated Phyto-Ns therapeutic potential in animal models of six inflammatory diseases: ulcerative colitis, atopic
dermatitis, gout, diabetes, NAFLD, and COVID-19 at multiple institutes, including Rutgers University, which reports the Company acquired
from Duraviva pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement. The preliminary safety studies, including single-dose and repeated-dose toxicity
tests, have shown that Phyto-N does not exhibit any toxicity or side effects in experimental animals at the doses tested.
In
addition to our focus on developing Phyto-N as a botanical drug, we are actively identifying and isolating the active chemical compounds
responsible for its therapeutic effects. Our research is ongoing, and we anticipate that we will conclude our research prior to the filing
of our IND application.
We
believe that Phyto-Ns key competitive advantages include:
1.
History of use in Chinese Traditional Medicine: Phyto-Ns history of human use in Chinese traditional medicine may provide
an encouraging insight for multiple inflammatory diseases that may inform our clinical development process, though further rigorous studies
are needed.
2.
Potential multi-target mechanism of action: Phyto-N may modulate multiple inflammatory pathways simultaneously, potentially providing
a more comprehensive treatment effect compared to single-target agents, with the potential to address complex disease pathologies and
overcome treatment resistance.
3.
Broad therapeutic potential: Phyto-N has shown effects in animal models across several inflammatory diseases, highlighting its
versatility and potential to treat multiple indications with a single drug.
4.
Potential for tolerability: Phyto-Ns botanical origin and potential multi-target mechanism may contribute to a favorable
tolerability profile, and comprehensive clinical trials are needed to establish Phyto-Ns safety profile as a pharmaceutical product.
Development
path of Phyto-N as a botanical drug.
The
development of Phyto-N as a botanical drug presents both opportunities and challenges. To our knowledge, currently, only four (4) botanical
drugs have received FDA approval: Veregen (sinecatechins), a green tea extract approved for the treatment of external genital and
perianal warts; Mytesi (crofelemer), derived from the Croton lechleri tree, approved for managing diarrhea in HIV/AIDS patients
on antiretroviral therapy; Filsuvez (birch triterpenes), a topical gel approved for wound care in patients with dystrophic epidermolysis
bullosa; and NexoBrid (anacaulase-bcdb), a bromelain-based enzymatic agent derived from pineapple stem concentrate, approved for
eschar removal in burn wounds. This highlights both the innovative nature of our approach and the potential challenges in obtaining regulatory
approval.
| 4 | |
Challenges:
| 
| 
1. | 
Complex
composition: The multi-component nature of Phyto-N requires sophisticated analytical methods for quality control and consistency. | |
| 
| 
2. | 
Batch-to-batch
consistency: Demonstrating consistent composition and potency across different batches can be more challenging than with single-molecule
drugs. | |
| 
| 
3. | 
Regulatory
precedent: With only four FDA-approved botanical drugs, there is limited regulatory precedent, which may lead to a more complex approval
process. | |
| 
| 
4. | 
Meeting
FDA standards: Our development process must meet the same rigorous safety and efficacy standards as conventional drugs, despite the
unique nature of botanical products. | |
While
the traditional use of Phyto-N in Chinese traditional medicine is encouraging, we recognize that our development process must meet the
FDAs rigorous standards for safety and efficacy. This includes conducting comprehensive preclinical and clinical studies, potentially
requiring more time and resources compared to the development of conventional single-molecule drugs. We believe that the potential benefits
of Phyto-N as a multi-component botanical drug may justify this investment and could lead to a novel therapeutic option for patients
with inflammatory diseases. However, there can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful or that Phyto-N will ultimately receive
regulatory approval or be commercially viable.
**Product
Pipelines**
Our
drug development pipelines encompass six (6) various therapeutic areas: ulcerative colitis, atopic dermatitis, COVID-19, diabetes, NAFLD,
and gout. We previously conducted pre-clinical studies to determine if Phyto-N has any potential in treatment of acne. The results of
these studies did not support that conclusion, and the Company determined not to pursue further studies and research and not to submit
a new patent application for treatment of acne.
1)
Ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease, is characterized by chronic nonspecific inflammation of the gastrointestinal
tract. Standard care involves corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologic therapies targeting specific inflammatory pathways. Phyto-N
is being developed as an orally administered alternative for patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, aiming to address limitations
of current treatments. These limitations include:
| 
| 
| 
Inadequate
symptom control: Many patients experience incomplete symptom relief or frequent relapses with existing therapies. | |
| 
| 
| 
Side
effect profiles: Long-term use of corticosteroids can lead to significant side effects, while biologics may increase the risk of
infections and malignancies. | |
| 
| 
| 
Loss
of response: Some patients develop antibodies to biologic therapies, potentially reducing their effectiveness over time. | |
| 
| 
| 
Administration
challenges: Many current treatments require frequent injections or intravenous infusions, which can be burdensome for patients. | |
| 
| 
| 
Cost
considerations: Biologic therapies are often expensive, potentially limiting access for some patients. | |
The
Company is advancing Phyto-N through FDA-required nonclinical studies, including GLP toxicology and pharmacokinetic studies, in preparation
for an IND submission targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026, with Phase 1 clinical trials planned to initiate in Australia thereafter,
subject to the completion of required studies and regulatory clearance, to evaluate Phyto-N as an alternative treatment approach for
patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis.
2)
Atopic Dermatitis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that significantly impacts patients quality of life. While current
treatments include topical steroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and systemic immunosuppressants, many patients with moderate to severe atopic
dermatitis experience inadequate disease control or frequent relapses. We are developing Phyto-N as a potential orally administered option
for these patients.
3)
COVID-19 is an acute respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus. Current treatments focus on supportive care and antiviral therapies
such as remdesivir and monoclonal antibodies. Phyto-N presents a potential adjunctive therapy for COVID-19 with the convenience of oral
administration.
| 5 | |
4)
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by impaired insulin secretion or function, leading to dysregulated carbohydrate, protein,
and fat metabolism. Current treatments include metformin, insulin, sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor
agonists, and other oral medications, but some patients experience inadequate glycemic control or adverse effects. Phyto-N offers an
alternative approach to diabetes management, providing an orally administered option.
5)
NAFLD is a common liver condition characterized by hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Current therapies focus on addressing
metabolic comorbidities rather than directly targeting liver fat accumulation and inflammation. Phyto-N presents a potential therapeutic
option for NAFLD, addressing its underlying pathophysiology and providing an orally administered alternative.
6)
Gout is an inflammatory arthritis caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in joints and surrounding tissues. Current treatments
aim to reduce serum uric acid levels and prevent gout flares and complications. Phyto-N offers a potential alternative or adjunct therapy
for gout management, addressing limitations of existing treatments.
The
market analysis and challenges of each core indicator is discussed below.
**Market
analysis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment and the potential of Phyto-N**
In
general, IBD treatment market is expected to continue its steady growth, driven by the rising prevalence of the disease, the introduction
of innovative therapies, and the increasing availability of healthcare services in developing regions (Source: Data Bridge Market Research,
2023). The global IBD treatment market was valued at around $26.7 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6-7% from 2023
to 2034 and reach $50 billion by the end of 2034 (Source: Research and Market, 2024).
*
The
IBD treatment market is segmented by disease type (Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis), drug class (biologics, immunomodulators,
amino salicylates, corticosteroids), route of administration (oral, parenteral), and geography (Source: Global Market Insights, 2023).
Biologics, such as anti-TNF agents (e.g. Remicade, Humira) and anti-integrin agents (e.g. Entyvio), account for the largest and fastest
growing market share due to their higher efficacy and rapid uptake (Source: Coherent Market Insights, 2022). The ulcerative colitis segment
holds a slightly larger market share (52%) compared to Crohns disease (48%), but Crohns disease is expected to see faster
growth in the coming years (Source: Research and Markets, 2021). Opportunities exist in the development of new drug classes, personalized
treatments, and improved diagnosis and monitoring techniques (Source: Emergen Research, 2022).
| 6 | |
North
America dominates the global IBD treatment market with a 48% share, with the United States being the largest contributor (Source: Mordor
Intelligence, 2023). Europe holds 28% of the market share and is the second-largest market. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for 18%
share currently but is expected to witness the fastest growth of 9-10% annually due to improving healthcare infrastructure and rising
disease awareness (Source: Fortune Business Insights, 2022). The IBD treatment market is highly competitive, with the presence of both
large pharmaceutical companies and smaller biotech firms (Source: Precedence Research, 2023). The key players include AbbVie, Janssen
Biotech, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Pfizer, Merck, Novartis, and Boehringer Ingelheim (Source: Market Data Forecast, 2023). These companies
are focusing on developing novel biologics, expanding their product portfolios, and investing in R&D to maintain their market share
(Source: Roots Analysis, 2022).
Market
Potential of Phyto-N for IBD*
Phyto-N
is not a monoclonal antibody drug and does not directly target specific cytokines. Instead, it may indirectly modulate inflammatory pathways,
which could provide a wider therapeutic window compared to biologics. Preclinical studies suggest Phyto-N may modulate multiple inflammatory
pathways like NF-kB, MAPK, JAK-STAT by acting on key regulators. This multi-target approach may provide a novel strategy for IBD treatments.
Our
preclinical studies of Phyto-N in animal models of IBD have yielded promising results that we believe warrant further investigation.
Details of these studies are presented in the Research and Development section under the Ulcerative Colitis heading. We
have not conducted any clinical trials or received regulatory approval for Phyto-N in any country, including in Asia. Our future plan
involves conducting clinical trials and seeking regulatory approvals in various markets, potentially including Asia, North America, and
Europe, subject to regulatory requirements and strategic considerations.
While
we believe there is a substantial opportunity in the IBD treatment market, our ability to capture any portion of this market is subject
to numerous risks and uncertainties, including the successful completion of clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals, and effectively
commercializing our product candidates.
*Commercialization
Challenges:*
The
challenges include: the development of biosimilars of the biologics, which may put pressure on pricing (Source: MarketsandMarkets, 2023);
securing regulatory approvals for Phyto-N as an IBD treatment, especially in Western markets, requires comprehensive clinical trials
to demonstrate safety and efficacy; establishing manufacturing, supply chain, and distribution capabilities on a global scale could be
a significant challenge for a herbal product; educating healthcare providers and patients on the benefits of Phyto-N compared to existing
IBD therapies would be crucial for market acceptance.
**Market
analysis of the Atopic Dermatitis (AD) treatment and the potential of Phyto-N**
*Market
Size and Growth:*
The
global atopic dermatitis treatment market was valued at around $14.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8-9% from 2023
to 2030 and reach 27.7 billion by the end of 2030 (Source: Research and Market, 2023). The AD treatment market is moderately competitive,
with the presence of both large pharmaceutical companies and smaller biotechnology firms (Source: Precedence Research, 2023). Opportunities
exist in the development of targeted therapies, combination treatments, and the expansion of the pipeline for severe AD (Source: Emergen
Research, 2022). Overall, the AD treatment market is expected to continue its robust growth, driven by the increasing prevalence of the
disease, the introduction of innovative therapies, and the growing emphasis on improving the quality of life for patients with AD (Source:
Data Bridge Market Research, 2023).
| 7 | |
*
The
key drivers of market growth include the rising prevalence of AD, the launch of novel biologic therapies, increasing awareness and diagnosis
rates, and the growing geriatric population (Source: Persistence Market Research, 2022). The AD treatment market is segmented by drug
class (topical, oral, and injectable), severity (mild, moderate, and severe), and geography (Source: Global Market Insights, 2023). Topical
therapies, such as corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, account for the largest market share, but the injectable biologics segment
is expected to grow the fastest (Source: Coherent Market Insights, 2022). The moderate-to-severe AD segment holds a significant market
share, as this population requires more advanced and expensive treatments (Source: Research and Markets, 2021).
North
America dominates the global AD treatment market, with the United States being the largest contributor (Source: Mordor Intelligence,
2023). Europe is the second-largest market, followed by the Asia-Pacific region, which is expected to witness the fastest growth due
to improving healthcare infrastructure and increasing disease awareness (Source: Fortune Business Insights, 2022).
Market
Potential of Phyto-N for AD treatment*:
Atopic
dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition with a high prevalence globally, representing a significant market opportunity for
new treatments. Preliminary data from animal models suggests that Phyto-N may have the potential to improve atopic dermatitis symptoms,
skin lesions, inflammation, and overall disease management. Details of these studies are presented in the Research and Development
section under the AD heading. As a botanical drug candidate, Phyto-N could potentially be positioned as an alternative to current pharmaceutical
treatments, which may appeal to patients interested in plant-based therapies.
Unlike
targeted biologics like Dupilumab, which focus on specific receptors (e.g., IL-4R), Phyto-N appears to have a multi-target approach
based on preclinical studies. The potential ability of Phyto-N to simultaneously target multiple inflammatory pathways and achieve anti-inflammatory
effects could be advantageous if these effects are confirmed in human clinical trials.
| 8 | |
*Commercialization
Challenges*:
The
challenges include: conducting comprehensive clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of Phyto-N in human patients with
atopic dermatitis would be crucial for regulatory approvals and market acceptance; establishing large-scale manufacturing, supply chain,
and distribution capabilities for a herbal product may pose challenges compared to conventional pharmaceuticals; educating healthcare
providers and patients about the benefits of Phyto-N over existing treatments would be necessary for market adoption.
**Market
analysis of COVID-19 treatment and the potential of Phyto-N.**
*Market
Size and Growth*
The
global COVID-19 treatment market was valued at around $31 billion in 2021 and is expected to contract at a CAGR of -8.3% from 2022 to
2031 and reach more than $16 billion by the end of 2031 (Source: Transparency Market Research, 2023).
*
The
key drivers of market growth include the ongoing need for effective COVID-19 treatments, the development of new therapeutic options,
increased government funding for research and development, and the rising prevalence of COVID-19 globally (Source: Persistence Market
Research, 2022). North America dominates the global COVID-19 treatment market, with the United States being the largest contributor (Source:
Mordor Intelligence, 2023). Europe is the second-largest market, followed by the Asia-Pacific region, which is expected to witness the
fastest growth due to the high prevalence of COVID-19 and increasing healthcare infrastructure (Source: Fortune Business Insights, 2022).
The
COVID-19 treatment market is segmented by drug class (antivirals, monoclonal antibodies, steroids, and others), route of administration
(oral, intravenous, and others), and geography (Source: Global Market Insights, 2023). Antiviral drugs, such as Remdesivir and Molnupiravir,
currently hold the largest market share, but the monoclonal antibodies segment is expected to grow the fastest (Source: Coherent Market
Insights, 2022). The oral route of administration is the most dominant, as it offers convenience and ease of use for patients (Source:
Research and Markets, 2021).
| 9 | |
Market
Potential of Phyto-N for COVID-19 treatment:*
The
COVID-19 pandemic has created a massive global demand for effective preventive and therapeutic options against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Preliminary preclinical studies suggest Phyto-N may have the potential to reduce viral loads in various organs, inhibit inflammation,
and potentially affect transmission, which warrants further investigation as a possible approach to COVID-19 management. Details of these
studies are presented in the Research and Development section under the COVID-19 heading. As a natural herbal compound,
Phyto-N may appeal to patients seeking complementary or alternative therapies, particularly in regions with the Chinese traditional medicine
practices. However, its important to note that botanical drugs must meet the same rigorous safety and efficacy standards as conventional
pharmaceuticals.
Preclinical
studies have shown potential anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects, but these results need to be replicated in human clinical
trials before any conclusions can be drawn about Phyto-Ns efficacy or potential advantages. If proven safe and effective in humans,
Phyto-N might initially be considered in regions where botanical medicines are more commonly accepted. However, this would still require
thorough clinical testing and regulatory approvals. Expansion into major markets would require extensive clinical trials and regulatory
approvals, and there is no guarantee of success given the complex nature of botanical drug development and the evolving landscape of
COVID-19 treatments.
*Challenges*:
The
COVID-19 treatment market is highly competitive, with the presence of both large pharmaceutical companies and smaller biotechnology firms
(Source: Precedence Research, 2023). It is crucial for regulatory approvals and market acceptance that we conduct comprehensive clinical
trials to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of Phyto-N in preventing and treating COVID-19 in humans. In addition, the supply chain,
and distribution capabilities for an herbal product may pose challenges compared to conventional pharmaceuticals; educating healthcare
providers and patients about the benefits of Phyto-N over existing COVID-19 treatments and preventive measures would be necessary for
market adoption.
**Market
analysis for diabetes treatments and the potential of Phyto-N**
The
market for diabetes treatments is dynamic and robust, driven by the increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus globally. With diabetes
emerging as a significant public health concern due to lifestyle changes, aging populations, and rising obesity rates, the demand for
effective treatment options continues to grow. This analysis delves into key market dynamics, trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping
the diabetes treatment landscape.
*Market
Size and Growth*
The
global diabetes treatment market was valued at around $66 billion in 2023 and is projected to hit around USD 118 billion by 2032, growing
at a CAGR of 6.67% during the forecast period 2023 to 2032. Diabetes affects 62 million people in the Americas, with the majority living
in low- and middle-income countries. Diabetes is directly responsible for 284,049 deaths each year. (Source: Precedence Research, 2023).
| 10 | |
*
Key
growth drivers include the rising prevalence of diabetes globally, increasing obesity/sedentary lifestyles, aging populations, and demand
for innovative therapies and disease management products (Source: International Diabetes Federation, 2021).
There
are the following key market segments:
-
By Diabetes Type: Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes (T2D accounts for over 90% market share, Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
2022)
-
By Product Type: Insulin (human, analogs), Non-Insulin Injectables (GLP-1 agonists, Amylin analogs), Oral Antidiabetics, SGLT-2 Inhibitors,
and Devices (insulin pumps, CGM, etc.) (Source: American Diabetes Association, 2023)
-
Insulin and Insulin Analogs hold the largest revenue share currently
-
Non-Insulin Injectables like GLP-1 agonists are the fastest-growing segment
North
America dominates the market led by high treatment rates and adoption of advanced therapies in the US. Europe is the second-largest market
driven by rising T2D prevalence with big pharmaceutical companies: Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Merck, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim.
Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the fastest-growing market fueled by increasing diabetic populations in India and China (Source:
World Health Organization, 2022).
The
key branded products include Lantus, Toujeo, Tresiba (insulin analogs), Ozempic, Trulicity, Rybelsus (GLP-1 agonists). Strategies involve
developing innovative biologics, combination regimens, and investments in next-gen devices and digital solutions. Overall, the diabetes
market is characterized by innovation, technological advancement, and a growing emphasis on personalized care. With the rising prevalence
of diabetes worldwide, there is a pressing need for comprehensive, patient-centric approaches to diabetes management that address not
only glycemic control but also cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities, and patient preferences.
The
potential of Phyto-N for diabetes treatments*
The
diabetes treatment market is undergoing a transformative phase with the emergence of innovative therapies and the growing demand for
effective, safe, and holistic management options. Phyto-N, our botanical drug candidate, has shown potential effects in animal research,
suggesting it may have potential in the diabetes treatment landscape. Details of these studies are presented in the *Research
and Development* section under the Diabetes heading.
| 11 | |
Preclinical
studies suggest that Phyto-N may be well-tolerated and may have the potential to reduce blood sugar and lipids, improve insulin resistance,
and protect the structure and function of vital organs such as the pancreas, liver, and kidneys. These initial findings are promising
and provide a rationale for further investigation.
Phyto-N
is in the early stages of development as a potential diabetes treatment, and we are excited about the opportunity to advance it through
the clinical research process. Our team is dedicated to conducting the necessary large-scale human trials to rigorously assess its potential
benefits for diabetes patients. While we acknowledge the inherent risks and uncertainties in drug development, we remain hopeful about
Phyto-Ns prospects and are committed to its careful and thorough evaluation as a potential new option in diabetes care.
**Market
Analysis of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Treatments and the Potential of Phyto-N**
Nonalcoholic
Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver condition caused by accumulation of excess fat in the liver. It encompasses a spectrum
from simple fatty liver (steatosis) to Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) which can progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis and
liver failure. NAFLD has become a global health concern due to its rising prevalence, driven primarily by factors such as sedentary lifestyles,
unhealthy diets, and increasing rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes. As a result, the market for NAFLD treatment has witnessed significant
growth and is expected to continue expanding in the coming years.
*Market
Size and Growth*:
The
NAFLD treatment market has experienced steady growth in recent years and is projected to continue expanding at a considerable rate. The
global market value is around $4.8 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $160 billion by the end of 2030. The market is anticipated
to grow at a CAGR of approx. 55% during the forecasted period of 2022-2030 (Research and markets, 2024). Factors such as the increasing
prevalence of NAFLD, growing awareness among healthcare providers and patients, and advancements in treatment options contribute to market
growth. The NASH market in the U.S. is estimated at US$1.6 Billion in the year 2022. China, the worlds second largest economy,
is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$24 Billion by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 51.9% over the analysis period 2022
to 2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 46.6% and 45.2% respectively over
the 2022-2030 period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 35.4% CAGR (Source: Global Industry Analysts, Inc.,
2022).
| 12 | |
*
The
prevalence of NAFLD is increasing globally, with estimates suggesting that it affects approximately 25% of the worlds population.
Moreover, the disease is becoming more prevalent among younger populations, including children and adolescents, further driving the demand
for effective treatments (Source: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children and adolescents. Clinics in Liver Disease, 2023, 27(1),
127-144).
Currently,
the treatment options for NAFLD primarily focus on lifestyle modifications, including diet and exercise, as well as pharmacological interventions
to manage associated conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. However, there is a growing need for specific pharmacotherapies
targeting NAFLD itself, presenting opportunities for drug development and market expansion.
The
pharmaceutical industry is actively engaged in developing novel therapies specifically targeting NAFLD and its complications, such as
NASH and fibrosis. The NAFLD treatment market is characterized by the presence of both established pharmaceutical companies and emerging
biotechnology firms focusing on drug development for metabolic disorders. Multiple big pharma like Gilead, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer as well
as biotech companies have therapies in late-stage development for NASH. There are over 40 drugs in development for NASH, representing
a very active pipeline across different therapeutic classes. Leading drug candidates target mechanisms like FXR agonism, THR- agonism,
ACC inhibition and ASK1 inhibition. FDA approved Resmetirom (Madrigal), the first drug, for NASH, on March 14, 2024 (Source: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-treatment-patients-liver-scarring-due-fatty-liver-disease).
Some other key late-stage drugs are obeticholic acid (Intercept) and semaglutide (Novo Nordisk).
Factors
driving market growth include increasing awareness about NAFLD among healthcare professionals and patients, rising healthcare expenditure,
and supportive government initiatives aimed at addressing metabolic disorders. However, challenges such as the lack of approved pharmacotherapies
for NAFLD/NASH, regulatory hurdles, and the complexity of the disease present barriers to market expansion. North America accounts for
the largest market share currently driven by high disease incidence and established healthcare infrastructure, and Europe is the second-largest
market. Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to be the fastest growing market due to increasing obesity/diabetes rates and rising healthcare
spending.
| 13 | |
The
potential of Phyto-N for NAFLD treatments*
The
market for the prevention and treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is poised for substantial growth driven by the increasing
global prevalence of the condition and advancements in therapeutic options. With the recent approval of Rezdiffra by the US FDA for treating
NASH, the landscape for NAFLD treatment has witnessed a significant milestone.
While
the recent approval of Rezdiffra (resmetirom) by the FDA for NASH treatment and the presence of other late-stage drug candidates in development
represent significant advancements in the field, this does not imply that Phyto-N will receive regulatory approval. As a botanical drug,
Phyto-N may be subject to unique additional challenges in the regulatory process compared to traditional small molecule drugs or biologics.
The FDAs regulatory pathway for botanical drugs can differ from that of conventional pharmaceuticals, potentially requiring additional
or different types of evidence to demonstrate safety and efficacy.
Phyto-N,
our botanical drug candidate, is being developed as a potential treatment for NAFLD/NASH. Preclinical studies have shown that Phyto-N
demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties in animal models of NAFLD. See details of these studies in the *Research and Development*section under the NAFLD heading.
Preclinical
studies also suggest that Phyto-N may have both preventive and therapeutic effects in animal models of NAFLD. However, the comparative
efficacy and safety profile of Phyto-N relative to approved treatments can only be determined through direct clinical comparisons, which
we have not yet conducted. The potential benefits and risks of Phyto-N in humans will need to be carefully evaluated in future clinical
trials.
As
we advance Phyto-N through clinical development, we aim to generate the necessary data to evaluate its potential as a safe and effective
therapy for NAFLD/NASH. Our goal is to improve treatment options for patients suffering from this complex liver disorder.
**Market
Analysis of Gout Treatments and Potential of Phyto-N.**
The
global gout treatment market size was valued at around $2.4 billion in 2022. It is projected to grow at a robust CAGR of 8.6% during
the forecast period of 2022 to 2032 and reach $5.4 billion by the end of 2032.
*
| 14 | |
Major
growth drivers include the rising prevalence of gout, which is linked to aging populations, obesity, dietary factors like high purine
intake, as well as increasing healthcare access and awareness about effective gout management (Source: Persistence Market Research, 2022).
Development of new targeted therapies and increasing investment in R&D by pharmaceutical companies is also fueling market expansion.
The
market is segmented into uric acid lowering therapies (xanthine oxidase inhibitors like allopurinol, febuxostat; uricosurics), anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs, colchicine, corticosteroids), and biologics/newer therapies. Xanthine oxidase inhibitors hold the largest market share
as they are recommended as the first-line urate-lowering therapy for most gout patients (Source: Global Market Insights, 2023). The biologics
segment, including interlukin-1 inhibitors like Ilaris (canakinumab), is expected to witness the fastest growth in the coming years for
treatment of uncontrolled gout. Oral formulations dominate due to higher convenience and patient preference, while parenteral routes
are used for severe cases. The market is categorized into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and online pharmacies. Hospital pharmacies
currently lead the distribution. North America dominates the global gout treatment market, largely due to the high prevalence of the
disease and greater access to healthcare services in the region, especially in the United States (Source: Mordor Intelligence, 2023).
Europe is the second largest regional market.
The
potential of Phyto-N for Gout Treatment*
Based
on the animal study data provided in the Research and Development section under the Gout heading, Phyto-N demonstrated
potential therapeutic effects in treating both gouty nephritis and gouty arthritis, which could give it a potential advantage in the
gout treatment market. The studies show that Phyto-N can reduce levels of inflammatory mediators such as TNF-, Caspase-1, IL-6,
IL-18, IL-1, and NLRP3 inflammasome, which play crucial roles in the inflammatory cascade associated with gout. By targeting these
inflammatory factors, Phyto-N may offer an approach to treating gout-related inflammation. In the gouty nephritis mouse study, Phyto-N
was able to reduce serum levels of uric acid, creatinine, and BUN, as well as improve renal fibrosis and tubular damage. These results
suggest that Phyto-N may have the potential to address both hyperuricemia and kidney-related issues in mouse gouty nephritis model. Further
research is needed to confirm these effects and determine their clinical significance.
*Challenges*:
Key
challenges include: conducting comprehensive clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of Phyto-N in human patients with
gout would be crucial for regulatory approvals and market acceptance; establishing large-scale manufacturing, supply chain, and distribution
capabilities for a herbal product may pose challenges compared to conventional pharmaceuticals; and educating healthcare providers and
patients about the benefits of Phyto-N over existing treatments would be necessary for market adoption.
**Our
Growth Strategy**
Our
growth strategy is to leverage our expertise in botanical medicine to identify and develop potential novel drug candidates derived from
herbal extracts and their active ingredients. Botanical drugs may offer several potential advantages, including the potential for multi-target
mechanisms of action, and a potential source of bioactive compounds. By focusing on botanical drug development, we hope to differentiate
ourselves in the pharmaceutical industry and capitalize on the growing demand for natural treatment options. In addition to our focus
on developing Phyto-N as a botanical drug, we are actively engaged in identifying and isolating the active chemical compounds responsible
for its therapeutic effects. We are investigating the potential of these compounds to serve as the basis for the development of novel
small molecule drugs with potentially targeted mechanisms of action; however, the process of identifying these compounds is still ongoing,
and there is no assurance of success. We anticipate that we will conclude this research prior to the submission of an IND application
for ulcerative colitis.
By
conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials, we aim to evaluate Phyto-Ns safety and efficacy in various indications and
gather the necessary data to support its approval as a botanical drug by the FDA. The Companys initial focus will be on advancing
Phyto-N into clinical trials for this debilitating condition with significant unmet medical needs. If the Phase I trial is completed
with positive results, we intend to proceed with a Phase II trial for ulcerative colitis as our lead indication. Contingent upon the
success of our ulcerative colitis trials, obtaining sufficient funding from a combination of public or private equity offerings and debt
financings, and other strategic considerations, Curanex may subsequently initiate additional Phase II trials in other high-value indications
such as atopic dermatitis, COVID-19, gout, diabetes, and NAFLD, or may seek to license out these indications to third parties at the
Phase II stage. By pursuing this multiple indication strategy, Curanex aims to explore and maximize the value of Phyto-N and build a
robust pipeline of botanical drug candidates targeting inflammatory diseases. The successful completion of these clinical trials could
position Phyto-N as a potential botanical drug candidate for multiple inflammatory indications, addressing specific unmet medical needs.
If approved, Phyto-N could provide patients with a new treatment option.
| 15 | |
As
we progress towards clinical trials, we will continue to invest in translational research to further elucidate the mechanisms of action,
biomarkers, and patient stratification strategies for Phyto-N. These efforts will support our precision medicine approach and help us
optimize the design and execution of our clinical trials to improve the chances of success. However, the process for conducting clinical
trials is uncertain and there is no assurance that our clinical development activities will meet our planned timelines. There is also
no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining FDA regulatory approval, in obtaining sufficient funds to pursue our growth strategy,
and in commercialization of our lead or other product candidates.
**Our
Competitive Strengths**
Our
leadership team is comprised of experienced industry professionals with a proven track record of success in bringing innovative therapies
to market with deep expertise in drug discovery, development, and commercialization. Our board and advisors include experts in inflammatory
diseases, botanical medicine, and US regulatory strategy, ensuring that we have the knowledge and network to successfully navigate the
clinical development and approval process. We have also attracted top talent in the areas of botanical medicine, inflammatory diseases,
and regulatory affairs, ensuring that we have the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complex process of drug development
and approval. We believe that our distinctive approach, combining the power of nature with scientific research and development, will
set us apart in the pharmaceutical industry and positions us for long-term success.
We
hope to collaborate with academic institutions, research organizations, and contract research organizations (CROs) to advance our understanding
of the underlying mechanisms of inflammatory diseases and identify potential novel therapeutic targets. We believe that these partnerships
could provide access to technologies, expertise, and resources that complement our internal R&D capabilities. For example, Duraviva
in the past collaborated with researchers at Rutgers University, which have been instrumental in validating Phyto-Ns therapeutic
potential in animal models of inflammatory diseases. These research and development animal studies and reports were assigned and transferred
to the Company by Duraviva pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement. We are planning to partner with experienced contract manufacturing
organizations (CMOs) that have a proven track record of producing high-quality, GMP-compliant botanical drug substances and drug products.
We believe that these partnerships will ensure the reliable and efficient production of our therapeutics at various stages of development
and commercialization.
We
are also looking to establish working strategic relationships with clinical research organizations and clinical trial sites to design,
conduct, and monitor our clinical trials. These collaborations may help us efficiently execute our clinical development plans, ensure
data quality and integrity, and meet regulatory requirements.
**Technological
Achievements**
During
the last five years, our founders worked on combining the potential therapeutic properties of phytomedicines and their potentially active
ingredients with unmet needs in the market for various therapeutic areas. They have mastered key technologies for extracting, isolating,
chemically synthesizing, and structurally modifying active ingredients in phytomedicines. They are actively working to ensure that our
processes for extracting phytomedicine, formulation, and quality control will meet FDA standards for the industrial production of botanical
drugs. By leveraging their extensive technical and practical experience in drug development, founders of Curanex, together with our team
of executive officers, directors, and consultants, aim to focus on initiating and developing drugs with potential targeted effects and
significant market demand. However, there can be no assurance that our technological achievements will result in commercially viable
products or that we will be successful in obtaining FDA approval for any products we may develop.
| 16 | |
**Our
Challenges**
As
a company that is developing botanical drugs, we may face challenges that similar companies experienced in the past with obtaining regulatory
approval, as the development and approval process for botanical drugs involves additional challenges, including, but not limited to the
complex nature of botanical extracts, which may contain multiple active compounds, making it difficult to identify and characterize all
active ingredients, challenges in standardization and quality control due to natural variations in plant materials, difficulties in predicting
pharmacokinetics and potential drug interactions due to the complex composition of botanical extracts, and manufacturing complexities
in scaling up production while maintaining consistency and quality. Currently only four (4) botanical drugs have received FDA approval:
Veregen (sinecatechins), a green tea extract approved for the treatment of external genital and perianal warts; Mytesi (crofelemer),
derived from the Croton lechleri tree, approved for managing diarrhea in HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy; Filsuvez (birch
triterpenes), a topical gel approved for wound care in patients with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa; and NexoBrid (anacaulase-bcdb),
a bromelain-based enzymatic agent derived from pineapple stem concentrate, approved for eschar removal in burn wounds. This limited number
of approvals highlights both the innovative nature of our approach and the potential challenges in obtaining regulatory approval. These
challenges involve additional costs and may result in delays, or failure to obtain the required FDA regulatory approval.
**Intellectual
Property**
Our
commercial success depends in part upon our ability to obtain and maintain patent and other proprietary protection for commercially important
technologies, inventions and know-how related to our business, defend and enforce our intellectual property rights, particularly our
patent rights, preserve the confidentiality of our trade secrets and operate without infringing valid and enforceable intellectual property
rights of others. Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, on June 17, 2024, we acquired the applications to provisions patents from
Duraviva. All these provisional applications expired
on March 18, 2025. On March 13, 2025, prior to the expiration, we filed with the USPTO an international PCT application for utility patent
entitled PLANT EXTRACT COMPOSITIONS AND USES THEREOF (application # PCT/US25/19679) which combined the following three
(3) provisional patent applications (all of which had expiration dates of March 18, 2025):
Provisional
Application #63/566,747 - Plant Extract Compositions and Uses Thereof For Treating Autoimmune Diseases for treatment of Autoimmune
Diseases.
Provisional
Application #63/566,749 Plant Extract Compositions and Uses Thereof For Treating Metabolic Diseases for treatment
of Metabolic Diseases, and
Provisional
Application #63/631,786 Plant Extract Compositions and Uses Thereof For Treating Or Preventing Viral Infections
for treatment of Viral Infections.
The
Company determined not to file a new patent application for treatment of acne due to results in pre-clinical studies and experiments
that did not support the finding of any potential benefits of using Phyto-N to treat acne. As such, the provisional patent application
#63/566,754 Plant Extract Compositions and Uses Thereof For Treating Acne.
While
we filed this international PCT application prior to expiration of these three (3) above-referenced provisional patents, to preserve
the priority dates with respect to our provisional patent applications, there is no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining
registration of this utility patent in the United States and the broader international patent protection we need.
Compared
to provisional patent applications, non-provisional applications require to undergo a thorough examination process by patent examiners
to determine patentability, patentability of the invention, including its novelty and non-obviousness. Non-provisional applications also
require providing formal claims, detailed drawings, and a written description that fully discloses the inventions subject matter
and scope. Moreover, patent applications and patents may be opposed or challenged by third parties. As patent applications in the United
States are maintained in secrecy until published or issued and as publication of discoveries in the scientific or patent literature often
lag behind the actual discoveries, we cannot be certain that there are no other pending patent applications or issued patents from other
parties. Additionally, the breadth of claims allowed in biotechnology and pharmaceutical patents, or their enforceability cannot be predicted.
We cannot be sure that we will be successful in obtaining and maintaining effective patent protection for the technologies underlying
Phyto-N and successfully defending patent rights in those technologies against third-party challenges.
| 17 | |
Duraviva
also transferred to the Company 8 research and development animal studies and reports, including the right to use the studies for further
R&D, clinical & commercial purposes, for:
1.
Ulcerative Colitis
2.
Atopic Dermatitis
3.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease prevention
4.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease treatment
5.
Diabetes
6.
COVID-19 prevention and treatment
7.
Gouty nephritis
8.
Gouty arthritis
**Our
Business Plan**
Our
business plan and strategy are centered on developing innovative botanical drugs, with a focus on Phyto-N as our lead candidate, for
the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Preclinical
Evaluation: Our lead product candidate, Phyto-N, has undergone extensive preclinical testing in animal models of six inflammatory
diseases: ulcerative colitis, atopic dermatitis, gout, diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and COVID-19.
We have conducted the following preclinical studies:
1)
Pharmaceutical experiments to characterize the active ingredients of Phyto-N;
2)
Animal pharmacology studies to demonstrate potential effects in relevant disease models, including:
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Dextran
sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model for ulcerative colitis; | |
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DNCB-induced
acute atopic dermatitis model; | |
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SARS-CoV-2
infection model in hamsters for COVID-19; | |
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High-fat
diet and streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes model; | |
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Gubra-Amylin
NASH (GAN) diet-induced NAFLD/NASH model; | |
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Adenine
and potassium oxonate-induced gouty nephritis model; | |
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MSU
crystal-induced gouty arthritis model; | |
3)
Preliminary safety pharmacology and toxicology studies, including single-dose and repeated-dose toxicity tests.
Details
of these animal pharmacology studies are presented in the *Research and Development* section. These studies, conducted
at institutions such as Rutgers University, have consistently shown that Phyto-N exhibits potent therapeutic effects without any significant
toxicity or side effects at the intended therapeutic doses. Additionally, Phyto-N has a long history of human use in China, where it
has been used as a herbal medicine by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners to treat thousands of patients over the past 30 years.
Regulatory
Progress: Curanex is committed to advancing Phyto-N towards clinical development in the United States and has made significant strides
in this direction. We are actively preparing to engage with the FDA to discuss our development plans and seek guidance on the regulatory
path forward.
| 18 | |
Building
on this preclinical foundation, we are currently focused on completing the necessary IND-enabling studies to support our planned clinical
trials. These include:
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GLP
(Good Laboratory Practice) toxicology studies to further assess the safety of Phyto-N | |
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Pharmacokinetic
studies to characterize the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of Phyto-N in human-relevant animal models | |
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GMP
(Good Manufacturing Practice) production of clinical trial material | |
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Stability
testing and analytical method validation | |
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Finalization
of clinical trial protocols and regulatory documentation | |
By
leveraging our in-house expertise and strategic partnerships with leading CROs and CMOs, we are well-positioned to complete these IND-enabling
activities in a timely and efficient manner. We have a clear roadmap to IND submission and are on track to initiate Phase I trials for
our lead indications, starting with ulcerative colitis in 2026. As we progress towards clinical development, we will continue to invest
in translational research to further elucidate the mechanisms of action, biomarkers, and patient stratification strategies for Phyto-N.
These efforts will support our precision medicine approach and help us optimize the design and execution of our clinical trials to explore
the chances of success.
**Our
Revenue Model**
We
anticipate that our future revenue streams will primarily derive from the commercialization of our botanical drug products. Our lead
product candidate, Phyto-N, is currently in pre-clinical studies stage. We plan to file an IND application in the fourth quarter of 2026,
with ulcerative colitis to be our first application. As we progress towards clinical development, we will continue to invest in translational
research to further elucidate the mechanisms of action, biomarkers, and patient stratification strategies for Phyto-N. These efforts
will support our precision medicine approach and help us optimize the design and execution of our clinical trials to explore the chances
of success. However, there is no guarantee that we will receive regulatory approval or successfully reach commercialization or generate
any revenue. The process of obtaining regulatory approval is lengthy, expensive, and uncertain. Assuming we successfully navigate the
regulatory process and obtain approval for our products, we anticipate the following potential revenue streams:
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Product
Sales: Upon regulatory approval, we would expect to generate revenue through the sale of our drug products to healthcare providers,
specialty pharmacies, and distributors. Our pricing strategy would be based on the value our therapies provide to patients, the healthcare
system, and society, taking into account factors such as clinical efficacy, safety, and pharmacoeconomic benefits. | |
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Collaborations
and Licensing: We plan to explore strategic collaborations and licensing agreements with other pharmaceutical companies to co-develop,
co-promote, or out-license our drug candidates. These agreements could potentially provide upfront payments, milestone payments,
and royalties on future product sales, diversifying our revenue streams and mitigating development risk. | |
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Research
Grants and Contracts: We intend to pursue non-dilutive funding opportunities, such as research grants and contracts from government
agencies, foundations, and other organizations. These funds could support our early-stage research and help us validate our therapeutic
concepts and generate proof-of-concept data. However, as of the date of this Annual Report, we have not received any research grants
or contracts. | |
**Commercialization**
Commercialization
of a drug requires approval from the regulatory body of each country in which the drug is to be marketed. Successful commercialization
requires high quality marketing campaigns and distribution arrangements in order to gain market share as fast as possible. Global pharmaceutical
companies have large and professional marketing and distribution functions that regularly introduce new drugs throughout the world. For
that reason, we are likely to choose to seek a strategic partnership in any or all territories in which Phyto-N is to be marketed. Decisions
on both the appropriate territories in which regulatory approval will be sought and the nature of commercialization in those territories
will be made by the board of directors at the appropriate time and with due regard to maximizing the commercial benefit to us.
| 19 | |
**Research
and Development (FDA Related Application)**
The
objective of our research and development program is the generation of data sufficient to achieve regulatory approval of Phyto-N in one
or more dosage forms in major markets such as the United States, and/or to allow us to enter into a commercial relationship with another
party.
The
animal studies described in this section were conducted in two locations. The COVID-19 study was performed at Rutgers University in the
United States, while the studies for ulcerative colitis and our other target indications were conducted in Yunnan Branch of the Institute
of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in China. All studies were carried out in accordance with local regulations
and ethical guidelines for animal research. It is important to note that throughout these studies, we did not observe any adverse or
severe adverse events in the animals treated with Phyto-N. While these results are encouraging, we emphasize that the safety and efficacy
of Phyto-N in humans can only be determined through future clinical trials.
**Moderate
to Severe Ulcerative Colitis**
Ulcerative
colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affecting the colon and rectum, is characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal
bleeding, and urgency. Current treatments, such as aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologic therapies, often
fail to provide adequate symptom control and may cause significant adverse effects, highlighting the need for novel and safe therapeutic
options. Phyto-N, an investigational botanical drug candidate, is being studied as a potential alternative for patients with moderate
to severe ulcerative colitis.
*Human
Application Case*
An
example of Phyto-Ns potential in ulcerative colitis is the case of 69-year-old Ms. Li from Harbin, China, who had suffered from
severe ulcerative colitis for over 20 years, experiencing frequent flares and inadequate response to conventional treatments. Her symptoms
included debilitating abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, anemia, and fatigue, significantly impacting her quality of life. In January 2023,
Ms. Li began taking Phyto-N orally, and within one week, she noticed improvements in her condition. Its important to note that
Phyto-N is currently used as a Chinese herb medicine and is allowed to be used in patients in China. However, it has not been clinically
approved as a pharmaceutical drug in any jurisdiction and is currently in the early stages of pre-clinical development for such approval.
After
three months of consistent use, Ms. Li reported complete clinical remission, with resolution of abdominal pain, normalization of bowel
movements, and no further rectal bleeding or pus. Additionally, her anemia resolved, she regained lost weight, and her overall strength
and vitality improved. Ms. Li remained symptom-free for 12 months after discontinuing Phyto-N, suggesting the potential for long-term
remission and a reduced risk of relapse.
While
this individual case from Harbin is of interest, and Phyto-N is used as a Chinese herbal medicine in China, it is crucial to understand
that as a pharmaceutical drug candidate, Phyto-N is still in the early stages of pre-clinical development. It will likely take several
years to complete the necessary clinical trials and regulatory processes required for commercialization as an approved pharmaceutical
product. There can be no guarantee that Phyto-N will achieve similar results in larger-scale clinical testing or that it will ultimately
be approved for use in treating ulcerative colitis outside of its current use in Chinese medicine. The development of new drugs is a
complex and uncertain process, and many promising candidates fail to reach the market as approved pharmaceutical products.
*Animal
Experiment Research*
Preclinical
studies in animal models of ulcerative colitis provide initial evidence of Phyto-Ns possible therapeutic potential. In a well-established
model using 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, oral administration of Phyto-N (3.3g/kg/d)
for 10 days significantly reduced disease severity compared to control groups receiving either mesalazine (100mg/kg/d, positive control)
or physiological saline. Phyto-N-treated mice exhibited decreased weight loss, improved colon morphology, and increased colon length,
indicating a reduction in inflammation and tissue damage.
In
Figure 1, statistical significance is indicated by p-values. The p-value is a statistical measure that indicates the probability of obtaining
test results at least as extreme as the observed results, assuming that the null hypothesis (typically that there is no real difference
between groups) is true. A smaller p-value suggests stronger evidence against the null hypothesis. In scientific research, p-values less
than 0.05 (p < 0.05) are generally considered statistically significant, indicating that the observed difference between groups is
unlikely to have occurred by chance.
| 20 | |
In
our study:
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p
< 0.05 (indicated by *) suggests a statistically significant difference between the groups. | |
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p
< 0.01 (indicated by **) suggests a highly statistically significant difference. | |
The
p-values shown in Figure 1A, which depicts the effect of Phyto-N on DSS-induced colonic length in mice, indicate that the differences
in colon length between the Phyto-N treated group and the DSS control group are statistically significant (p < 0.01). This high level
of statistical significance suggests that the protective effect of Phyto-N on colon length reduction in DSS-induced colitis is very likely
to be a real effect rather than a result of random chance.
Colon
length is an important indicator of inflammation in colitis models, with shorter colon length typically indicating more severe inflammation.
The statistically significant difference in colon length between the Phyto-N treated group and the DSS control group supports our hypothesis
that Phyto-N has a protective effect against colitis-induced inflammation in this model.
The
Disease Activity Index (DAI), a composite score encompassing weight loss, stool consistency, and rectal bleeding, was significantly lower
in the Phyto-N group by day 14 of treatment and continued to improve until the end of the study (Figure 1C). Specifically, the mean DAI
scores at day 14 were 2.75 0.0.85 for the Phyto-N group, compared to 4.10 0.45 for the control group (p < 0.01).
By the end of the study at day 20, the mean DAI scores were 7.45 0.76 for the Phyto-N group and 5.15 0.0.75 for the
control group (p < 0.001). The lower DAI scores in the Phyto-N group indicate a significant reduction in disease severity on body
weight loss (Figure 1D), stool consistency, and rectal bleeding. This improvement is promising as it suggests that Phyto-N may not only
alleviate symptoms rapidly but also maintain its potential therapeutic effect over time. The sustained lower DAI scores in the Phyto-N
group compared to the control group demonstrate the potential of Phyto-N as a candidate treatment for ulcerative colitis, potentially
capable of providing both quick relief and long-term management of the disease. However, further clinical studies are needed to confirm
these findings in human patients.
*
Figure
1. Pharmacological Effects of Phyto-N on Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis
Note:
(A) Effect on DSS-induced colonic length in mice; (B) Gross observation of colon morphology in mice; (C) Line graph of DAI scores in
mice; (D) Line graph of body weight changes in mice. The result is represented by xS. xS means the average
plus or minus the standard deviation, a measure of variability in the data. * indicates P<0.05; ** indicates P<0.01. P-values indicate
the statistical significance of the results, with lower values suggesting stronger evidence.
| 21 | |
Histopathological
analyses of colon tissues revealed that Phyto-N treatment markedly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, preserved mucosal architecture,
and increased goblet cell count compared to control groups (Figure 2). These preliminary findings suggest Phyto-Ns potential ability
to alleviate inflammation, promote tissue repair, and maintain intestinal barrier integrity, which are essential for achieving and sustaining
remission in ulcerative colitis.
Figure
2. Pharmacological Effects of Phyto-N on Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis
Note:
Observations of H&E stained sections of mouse colon tissue (H&E,200).
To
elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying Phyto-Ns anti-inflammatory effects, further experiments were conducted focusing
on key pathways involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. The results showed that after administration of Phyto-N, the protein
expression of IL-6, TNF-, IL-1, IL-18 in the colon tissues of mice with ulcerative colitis decreased, and the levels of
IL-6, TNF-, IL-1, IL-18 in the serum decreased (Figure 3), as well as the gene expression of NLRP3, NF-B, Caspase-1,
GSDMD in the colon tissues of mice (Figure 4). These preliminary findings suggest that Phyto-N may exert its therapeutic effects by inhibiting
the activation of NF-B and the NLRP3 inflammasome, thereby reducing the production and secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators
and preventing pyroptosis, a highly inflammatory form of programmed cell death (Figure 5).
Figure
3. Pharmacological Effects of Phyto-N on Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis
| 22 | |
Comparison
of serum IL-6, TNF-, IL-1 and IL-18 levels in mice. The result is represented by xS. * indicates P<0.05;
** indicates P<0.01.
Figure
4. Pharmacological Effects of Phyto-N on Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis
Comparison
of NLRP3, NF-B, Caspase1, GSDMD mRNA expression levels in mice. The result is represented by xS. * indicates P<0.05;
** indicates P<0.01.
The
preliminary data from these studies suggest that Phyto-N may have the potential ability to modulate both upstream regulators (e.g., NF-B)
and downstream effectors (e.g., IL-6, TNF-) of the inflammatory response. This potentially multi-faceted mechanism of action warrants
further investigation in clinical studies to determine its potential therapeutic effects. While these early results are encouraging,
its important to note that animal studies may not always translate directly to human outcomes.
These
studies were conducted in Yunnan Branch of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in China.
No adverse or severe adverse events were observed in the Phyto-N treated group during this study.
The
preclinical studies in animal models of ulcerative colitis suggest potential effects of Phyto-N that warrant further investigation. In
the DSS-induced colitis model using 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice, oral administration of Phyto-N (3.3g/kg/d) for 10 days appeared to
reduce some markers of disease severity compared to control groups. However, its important to note that animal models may not
fully replicate human disease conditions. The molecular studies indicated possible effects of Phyto-N on inflammatory pathways, including
reductions in certain pro-inflammatory cytokines and gene expressions related to inflammation. However, these findings are preliminary
and their clinical significance remains to be determined through extensive further research.
| 23 | |
In
conclusion, the preclinical data and limited clinical observations suggest that Phyto-N may have potential in the treatment of ulcerative
colitis. However, it is crucial to emphasize that these findings are preliminary and based on early-stage research. Extensive further
research, including rigorous clinical trials, would be necessary to establish any potential therapeutic effects or safety profile of
Phyto-N in humans. The goal of improving treatment options for patients with ulcerative colitis drives our commitment to rigorous scientific
investigation and adherence to regulatory standards.
Figure
5. Mechanism of Phyto-N Treatment for Severe Ulcerative Colitis
| 24 | |
Note:
Phyto-N can enter the cells and reduce the transcription of downstream nuclear inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-, etc.) induced
by the activation of NF-B, reduce the formation of NLRP3-ASC-procaspase-1 inflammasomes, thereby inhibiting a series of reactions
such as the generation of Caspase-1 leading to the splicing of pro-IL-1 and pro-IL-18 by GSDMD, reducing the levels of extracellular
inflammatory factors IL-6, TNF-, IL-1, and IL-18, as well as cell pyroptosis, exerting a therapeutic effect on ulcerative
colitis.
**Atopic
Dermatitis**
Atopic
dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin disorder, affects millions of people worldwide, causing significant discomfort and impacting
quality of life. Current treatment options, such as topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and systemic immunosuppressants,
often provide inadequate disease control and may lead to adverse effects. Dupilumab (Dupixent), the first targeted biologic therapy approved
for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, has shown promise by inhibiting the signaling of IL-4 and IL-13 through blockade of the IL-4
receptor (IL-4R) chain. However, despite its efficacy, Dupilumab is associated with adverse events such as ocular diseases,
erythema, and an increased risk of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, likely due to its single-target approach and the saturation of IL-4R.
Phyto-N,
a botanical drug candidate, is being investigated as a potential alternative treatment for atopic dermatitis. This report summarizes
the preliminary findings from preclinical studies conducted on Phyto-N.
Preclinical
studies in animal models of atopic dermatitis have provided evidence of Phyto-Ns therapeutic potential effects. In a study using
6-8-week-old male BALB/c mice, (a specific strain of laboratory mice) with DNCB-induced acute atopic dermatitis (a chemical used to induce
a condition similar to atopic dermatitis in mice), oral administration of Phyto-N (3.3g/kg/d) for 21 days significantly improved skin
appearance, reduced skin lesion scores, and promoted overall health compared to control groups receiving either dexamethasone (0.585mg/kg/d,
a potent anti-inflammatory steroid) or physiological saline. These benefits were evident as early as the 8th day of treatment and continued
to improve until the end of the study period.
Histological
analyses showed that Phyto-N treatment reduced skin keratinization (excessive production of keratin, a protein in the outer layer of
skin), incomplete keratinization, and epidermal thickening in mice with acute atopic dermatitis (Figure 6 A, B). Additionally, Phyto-N
decreased the infiltration of inflammatory cells and mast cells (types of immune cells involved in allergic reactions) in the dermis
while promoting the growth of adnexal structures such as hair follicles and sebaceous glands, indicating its ability to restore skin
structure and function.
Importantly,
Phyto-N demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory properties by significantly reducing TNF- levels (a protein involved in systemic
inflammation) in the skin tissue of atopic dermatitis mice (Figure 6C), suggesting its potential effects in modulating immune responses
and alleviating inflammation. These findings highlight Phyto-Ns potential approach to treating atopic dermatitis in animal model,
targeting not only the visible symptoms but also the underlying immunological mechanisms.
The
preclinical data demonstrating Phyto-Ns potential effects on improving skin appearance, reducing dermatitis scores, modulating
skin keratinization, and decreasing inflammation provide experimental evidence to support its therapeutic potential in atopic dermatitis.
These
studies were conducted in Yunnan Branch of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in China.
No adverse or severe adverse events were observed in the Phyto-N treated group during this study.
While
the multi-target, anti-inflammatory approach of Phyto-N observed in these preclinical studies appears promising, it is crucial to emphasize
that these are early-stage findings. There is no guarantee that these effects will translate effectively to human patients or that Phyto-N
will successfully navigate the drug development process. The path from these early results to a clinically approved drug is long, complex,
and uncertain, typically involving years of additional research, large-scale clinical trials, and rigorous regulatory reviews.
| 25 | |
As
we continue to advance Phyto-N through clinical development, we remain cautiously optimistic about its potential while acknowledging
the significant challenges ahead. The goal of improving treatment options for patients with atopic dermatitis drives our commitment to
rigorous scientific investigation and adherence to regulatory standards.
Figure
6. Pharmacological Effects of Phyto-N on Atopic Dermatitis
Note:
(A) H&E staining of mice dorsal skin tissue (H&E, 200); (B) Epidermal thickness of mice; (C) Determination of TNF-
content in mice skin lesions. The result is represented by xS. * indicates P<0.05; ** indicates P<0.01.
**Virus
Infection: COVID-19**
The
emergence of COVID-19 caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has inflicted unprecedented damage on the
global healthcare system, with over 770 million reported infections and 6.9 million deaths worldwide. While vaccines have been developed
to prevent the disease, there remains a critical need for effective therapeutic agents to treat COVID-19 patients and reduce the risk
of severe complications. Current treatment options primarily focus on symptomatic relief using palliative medications, which often come
with side effects such as gastrointestinal reactions and leukocyte damage. Given the high infectivity, rapid spread, and diverse sequelae
associated with COVID-19, preventive strategies are of paramount importance in controlling the pandemic.
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Phyto-N,
a botanical drug candidate, is being investigated as a potential prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19 in animal models. Phyto-N has
demonstrated in animal studies the ability to reduce viral loads in various organs and inhibit inflammation, thereby addressing the underlying
mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We believe that by targeting the virus at its source and modulating the host immune response, Phyto-N
has the potential to prevent the development of severe COVID-19 and limit the spread of the virus in animal models.
The
potential prophylactic effects of Phyto-N were evaluated in a hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Hamsters are commonly used in COVID-19
research because they develop symptoms similar to humans when infected with SARS-CoV-2. Animal experiments were conducted at the Biosafety
level 3 facilities of Rutgers University in the United States have confirmed the favorable effects of Phyto-N treatment during
SARS-CoV2 infection. Hamsters were divided into two groups, no treatment group (n=10) and Phyto-N (260 mg/ animal) pre-treatment group
(oral gavage (n=10) for one week before infection). All the 20 hamsters were infected with SARS-CoV-2 (103 PFU) via intranasal
inoculation with 50L inoculum prepared in sterile 1X PBS. PFU stands for Plaque-Forming Units, which is a measure of the number
of infectious virus particles. Intranasal inoculation means the virus was introduced into the hamsters nasal passages. Five hamsters
from each group were euthanized at 4 and 7-days post-infection (dpi), and tissues (lungs, liver, spleen, kidney, heart, and brain) were
collected for analysis. Viral load in tissues was determined by plaque assay. Histopathological analysis was performed on tissue sections
stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). H&E staining allows researchers to visualize tissue structures and cellular changes
under a microscope. Immunohistochemistry and mRNA-fluorescent in situ hybridization (mRNA-FISH) were used to assess the expression of
immune cells and cytokines in the lungs. These techniques help identify specific types of cells and molecules in tissue samples. Gene
expression of cytokines and immune markers in various tissues was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). qPCR measures the
amount of specific genes being expressed in a tissue.
Reduced
body weight loss: hamsters pre-treated with Phyto-N showed less body weight loss compared to untreated hamsters from day 1 to 7 post-infection.
The mean body weight loss was approximately 2% in the Phyto-N pre-treated group, compared to 5% in the untreated group at 2-4 dpi. This
suggests that Phyto-N may help maintain overall health during infection.
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| |
Lower
Viral load in tissues: a significant reduction in viral load was noted in the lungs of hamsters treated with Phyto-N before infection
at both 4- and 7-days post-infection (dpi) (Figure 7). This indicates that Phyto-N may help control the amount of virus in the lungs
throughout the infection.
Figure
7. Viral load in the lung at 4- and 7-days post-infection (dpi). The result is represented by xSE. * indicates P<0.05;
** indicates P<0.01; *** indicates P<0.005. xSE means the average plus or minus the standard error. P-values indicate
the statistical significance of the results, with lower values suggesting stronger evidence.
| 27 | |
Viral
loads were also significantly lower in the liver, kidney, spleen, heart, and brain at 4 dpi in the Phyto-N pre-treated group (Figures
8). This result suggests that pre-treatment with Phyto-N before infection may have a beneficial role on the host to control the SARS-CoV-2
dissemination and to curb the viral load in the lungs as well as the extra pulmonary organs, particularly during early phase of infection
(e.g., 4dpi). This implies that Phyto-N may help prevent the virus from spreading to other organs beyond the lungs.
Figure
8. Viral load in the lung, liver and kidney at 4 dpi. The result is represented by xSE. * indicates P<0.05; ** indicates
P<0.01; *** indicates P<0.005.
Reduced
histopathological changes (H&E staining): Phyto-N pre-treatment reduced inflammation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and bronchiolar
epithelial hyperplasia in hamster lungs at 4 and 7 dpi (Figure 9). This means that Phyto-N appeared to decrease the damage and abnormal
changes in lung tissue caused by the virus.
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Figure
9. H&E-stained sections of the lungs from untreated and Phyto-N treated hamsters at 4 and 7 dpi.
The
severity of pathologic manifestations, such as thrombotic lesions and tissue degeneration, was reduced in the liver and kidney of Phyto-N
pre-treated hamsters, while a slight reduction in hemorrhagic response was observed in the brain at 4 dpi. This suggests that Phyto-N
may help protect other organs from damage caused by the virus or the bodys response to it.
Modulation
of immune cell infiltration (Immunohistochemistry): Increased infiltration of CD3 positive T cells and decreased infiltration of activated
macrophages (IBA1 positive cells) were observed in the lungs of Phyto-N pre-treated hamsters compared to untreated infected hamsters
(Figures 10 & 11), indicating a potential immunomodulatory effect of Phyto-N. This means Phyto-N may help balance the immune response,
potentially reducing harmful inflammation while maintaining protective immunity.
| 29 | |
Figure
10. Immunohistochemistry of lung with or without Phyto-N treatment
Figure
11. Immune cells in SARS-CoV-2 infected Hamster Lungs with or without Phyto-N treatment measured by immunofluorescence. The result is
represented by xSE. * indicates P<0.05; ** indicates P<0.01; *** indicates P<0.005.
| 30 | |
Regulation
of cytokine and immune marker gene expression:
Phyto-N
pre-treatment upregulated the expression of IFN-, IL-1, TNF-, CCL2, IL-10, and IL-4 in the lungs, spleen, liver,
kidney, brain, and heart of hamsters, while decreasing the expression of IL-6, CRP, and TMPRSS in various organs, further suggesting
its immune-modulatory properties. These changes in gene expression suggest that Phyto-N may help regulate the immune response, potentially
reducing harmful inflammation while maintaining protective immunity.
Pre-treatment
with Phyto-N before SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed to have protective effects in a hamster model. Pre-treatment with Phyto-N was associated
with reduced replicative viral burden at the site of infection (lungs) and viral dissemination, as noted by reduction in viral load in
extrapulmonary organs, such as liver, kidney, spleen, heart and brain. The improved viral load clearance in Phyto-N pre-treated hamster
appeared to be more pronounced during early stages (i.e., 4dpi) of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, it can be hypothesized that administration
of Phyto-N acts as an immune-booster and prepares the host to defend the viral replication in the internal organs. The reduced viral
load in organs might also have a positive association with the improvement in body weight loss in the Phyto-N pretreated hamsters, compared
to untreated animals. The histopathologic analysis of internal organs of SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters also suggested signs of immune
modulation, marked by a mild to moderate level of reduction in disease severity in the Phyto-N pretreated animals, compared to the untreated
animals.
Phyto-N
pre-treatment reduced body weight loss, viral loads in the lungs and extrapulmonary organs, and the severity of histopathological changes
in the lungs, liver, and kidney. The observed protective effects of Phyto-N might be associated with increased infiltration of T cells,
decreased infiltration of activated macrophages in the lungs, and modulation of cytokine and immune marker expression in various organs.
No adverse or severe adverse events were observed in the Phyto-N treated group during this study.
In
conclusion, the preclinical studies suggest that Phyto-N may be a promising prophylactic agent against SARS-CoV-2 infection in this animal
model, with the potential to reduce viral load, mitigate inflammatory responses, and prevent severe COVID-19 complications. While the
preclinical data on Phyto-N in the context of COVID-19 prevention presents intriguing possibilities, it is important to note that results
from animal studies may not directly translate to human outcomes. The path from these early results to a clinically approved drug is
long, complex, and uncertain, typically involving years of additional research, large-scale clinical trials, and rigorous regulatory
reviews. As we continue to advance Phyto-N through clinical development, we remain cautiously optimistic about its potential while acknowledging
the significant challenges ahead. Extensive clinical research is needed to establish its safety and efficacy in humans. We look forward
to conducting these necessary studies and reporting on the results as they become available.
**Diabetes**
Diabetes,
a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, affects millions of people worldwide. While current treatments,
such as insulin and metformin, have been lifesaving for many patients, there remains a significant unmet need for more effective and
comprehensive therapies that can address the complex pathophysiology of diabetes and its associated complications. Phyto-N, a botanical
drug candidate, has demonstrated therapeutic potential in animal studies, suggesting potential for further investigation in the management
of diabetes.
The
high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with low-dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ), a chemical that damages insulin-producing
cells, was used to induce a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rat model. According to the groups, gastric lavage was administered continuously
for 12 weeks with Phyto-N (1.8g/kg/d), the positive control drug metformin (0.2g/kg/d, a common diabetes medication), or a placebo with
equivalent physiological saline.
After
administering Phyto-N, the body weight of diabetic rats increased, which can be a positive sign in diabetes management. Fasting blood
glucose concentration and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration decreased (Figure 12). HbA1c is a measure of average blood sugar
levels. Phyto-N also reduced fasting serum insulin concentration, with its effect comparable to the first-line hypoglycemic drug metformin
in animal studies. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) analysis measures how well the body
processes glucose. Phyto-N decreased the area under the curve (AUC) of OGTT curve, indicating improved glucose processing. The peak blood
glucose level was significantly lower than that in the metformin drug group. Insulin tolerance test (ITT) analysis measures how sensitive
the body is to insulin. Phyto-N decreased the AUC of ITT curve, and the blood sugar levels at all time points were significantly lower
than that in the metformin drug group (Figure 12).
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Figure
12. Pharmacological Effects of Phyto-N on Diabetes
Note:
(A) Body weight of rats; (B) Fasting blood glucose concentration of rats; (C) HbA1c concentration of rats; (D) Insulin concentration
of rats; (E) OGTT AUC of rats; (F) ITT AUC of rats. The result is represented by xS. * indicates P<0.05, ** indicates
P<0.01.
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Figure
13. Pharmacological Effects of Phyto-N on Diabetes
Note:
(A) Homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and homeostatic model assessment
for insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IS) of rats; (B) TG, TC, HDLC and LDLC concentration of rats. The result is represented by xS.
* indicates P<0.05, ** indicates P<0.01.
| 33 | |
Figure
14. Pharmacological Effects of Phyto-N on Diabetes
Note:
(A) ALT and AST concentration of rats; (B) Blood urea nitrogen (UREA) and creatinine (CREA) concentration of rats. The result is represented
by xS. * indicates P<0.05, ** indicates P<0.01.
Additionally,
Phyto-N reduced the insulin resistance index HOMA-IR and increased the insulin sensitivity index HOMA-IS in diabetic rats (Figure 13).
These are important measures of how well the body responds to insulin. Phyto-N improved lipid profile by reducing levels of triglycerides
(TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
(HDL-C).
Beyond
its effects on glycemic control, Phyto-N demonstrated benefits in protecting the structure and function of key organs affected by diabetes.
Histological analyses revealed that Phyto-N restored pancreatic tissue morphology, improved liver tissue structure, and reduced markers
of kidney dysfunction, such as UREA and CREA levels (Figure 14). These findings suggest that Phyto-N may have the potential to prevent
or reverse diabetes-related complications, such as pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and diabetic nephropathy.
These
studies were conducted in Yunnan Branch of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in China.
No adverse or severe adverse events were observed in the Phyto-N treated group during this study.
The
data from our preclinical studies suggests that Phyto-N may have the potential to influence glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and
organ protection in animal models of diabetes. The observed multifaceted effects of Phyto-N in these preclinical studies present an interesting
avenue for future investigation in diabetes treatment. If these effects are confirmed in human studies, Phyto-N could potentially offer
a new approach for patients seeking improved long-term outcomes and quality of life. However, its important to note that many
promising preclinical candidates do not successfully translate to effective human therapies.
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We
will thoroughly evaluate Phyto-Ns safety and efficacy in humans. Our goal is to explore whether Phyto-N could potentially address
some of the unmet needs in diabetes care.
**Prevention
and Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease**
Nonalcoholic
fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver condition characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver, often leading to inflammation,
fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH) is an inflammatory subtype of NAFLD, characterized by hepatic steatosis
and evidence of hepatocellular injury (ballooning) and inflammation, with or without fibrosis. Despite the recent approval of Rezdiffra
(resmetirom) by the US FDA in March 2024 as the first drug for the treatment of NASH, there remains a significant unmet need for safe
and effective therapies that can address the underlying pathophysiology of NAFLD and prevent its progression.
Rezdiffra,
a thyroid hormone receptor- (THR-) agonist, aims to target the impaired THR- activity in the liver, which contributes
to decreased mitochondrial function, reduced -oxidation of fatty acids, and subsequent inflammation and fibrosis. However, Rezdiffra
is associated with common side effects such as diarrhea and nausea, and its label includes a safety warning for physicians to monitor
liver enzymes and liver-related adverse events. Moreover, the FDA recommends limiting the use of statins in patients receiving Rezdiffra
due to potential drug interactions. Phyto-N, a botanical drug, offers a promising alternative approach to the prevention and treatment
of NAFLD.
Preclinical
studies in animal models of NAFLD evaluated the therapeutic potential of Phyto-N in preventing and treating this chronic liver condition.
**Nonalcoholic
Fatty Liver Disease (Prevention)**
Nonalcoholic
Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a condition where excess fat accumulates in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol. To study
the potential preventive effects of Phyto-N on NAFLD, 40 male SPF C57BL/6 mice, a specific strain of laboratory mice, were treated with
Gubra-Amylin NASH (GAN) feed for 22 consecutive weeks to induce NAFLD. From the 4th week onwards until the end of modeling, the Phyto-N
group was administered Phyto-N (3.9g/kg/d) via gastric lavage, the Positive group was administered metformin (0.221g/kg/d), a common
diabetes medication, via gastric lavage, and the other groups were administered equivalent physiological saline. Insulin resistance is
an important factor in the occurrence and development of NAFLD. After insulin resistance occurs, glucose in the blood is converted into
triglycerides stored in the liver, which then leads to liver damage and inflammation. We first observed changes in body weight and blood
sugar trends in mice and found that after Phyto-N intervention, both body weight and blood sugar decreased compared to model mice. Results
from OGTT and ITT analyses suggested that Phyto-N improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in mice fed a high-fat diet (Figure
15). After Phyto-N intervention, the liver color of mice returned to a healthy deep red, the greasy feeling disappeared, and the weight
and index of the liver decreased.
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Figure
15. Preventive Effect of Phyto-N on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Note:
(A) Body weight and (B) blood sugar trends in mice; AUC of OGTT (C) and ITT (D) in mice; (E) Liver weight and (F) liver index of mice.
The result is represented by xS. * indicates P<0.05, ** indicates P<0.01.
H&E
staining of the liver tissue showed a significant reduction in the number of white vacuoles in mice given Phyto-N, indicating inhibition
of liver steatosis, and the volume of liver cells decreased, with occasional vesicular fat vacuoles and no inflammatory reaction observed
(Figure 16). Oil red O staining of the liver showed that Phyto-N could reduce the number and volume of red lipid droplets accumulated
in liver cells. Serum index analysis showed that Phyto-N improved blood lipid levels and liver function in mice. Inflammatory factors
IL-1, IL-6, and TNF- in the liver were also significantly reduced by Phyto-N, suggesting potential anti-inflammatory effects.
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Figure
16. Preventive Effect of Phyto-N on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Note:
(A) Liver tissue staining slice observation (H&E, 200x), black arrow indicates fatty vacuoles, blue arrow indicates balloon-like
lesions; (B) Liver tissue staining slice observation (oil red O, 200); (C) Serum AST, ALT, and LDL-C. The result is represented
by xS. * indicates P<0.05, ** indicates P<0.01.
These
findings suggest that Phyto-N can effectively prevent the development and progression of NAFLD potentially by modulating glucose and
lipid metabolism, enhancing insulin sensitivity, reducing hepatic steatosis and inflammation, and improving overall liver function in
this animal model.
**Nonalcoholic
Fatty Liver Disease (Treatment)**
Building
on the preventive effect of Phyto-N on NAFLD in animal model, we further investigated its therapeutic effect on NAFLD. Forty male SPF
C57BL/6 mice were induced with Gubra-Amylin NASH (GAN) feed for 22 consecutive weeks, and drug intervention began in the 22nd week while
continuing to feed them with GAN control feed. For 12 weeks continuously, the Phyto-N group was administered Phyto-N (3.9g/kg/d) via
gastric lavage, the Positive group was administered metformin (0.221g/kg/d) via gastric lavage, and the other groups were administered
equivalent physiological saline. The main research results obtained are as follows: Phyto-N intervention reduced the body weight and
blood sugar of NAFLD mice (Figure 17).
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Figure
17. Therapeutic Effect of Phyto-N on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Note:
Body weight and blood sugar trends in mice. The result is represented by xS. * indicates P<0.05, ** indicates P<0.01.
Phyto-N
intervention could significantly reduce AST and ALT enzymes that indicate liver damage when elevated, improving liver damage in mice
induced by a high-fat diet (Figure 18).
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Figure
18. Therapeutic Effect of Phyto-N on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Note:
(A) Liver tissue staining slice observation (H&E, 200x), black arrow indicates fatty vacuoles; blue arrow indicates balloon-like
lesions; (B) Serum AST and ALT. The result is represented by xS. * indicates P<0.05, ** indicates P<0.01.
These
results demonstrate that Phyto-N, even when the high-fat diet was continued, can effectively treat established NAFLD by reducing hepatic
steatosis, improving liver function, and attenuating inflammation, even in the presence of ongoing dietary challenges in animal model.
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In
conclusion, preclinical studies suggest potential benefits of Phyto-N for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. By affecting multiple
pathways potentially involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, including glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and inflammation,
Phyto-N may offer an alternative approach to managing this complex liver disorder. However, further research is needed to confirm these
initial findings.
These
studies were conducted in Yunnan Branch of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in China.
While no adverse or severe adverse events were observed in the Phyto-N treated group during this preclinical study, its important
to note that results in animal studies dont always translate directly to humans.
As
Curanex advances Phyto-N through clinical development, we hope that this botanical drug candidate may provide an alternative approach
to current NAFLD therapies, potentially addressing some limitations of single-target approaches. With its observed anti-inflammatory
and hepatoprotective properties in preclinical studies and potential for disease modification, Phyto-N could represent a new direction
in the management of NAFLD and its associated comorbidities. However, clinical trials are necessary to establish its efficacy and safety
in humans.
**Gout**
Gout,
a common form of inflammatory arthritis, is caused by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joints and surrounding tissues due
to hyperuricemia. Current treatments for gout, such as Febuxostat, aim to reduce serum uric acid levels by inhibiting xanthine oxidase,
the enzyme responsible for uric acid synthesis. However, despite its efficacy in lowering uric acid levels, Febuxostat carries a black
box warning from the FDA, indicating an increased risk of cardiovascular death in gout patients. The pathogenesis of gout involves the
activation of inflammatory pathways, with urate crystals triggering the secretion of key inflammatory mediators such as TNF-,
Caspase-1, IL-6, IL-18, and IL-1 at the site of inflammation. These mediators recruit neutrophils and perpetuate the inflammatory
cascade, leading to the clinical manifestations of gouty arthritis and nephropathy. The NLRP3 inflammasome, a critical component of the
innate immune system, plays a pivotal role in the progression of gout-related diseases.
Phyto-N,
a botanical drug candidate, has shown potential in preclinical studies as an alternative approach to gout treatment. These studies suggest
that Phyto-N may reduce the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome through ubiquitination modification and other pathways, thereby decreasing
the secretion of downstream inflammatory factors.
Gouty
Nephritis*
Gouty
nephritis is characterized by hyperuricemia accompanied by renal damage. Due to disturbances in purine metabolism in the body, uric acid
is either overproduced or excreted insufficiently, leading to prolonged saturation of uric acid in the body. Subsequently, the deposition
of urate crystals in the kidneys causes damage, leading to gouty nephritis.
Uric
acid (UA), creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) are important indicators for evaluating renal function. Higher levels of these
substances in the blood typically indicate impaired kidney function. Xanthine oxidase (XOD) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) are key enzymes
in the process of uric acid production, while TNF-, Caspase-1, IL-6, IL-18, IL-1, and NLRP3 are important inflammatory factors
in the body. These inflammatory factors are proteins that promote inflammation and are often elevated in various diseases.
Animal
experiments have suggested the potential good therapeutic effect of Phyto-N on gouty nephritis. 60 SPF-grade (Specific Pathogen Free,
meaning the animals are free from certain pathogens) male KM mice were administered an oral suspension of adenine (100mg/kg) and potassium
oxonate (500mg/kg) to induce hyperuricemia and renal damage. The animals were then divided into three groups, receiving either Phyto-N
(2.6g/kg/d), the positive control drug nifedipine (5.2mg/kg/d), or physiological saline for 3 weeks via gastric lavage.
The
results demonstrated that Phyto-N significantly reduced serum levels of uric acid (UA), creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), xanthine
oxidase (XOD), and adenosine deaminase (ADA), which are key indicators of renal function and uric acid metabolism (Figure 19). Histological
analyses revealed that Phyto-N treatment improved renal fibrosis (scarring of kidney tissue), glomerular atrophy (shrinkage of kidney
filtering units), and tubular dilatation (widening of kidney tubules) caused by the adenine and potassium oxonate administration.
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*
Figure
19. Pharmacological Effects of Phyto-N on Gouty Nephritis
Note:
(A) UA, Cr and BUN in mice serum; (B) XOD, ADA in mouse liver and SOD in mice kidney. The result is represented by xS.
xS means the average plus or minus the standard deviation, a measure of variability in the data. * indicates P<0.05;
** indicates P<0.01. P-values indicate the statistical significance of the results, with lower values suggesting stronger evidence.
Furthermore,
Phyto-N increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the kidneys, an important antioxidant enzyme which helps protect cells
from damage caused by harmful molecules, and significantly decreased the levels of inflammatory factors TNF-, Caspase-1, IL-6,
IL-18, IL-1, and NLRP3 (Figure 20). These findings suggest that Phyto-N may exert its therapeutic effects by modulating oxidative
stress and inflammation in gouty nephritis animal model.
Figure
20. Pharmacological Effects of Phyto-N on Gouty Nephritis
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Inflammatory
factors in mice kidney. The result is represented by xS. * indicates P<0.05; ** indicates P<0.01.
Notably,
during the experiment, Phyto-N also demonstrated a positive impact on the body weight and food intake of the gouty nephritis mice, suggesting
its potential to improve overall health and quality of life in the context of this disease. In summary, the preclinical data suggested
that Phyto-N can significantly alleviate inflammation in gouty nephritis and effectively reverse the symptoms of this condition by targeting
the underlying pathogenic mechanisms in gout animal model.
Gouty
Arthritis*
Gouty
arthritis, another manifestation of gout, occurs when urate crystals deposit in the joints due to prolonged hyperuricemia, leading to
intense pain, swelling, and inflammation. This condition can significantly impact patients mobility and quality of life. To evaluate
the potential positive effects of Phyto-N on treating gouty arthritis, a preclinical study was conducted using SPF-grade male SD rats.
The animals were divided into three groups, receiving either Phyto-N (1.8g/kg/d), the positive control drug colchicine (0.3mg/kg/d),
or physiological saline via gastric lavage for 7 days. On the seventh day, gouty arthritis was induced by injecting a 0.7% acetic acid
solution intraperitoneally, with the dose adjusted according to the rats body weight. The analgesic effect of Phyto-N was assessed
by measuring the number of twists after the acetic acid injection and the activity time in an open field experiment (Figure 21 A,B).
These measurements are used to evaluate pain and discomfort in animal models. The results showed that Phyto-N significantly reduced pain-related
behavior, demonstrating its potent analgesic properties. Moreover, following the intra-articular injection of urate crystals injection
into the joint, rats in the Phyto-N group experienced a transient decrease in food intake and body weight, followed by a rapid rebound
the next day. The rebound rate in the Phyto-N group was superior to that observed in the gouty arthritis model rats, suggesting that
Phyto-N may promote recovery and mitigate the systemic effects of acute inflammation.
The
anti-inflammatory effects of Phyto-N were further evaluated by measuring joint swelling at various time points (2h, 4h, 6h, 8h, 10h,
12h, and 24h) after urate crystal injection. Phyto-N treatment significantly reduced joint swelling compared to the control group, indicating
potential effects on local inflammation in this animal model (Figure 21C). To assess potential effects of Phyto-N on liver and kidney
function, serum levels of uric acid, creatinine (CREA), urea, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were
measured in the animal model. ALT and AST are enzymes that can indicate liver damage when elevated in the blood. All five indicators
decreased following Phyto-N administration, suggesting no observed adverse effects on the liver or kidneys function in this animal model
(Figure 22).
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*
Figure
21. Pharmacological Effects of Phyto-N on Gouty Arthritis
Note:
(A) rats twist counts; (B) Rats activity time; (C) Swelling index of rats ankle joints at various time points; The result is represented
by xS. * indicates P<0.05; ** indicates P<0.01.
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Figure
22. Pharmacological Effects of Phyto-N on Serum Biochemical Parameters in Rats Gouty Arthritis
Note:
The result is represented by xS. * indicates P<0.05; ** indicates P<0.01.
These
studies were conducted in Yunnan Branch of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in China.
In conclusion, the experimental results suggest analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Phyto-N in preclinical models of gouty arthritis,
with no observed any apparent side effects on the liver or kidneys in these studies. These findings suggest the promising therapeutic
potential of Phyto-N in the management of this debilitating condition. As Curanex advances Phyto-N through clinical development for the
treatment of gout, we believe that this botanical drug candidate may offer an alternative to current therapies.
By
potentially affecting the underlying inflammatory pathways and reducing the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, Phyto-N has the potential
to provide relief from both gouty nephritis and arthritis. The preclinical data, showing Phyto-Ns ability in animal models to
reduce serum uric acid levels, alleviate inflammation, improve renal function, and mitigate pain and joint swelling, provide a basis
for further clinical investigation. As we progress Phyto-N through clinical trials, we aim to develop a potential treatment option for
gout patients worldwide, addressing the need for additional therapies in this field. However, it is important to note that results from
preclinical studies may not necessarily translate to human patients, and the safety and efficacy of Phyto-N in humans can only be determined
through rigorous clinical trials.
**Competition**
The
pharmaceutical industry is characterized by rapidly advancing technologies and intense competition. While we believe that our knowledge,
experience, and scientific resources provide us with competitive advantages, we face potential competition from many different sources,
including major pharmaceutical, specialty pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic institutions and governmental agencies
and public and private research institutions. Any product candidates for which we complete clinical development successfully and for
which we receive marketing approval may compete with existing therapies and new therapies that may become available in the future.
Many
of our competitors have far greater marketing and research capabilities than us, such as Regeneron/Sanofi, Pfizer, LEO Pharma, Eli Lilly,
Galderma, AbbVie, and Novartis, among others (Source: Market Data Forecast, 2023). These companies are focused on developing novel biologics,
expanding their product portfolios, and investing in R&D to maintain their market position.
We
also face potential competition from academic institutions, government agencies and private and public research institutions, among others,
which may in the future develop products to treat those diseases that we currently or, in the future, seek to treat. The current market
for treatments that assist in novel therapeutics for major unmet medical needs, is highly unknown. Our commercial opportunity would be
reduced significantly if our competitors developed and commercialize products that are safer, more effective, more convenient, have fewer
side effects or are less expensive than our product candidates.
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**Government
Regulations**
The
development, manufacturing, and commercialization of our botanical drug product candidates are subject to extensive regulation by authorities
in the United States and other countries. In the United States, the FDA is the primary regulatory agency overseeing the approval and
marketing of new drugs. FDA imposes substantial requirements upon the research, development, preclinical and clinical testing, labeling,
manufacture, quality control, storage, approval, advertising, promotion, marketing, distribution, and export of pharmaceutical products,
including biologics, as well as significant reporting and record-keeping obligations. State governments may also impose obligations in
these areas.
In
the United States, pharmaceutical products are regulated by the FDA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or FDCA, and other
laws, including in the case of biologics, the Public Health Service Act. We believe, but cannot be certain, that our products will be
regulated as biologics and drugs by the FDA. The process required by the FDA before biologics or drugs may be marketed in the United
States generally involves the following:
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preclinical
laboratory evaluations, including formulation and stability testing, and animal tests performed under the FDAs Good Laboratory
Practices regulations to assess potential safety and effectiveness; | |
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submission
and approval of an IND, including results of preclinical tests and protocols for clinical tests, which must become effective before
clinical trials may begin in the United States; | |
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obtaining
approval of Institutional Review Boards to administer the products to human subjects in clinical trials; | |
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adequate
and well-controlled human clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of the product for the products intended use; | |
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development
of manufacturing processes which conform to FDA current Good Manufacturing Practices, or cGMPs, as confirmed by FDA inspection; | |
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submission
of preclinical and clinical test results, and chemistry, manufacture and control information on the product to the FDA in a New Drug
Approval Application, or NDA; and | |
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FDA
review and approval of an NDA, prior to any commercial sale or shipment of a product. | |
The
testing and approval process requires substantial time, effort, and financial resources, and we cannot be certain that any approval will
be granted on a timely basis, if at all.
The
results of the preclinical tests, together with initial specified manufacturing information, the proposed clinical trial protocol, and
information about the participating investigators, are submitted to the FDA as part of an IND, which must be approved before we may begin
human clinical trials. Additionally, an independent Institutional Review Board at each clinical trial site proposing to conduct the clinical
trials must review and approve each study protocol and oversee conduct of the trial. An IND becomes effective 30 days after receipt by
the FDA, unless the FDA, within the 30-day period, raises concerns or questions about the conduct of the trials as outlined in the IND
and imposes a clinical hold. If the FDA imposes a clinical hold, the IND sponsor must resolve the FDAs concerns before clinical
trials can begin. Pre-clinical tests and studies can take several years to complete, and there is no guarantee that an IND we submit
based on such tests and studies will become effective within any specific time period, if at all.
Human
clinical trials are typically conducted in three sequential phases that may overlap:
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Phase
I: The drug is initially introduced into healthy human subjects or patients and tested for safety and dosage tolerance. Absorption,
metabolism, distribution, and excretion testing is generally performed at this stage. | |
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Phase
II: The drug is studied in controlled, exploratory therapeutic trials in a limited number of subjects with the disease or medical
condition for which the new drug is intended to be used in order to identify possible adverse effects and safety risks, to determine
the preliminary or potential efficacy of the product for specific targeted diseases or medical conditions, and to determine dosage
tolerance and the optimal effective dose. | |
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Phase
III: When Phase II studies demonstrate that a specific dosage range of the drug is likely to be effective and the drug has an
acceptable safety profile, controlled, large-scale therapeutic Phase III trials are undertaken at multiple study sites to demonstrate
clinical efficacy and to further test for safety in an expanded patient population. | |
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Results
of preclinical studies and trials, as well as detailed information about the manufacturing process, quality control methods, and product
composition, among other things, are submitted to the FDA as part of an NDA seeking approval to market and commercially distribute the
product on the basis of a determination that the product is safe and effective for its intended use. NDAs are used for products that
are regulated as drugs, such as synthetic chemicals. Before approving an NDA, the FDA will inspect the facilities at which the product
is manufactured and will not approve the product unless cGMP compliance is satisfactory. If applicable regulatory criteria are not satisfied,
the FDA may deny the NDA or require additional testing or information. As a condition of approval, the FDA also may require post-marketing
testing or surveillance to monitor the products safety or efficacy. Even after an NDA is approved, the FDA may impose additional
obligations or restrictions (such as labeling changes), or even suspend or withdraw a product approval on the basis of data that arise
after the product reaches the market, or if compliance with regulatory standards is not maintained. We cannot be certain that any NDA
we submit will be approved by the FDA on a timely basis, if at all. Also, any such approval may limit the indicated uses for which the
product may be marketed. Any refusal to approve, delay in approval, suspension or withdrawal of approval, or restrictions on indicated
uses could have a material adverse impact on our business prospects.
Satisfaction
of FDA requirements typically takes several years. The actual time required varies substantially, based upon the type, complexity, and
novelty of the pharmaceutical product, among other things. Government regulation imposes costly and time-consuming requirements and restrictions
throughout the product life cycle and may delay product marketing for a considerable period of time, limit product marketing, or prevent
marketing altogether. Success in pre-clinical or early-stage clinical trials does not assure success in later stage clinical trials.
Data obtained from preclinical and clinical activities is not always conclusive and may be susceptible to varying interpretations that
could delay, limit, or prevent marketing approval. Even if a product receives marketing approval, the approval is limited to specific
clinical indications. Further, even after marketing approval is obtained, the discovery of previously unknown problems with a product
may result in restrictions on the product or even complete withdrawal of the product from the market.
As
a company focused on botanical drug development, we are committed to complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and guidance set
forth by the FDA and other relevant regulatory bodies, although it is costly and time-consuming. We recognize that the path to approval
for botanical drugs may differ from that of traditional small molecules or biologics, and we will work closely with the FDA to ensure
that our development programs meet the necessary requirements for safety, efficacy, and quality.
Botanical
Drug Development Considerations
The
FDA has established a specific framework for the development and review of botanical drugs. Within the FDA, the Center for Drug Evaluation
and Research (CDER) is responsible for reviewing botanical drug applications. Specifically, the Office of New Drugs (OND), the Office
of Nonprescription Drugs, and the Division of Clinical Evaluation and Pharmacology/Toxicology are involved in this process.
A
key component of this framework is the Botanical Review Team (BRT), a specialized group within CDER that provides expertise in evaluating
the unique challenges and scientific considerations involved in the development and regulation of botanical drugs. The BRT works to ensure
that botanical drugs meet the same standards of quality, safety, and efficacy as other drug products.
The
FDA has published a comprehensive guide, Botanical Drug Development Guidance for Industry, which outlines the process and
requirements for developing botanical drugs. This guidance acknowledges the unique characteristics of botanical drugs, such as their
complex nature and potential history of traditional use, while maintaining rigorous standards for safety and efficacy.
| 46 | |
While
the fundamental requirements for approval remain the same as for conventional drugs, the FDAs approach recognizes the distinctive
aspects of botanical drugs. Each botanical drug candidate is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering its specific properties and
the totality of evidence supporting its use.
Unique
challenges in botanical drug development include:
| 
| 
1. | 
Complexity
of botanical extracts: Unlike single-molecule drugs, botanical drugs often contain multiple active compounds, making it challenging
to identify and characterize all active ingredients. | |
| 
| 
2. | 
Standardization
and quality control: Ensuring consistent composition and potency of botanical drugs can be challenging due to natural variations
in plant materials. | |
| 
| 
3. | 
Pharmacokinetics
and drug interactions: The complex nature of botanical extracts can make it difficult to predict how they will be absorbed, metabolized,
and excreted by the body, as well as potential interactions with other drugs. | |
| 
| 
4. | 
Intellectual
property protection: Patenting botanical drugs can be more challenging than single-molecule drugs, potentially affecting market exclusivity. | |
| 
| 
5. | 
Manufacturing
challenges: Scaling up production while maintaining consistency and quality can be more complex for botanical drugs than for synthetic
drugs. | |
These
unique aspects of botanical drug development may result in a more complex and potentially longer regulatory review process, additional
costs, and a higher risk of regulatory delays or rejections compared to conventional drug development.
Our
Regulatory Strategy for Phyto-N
Considering
these unique challenges for botanical drugs, our regulatory strategy for Phyto-N is tailored to address these specific issues while meeting
FDA requirements. Key components of our regulatory approach include:
1.
Engaging early and often with the FDA: We will proactively seek guidance from the FDA on the most appropriate development path
for Phyto-N, including the design of preclinical studies, clinical trials, and CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) requirements.
By maintaining an open and transparent dialogue with the agency, we aim to minimize regulatory risks and optimize our chances of success.
2.
Leveraging existing human experience: Phyto-N has a long history of human use as an herbal medicine, with thousands of patients
having used it over the past 30 years. We will work with the FDA to determine how this real-world evidence can be incorporated into our
development program to potentially streamline the path to approval.
3.
Conducting rigorous preclinical and clinical studies: While Phyto-N has a long history of human use, we recognize the need to
generate robust scientific evidence to support its efficacy and safety in the target indications. We will conduct well-designed, adequately
powered, and properly controlled studies to meet the evidentiary standards required by the FDA and other regulatory agencies.
4.
Implementing cGMP compliance: We will ensure that our manufacturing processes and facilities for Phyto-N adhere to current Good
Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) as required by the FDA. This includes implementing strict quality control measures, validating analytical
methods, and maintaining comprehensive documentation to ensure the consistency, purity, and potency of our botanical drug product.
5.
Navigating accelerated approval pathways: Where appropriate, we will explore accelerated approval pathways available for botanical
drugs, such as the Fast Track and Breakthrough Therapy designations, which can expedite the development and review process for promising
therapies that address serious or life-threatening conditions with high unmet medical needs.
| 47 | |
6.
Protecting intellectual property: We will build a strong patent portfolio around Phyto-N and its therapeutic uses, to ensure market
exclusivity and protect our investment in research and development. We will also safeguard our proprietary knowledge and trade secrets
related to the sourcing, processing, and formulation of our botanical drug product.
7.
Maintaining ethical standards: Throughout our development and commercialization activities, we will adhere to the highest ethical
standards and ensure the protection of patient rights, data privacy, and scientific integrity. We will conduct our clinical trials in
accordance with Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and obtain proper informed consent from all participants.
Our
activities also may be subject to state laws and regulations that affect our ability to develop and sell our products. We are also subject
to numerous federal, state, and local laws relating to such matters as safe working conditions, clinical, laboratory, and manufacturing
practices, environmental protection, fire hazard control, and disposal of hazardous or potentially hazardous substances. We may incur
significant costs to comply with such laws and regulations now or in the future, and the failure to comply may have a material adverse
impact on our business prospects. In addition to complying with FDA regulations, we may be subject to varied regulations in other countries,
governing clinical trials, manufacturing, product registration, approval, and pharmaceutical sales. These regulations may differ from
those of the FDA, and we must obtain separate approvals from the regulatory authorities of each country prior to commencing product marketing
in those countries.
The
approval process and requirements vary from country to country, and the time required for approval may be longer or shorter than that
required by the FDA. In some countries, regulatory authorities also establish pricing and reimbursement criteria, which can impact the
commercial viability of our products.
As
part of our global regulatory strategy, we will:
1.
Engage with foreign regulatory agencies early in the development process to understand their specific requirements and expectations for
botanical drug approval.
2.
Design our clinical trials to meet the standards of both the FDA and foreign regulatory agencies, to minimize duplication of efforts
and streamline the global development process.
3.
Seek out experienced partners and consultants with expertise in navigating the regulatory landscapes of our target markets, to ensure
compliance and maximize our chances of success.
4.
Monitor evolving regulations and guidance in key markets, and adapt our strategies as needed to stay compliant and competitive.
In
China, where Phyto-N has been studied as an herbal medicine, we have accumulated data from hundreds to thousands of patients over thirty
years, under the supervision of licensed traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. According to Chinese law, these practitioners can
prescribe herbal medications to treat diseases based on their experience and expertise. The clinical observations suggest that Phyto-N
may have potential therapeutic effects in various diseases.
The
real-world evidence collected in China may provide valuable insight into the potential of Phyto-N as a therapeutic agent. These reports
have inspired us to pursue the rigorous scientific research and clinical development necessary to evaluate Phyto-Ns safety and
efficacy and seek FDA approval as a botanical drug. As we move forward with our global development plans, we will conduct preclinical
and clinical studies under the regulations of the FDA and other relevant authorities to generate the evidence needed to support the approval
of Phyto-N for specific indications. We will also work closely with these regulatory agencies to ensure that our research, manufacturing,
and marketing practices comply with all relevant laws and regulations in each country where we seek to commercialize Phyto-N.
****
**Employees**
As
of March 30, 2026, we had six (6) full-time employees. None of our employees are represented by labor unions or covered by collective
bargaining agreements.
| 48 | |
**Item
1a. risk factors**
****
Our
business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, any one of which could have a materially adverse effect on our results of operations,
financial condition or business. These risks include, but are not limited to, those listed below. This list is not complete.
**Risks
Related to Our Business**
**We
have a limited operating history in an evolving industry, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and may increase
the risk that we will not be successful.**
We
have a limited operating history on which to base an evaluation of its business and prospects. We are subject to all the risks inherent
in a small company seeking to develop, market and distribute new services, particularly companies in evolving markets such as the pharmaceutical
industry. The likelihood of our success must be considered, in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays
frequently encountered in connection with the development, introduction, marketing and distribution of new products and services in a
competitive environment. We are therefore subject to many of the risks common to early-stage enterprises, including under-capitalization,
cash shortages, limitations with respect to personnel, financial and other resources and lack of revenues.
**If
we fail to raise capital when needed it will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.**
We
have a very limited revenue-producing operation and will require the proceeds from this Offering to execute our full business plan. Beginning
in 2023, when the Company discontinued its sale of health and dietary supplemental products and changed its focus on developing and marketing
Phyto-N as a botanical drug, the Company did not generate any revenue. Our lead product candidate, Phyto-N, is still in early preclinical
development stage, and we do not generate any revenue from product sales or other commercial activities.
The
Companys full business plan includes conducting FDA-required GLP toxicology and pharmacokinetic studies, manufacturing clinical
trial material, initiating and conducting Phase I clinical trials, advancing to Phase II trials for our lead indication (ulcerative colitis),
potentially conducting additional Phase II trials in other high-value indications, proceeding to Phase III trials, and ultimately launching,
manufacturing, and marketing the product. We estimate that it will require over $150 million to execute our full business plan through
FDA approval and product launch. We believe that we will be able to implement our initial business plan, specifically to complete an
IND and initiate Phase I clinical trial for Phyto-N in ulcerative colitis. However, there is no assurance that we will be able to implement
our initial business plan. Further, significant additional funding will be required for completion of Phase II and subsequent development
stages of our full business plan. We expect to finance these stages of our business plan through a combination of additional public or
private equity offerings, debt financings, strategic partnerships, and grants. No assurance can be given as to how much additional capital
will be required or that additional financing can be obtained, or if obtainable, that the terms will be satisfactory to us, or that such
financing would not result in a substantial dilution of shareholders interest. A failure to raise capital when needed would have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, debt financing may involve a pledge
of assets and may be senior to interests of equity holders. Any debt financing secured in the future could involve restrictive covenants
relating to capital raising activities and other financial and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for us to obtain
additional capital or to pursue business opportunities, including potential acquisitions. If we are unable to obtain adequate funds to
pursue our growth strategy and to implement our business plan, as necessary, we may be required to reduce, curtail or discontinue operations.
We
are a developmental stage pharmaceutical company with no commercial products. Our lead product candidate, Phyto-N, requires significant
clinical development and investment before it can potentially be commercialized and before we can generate any revenue from product sales
or other commercial activities. The Company expects to incur further losses in the development of its business, has negative cash flows
from operating activities, and is dependent upon future issuances of equity or other financing to fund ongoing operations.
| 49 | |
Furthermore,
upon completion of our IPO, we became an SEC reporting company, and currently we are subject to comply with numerous financial reporting
and legal requirements, including those pertaining to audits and internal control. The costs of maintaining a public company reporting
requirements could be significant and may preclude us from seeking financing or equity investment on terms acceptable to us and our shareholders.
We estimate these costs to be more than $100,000 per year and may be higher if our business volume or business activity increases significantly.
Until
we generate significant revenues, we expect to satisfy our future cash needs through equity and debt financing, including loans from
our founders, and proceeds from the IPO. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve its business plan, raise
additional capital, or secure the additional financing necessary to implement its operating plan. If our revenues are insufficient or
non-existent, and we are unable to obtain adequate funds to implement our business plan, as necessary, we may be required to reduce,
curtail or discontinue operations, and investors could lose part or all of their investment in our Company.
**Risks
Related to Protection of Intellectual Property Rights**
**If
we are unable to obtain patent protection for our lead product candidate, to successfully develop and commercialize Phyto-N, our ability
to sustain future operations will be significantly diminished.**
We
are currently developing only one drug, Phyto-N, a botanical extract with distinct chemical components and pharmacological activities.
We previously obtained four (4) applications for provisional patents related to Phyto-N transferred and assigned to us by Duraviva upon
the closing of the Asset Purchase Agreement, all of which expired on March 18, 2025. On March 13, 2025, prior to expiration of these
patents, we filed an international Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
for utility patent, aiming to convert three (3) of the four (4) of these provisional patent applications and combining them into one
utility patent, to secure broader international protection. We determined not to pursue further patent protection for potential treatment
of acne and let the provisional patent application related to treatment of acne expire based on our clinical studies and experiments
which did not support pursuing any potential for Phyto-N in acne treatment. While we filed this international PCT application prior to
expiration of the three (3) other provisional patents, to preserve the priority dates with respect to our provisional patent applications,
there is no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining registration of this PCT application in the United States, and that our
effort to successfully develop and obtain commercialization of Phyto-N will be successful. If we are unable to obtain FDA regulatory
approval, to obtain patent protections related to Phyto-N, to develop successfully and commercialize Phyto-N, we may be required to cease
or reduce our operations.
**Any
failure in our clinical trials could impair the commercial prospects for our development of Phyto-N.**
Clinical
trials have a high risk of failure. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical industry, including biotechnology companies, have suffered
significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials, even after achieving promising results in earlier trials. If we experience delays in
the testing or approval process or need to perform more or larger clinical trials than originally planned, our commercial prospects for
Phyto-N may be impaired and we may be required to cease or reduce our operations.
**Our
success is largely dependent on our ability to obtain and maintain patent protection and preserve trade secrets, which cannot be guaranteed.
Failure to obtain and maintain effective registration of non-provisional utility patents in the United States will have a significant
adverse effect on our business.**
The
future success of our business is dependent upon the intellectual property rights surrounding technology, including registration of patents,
trade secrets, know-how and continuing technological innovation. Effective patent protection is expensive to develop and maintain, both
in terms of initial and ongoing registration requirements and expenses and the costs of defending our rights. Although we will seek to
protect our proprietary rights, our actions may be inadequate to protect any proprietary rights or to prevent others from claiming violations
of their proprietary rights. Litigation or other legal proceedings may be necessary to defend against claims of infringement. Such litigation
could result in substantial costs and diversion of our managements attention.
| 50 | |
The
patent positions of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies can be highly uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions.
On June 17, 2024, we acquired the IP Assets from Duraviva, including the exclusive license to use certain rights of Duraviva. This included
assignment of the four provisional patent applications to us.
A
provisional patent application in the United States lasts only 12 months and essentially acts as a placeholder with the USPTO. It does
not automatically turn into a non-provisional (utility) patent. Instead, it requires filing a utility patent application within a year
of the filing date of the provisional patent application to claim the earlier priority date and to receive the full protection that a
utility patent provides. On March 13, 2025, we filed an international PCT application with the USPTO, aiming to convert three (3) of
the four (4) of these provisional patent applications and combining them into one utility patent, to secure broader international protection.
We determined not to pursue further patent protection for potential treatment of acne and let the provisional patent application related
to treatment of acne expire based on our clinical studies and experiments which did not support pursuing any potential for Phyto-N in
acne treatment. While we filed this international PCT application prior to expiration of the three (3) other provisional patents, to
preserve the priority dates with respect to our provisional patent applications, there is no assurance that we will be successful in
obtaining registration of this utility patent in the United States and the broader international patent protection we need.
Compared
to provisional patent applications, applications for non-provisional utility patent require to undergo a thorough examination process
by patent examiners to determine patentability, patentability of the invention, including its novelty and non-obviousness. Non-provisional
applications also require providing formal claims, detailed drawings, and a written description that fully discloses the inventions
subject matter and scope.
Moreover,
patent applications and patents may be opposed or challenged by third parties. As patent applications in the United States are maintained
in secrecy until published or issued and as publication of discoveries in the scientific or patent literature often lag behind the actual
discoveries, we cannot be certain that there are no other pending patent applications or issued patents from other parties. Additionally,
the breadth of claims allowed in biotechnology and pharmaceutical patents, or their enforceability cannot be predicted. We cannot be
sure that we will be successive in obtaining and maintaining effective patent protection for the technologies underlying Phyto-N and
successfully defending patent rights in those technologies against third-party challenges.
Any
litigation of this nature, regardless of outcome or merit, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management and technical
resources, any of which could adversely affect our business and operating results.
If
we fail to maintain, protect and enhance our intellectual property rights, our business and operating results may be harmed. There can
be no assurance that other companies are not investigating or developing other technologies that are similar to our technology. If the
protection of proprietary rights is inadequate to prevent unauthorized use or appropriation by third parties, the value of our brand
and other intangible assets may be diminished. Any of these events could have an adverse effect on our business and financial results.
**Claims
by other companies that we infringe on their proprietary technology may result in liability for damages or stop our development and commercialization
efforts.**
The
pharmaceutical industry is highly competitive, and patents have been applied for by, and issued to, other parties relating to products
competitive with Phyto-N. This may give rise to claims that they infringe the patents or proprietary rights of other parties existing
now and in the future. Furthermore, to the extent that we or our respective consultants or research collaborators use intellectual property
owned by others in work performed for us, disputes may also arise as to the rights in such intellectual property or in resulting know-how
and inventions. An adverse claim could subject us to significant liabilities to such other parties and/or require disputed rights to
be licensed from such other parties.
We
cannot be sure that any license required under any such patents or proprietary rights would be made available on terms acceptable to
us, if at all. If we do not obtain such licenses, we may encounter delays in product market introductions, or may find that the development,
manufacture or sale of products requiring such licenses may be precluded. We have not conducted any searches or made any independent
investigations of the existence of any patents or proprietary rights of other parties.
| 51 | |
**We
may be subject to substantial costs stemming from our defense against third-party intellectual property infringement claims.**
Third
parties may assert that we are using their proprietary information without authorization. Third parties may also have or obtain patents
and may claim that technologies licensed to or used by us infringe their patents. If we are required to defend patent infringement actions
brought by third parties, or if we sue to protect our own patent rights, we may be required to pay substantial litigation costs and managerial
attention may be diverted from business operations even if the outcome is not adverse to us. In addition, any legal action that seeks
damages or an injunction to stop us from carrying on our commercial activities relating to the affected technologies could subject us
to monetary liability and require us or any third-party licensors to obtain a license to continue to use the affected technologies. We
cannot predict whether we would prevail in any of these types of actions or that any required license would be made available on commercially
acceptable terms or at all.
**We
may enter into collaboration agreements for the development of products and business development, which could expose us to the risk of
reliance on the viability of third parties.**
In
conducting our research and development activities, we may in the future rely on collaborative agreements with third parties such as
manufacturers, contract research organizations, commercial partners, universities, governmental agencies and not-for-profit organizations
for both strategic and financial resources. We do not currently have such agreements with third-party manufacturers, suppliers or other
service companies, including commercial partners. In the future, if we are able to establish and maintain arrangements with these third-party
manufacturers, suppliers or other service companies, reliance on them may expose us to the risk of reliance on the viability of third
parties.
If
the third parties that we engage to supply any materials or manufacture product for our nonclinical studies and clinical trials should
cease to continue to do so for any reason, we likely would experience delays in advancing these studies and trials while we identify
and qualify replacement suppliers or manufacturers and we may be unable to obtain replacement supplies on terms that are favorable to
us or at all. In addition, if we are not able to obtain adequate supplies of our drug candidates or the substances used to manufacture
them, it will be more difficult for us to develop our drug candidates and compete effectively.
The
loss of, or failure to perform by us or our partners under any applicable agreements or arrangements, or our failure to secure additional
agreements for other products in development, would substantially disrupt or delay our research and development and commercialization
activities. Any such loss would likely increase our expenses and materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operation.
**There
is no assurance we will be profitable.**
There
is no assurance that we will earn profits in the future, or that profitability will be sustained. There is no assurance that future revenues
will be sufficient to generate the funds required to continue our business development and marketing activities. If we do not have sufficient
capital to fund our operations, we may be required to reduce our drug research and development efforts or forego certain business opportunities.
**We
may not have the ability to manage its growth.**
We
anticipate that significant expansion will be required to address potential growth in its customer base and market opportunities. Our
anticipated expansion is expected to place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources. To manage any
material growth of its operations and personnel, we may be required to improve existing operational and financial systems, procedures
and controls and to expand, train and manage its employee base. There can be no assurance that our planned personnel, systems, procedures
and controls will be adequate to support our future operations, that management will be able to hire, train, retain, motivate and manage
required personnel or that our management will be able to successfully identify, manage and exploit existing and potential market opportunities.
Failure to manage our growth effectively could cause us to misallocate management or financial resources, and result in additional expenditures
and inefficient use of existing human and capital resources or we otherwise may be forced to grow at a slower pace that could impair
or eliminate our ability to achieve and sustain profitability. If we are unable to manage growth effectively, our business, prospects,
financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
| 52 | |
**We
may engage in acquisition activity, which could have adverse effects on its business.**
If
appropriate opportunities present themselves, we intend to acquire businesses, technologies, platforms, services, or products that we
believe are strategic. We currently have no understandings, commitments or agreements with respect to any material acquisition and no
material acquisition is currently being pursued. There can be no assurance that we will be able to identify, negotiate or finance future
acquisitions successfully, or to integrate such acquisitions with our current business. The process of integrating an acquired business,
technology, service or product into the Company may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures and may absorb significant
management attention that would otherwise be available for ongoing development of the Companys business. Future acquisitions could
result in potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities and/or amortization expenses
related to goodwill and other intangible assets, which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial
condition. Any such future acquisitions of other businesses, technologies, services or products might require us to obtain additional
equity or debt financing, which might not be available on terms favorable to us, or at all, and such financing, if available, might be
dilutive.
**We
will rely on third parties for the manufacturing of our clinical drug supplies, and we may face various risks and uncertainties based
on our dependence on these manufacturers, which may impair the development of our drug candidates.**
We
have no ability to internally manufacture the drug candidates that we need to conduct our clinical trials for the products that we acquire.
For the foreseeable future, we expect to continue to rely on third-party manufacturers and other third parties to produce, package and
store sufficient quantities of our drug candidates and any future drug candidates for use in our clinical trials. We may face various
risks and uncertainties in connection with our reliance on third-party manufacturers, including:
| 
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reliance
on third-party manufacturers for regulatory compliance and quality assurance; | |
| 
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| 
| |
| 
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| 
the
possibility of breach of the manufacturing agreement by the third-party manufacturer because of factors beyond our control; | |
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| |
| 
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| 
the
possibility of termination or nonrenewal of our manufacturing agreement by the third-party manufacturer at a time that is costly
or inconvenient for us; | |
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| |
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| 
the
potential that third-party manufacturers will develop know-how owned by such third-party manufacturer in connection with the production
of our drug candidates that is necessary for the manufacture of our drug candidates; and | |
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| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
reliance
on third-party manufacturers to assist us in preventing inadvertent disclosure or theft of our proprietary knowledge. | |
Phyto-N
may be complicated and expensive to manufacture. If our third-party manufacturers fail to deliver our drug candidates for clinical use
on a timely basis, with sufficient quality, and at commercially reasonable prices, we may be required to delay or suspend clinical trials
or otherwise discontinue development of our drug candidates. While we may be able to identify replacement third-party manufacturers or
develop our own manufacturing capabilities for these drug candidates, this process would likely cause a delay in the availability of
our drug candidates and an increase in costs. In addition, third-party manufacturers may have a limited number of facilities in which
our drug candidates can be manufactured, and any interruption of the operation of those facilities due to events such as equipment malfunction
or failure or damage to the facility by natural disasters could result in the cancellation of shipments, loss of product in the manufacturing
process or a shortfall in available drug candidates.
| 53 | |
**We
rely on the performance of highly skilled personnel, and if we are unable to attract, retain and motivate well-qualified employees, our
business could be harmed.**
We
are, and will be, heavily dependent on the skill, acumen and services of our management and other employees. Our future success depends
on our continuing ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain highly qualified and skilled employees. Qualified individuals are
in high demand, and we may incur significant costs to attract them. In addition, the loss of any of our senior management or key employees
could materially adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan, and we may not be able to find adequate replacements. All
of our officers and. employees are at-will employees, which means they may terminate their employment relationship with us at any time,
and their knowledge of our business and industry would be extremely difficult to replace. We cannot ensure that we will be able to retain
the services of any members of our senior management or other key employees. If we do not succeed in attracting well-qualified employees
or retaining and motivating existing employees, our business could be harmed.
**Our
management does not have experience as senior management of a public company or ensuring compliance with public company obligations,
and fulfilling these obligations will be expensive and time consuming, which may divert managements attention from the day-to-day
operation of its business.**
Our
senior management does not have experience as senior management of a publicly traded company and have limited experience complying with
the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies. In particular, the significant regulatory oversight and reporting obligations
imposed on public companies will require substantial attention from senior management and may divert attention away from the day-to-day
management of its business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Similarly, corporate governance obligations, including with respect to the development and implementation of appropriate corporate governance
policies will impose additional burdens on the Companys non-executive directors.
**We
may become a party to various legal proceedings, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results
of operations.**
The
Company and/or its directors and officers may be subject to a variety of civil or other legal proceedings, with or without merit. From
time to time in the ordinary course of its business, we may become involved in various legal proceedings, including commercial, employment
and other litigation and claims, as well as governmental and other regulatory investigations and proceedings. Such matters can be time-consuming,
divert managements attention and resources and cause us to incur significant expenses. Furthermore, because litigation is inherently
unpredictable, the results of any such actions may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.
Even
if the claims are without merit, the costs associated with defending these types of claims may be substantial, both in terms of time,
money, and management distraction. In particular, patent and other intellectual property litigation may be protracted and expensive,
and the results are difficult to predict and may require us to stop offering certain features, purchase licenses or modify our products
and features while we develop non-infringing substitutes or may result in significant settlement costs. We do not own any patents, and,
therefore, may be unable to deter competitors or others from pursuing patent or other intellectual property infringement claims against
us.
The
results of litigation and claims to which we may be subject cannot be predicted with certainty. Even if these matters do not result in
litigation or are resolved in our favor or without significant cash settlements, these matters, and the time and resources necessary
to litigate or resolve them, could harm our business, results or operations and reputation.
**We
may be subject to personal injury, workers compensation, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, wage and hour, and
other claims in the ordinary course of business.**
Our
business involves a risk of personal injury, workers compensation, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, wage and
hour, and other claims in the ordinary course of business. We maintain general liability insurance with a self-insured retention and
workers compensation insurance with a deductible for each occurrence. We also maintain umbrella insurance above the primary general
liability coverage. No assurance can be given that our insurance coverage will be available or sufficient in any claims brought against
us.
Additionally,
we are subject to U.S. federal, state, and local employment laws that expose us to potential liability if we are determined to have violated
such employment laws, including but not limited to, laws pertaining to minimum wage rates, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment,
and wrongful termination. Compliance with these laws, including the remediation of any alleged violation, may have a material adverse
effect on our business or results of operations.
| 54 | |
**Risks
Related to the Regulation of Our Business and Products**
**Clinical
drug development involves a lengthy and expensive process with an uncertain outcome, and results of earlier studies may not be predictive
of future study results.**
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 study process. The results of pre-clinical studies and early clinical studies, if any are commenced, of our product candidates
may not be predictive of the results of later-stage clinical studies. Product candidates that have shown promising results in early-stage
clinical studies may still suffer significant setbacks in subsequent advanced clinical studies. There is a high failure rate for drugs
proceeding through clinical studies, and product candidates in later stages of clinical studies may fail to show the desired safety and
efficacy traits despite having progressed satisfactorily through preclinical studies and initial clinical studies. A number of companies
in the pharmaceutical industry have suffered significant setbacks in advanced clinical studies due to lack of efficacy or adverse safety
profiles, notwithstanding promising results in earlier studies. Moreover, preclinical and clinical data are often susceptible to varying
interpretations and analyses. We do not know whether any Phase I, Phase II, Phase III (if any) or other clinical studies we may conduct
will demonstrate consistent or adequate efficacy and safety sufficient to obtain regulatory approval to market our product candidates.
**The
regulatory approval processes of the FDA and comparable foreign authorities are lengthy, time consuming and inherently unpredictable.
If we are ultimately unable to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, our business will be substantially harmed.**
The
time required to obtain approval by the FDA and comparable foreign authorities is unpredictable, typically takes many years following
the commencement of clinical studies and depends upon numerous factors. In addition, approval policies, regulations or the type and amount
of clinical data necessary to gain approval may change during the course of a product candidates clinical development and may
vary among jurisdictions, which may cause delays in the approval or the decision not to approve an application. We have not obtained
regulatory approval for any product candidate, including Phyto-N, and it is possible that our lead candidate, Phyto-N, or any product
candidates we may seek to develop in the future will not ever obtain regulatory approval.
Applications
for Phyto-N and our additional product candidates could fail to receive regulatory approval for many reasons, including but not limited
to the following:
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the
FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with the design or implementation of our clinical studies; | |
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we
may be unable to demonstrate to the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities that a product candidates safety-benefit
ratio for its proposed indication is acceptable; | |
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the
FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with our interpretation of data from preclinical studies or clinical
studies; | |
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the
data collected from clinical studies of our product candidates may not be sufficient to support the submission of a new drug application,
or NDA, in the United States or elsewhere; | |
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the
FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may fail to approve the manufacturing processes, test procedures and specifications
or facilities of third-party manufacturers with which we contract for clinical and commercial supplies; 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. | |
| 55 | |
**We
are heavily dependent on the success of Phyto-N, our lead product candidate, Phyto-N. We cannot give any assurance that Phyto-N will
proceed to clinical development or that it will receive regulatory approval, which is necessary before we can commercialize it.**
We
have not submitted marketing applications to the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities. We cannot be certain that our lead
product candidate, Phyto-N or any other of our product candidates will be successful in clinical studies or receive regulatory approval
or what regulatory pathway the regulatory authorities shall designate for our product candidates. Further, our product candidates may
not receive regulatory approval even if they are successful in clinical studies. If we do not receive regulatory approvals for our product
candidates, we may not be able to continue our operations.
We
plan to seek regulatory approval to commercialize Phyto-N in the United States and foreign countries. To obtain regulatory approvals
we must comply with the numerous and varying regulatory requirements of such countries regarding safety, efficacy, chemistry, manufacturing
and controls, clinical studies, commercial sales, pricing and distribution of our product candidates. Even if we are successful in obtaining
approval in one jurisdiction, we cannot ensure that we will obtain approval in any other jurisdiction. If we are unable to obtain approval
for our product candidates in multiple jurisdictions, our revenue and results of operations would be negatively affected.
**The
development and approval process for botanical drugs involves unique challenges and regulatory considerations that may result in additional
costs, delays, or failure to obtain regulatory approval.**
As
a company focused on developing botanical drugs, we face specific challenges that are distinct from those encountered in conventional
drug development. These include:
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The
complex nature of botanical extracts, which may contain multiple active compounds, making it difficult to identify and characterize
all active ingredients. | |
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Challenges
in standardization and quality control due to natural variations in plant materials. | |
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Difficulties
in predicting pharmacokinetics and potential drug interactions due to the complex composition of botanical extracts. | |
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Potential
intellectual property protection challenges, which may affect our ability to secure market exclusivity. | |
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Manufacturing
complexities in scaling up production while maintaining consistency and quality. | |
These
factors may result in a more complex and potentially longer regulatory review process, additional costs, and a higher risk of regulatory
delays or rejections compared to conventional drug development. The FDAs approach to botanical drugs, while acknowledging their
unique characteristics, still requires rigorous evidence of safety and efficacy. As of 2025, only four (4) botanical drugs have received
FDA approval: Veregen (sinecatechins), a green tea extract approved for the treatment of external genital and perianal warts; Mytesi
(crofelemer), derived from the Croton lechleri tree, approved for managing diarrhea in HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy; Filsuvez
(birch triterpenes), a topical gel approved for wound care in patients with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa; and NexoBrid (anacaulase-bcdb),
a bromelain-based enzymatic agent derived from pineapple stem concentrate, approved for eschar removal in burn wounds. This limited number
of FDA approvals of botanical drugs highlights both the innovative nature of our approach and the potential challenges in obtaining regulatory
approval. If we fail to adequately address these botanical-specific challenges, it could significantly impact on our ability to obtain
regulatory approval for our product candidates and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
| 56 | |
**We
may encounter substantial delays in our clinical studies, or we may fail to demonstrate safety and efficacy to the satisfaction of applicable
regulatory authorities.**
Before
obtaining marketing approval from regulatory authorities for the sale of our product candidates, we must conduct extensive clinical studies
to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the product candidates in humans. Clinical testing is expensive, time consuming and uncertain
as to the outcome. We cannot guarantee that any clinical studies will be conducted as planned or completed on schedule, if at all. A
failure of one or more clinical studies can occur at any stage of testing, and our future clinical studies may not be successful. Events
that may prevent successful or timely completion of clinical development include but are not limited to:
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inability
to generate sufficient preclinical, toxicology or other in vivo or in vitro data to support the initiation of human clinical studies; | |
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delays
in reaching a consensus with regulatory agencies on study design; | |
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delays
in reaching agreement on acceptable terms with prospective contract research organizations, or CROs, and clinical study sites, the
terms of which can be subject to extensive negotiation and may vary significantly among different CROs and clinical study sites; | |
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delays
in obtaining required Institutional Review Board, or IRB, approval at each clinical study site; | |
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imposition
of a clinical hold by regulatory agencies, after review of an IND application, or equivalent application, or an inspection of our
clinical study operations or study sites; | |
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delays
in recruiting suitable patients to participate in our clinical studies; | |
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difficulty
collaborating with patient groups and investigators; | |
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failure
by our CROs, other third parties or us to adhere to clinical study requirements; | |
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failure
to perform in accordance with the FDAs Good Clinical Practices, or GCP, requirements, or applicable regulatory guidelines
in other countries; | |
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delays
in having patients complete participation in a study or return for post-treatment follow-up; | |
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changes
in regulatory requirements and guidance that require amending or submitting new clinical protocols; | |
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clinical
studies of our product candidates producing negative or inconclusive results, which may result in us deciding, or regulators requiring
us, to conduct additional clinical studies or abandon product candidate development programs; and | |
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delays
in manufacturing, testing, releasing, validating or importing/exporting sufficient stable quantities of our product candidates for
use in clinical studies or the inability to do any of the foregoing. | |
Any
inability to successfully complete preclinical and clinical development could result in additional costs to us or impair our ability
to generate revenue. We may also be required to conduct additional safety, efficacy and comparability studies before we will be allowed
to start clinical studies with our repurposed drugs. Clinical study delays could also shorten any periods during which our product candidates
have patent protection and may allow our competitors to bring product candidates to market before we do, which could impair our ability
to obtain orphan exclusivity and successfully commercialize our product candidates and may harm our business and results of operations.
**We
may fail to sufficiently and promptly respond to clinical demand and market changes in the pharmaceutical industry.**
Clinical
demand and market conditions for pharmaceutical products may change rapidly and significantly, and our success in part depends on our
ability to anticipate product offering lead-times and demand, identify customer preferences and adapt our products to these preferences.
We may need to adjust our research and development plan, production scale and schedule, product portfolio and inventory levels based
on customer demand, sales trends and other market conditions. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to sufficiently
and promptly respond to changes in clinical demand and purchasing patterns in a timely manner or at all.
| 57 | |
**We
face risks related to compliance with corporate governance laws and financial reporting standards.**
We
also expect that there will continue to be new laws, regulations and industry standards concerning privacy, data protection and information
security proposed and enacted in various jurisdictions. Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with our posted privacy policies,
our privacy-related obligations to users or other third parties or any other legal obligations or regulatory requirements relating to
privacy, data protection or information security may result in governmental investigations or enforcement actions, litigation, claims
or public statements against us by consumer advocacy groups or others and could result in significant liability, cause our users to lose
trust in us and otherwise have an adverse effect on our reputation and business. Furthermore, the costs of compliance with, and other
burdens imposed by, the laws, regulations and policies that are applicable to the businesses of our users may limit the adoption and
use of, and reduce the overall demand for, our platform.
Additionally,
if third parties we work with violate applicable laws, regulations or agreements, such violations may put our users data at risk,
could result in governmental investigations or enforcement actions, fines, litigation, claims or public statements against us by consumer
advocacy groups or others and could result in significant liability, cause our users to lose trust in us and otherwise have an adverse
effect on our reputation and business. Further, public scrutiny of or complaints about technology companies or their data handling or
data protection practices, even if unrelated to our business, industry or operations, may lead to increased scrutiny of technology companies,
including us, and may cause government agencies to enact additional regulatory requirements, or to modify their enforcement or investigation
activities, which may increase our costs and risks.
**Our
systems and infrastructure face certain risks, including cybersecurity and data leakage risks. failure or disruption in or to our information
system could compromise sensitive information related to our business and expose us to liability or reputational harm, and our ability
to effectively manage our business operations could be adversely affected.**
Significant
disruptions to our information technology systems or breaches of information security could adversely affect our business. In the ordinary
course of business, we may collect, store and transmit large amounts of confidential information, and it is critical that we do so in
a secure manner to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of such information. We have also outsourced significant elements of our
information technology infrastructure; as a result, we manage independent vendor relationships with third parties who are responsible
for maintaining significant elements of our information technology systems and infrastructure and who may or could have access to our
confidential information. The size and complexity of our information technology systems, and those of our third-party vendors, make such
systems potentially vulnerable to service interruptions and security breaches from inadvertent or intentional actions by our employees,
partners or vendors. These systems are also vulnerable to attacks by malicious third parties and may be susceptible to intentional or
accidental physical damage to the infrastructure maintained by us or by third parties. Our information systems may fail and are subject
to risks of breakdown, breach, interruption or damage from computer viruses, ransomware and other cyber-attacks, computer hackers, malicious
code, employee error or malfeasance, theft or misuse, denial-of-service attacks, sophisticated nation-state and nation-state-supported
actors, unauthorized access, natural disasters, terrorism, war, telecommunication and electrical failures or other compromise. Any system
damage or failure that interrupts data input, retrieval or transmission or increases service time could disrupt our normal operations,
including the loss of clinical trial data from completed or future clinical trials. Loss of clinical trial data could result in delays
in our regulatory approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data.
Maintaining
the secrecy of confidential, proprietary and/or trade secret information is important to our competitive business position. While we
have taken steps to protect such information and have invested in systems and infrastructures to do so, there can be no guarantee
that our efforts will prevent service interruptions or security breaches in our systems or the unauthorized or inadvertent wrongful
use or disclosure of confidential information that could adversely affect our business operations or result in the loss,
dissemination or misuse of critical or sensitive information. The increasing sophistication and frequency of cybersecurity threats,
including targeted data breaches, ransomware attacks designed to encrypt our data for ransom and other malicious cyber activities,
pose a significant risk to the integrity and confidentiality of our data systems. A breach of our security measures or the
accidental loss, inadvertent disclosure, unapproved dissemination, misappropriation or misuse of trade secrets, proprietary
information or other confidential information, whether as a result of theft, hacking, fraud, trickery or other forms of deception,
or for any other cause, could enable others to produce competing products, use our proprietary technology or information, and/or
adversely affect our business position. Further, any such interruption, security breach, loss or disclosure of confidential
information could result in financial, legal, business and reputational harm to us and could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial position, results of operations and/or cash flow.
| 58 | |
**Events
such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, epidemics, pandemics, war and acts of terrorism, and adverse weather conditions could
disrupt our business or the business of our customers, which could significantly harm our operations, financial results and cash flow.**
Our
operations could be disrupted by events outside our control, including natural disasters, epidemics or pandemics, geopolitical conditions,
political and social instability, acts of war, terrorist activity, other large-scale disruptions or other similar events. Any such events
could cause significant business interruption, property damage, or supply chain disruption that could adversely affect our operations,
financial results, and cash flows. We continue to monitor geopolitical instability, including the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine,
the conflict in the Middle East, including the recent conflict between the U.S. and Iran, and the recent intervention in Venezuela, as
well as sanctions and other government actions arising from these conflicts. While, to date, these events have not had a material impact
on our operations, their duration, escalation, or economic ripple effects, such as volatility in energy markets, supply chain challenges,
or inflationary pressures, could adversely affect our business and our potential customers, particularly those in the oil and gas, power
generation, and chemical processing industries. It is not possible to predict the broader consequences of the related geopolitical tensions,
, including, for example, potential cyberattacks or the disruption of energy exports, is likely to cause regional instability, geopolitical
shifts, and could materially adversely affect global trade, currency exchange rates, regional economies and the global economy. The ongoing
conflicts in the Middle East may further impact global economic conditions and market sentiments which, in turn, could adversely affect
the trading price of our shares of Common Stock and investor interest in us. While it is difficult to predict the impact of any of the
foregoing, the conflicts and actions taken in response to these conflicts could increase our costs, disrupt our supply chain, reduce
our sales and earnings, impair our ability to raise additional capital when needed on acceptable terms, if at all, or otherwise adversely
affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
**Changes
to U.S. tariff and import/export regulations and inflation may adversely affect our operations and financial results.**
There
have been significant changes to United States trade policies, treaties and tariffs, and in the future there may be additional significant
changes. These and any future developments, and continued uncertainty surrounding trade policies, treaties and tariffs, may have a material
adverse effect on global economic conditions, including inflation and the stability of global financial markets, and may significantly
reduce global trade and, in particular, trade between the impacted nations and the United States. Such uncertainty limits our ability
to anticipate, plan for, or effectively mitigate the adverse impacts of such measures on our operations and supply chain costs. Any of
these factors could depress economic activity and restrict our access to suppliers or customers, increase our supply-chain costs and
expenses and could have material adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
**Risks
Relating to Ownership of Our Securities.**
****
**We
may not be able to satisfy the listing requirements of Nasdaq to maintain a listing of our Common Stock.**
Our
Common Stock currently trades on Nasdaq. On November 5, 2025, we received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq
notifying the Company that the closing bid price for our Common Stock for the previous 30 consecutive business days was below $1.00 per
share, which is the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, required for continued listing on Nasdaq under Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). In accordance
with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company was provided a compliance period of 180 calendar days from the date of the Notice,
or until May 4, 2026 (the Compliance Period), to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. If at any time
during the Compliance Period, the closing bid price of the Companys Common Stock is at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of
ten consecutive business days (unless the Nasdaq staff exercises its discretion to extend this ten business day period pursuant to Nasdaq
Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(H)), Nasdaq will provide the Company written confirmation of compliance with the Minimum Bid Price, and the matter
will be closed. If the Company does not regain compliance during the Compliance Period, the Company may be eligible for an additional
180-calendar day period to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price, provided that it meets the applicable market value of publicly
held shares requirement for continued listing and all other applicable standards for initial listing on Nasdaq (except the Minimum Bid
Price requirement), and notifies Nasdaq of its intent to cure the deficiency by effecting a reverse stock split of its Common Stock,
if necessary. If Nasdaq determines that the Company is not eligible for an additional 180 calendar days compliance period or the Company
will not be able to cure the deficiency with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement within the allotted compliance period, the Companys
stock will be subject to delisting. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to regain compliance with the Minimum
Bid Price Requirement or that it will otherwise be in compliance with other Nasdaq listing rules. If the Company does not regain compliance
with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement and will not be eligible for additional compliance period under Nasdaq listing rules, we may be
required to request a hearing; otherwise, the Companys Common Stock may be delisted from Nasdaq. In addition, our Board may determine
that the cost of maintaining our listing on a national securities exchange outweighs the benefits of such listing. A delisting of our
Common Stock from Nasdaq may materially impair our stockholders ability to buy and sell our Common Stock and could have an adverse
effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market for, our Common Stock. In addition, the delisting of our Common
Stock could significantly impair our ability to raise capital.
| 59 | |
**If
our Common Stock becomes subject to the penny stock rules, it may be more difficult to sell our Common Stock.**
The
SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally
equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 (other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or authorized
for quotation on certain automated quotation systems, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions
in such securities is provided by the exchange or system). OTC Markets Inc. does not meet such requirements and if the price of our Common
Stock is less than $5.00 and our Common Stock is no longer listed on Nasdaq or another national securities exchange such as Nasdaq, our
stock may be deemed a penny stock. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, at least two business days prior to a transaction in
a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, to deliver to the customer a standardized risk disclosure document containing specified
information and to obtain from the customer a signed and dated acknowledgment of receipt of that document. In addition, the penny stock
rules require that prior to effecting any transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, a broker-dealer must make
a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive: (i) the purchasers
written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement; (ii) a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks;
and (iii) a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the
trading activity in the secondary market for our Common Stock, and therefore shareholders may have difficulty selling their shares.
**A
possible short squeeze due to a sudden increase in demand of our Common Stock that largely exceeds supply may lead to price
volatility in our Common Stock.**
Investors
may purchase our Common Stock to hedge existing exposure in our Common Stock or to speculate on the price of our Common Stock. Speculation
on the price of our Common Stock may involve long and short exposures. To the extent aggregate short exposure exceeds the number of shares
of our Common Stock available for purchase in the open market, investors with short exposure may have to pay a premium to repurchase
our Common Stock for delivery to lenders of our Common Stock. Those repurchases may in turn dramatically increase the price of our Common
Stock until investors with short exposure are able to purchase additional shares of Common Stock to cover their short position. This
is often referred to as a short squeeze. A short squeeze could lead to volatile price movements in our Common Stock that
are not directly correlated to the performance or prospects of our Company and once investors purchase the shares of Common Stock necessary
to cover their short position the price of our Common Stock may decline.
**Our
founders will continue to own a significant percentage of our Common Stock and our Series A Preferred Stock and will be able to exert
significant control over matters subject to shareholder approval.**
Our
founders, Dian Ying Jing and Chang Liu, together with our Chief Executive Officer and President, Jun Liu, all of whom are members of
the same family, beneficially own approximately 67.9% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. They also beneficially own 100% of Series
A Preferred Stock that provide them with 40% of the voting power of our equity voting stock. They may be able to significantly influence
elections of directors, amendments of our organizational documents or approval of any merger, sale of assets or other major corporate
transaction. Their interests may not always coincide with our corporate interests or the interests of other shareholders, and they may
act in a manner with which you may not agree or that may not be in the best interests of our other shareholders. So long as they continue
to own a significant amount of our equity, they will continue to be able to strongly influence or effectively control our decisions.
| 60 | |
**The
Company incurs significant increased expenses and administrative burdens as a public company, which could have an adverse effect on its
business, financial condition and results of operations.**
As
a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange
Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and other applicable securities rules
and regulations. Compliance with these rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities
more difficult, time-consuming or costly and increase demand on our systems and resources. The Exchange Act requires, among other things,
that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and operating results. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires,
among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. In order
to maintain and, if required, improve our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting to meet this
standard, significant resources and management oversight may be required. As a result, managements attention may be diverted from
other business concerns, which could harm our business and operating results. We may need to hire more employees in the future to comply
with these requirements, which will increase our costs and expenses.
In
addition, changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure are creating uncertainty for
public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time consuming. These laws, regulations
and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application
in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty
regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We intend to
invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative
expenses and a diversion of managements time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If our
efforts to comply with new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due
to ambiguities related to practice, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us and our business may be harmed.
We
also expect that new rules and regulations will make it more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and
we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These factors could also make it
more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors, particularly to serve on our audit committee
and compensation committee and qualified executive officers.
As
a result of disclosure of information in this Annual Report and in filings required of a public company, our business and financial condition
will become more visible, which we believe may result in increased threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other
third parties. If such claims are successful, our business and operating results could be harmed, and even if the claims do not result
in litigation or are resolved in our favor, these claims, and the time and resources necessary to resolve them, could divert the resources
of our management and harm our business and operating results.
**Prior
to the closing of the IPO there was no public market for our Common Stock, and there is no assurance that an active market for our Common
Stock may develop.**
Prior
to the closing of the IPO, there was no public market for our Common Stock. All investments in securities involve the risk of loss of
capital. No guarantee or representation is made that an investor will receive a return of its capital. The value of our Common Stock
can be adversely affected by a variety of factors, including development problems, regulatory issues, technical issues, commercial challenges,
competition, legislation, government intervention, industry developments and trends, and general business and economic conditions. We
cannot predict the extent to which an active market for our Common Stock will develop or be sustained or how the development of such
a market might affect the market price of our Common Stock.
| 61 | |
**Our
failure to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting could have an adverse impact on us**.
We
are required to establish and maintain appropriate internal controls over financial reporting. Failure to establish those controls, or
any failure of those controls once established, could adversely impact our public disclosures regarding our business, financial condition
or results of operations. In addition, managements assessment of internal controls over financial reporting may identify weaknesses
and conditions that need to be addressed in our internal controls over financial reporting or other matters that may raise concerns for
investors. Any actual or perceived weaknesses and conditions that need to be addressed in our internal control over financial reporting,
disclosure of managements assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting or disclosure of our public accounting
firms attestation to or report on managements assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting may have an
adverse impact on the price of our Common Stock.
A
control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of
the control system are met. In addition, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and
the benefit of controls must be relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no system of controls
can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our Company have been detected. These inherent
limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error
or mistake. Further, controls can be circumvented by individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more persons, or by management
override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is also 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, control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may
deteriorate. Because of inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and may
not be detected.
**Our
financial controls and procedures may not be sufficient to ensure timely and reliable reporting of financial information, which, as a
public company, could materially harm our stock price.**
We
require significant financial resources to maintain our public reporting status. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain
adequate resources to ensure that we will not have any future material weakness in our system of internal controls. Our internal control
over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
of America. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance
of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with
authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection
of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Despite
these controls, because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
Furthermore, smaller reporting companies like us face additional limitations. Smaller reporting companies employ fewer individuals and
can find it difficult to employ resources for complicated transactions and effective risk management. Additionally, smaller reporting
companies tend to utilize general accounting software packages that lack a rigorous set of software controls.
If
we fail to have effective controls and procedures for financial reporting in place, we will be unable to provide timely and accurate
financial information and be subject to investigation by the SEC and civil or criminal sanctions.
| 62 | |
**We
must implement additional and expensive procedures and controls in order to grow our business and organization and to satisfy new reporting
requirements, which will increase our costs and require additional management resources.**
As
a fully reporting SEC reporting company, we are required to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the related rules and regulations
of the SEC, including the requirements that we maintain disclosure controls and procedures and adequate internal control over financial
reporting. As a company listed on Nasdaq, we also are required to comply with marketplace rules and heightened corporate governance standards.
Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other SEC and national exchange requirements will increase our costs and require additional
management resources. We recently have begun upgrading our procedures and controls and will need to continue to implement additional
procedures and controls as we grow our business and organization and to satisfy new reporting requirements. If we are unable to complete
the required assessment as to the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act or if we fail to maintain internal control over financial reporting, our ability to produce timely, accurate and reliable periodic
financial statements could be impaired.
If
we do not maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting, investors could lose confidence in the accuracy of our periodic
reports filed under the Exchange Act. Additionally, our ability to obtain additional financing could be impaired or a lack of investor
confidence in the reliability and accuracy of our public reporting could cause our stock price to decline.
**We
are an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act of 2012 and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements
applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.**
We
are an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the JOBS Act),
and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are not applicable to other public companies
that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation
requirements of section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic
reports and proxy statements, 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 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 stock price 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 are choosing to take advantage of the extended transition
period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. We will remain an emerging growth company until the last
day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our Common Stock pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act, although we will lose that status sooner if our revenues exceed $1.235 billion, if we issue more
than $1 billion in non-convertible debt in a three year period, or if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates
exceeds $700 million as of the last day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter.
Investors
may be unable to compare our business with other companies in our industry if they believe that our financial accounting is not as transparent
as other companies in our industry. If we are unable to raise additional capital as and when we need it, our financial condition and
results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
**As
a controlled company under the rules of Nasdaq, we may choose to exempt our Company from certain corporate governance requirements
that could have an adverse effect on our public shareholders.**
As
of the date of this Annual Report founders and the management will beneficially own voting stock that provides them with approximately
67.9% of the voting power of our voting stock and we are a controlled company within the meaning of the listing rules of
Nasdaq.
| 63 | |
As
long as our officers and directors, either individually or in the aggregate, own at least 50% of the voting power of our Company, we
are a controlled company as defined under the listing rules of Nasdaq.
For
so as we are a controlled company under that definition, we are permitted to elect to rely, and may rely, on certain exemptions from
corporate governance rules, including:
| 
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an
exemption from the rule that a majority of our Board must be independent directors; | |
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| |
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| 
an
exemption from the rule that the compensation of our chief executive officer must be determined or recommended solely by independent
directors; and | |
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an
exemption from the rule that our director nominees must be selected or recommended solely by independent directors. | |
We
do not intend to rely on the controlled company exemption under the Nasdaq listing rules at this time, but we could elect
to rely on this exemption in the future. If we elect to rely on the controlled company exemption, a majority of the members
of our Board might not be independent directors and our nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees might not consist
entirely of independent directors.
As
a result, you will not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these corporate governance
requirements.
**We
have not paid dividends in the past and do not expect to pay dividends in the future, and any return on investment may be limited to
the value of our stock.**
We
have never paid cash dividends on our Common Stock and do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable
future. We currently intend to retain any future earnings to support the development of our business and do not anticipate paying cash
dividends in the foreseeable future. Our payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board after taking into account
various factors, including, but not limited to, our financial condition, operating results, cash needs, growth plans and the terms of
any credit agreements that we may be a party to at the time. In addition, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock may be limited
by Nevada state law. Accordingly, investors must rely on sales of their Common Stock after price appreciation, which may never occur,
as the only way to realize a return on their investment. Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our Common Stock.
**If
securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price
and trading volume could decline.**
The
trading market for our Common Stock will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about
us or our business. Several analysts may cover our stock. If one or more of those analysts downgraded our stock or publish inaccurate
or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of
our Company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our stock could decrease, which might cause our stock price and trading
volume to decline.
| 64 | |
**ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS**
None.
**ITEM
1C. CYBERSECURITY**
We
strive to safeguard our important data, hardware, and internal network from digital attacks, theft and damage. In the ordinary course
of our business, we collect, use, store, and digitally transmit confidential, sensitive, proprietary, and personal information. The secure
maintenance of this information and our information technology systems is important to our operations and business strategy. To this
end, we have implemented processes designed to assess, identify, and manage risks from potential unauthorized occurrences on or through
our information technology systems that may result in adverse effects on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of these systems
and the data residing therein. These processes are managed and overseen by our Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Liqin Xie. In the process
of advancing the systematic development of information security, we seek to maintain a robust approach that encompasses policy formulation,
organizational structuring, technological application enhancement, process optimization, and personnel training. We also conduct regular
employee trainings on cyber and information security, among other topics, as well as we utilize secure cloud-based storage and maintain
redundant local backups on dedicated hard drives to protect the integrity and availability of the Companys data assets.
Our
Chief Operation Officer, Dr. Liqin Xie, who reports directly to our Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for assessing and managing
our cybersecurity risks. The Companys current data protection approach relies on Box, a cloud-based platform, for secure storage
and collaboration, supplemented by two (2) local hard drives that serve as redundant on-site backups. The Chief Operating Officer monitors
access controls, reviews data storage practices, and ensures that cybersecurity safeguards remain appropriate for the Companys
size, operations, and risk profile. Since the beginning of the last fiscal year, we have not identified risks from known cybersecurity
threats, including as a result of any prior cybersecurity incidents, that have materially affected us, but we face certain ongoing cybersecurity
risks that, if realized, are reasonably likely to materially affect us. Additional information on cybersecurity risks we face is discussed
in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, under the heading Our systems and infrastructure face certain risks, including
cybersecurity and data leakage risks. failure or disruption in or to our information system could compromise sensitive information related
to our business and expose us to liability or reputational harm, and our ability to effectively manage our business operations could
be adversely affected.
The
Board of Directors, as a whole and at the committee level, has oversight for the most significant risks facing us and our processes to
identify, prioritize, assess, manage, and mitigate those risks. The Audit Committee, comprised solely of independent directors, has been
designated by our Board to oversee cybersecurity risks. The Audit Committee receives regular updates on cybersecurity and information
technology matters and related risk exposures from our management team. The Board also receives updates from management and the Audit
Committee on cybersecurity risks on at least an annual basis.
**ITEM
2. PROPERTIES.**
Our
principal executive offices are located at 2 Jericho Plaza, Suite 101B, Jericho, NY 11753. Our telephone number is (718) 673-6078. Our
website address is www.curanexpharma.com*. Information contained on our website or connected thereto does not constitute
part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this annual report on Form 10-K of which it forms a part.
**item
3. legal proceedings**
We
are not aware of any pending legal proceedings to which we are a party, or to which any director, officer or affiliate of our Company,
or any owner of record or beneficially of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, is a party adverse to us or has a material
interest adverse to us.
**item
4. mine safety disclosures.**
Not
applicable.
| 65 | |
**PART
II**
**ITEM
5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.**
**Market
Information for Common Stock**
Curanex
is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol CURX.
**Holders**
As
of March 30, 2026, there were 11 holders of record of our Common Stock. Since many of our shares of Common Stock are held by brokers
and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these record
holders. There were also 3 holders of record for our Series A Preferred Stock.
**Dividend
Policy**
We
do not anticipate declaring or paying, in the foreseeable future, any cash dividends on our capital stock. We intend to retain all available
funds and future earnings, if any, to fund the development and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends
in the foreseeable future. Any future determination regarding the declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will be at the discretion
of our board of directors and will depend on then-existing conditions, including our financial condition, operating results, contractual
restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant.
**Nasdaq
Deficiency Notice**
Our
Common Stock currently trades on The Nasdaq Capital Market (Nasdaq). On November 5, 2025, we received a letter from the
Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq) notifying the Company that the closing bid price
for our Common Stock for the previous 30 consecutive business days was below $1.00 per share, which is the minimum closing bid price
(the Minimum Bid Price Requirement) required for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing
Rule 5550(a)(2). In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company was provided with a grace period of 180 days, or May
4, 2026, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement.
**Outstanding
Equity Awards**
No
equity awards to our named executive officers were outstanding as of the date of this Annual Report.
**Executive
Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy**
We
have adopted an executive incentive compensation recovery policy (the Executive Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy)
pursuant to Section 10D of the Exchange Act, Rule 10D-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act (Rule 10D-1), and Listing Rule
5608 adopted by Nasdaq (the Listing Standards). The purpose of the Executive Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy is
to provide for the recovery of certain incentive-based compensation in the event of an accounting restatement. In the event of an accounting
restatement, it is the Companys policy to recover reasonably promptly the amount of any erroneously awarded compensation received
during the recovery period. An accounting restatement involves a restatement of the Companys financial statements due to material
noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the federal securities laws, including any required accounting restatement
to correct an error in previously issued financial statements that is material to the previously issued financial statements, or that
would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period.
The
amount of erroneously awarded compensation generally means the amount of incentive-based compensation (compensation that
is granted, earned, or vested based wholly or in part upon the attainment of a financial reporting measure) received by a covered executive
that exceeds the amount of incentive-based compensation on that otherwise would have been received had it been determined based on the
restated financial statements. The Company need not recover any erroneously awarded compensation if and to the extent that
the Compensation Committee or a majority of the independent members of the Board determines that such recovery is impracticable and not
required under Rule 10D-1 and the Listing Standards, including if the Compensation Committee or a majority of the independent members
of the Board determines that: (i) the direct expense paid to a third party to assist in enforcing the policy would exceed the amount
to be recovered after making a reasonable attempt to recover, or (ii) recovery would likely cause an otherwise tax-qualified broad-based
retirement plan to fail the requirements of Section 401(a)(13) or Section 411(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and
regulations thereunder. The policy is administered by our Compensation Committee, except that the Board may decide to act as the administrator
in lieu of the Compensation Committee or designate another committee of the Board to act as the administrator other than the determination
that recovery of erroneously awarded compensation is impracticable.
**Recent
Sales of Unregistered Securities**
There
were no sales of equity securities during the period covered by this Report that were not registered under the Securities Act and were
not previously reported in a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company.
**ITEM
6. [RESERVED].**
| 66 | |
**ITEM
7. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.**
You
should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our audited financial
statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion and other parts of this Annual Report
on Form 10-K contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of our plans, objectives, expectations
and intentions. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could
cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section of this report entitled Risk
Factors. You should carefully read the Cautionary Note About Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors
sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to gain an understanding of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from the results described below.
**Overview**
We
are a developmental stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing innovative botanical drugs
to treat patients suffering from inflammatory diseases. Our mission is to address significant unmet medical needs and to improve patients
lives by harnessing the power of natural substances. We are dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing botanical medicines
for treating patients with immune and inflammatory diseases and to develop therapies that may offer potential benefits to patients with
unmet clinical needs in various fields, such as autoimmune diseases, metabolic diseases and viral infections. We are committed to Bringing
hope and healing through the wisdom of plants.
Our
business strategy is centered on developing innovative botanical drugs, with a focus on Phyto-N as our lead candidate, for the treatment
of inflammatory diseases. Phyto-N is a proprietary botanical extract with chemical components and pharmacological activities that harnesses
potential anti-inflammatory properties of a medicinal plant with a long history of human use. Phyto-N has a long history of use in Chinese
traditional medicine, which focuses on an alternative herbal medical practice, and has shown positive results in animal models of multiple
inflammatory diseases. We aim to prioritize the development of Phyto-N and its active compounds, to conduct further preclinical and clinical
studies to evaluate its therapeutic potential and safety profile, and if warranted, to seek the necessary regulatory approval in order
to commercialize Phyto-N.
On
August 27, 2025, the Company closed its IPO of 3,750,000 shares of the Common Stock, at a public offering price of $4.00 per share, for
gross proceeds of $15,000,000. Under the terms of an underwriting agreement dated August 25, 2025 with Dominari Securities, LLC (the
Underwriting Agreement), the Company granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to 562,500 additional shares at
the initial public offering price, and on September 12, 2025, underwriters exercised their option in full and purchased all of the Companys
shares under the over-allotment option, resulting in additional gross proceeds of $2,250,000 and net proceeds of $2,070,000 to the Company.
The Company is utilizing the net proceeds from the IPO primarily for (i) the development of its lead product candidate, Phyto-N, for
the treatment of ulcerative colitis; (ii) to conduct FDA-required GLP toxicology and pharmacokinetic studies for Phyto-N in ulcerative
colitis, (iii) to prepare and submit an IND application.
We
are planning to submit an IND for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in the fourth quarter of 2026. If allowed to proceed by the FDA,
a Phase I trial will be initiated 30 days post-IND submission. If the Phase I trial is completed with positive results, we intend to
proceed with a Phase II trial for ulcerative colitis as our lead indication. Contingent upon the success of our ulcerative colitis trials,
available funding, and other strategic considerations, Curanex may subsequently initiate additional Phase II trials in other high-value
indications such as atopic dermatitis, coronavirus (COVID-19), gout, diabetes, and NAFLD, or may seek to license out these indications
to third parties at the Phase II stage. This multiple indication strategy represents our long-term vision to explore and maximize the
value of Phyto-N and build a robust pipeline of botanical drug candidates targeting inflammatory diseases. The successful completion
of these clinical trials could position Phyto-N as a potential botanical drug candidate for multiple inflammatory indications, addressing
specific unmet medical needs. If approved, Phyto-N could provide patients with new treatment options for various inflammatory conditions.
| 67 | |
**Our
Business Model**
****
We
anticipate that our future revenue streams will primarily derive from the commercialization of our botanical drug products. Our lead
product candidate, Phyto-N, is currently in pre-clinical studies stage. We plan to file an IND application in the fourth quarter of 2026,
with ulcerative colitis to be our first application. As we progress towards clinical development, we will continue to invest in translational
research to further elucidate the mechanisms of action, biomarkers, and patient stratification strategies for Phyto-N. These efforts
will support our precision medicine approach and help us optimize the design and execution of our clinical trials to explore the chances
of success. However, there is no guarantee that we will receive regulatory approval or successfully reach commercialization or generate
any revenue. The process of obtaining regulatory approval is lengthy, expensive, and uncertain. Assuming we successfully navigate the
regulatory process and obtain approval for our products, we anticipate the following potential revenue streams:
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Product
Sales: Upon regulatory approval, we would expect to generate revenue through the sale of our drug products to healthcare providers,
specialty pharmacies, and distributors. Our pricing strategy would be based on the value our therapies provide to patients, the healthcare
system, and society, taking into account factors such as clinical efficacy, safety, and pharmacoeconomic benefits. | |
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Collaborations
and Licensing: We plan to explore strategic collaborations and licensing agreements with other pharmaceutical companies to co-develop,
co-promote, or out-license our drug candidates. These agreements could potentially provide upfront payments, milestone payments,
and royalties on future product sales, diversifying our revenue streams and mitigating development risk. | |
| 
| 
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Research
Grants and Contracts: We intend to pursue non-dilutive funding opportunities, such as research grants and contracts from government
agencies, foundations, and other organizations. These funds could support our early-stage research and help us validate our therapeutic
concepts and generate proof-of-concept data. However, as of the date of this Annual Report, we have not received any research grants
or contracts. | |
**Significant
Risks and Uncertainties**
The
global economic slowdown, the overall disruption of global healthcare systems and other risks and uncertainties associated with public
health crises and global geopolitical tensions may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations
and growth prospects. The resulting fluctuations in inflation rates may materially affect our business and corresponding financial position
and cash flows. Inflationary factors, such as increases in the cost of our clinical trial materials and supplies, interest rates and
overhead costs may adversely affect our operating results. Relatively high interest rates also present a challenge impacting the U.S.
economy and could make it more difficult for us to obtain traditional financing on acceptable terms, if at all, in the future. Furthermore,
economic conditions have produced downward pressure on share prices. We may experience increases in the future on our operating costs,
including our labor costs and research and development costs, due to supply chain constraints, global geopolitical tensions, worsening
global macroeconomic conditions, and employee availability and wage increases, which may result in additional stress on our working capital
resources. Moreover, there is great uncertainty with respect to potential changes in trade regulations, ongoing changes to U.S. and international
tariffs and other trade restrictions and trade barriers, renegotiation of international trade agreements or further escalation of trade
tension, sanctions and export controls which also increase volatility in the global economy.
In
addition, we are subject to other challenges and risks specific to our business and our ability to execute on our strategy, as well as
risks and uncertainties common to companies in the pharmaceutical industry with development and commercial operations, including, without
limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with: identifying, acquiring or in-licensing products or product candidates; obtaining
regulatory approval of product candidates; pharmaceutical product development and the inherent uncertainty of clinical success; the challenges
of protecting and enhancing our intellectual property rights; and complying with applicable regulatory requirements.
| 68 | |
**Results
of Operations**
**Comparison
of Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024**
**Revenue
and Cost of Sales**
We
are a clinical-stage biotechnology company and have not generated revenue from product sales to date. We did not generate any revenue
during the years ended December 31, 2025, or 2024. This is consistent with our focus on advancing the development of our botanical drug
candidates and progressing toward our clinical and regulatory milestones.
We
anticipate generating revenue only upon successful commercialization of our product candidates or from entering into strategic licensing
agreements. However, there is no assurance as to the timing or likelihood of these events.
**Operating
Expenses**
**General
and Administrative Expenses**
General
and administrative expenses were $1,253,203 for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $290,386 for the year ended December 31,
2024. The increase of $962,817 was primarily attributable to higher personnel-related expenses, including approximately $623,000 of increased
payroll costs, as our founder and certain members of senior management began receiving compensation following the completion of our IPO,
whereas little or no cash compensation had been paid to these individuals prior to that time. The increase also reflects higher professional
fees and other costs associated with operating as a public company, including expenses related to the preparation for and completion
of our IPO and ongoing public company compliance and reporting requirements.
**Research
and Development Expenses**
Research
and development (R&D) expenses were $2,985,873 for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $74,676 for the year
ended December 31, 2024. The increase of $2,911,197 was primarily attributable to expanded research and development activities following
the Companys IPO, including costs associated with IND-enabling studies and related research activities for ulcerative colitis,
atopic dermatitis, COVID-19, diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gout.
The
increase also reflects the recognition of costs under the Companys updated accounting policy to expense R&D costs over the
related contract performance periods. As of December 31, 2025, the Company recorded approximately $6.2 million in prepaid R&D expenses,
representing advance payments to contract research organizations (CROs) and contract development and manufacturing organizations
(CDMOs) for services to be performed under ongoing IND-related studies.
The
Company expects R&D expenses to remain significant as these studies progress, although the timing and amount of such expenses may
vary depending on the pace of research activities and the advancement of its development programs.
**Interest
Expense**
Interest
expense was $8,537 for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $nil for the year ended December 31, 2024. The interest expense
recognized in 2025 primarily relates to borrowings under two short-term promissory notes issued to Dian Ying Jing, one of our founders,
Secretary and the spouse of our Chief Executive Officer. The notes had an interest rate of 4.34% per annum and were issued in February
2025 and May 2025 with an aggregate principal amount of $400,000. The Company repaid the outstanding principal and accrued interest on
these notes in September 2025. No comparable borrowings were outstanding in 2024.
**Other
Income**
Other
income was $22,507 for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $3,554 for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily
attributable to higher interest income earned on the Companys cash balances. The higher interest income in 2025 primarily reflects
increased cash balances following the receipt of net proceeds from the Companys IPO.
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**Net
Loss**
The
Company recorded a net loss of $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to a net loss of $361,506 for the year ended
December 31, 2024. The increase in net loss was primarily attributable to higher operating expenses in 2025, including a significant
increase in research and development expenses related to the Companys expanded IND-enabling studies, as well as higher general
and administrative expenses associated with increased personnel costs and professional fees related to preparing for and operating as
a public company following the Companys IPO.
**Liquidity
and Capital Resources**
As
of December 31, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents of $4,973,134, compared to $148,891 as of December 31, 2024. The increase in cash
and cash equivalents was primarily attributable to net proceeds of approximately $15.3 million received from the Companys IPO
completed in August 2025 and the exercise in full of the underwriters over-allotment option in September 2025.
We
believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital requirements for at
least the next twelve months from the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We may, however, require additional capital to support
our ongoing research and development activities and future clinical development programs. Accordingly, we may seek to raise additional
funds through equity or debt financings or other strategic arrangements. There can be no assurance that such financing will be available
on acceptable terms, or at all.
**Cash
Flow**
**Cash
Flows from Operating Activities**
Net
cash used in operating activities was $10,484,452 for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $555,575 for the year ended December
31, 2024. The increase in cash used in operating activities was primarily attributable to higher operating expenses as the Company expanded
its research and development activities following the completion of its IPO.
Cash
used in operating activities in 2025 primarily reflected the Companys net loss of $4,225,106 and a significant increase in prepaid
expenses of $6,253,298, which largely consisted of advance payments made to contract research organizations (CROs) and
contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) for services to be performed under ongoing investigational
new drug (IND) enabling studies. These uses of cash were partially offset by non-cash charges, including amortization of
right-of-use assets of $79,396 and IP development impairments of $74,676, as well as changes in other working capital accounts.
**Cash
Flows from Financing Activities**
Net
cash provided by financing activities was $15,308,695 for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $630,100 for the year ended December
31, 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to net proceeds of $15,655,192 received from the Companys IPO completed in August
2025, partially offset by $346,497 in offering-related costs paid during the period.
Net
cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 consisted primarily of proceeds from the issuance of common
stock of $630,000 and proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock of $100.
****
**Contractual
Obligations and Contingencies**
As
of December 31, 2025, the Companys material contractual obligations primarily consisted of operating lease commitments related
to its office facilities and motor vehicle leases.
| 70 | |
On
January 1, 2025, the Company assumed an office lease from Duraviva Pharma Inc., a New York corporation under common control, pursuant
to a lease assignment agreement. The lease term extends through August 31, 2026 and is classified as an operating lease. In addition,
during the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company entered into lease agreements for three motor vehicles with non-cancelable lease terms
ranging from 36 to 51 months.
As
of December 31, 2025, the Company recognized right-of-use assets of $352,616 and operating lease liabilities of $346,699 in its consolidated
balance sheet in accordance with ASC 842. Total future minimum lease payments under these operating leases were $374,729, of which $136,921
is payable in 2026, $89,964 in 2027, $86,766 in 2028, and $61,078 in 2029. After giving effect to imputed interest of $28,030, the present
value of lease liabilities was $346,699 as of December 31, 2025.
The
Company is not currently a party to any material legal proceedings and does not have any other material contractual obligations, commitments,
or contingencies as of December 31, 2025.
**Emerging
Growth Company and Smaller Reporting Company Status**
We
operate as an emerging growth company (EGC) under the JOBS Act, allowing us to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards.
Additionally, we qualify as a smaller reporting company (SRC) under SEC regulations, enabling us to provide scaled disclosures to streamline
our reporting process.
**Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates**
Our
financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and require management to make estimates and assumptions. A summary of
our significant accounting policies is included in Note 1 of our audited financial statements included in this Form 10-K. The preparation
of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial
statements and accompanying notes. Our estimates and assumptions are based on historical experiences and changes in the business environment.
However, actual results may differ from estimates under different conditions, sometimes materially. Critical accounting policies and
estimates are defined as those that involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had, or are reasonably likely to have,
a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. The Companys critical accounting estimates include its
assessment of going concern and the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, which are described below.
Going
Concern
The
Company evaluates, for each reporting period, whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial
doubt about the Companys ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are
issued. This assessment requires significant judgment and is based on factors including the Companys current liquidity position,
expected operating losses, and managements plans to mitigate such conditions, including potential financing activities. Changes
in these assumptions or the Companys ability to execute its plans could materially affect the conclusion of the going concern
assessment.
Valuation
Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets
The
Company recognizes deferred tax assets for net operating loss carryforwards and evaluates the need for a valuation allowance based on
whether it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will be realized. This assessment requires significant judgment, including
the evaluation of future taxable income, the reversal of existing temporary differences, and tax planning strategies. Based on the Companys
history of operating losses, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. Changes in assumptions
regarding future profitability could materially impact on the amount of valuation allowance recognized in future periods.
| 71 | |
**Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements**
The
Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2025, as defined under Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.
**Item
7a. quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk**
As
a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information required by this item.
**item
8. financial statements and supplementary data**
The
information for this Item 8 is included following the Index to Financial Statements on page F-1 of this Annual Report.
**item
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure**
None.
**item
9a. controls and Procedures**
**Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures**
Disclosure
controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our
reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in
the SECs rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to
ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated
to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate,
to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer,
has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under
the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2025. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded
that, as of December 31, 2025, our disclosure controls and procedures were non-effective.
**Managements
Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting**
Management
assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on the framework established
in Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Based on the assessment, management has determined that our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, was not
effective due to material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting.
**Material
Weaknesses in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting**
A
material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal controls
over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Companys annual or interim
financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
| 72 | |
The
review, testing and evaluation of key internal controls over financial reporting completed by the Company resulted in the Companys
principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluding that as of December 31, 2025, material weaknesses existed in the
Companys internal controls over financial reporting. Specifically, in connection with our:
(i)
Lack of internal controls - Controls are not in place with respect to the five components of internal controls: Control Environment,
Risk Assessment, Monitoring, Information and Communication, and Control Activities; and
(ii)
Lack of US GAAP experienced personnel - The Company does not have accounting personnel with extensive experience in maintaining books
and records and preparing financial statements in accordance with US GAAP which could lead to untimely identification and resolution
of accounting matters inherent in the Companys financial transactions in accordance with US GAAP;
(iii)
Lack of bookkeeping system - The Company does not record journal entries but updates the trial balance month by month in an excel file
and compiles financial statements in excel as well. Without proper record of journal entries, the risk of material misstatements due
to fraud or errors is high.
The
Company has continued to address the material weaknesses described above through the following actions:
| 
| Assessing
finance and accounting resources to identify the areas and functions that lack sufficient
personnel and recruiting for experienced personnel to assume these roles; | |
| 
| Further
centralization of key accounting processes to enable greater segregation of duties; | |
| 
| Developing
further training on segregation of duties; and | |
| 
| Designing
and implementing additional compensating controls where necessary. | |
| 
| | Engaging an external consulting firm with U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting expertise
to assist in maintaining the Companys books and records and preparing financial statements and related disclosures. | |
While
we continue working diligently to remediate these material weaknesses, there is no assurance that these material weaknesses will be fully
remediated by December 31, 2026.
**Item
9B.****OTHER INFORMATION.**
**Trading
Arrangements**
None
of our directors or executive officers adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement
during the year ended December 31, 2025, as such terms are defined under Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
**Item
9C.****DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS
THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.**
Not
applicable.
**part
iii**
**Item
10. Directors, Executive Officers and corporate governance**
Below
are the names of and certain information regarding the Companys current executive officers and directors:
****
| 
Name | 
| 
Age | 
| 
Position | |
| 
Jun
Liu | 
| 
62 | 
| 
Chief
Executive Officer, President, Chairman and Director | |
| 
Wanjun
Zhang | 
| 
52 | 
| 
Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer | |
| 
Huijuan
Zhong | 
| 
59 | 
| 
Chief
Scientific Officer and Director | |
| 
Liqin
Xie | 
| 
54 | 
| 
Chief
Operating Officer | |
| 
Ning
Zhang | 
| 
51 | 
| 
Chief
Technology Officer | |
| 
Dian
Ying Jing | 
| 
59 | 
| 
Secretary | |
| 
Yong
Yan | 
| 
53 | 
| 
Independent
Director | |
| 
Helen
Hsu | 
| 
63 | 
| 
Independent
Director | |
| 
Xiaohui
Hao | 
| 
61 | 
| 
Independent
Director | |
| 73 | |
**Jun
Liu**, 62, became our Chief Executive Officer and President in February 2024, and a member of the Board in June 2024, upon the
Reincorporation. Mr. Liu has three decades of real estate development experience, having developed over a million square meters of commercial
and residential properties in various cities across China. He also has over twenty years of experience in pharmaceutical investment and
research, operating traditional Chinese medicine clinics and private hospitals in Hong Kong and mainland China. In the pharmaceutical
sector, Mr. Liu has taken leadership roles in research and development, focusing on both botanical and chemical drugs. Since 2020, he
has served as the President of Duraviva Pharma Inc, a company in which he and his immediate family own a majority of the equity and voting
power, where he oversees strategic planning, business development, and overall management of the companys operations. Since 2018,
he has also offered consultancy services and served as the Manager of TCM Group Inc., another entity where he and his family hold a majority
of the equity ownership and voting power, where he provides guidance on strategic initiatives, manages key client relationships, and
ensures the delivery of high-quality consultancy services. Mr. Liu received his BA in 1988 from Northeast Normal University. Mr. Liu
is qualified to serve on our Board due to his extensive experience in real estate development, pharmaceutical investment and research,
and executive leadership roles in multiple successful ventures.
**Wanjun
Zhang**, 52, was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, effective January 1, 2026. He has over
20 years of financial and accounting related experience, specializing in financial reporting, compliance, and business strategy. Before
joining Curanex, from July 2020, he provided financial consulting and accounting services to small and medium size companies, focusing
on financial reporting, compliance and business strategy. Between July 2017 and July 2020, Mr. Zhang served as the finance director of
Beijing Huaxiahuitong Petty Loan Co. Ltd., where he provided full financial, compliance and accounting services, and between August 2010
and February 2016, Mr. Zhang played a significant leadership role, serving as the finance director of Perfect World (Beijing) Software
Co., Ltd., which between 2007 and 2015 was a publicly-traded SEC reporting company listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol PWRD.
Mr. Zhang holds a Bachelors degree in Accounting from the Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing, China.
**Huijuan
Zhong**, PhD, 59, joined the Company as Chief Science Officer in June 2024, upon the Reincorporation, and was appointed as a member
of the Board on February 1, 2025. She possesses over 23 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and has knowledge and expertise
in drug substances and drug product development. Since 2021, she serves as associate director of Analytical Development at Karuna Therapeutics
a Bristol Myers Squibb company, providing a wide range of risk-based analytical development, method validation and transfer,
and specification setting to support clinical programs from IND Phase I to NDA. Between June 2010 and July 2021, she worked as Principal
Scientist at Rhodes Pharmaceuticals, where she took a leadership role and provided her expertise in drug substance and drug product development
from preclinical development through clinical studies to NDA505(b)(2) filings and commercialization.
Dr.
Zhong is a member of American Association for the Advancement of Science and American Chemical Society, American Association of Pharmaceutical
Scientists and Sino-American Pharmaceutical Professionals Association EC member. Dr. Zhong is a co-author of many publications in the
field of pharmaceutical industry and chemistry. She possesses a Postdoctoral in Analytical Chemistry from Northeastern University (1999-2001),
a PhD in 1999 in Analytical Chemistry from, the University of York, UK, an MS in Environmental Analytical Chemistry from Nanjing University,
China, in 1989, and BSc in Organic Chemistry from Nanjing University, China 1986. We believe that Dr. Zhong is qualified to serve on
our Board due to her extensive experience in pharmaceutical industry, specifically in drug substance and drug product development.
**Liqin
Xie**, PhD, 54, joined the Company as the Chief Operating Officer in June 2024, upon the Reincorporation. With over 15 years of
experience across big pharma (Regeneron) and startup biotech (Surrozen), Dr. Xie possesses deep
expertise in drug discovery and development for multiple diseases and program leadership, and he has a strong scientific acumen with
over 50 publications and 5 patents. From 2018 to 2023, Dr. Xie held the position of Principal Scientist at Surrozen Inc., where
he served as the team leader of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in vivo Pharmacology group, designed and conducted Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic
experiments and toxicology analysis, prepared documents for IND filing, and led a first-in-class Ulcerative Colitis drug from discovery
to IND.
Dr.
Xie holds an M.D. from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, an M.S. in Medicine (with a focus on Metabolism) from the Institute of
Space Medico-Engineering of China, and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. We believe
that his diverse skill set and extensive academic and professional accomplishments will help the Company in bringing innovative technologies
and managing our business operations successfully.
| 74 | |
**Ning
Zhang**, PhD, 51, joined the Company as the Chief Technology Officer in June 2024, upon the Reincorporation. He has extensive experience
in traditional Chinese medicine that drives innovation and advancement in pharmaceutical technologies. Since 2014, Dr. Zhang has served
as a Professor of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, assuming the role of Doctoral Supervisor
in 2018, where he leads research projects, supervises doctoral students, and collaborates with industry partners to translate research
findings into practical applications. In his academic capacity, Professor Zhang focuses his research on the extraction and identification
of active pharmaceutical ingredients, alongside enhancing pharmaceutical dosage forms and pharmacokinetics.
Dr.
Zhang holds a BA degree from Shanghai Medical University in 1993; Masters and Doctoral degrees in Biomedicine and Chinese Medicine
from Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine in 2003 and 2006, respectively. With his extensive academic background and dedication
to advancing pharmaceutical science, the Board believes that Dr. Zhang plays a crucial role in driving technological innovation and excellence
at Curanex.
**Dian
Ying Jing**, 59, has been our Secretary since
inception. From inception to January 31, 2025, she also served as our director. From 2018 until February 2024, she also served as our
Chief Executive Officer and President and from 2018 until June 2024, she served as our Treasurer, where she oversaw the Companys
financial operations, managed relationships with investors and stakeholders, and provided strategic leadership to drive the Companys
growth and development. She is the wife of the Companys Chief Executive Officer and President, Jun Liu, and together with him
and their son, Chang Liu, owns a majority of the equity ownership and the voting power of the Company. She also serves as the director
of Duraviva. She provides R&D services for botanical and chemical drugs. Since 2017, she serves as President of TCM Group Inc, where
she provides consultation service for herbal products. Ms. Jing holds a bachelors degree from Northeast Normal University in 1989.
**Yong
Yan**, PhD, 53, joined the Company as a member of the Board in June 2024, upon the Reincorporation. With nearly 25 years of experience
in leading financial firms such as Credit Suisse, Merrill Lynch, PingAn Group, and Fosun Group, he has extensive expertise in securitization,
structured products, tokenization, and fintech. Since December 2022, he has served as the CEO and Director of AlphaVest Acquisition Corp,
a SPAC listed on NASDAQ, where he oversees the companys strategic direction, identifies and evaluates potential acquisition targets,
and leads the process of bringing the acquired company public. He is also the CFO and Director of BitDATA Exchange in Singapore, a regulated
digital asset trading platform based on blockchain technology, since May 2020, where he manages the companys financial operations,
ensures regulatory compliance, and contributes to the development and implementation of strategic initiatives. Previously, he was a Partner
at Shanghai V-Stone Capital from January 2018 to January 2023, leading venture capital and private equity investments in fintech and
digital assets. His notable achievements include co-founding BitDATA Exchange and leading the first internet-based financial platform
using securitization technology for Fosun Group. He holds a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Alabama and a bachelors degree
in economics from Fudan University. Mr. Yan is qualified to serve on our Board due to his extensive experience in finance, particularly
in the areas of securitization, structured products, and digital assets, as well as his leadership roles in successful ventures and his
strong academic background in finance and economics.
**Xiaohui
Hao**, 61, joined the Company as a member of the Board in June 2024, upon the Reincorporation. Since January 2021, he serves as
the Executive Director & Co-CEO of Citychamp Watch & Jewellery Group Limited, where he oversees the groups strategic direction,
business operations, and risk management, while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and corporate governance standards.
Since January 2021, he is serving as a member of the Risk Management Committee of the Board of Directors of Bendera Bank (the wholly
owned subsidiary of Citychamp Watch & Jewellery Group Limited) to manage various risks, including management risk, operational risk
and liquidity risk. From September 2020 to February 2021, he served as Vice Chairman of the board of directors of China Chunlai Education
Group (HK1069), where he provided strategic guidance, supported the development and implementation of the companys growth plans,
and ensured effective corporate governance practices. He also served as a non-executive director and vice chairman of Chunlai Education
during the same period. From February 2018 to April 2020, Mr. Hao served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and the CEO of Yuanyin
International Limited, where he formulated the overall development strategy of the company and control the development risks of various
business of the company. He received a bachelors degree from Henan University in Economics and Law in 1988; masters degree
from Xiamen University in 1999; masters degree from University of Northumbria in 2003. He is a PhD candidate. Mr. Hao is qualified
to serve on our Board due to his extensive experience in corporate leadership, strategic planning, and risk management across various
industries, including banking, education, and international business, as well as his strong academic background in economics, law, and
management.
| 75 | |
**Helen
Hsu**, MD, MS, 63, joined the Company as a member of the Board on November 1, 2024, upon resignation of Yanming Du. Dr. Hsu has over
30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, academia, and clinical settings. Since December 2023, Dr. Hsu has served as the
VP of Medical Science at Phamaron Clinical Services, where she leverages her deep expertise in oncology research, medical affairs, and
clinical operations to drive innovative programs. From March 2021 to July 2023, Dr. Hsu held the role of Senior Medical Director, Global
Oncology Clinical Development at IPSEN BioPharma Epizyme Pharmaceutical. From 2015 to 2020, she was the Head of Oncology/Hematology Research
at an US Cancer Centers and an International Cancer Hospital affiliated with Harvard Medical School. Her clinical research and medical
affairs experiences has spanned in GSK, Novartis and BI global pharmaceuticals from 2000 - 2013. She
also served as a Medical Consultant, CMO, and Strategy Advisor for Biotech, CRO, Medical Device companies, Cancer Centers, and Healthcare
Investment Groups for over 10 years. Dr. Hsu received an MD degree from Southeast University Medical School in China and a Master of
Science in Molecular Biology and Clinical Lab Science from Michigan State University. In addition to her clinical practice in China,
she has been trained in medical science and genetic search at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and North Shore University Hospital
in NY.
We
believe that Dr. Hsus diverse background, strong track record in leading global clinical research programs, medical strategy,
drug discovery, product launches, and her leadership abilities make her an invaluable addition to our Board.
**Board
Of Directors**
Our
Board consists of five (5) directors. A director is not required to hold any shares in the Company to qualify to serve as a director.
A director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction
with the Company is required to declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of our directors. A director may vote with respect to
any contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction notwithstanding that he may be interested therein, and if he does so
his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of our directors at which any such contract or transaction
is considered. Our directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money, mortgage or charge its undertaking, property
and uncalled capital and to issue debentures or other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or
obligation of the Company or of any third party.
Directors
serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified. Officers are appointed to serve for one year
until the meeting of the Board following the annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified.
Director
Independence
Our
Board has reviewed the independence of our directors, applying Nasdaq independence standards. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) provides
that an independent director is a person other than an officer or employee of the company or any other individual having
a relationship which, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities
of a director. The Nasdaq listing rules provide that a director cannot be considered independent if:
| 
| 
| 
the
director is, or at any time during the past three (3) years was, an employee of the company; | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
the
director or a family member of the director accepted any compensation from the company in excess of $120,000 during any period of
twelve (12) consecutive months within the three (3) years preceding the independence determination (subject to certain exemptions,
including, among other things, compensation for board or board committee service); | |
| 76 | |
| 
| 
| 
the
director or a family member of the director is employed as an executive officer of an entity where, at any time during the past three
(3) years, any of the executive officers of the company served on the compensation committee of such other entity; or | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
the
director or a family member of the director is a current partner of the companys outside auditor, or at any time during the
past three (3) years was a partner or employee of the companys outside auditor, and who worked on the companys audit. | |
Based
on this review, the board determined that each of Yong Yan, PhD, Helen Hsu, M.D. and Xiaohui Hao, is independent within
the meaning of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. In making this determination, our Board considered the relationships that each of these non-employee
directors has with us and all other facts and circumstances our Board deemed relevant in determining their independence.
Committees
of the Board
We
established three Board committees: an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee
and adopted a charter for each of the three committees. Each committees members and functions are described below.
Audit
Committee. Our audit committee consists of Yong Yan, Helen Hsu, and Xiaohui Hao, and is chaired by Yong Yan. Each member of our audit
committee satisfies the independence requirements of Rule 5605(c)(2) of the Listing Rules of Nasdaq and meets the independence
standards under Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. We have determined that Yong Yan qualifies as an audit committee financial
expert. The audit committee will oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements
of the Company. The audit committee will be responsible for, among other things:
| 
| 
| 
selecting
the independent registered public accounting firm and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed
by the independent registered public accounting firm; | |
| 
| 
| 
reviewing
with the independent registered public accounting firm any audit problems or difficulties and managements response; | |
| 
| 
| 
reviewing
and approving all proposed related party transactions, as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act; | |
| 
| 
| 
discussing
the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm; | |
| 
| 
| 
reviewing
major issues as to the adequacy of our internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies; | |
| 
| 
| 
annually
reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of our audit committee charter; | |
| 
| 
| 
meeting
separately and periodically with management and the independent registered public accounting firm; and | |
| 
| 
| 
reporting
regularly to the Board. | |
Compensation
Committee. Our compensation committee consists of Yong Yan, Helen Hsu, and Xiaohui Hao, and is chaired by Xiaohui Hao. Each member
of our compensation committee satisfies the independence requirements of Rule 5605(c)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The
compensation committee will assist the Board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation,
relating to our directors and executive officers. Our Chief Executive Officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which
his compensation is deliberated upon. The compensation committee will be responsible for, among other things:
| 
| 
| 
reviewing
the total compensation package for our executive officers and making recommendations to the Board with respect to it; | |
| 
| 
| 
reviewing
the compensation of our non-employee directors and making recommendations to the Board with respect to it; and | |
| 
| 
| 
periodically
reviewing and approving any long-term incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or similar arrangements, annual bonuses, and
employee pension and welfare benefit plans. | |
| 77 | |
Nominating
Committee. Our nominating committee consists of Yong Yan, Helen Hsu, and Xiaohui Hao, and is chaired by Dr. Helen Hsu. Each member
of our nominating committee satisfies the independence requirements of Rule 5605(c)(2) of the Listing Rules of Nasdaq.
The nominating committee will assist the board in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition
of the Board and its committees. The nominating committee will be responsible for, among other things:
| 
| 
| 
recommending
nominees to the board for election or re-election to the Board, or for appointment to fill
any vacancy on the Board; | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
reviewing
annually with the board the current composition of the Board with regards to characteristics
such as independence, age, skills, experience and availability of service to us; | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
selecting
and recommending to the Board the names of directors to serve as members of the audit committee
and the compensation committee, as well as of the nominating committee itself; and | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
monitoring
compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to
ensure proper compliance. | |
**Family
Relationship**
Except
for our Chief Executive Officer, director and President, Jun Liu, and our Secretary, Dian Ying Jing, who are husband and wife, and for
their son, Chang Liu, a beneficial owner of more than ten percent of the Companys equity securities, there are no family relationships
between the Companys directors, officers, persons nominated or chosen by the issuer to become
directors or officers, or beneficial owners of more than 10% of any class of the issuers equity securities.
**Code
of Ethics**
Our
Board adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics (Code) that applies to our directors, officers and employees,
including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing
similar functions. We are required to disclose any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our code of ethics applicable to our
principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, or persons performing similar functions.
We intend to use our website as a method of disseminating this disclosure as well as by SEC filings, as permitted or required by applicable
SEC rules. Any such disclosure will be posted to our website within four (4) business days following the date of any such amendment to,
or waiver from, a provision of our Code.
**Board
Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight**
The
Board oversees our business and considers the risks associated with our business strategy and decisions. The Board currently implements
its risk oversight function as a whole. Each of the Board committees, as set forth below, will also provide risk oversight in respect
of its areas of concentration and report material risks to the Board for further consideration.
**Director
Compensation**
We
compensated our non-employee directors for their services as directors as follows:
For
the year ended December 31, 2025, each of our independent director (Yong Yan, Helen Hsu, and Xiaohui Hao) received a cash
compensation in the amount of $12,000.
Directors
who are employees of the Company did not receive any compensation as directors.
| 78 | |
**Involvement
in Certain Legal Proceedings**
To
our knowledge, none of our current directors or executive officers has, during the past ten (10) years:
| 
| 
| 
been
convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding
traffic violations and other minor offenses); | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
had
any bankruptcy petition filed by or against the business or property of the person, or of
any partnership, corporation or business association of which he was a general partner or
executive officer, either at the time of the bankruptcy filing or within two (2) years prior
to that time; | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
been
subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated,
of any court of competent jurisdiction or federal or state authority, permanently or temporarily
enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting, his involvement in any type of business,
securities, futures, commodities, investment, banking, savings and loan, or insurance activities,
or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity; | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
been
found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC or the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities
law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated; | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
been
the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment,
decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated (not including any settlement
of a civil proceeding among private litigants), relating to an alleged violation of any federal
or state securities or commodities law or regulation, any law or regulation respecting financial
institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent
injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent
cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order, or any law or regulation prohibiting
mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
been
the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization
(as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange
Act), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons
associated with a member. | |
**Scientific
Advisory Board**
The
Company established its Scientific Advisory Board, and on March 11 and 12, 2026, it appointed four advisors to its Scientific Advisory
Board: Dr. Daniel Pascheles, Dr. Nicholas A. Meanwell, Dr. Taku Kambayashi and Dr. Selvakumar Subbian. These advisors will provide scientific
guidance across research and development, preclinical study design, IND preparation, clinical trials and intellectual property strategy.
The biographical summary for these four advisors is as follows:
**Daniel
Pascheles, Ph.D.**
Daniel
Pascheles is a pharmaceutical executive and strategic consultant with over 25 years of experience building world-class competitive intelligence
organizations within global life sciences companies. He is a former CEO and Partner at Molekule Consulting LLC, a firm he joined in 2017
to advise pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients on competitive strategy and market intelligence. Prior to Molekule Consulting, Dr.
Pascheles spent 12 years at Merck & Co./MSD as Vice President and Head of Global Competitive Intelligence. Before that, he held senior
leadership roles over 14 years at Aventis and its predecessor companies (Hoechst Marion Roussel, Marion Merrell Dow), including Global
Head of CI, European Head of Sales and Marketing Administration, European Head of Strategic Planning, and General Manager Switzerland.
Dr.
Pascheles studied Pharmacy at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich and earned his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Technology
from the same institution. He is Past-President and a current Board member of the Pharmaceutical Business Intelligence & Research
Group (PBIRG), a member of the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) and the Licensing Executive Society (LES), and
a Visiting Professor at Rey Juan Carlos University in Madrid. He has served on the Editorial Advisory Board of Pharmaceutical Executive
magazine and is a sought-after speaker and chairman at international conferences on competitive intelligence.
| 79 | |
**Nicholas
A. Meanwell, Ph.D.**
Nicholas
A. Meanwell is a distinguished medicinal chemist and drug discovery scientist and a former vice president, who spent four decades at
Bristol Myers Squibb (19822022), where he led programs across cardiovascular, neurosciences, and virology therapeutic areas. Over
the course of his career, Dr. Meanwell and his team advanced 33 clinical candidates, including several that reached patients as approved
medicines: the HIV-1 attachment inhibitor fostemsavir (Rukobia), the HCV NS5A inhibitor daclatasvir (Daklinza), the HCV
NS3 protease inhibitor asunaprevir (Sunvepra), and the combination product Xymency.
Dr.
Meanwell has authored or co-authored more than 300 publications, reviewed articles, and book chapters, delivered over 250 invited lectures
worldwide, and is named as inventor or co-inventor on 145 issued U.S. patents. He served as Associate Editor of the Journal of Medicinal
Chemistry from 2017 to 2023. His contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous prestigious honors, including the 2015
Philip S. Portoghese Medicinal Chemistry Lectureship Award, induction into the ACS Division of Medicinal Chemistry Hall of Fame (2015),
ACS Heroes of Chemistry Awards (2017, 2023), the 2022 Alfred Burger Award in Medicinal Chemistry, appointment as a Fellow
of the American Chemical Society (2022), the 2024 Antonn Hol Memorial Award from the International Society for Antiviral
Research, and the 2025 Scientific Achievement in Drug Discovery and Development Award from ASPET. Dr. Meanwell earned his Ph.D. from
the University of Sheffield and completed his postdoctoral training with Professor Carl R. Johnson at Wayne State University.
**Taku
Kambayashi, MD, Ph.D.**
Taku
Kambayashi is a Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Pennsylvanias Perelman School of Medicine.
A physician-scientist with dual clinical and research expertise, Dr. Kambayashi is board-certified in Clinical Pathology and Transfusion
Medicine and serves as Chair of the Immunology Graduate Group at Penn. Dr. Kambayashis laboratory investigates targetable signal
transduction pathways in immune cells, with the goal of translating fundamental discoveries into therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory
diseases. Key research programs include the role of TSLP-stimulated T cells in sebum secretion and adipose tissue loss (a finding with
implications for obesity-related disorders), regulatory T cell homeostasis and its therapeutic manipulation in diseases such as multiple
sclerosis, graft-versus-host disease, diabetes, and diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) as a novel checkpoint target for reactivating exhausted
T cells in cancer and chronic infection. Dr. Kambayashi earned his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and his
M.D. and Ph.D. from Emory University. He completed his residency and fellowship training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Blood Foundation Scholar Award, the Junior Faculty Scholar
Award from the American Society of Hematology, the STAT Summit Breakthrough Science Award (2022), and the Lady Barbara Colyton Award
for Autoimmune Research. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation and the Henry Kunkel Society.
**Selvakumar
Subbian, Ph.D.**
Selvakumar
Subbian is a Professor in the Department of Medicine and Principal Investigator at the Public Health Research Institute (PHRI), New Jersey
Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ. With more than 25 years of expertise in microbial pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions,
his research focuses on pulmonary infectious diseases particularly tuberculosis and COVID-19 integrating animal models,
systems biology, and translational approaches to investigate host immune responses, transcriptional regulation in bacterial pathogens,
genome-wide transcriptional analysis, biomarker discovery, and host-directed therapeutic strategies. Dr. Subbians laboratory has
pioneered the use of rabbit models of pulmonary tuberculosis to study disease states that closely mirror human TB, including active cavitary
disease, spontaneous latency, and tuberculous meningitis. His team has made significant contributions to host-directed therapy (HDT)
for TB, demonstrating that phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibition can improve antibiotic efficacy and reduce lung pathology. Dr. Subbian
earned his B.Sc. in Biochemistry from Bharathiar University (India), his M.Sc. in Biomedical Genetics from the University of Madras,
and his Ph.D. in Basic Medical Sciences from the Tuberculosis Research Center of the Indian Council of Medical Research, affiliated with
The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University. He completed postdoctoral training at the University of NebraskaLincoln, Texas A&M
Health Science Center, and PHRI at New Jersey Medical School. He has authored more than 110 peer-reviewed publications and seven book
chapters, serves as a reviewer for more than 75 scientific journals and multiple international funding agencies including NIH/NIAID,
and is an editorial board member for several international journals. His honors include the Faculty of the Year award from
New Jersey Medical School (2021) and the Young Investigator Award from the Theobald Smith Society of the American Society for Microbiology
(2017).
| 80 | |
**Compliance
With Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act**
Section
16(a) of the Exchange Act requires directors, executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock
to file beneficial ownership reports with the SEC. Based solely on our review of Section 16(a) reports filed electronically with the
SEC and our knowledge of certain transactions with directors and officers, all Section 16 reporting persons were in compliance with all
Section 16(a) filing requirements with respect to the year ended December 31, 2025.
**Insider
Trading Policy**
The
Board of Directors has adopted an insider trading policy (Insider Trading Policy) governing the purchase, sale, and other
dispositions of our securities that applies to all personnel of the Company, including directors, officers, employees, and immediate
family members of any of the foregoing individuals. The Company believes that its Insider Trading Policy is reasonably designed to promote
compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, as well as applicable listing standards. A copy of the Insider Trading Policy
is filed as Exhibit 19.1 to this Annual Report.
**ITEM
11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION**
****
**Executive
Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy**
We
have adopted an executive incentive compensation recovery policy (the Recovery Policy) pursuant to Section 10D of the Exchange
Act, Rule 10D-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act (Rule 10D-1), and Listing Rule 5608 adopted by Nasdaq, which became
effective on August 12, 2025 The purpose of the Executive Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy is to provide for the recovery of certain
incentive-based compensation in the event of an accounting restatement. In the event of an accounting restatement, it is the Companys
policy to recover reasonably promptly the amount of any erroneously awarded compensation received during the recovery period. An accounting
restatement involves a restatement of the Companys financial statements due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting
requirement under the federal securities laws, including any required accounting restatement to correct an error in previously issued
financial statements that is material to the previously issued financial statements, or that would result in a material misstatement
if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period. The amount of erroneously awarded
compensation generally means the amount of incentive-based compensation (compensation that is granted, earned, or vested based
wholly or in part upon the attainment of a financial reporting measure) received by a covered executive that exceeds the amount of incentive-based
compensation on that otherwise would have been received had it been determined based on the restated financial statements. The Company
need not recover any erroneously awarded compensation if and to the extent that the Compensation Committee or a majority
of the independent members of the Board determines that such recovery is impracticable and not required under Rule 10D-1 and the Nasdaq
Listing Standards, including if the Compensation Committee or a majority of the independent members of the Board determines that: (i)
the direct expense paid to a third party to assist in enforcing the policy would exceed the amount to be recovered after making a reasonable
attempt to recover, or (ii) recovery would likely cause an otherwise tax-qualified broad-based retirement plan to fail the requirements
of Section 401(a)(13) or Section 411(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and regulations thereunder. The Recovery Policy
is filed as Exhibit 97.1 to this Annual Report.
****
**Summary
Compensation Table**
The
following table provides disclosure concerning all compensation paid for services to our principal executive officer and our principal
financial officer (the Named Executive Officers) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. No other executive officers
received total compensation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 that exceeded $100,000. No executive officers received any compensation
for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
| 
Name
and Principal | | 
Salary | | | 
Stock Awards | | | 
Option Awards | | | 
Other
Compensation | | | 
Total | | |
| 
Position | | 
($) | | | 
($) | | | 
($) | | | 
($) | | | 
($) | | |
| 
Mr. Jun
Liu | | 
| 216,667 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 15,992 | (1) | | 
| 232,659 | | |
| 
CEO,
President | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Haiyan
Yang, CFO(2) | | 
| 35,000 | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| 35,000 | | |
(1)
Represents the total amount paid by the Company in 2025 on behalf of Mr. Liu for the lease of the car.
(2)
Haiyan Yang resigned as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective December 31, 2025.
****
| 81 | |
****
**Option
Grants in Last Fiscal Year**
There
were no options granted to our executive officers in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. The Company has no material policies and
practices on the timing of awards of options in relation to the disclosure of material non-public information by the Company.
**Employment
Agreements**
*Employment
Agreement with Mr. Jun Liu, CEO*
On
March 2, 2026 we entered into an employment agreement (the CEO Employment Agreement) with Jun Liu, the Companys
current Chief Executive Officer and President. The Jun Lius Employment Agreement provides for an initial three-year term. Further
contract extensions or renewal may be arranged by mutual consent of the parties prior to the expiration of the initial term. The CEO
Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Liu will receive a base salary of $393,600 per annum. The CEO Employment Agreement contains certain
non-disclosure and confidentiality provisions applicable to Mr. Liu for the benefit of the Company. Mr. Liu has also agreed, during the
term of his employment and for the 18-month period following the termination of his employment not to solicit any employee or any person
who was employed by the Company for employment. The Company has the right to terminate Mr. Lius employment immediately for cause
upon certain specified acts, and if he is terminated without cause, he may be entitled to severance payments in certain circumstances.
*Employment
Agreement with Dr. Liqin Xie, COO*
On
March 2, 2026, the Company also entered into an executive employment agreement with Dr. Liqin Xie related to his continued service to
the Company as Chief Operating Officer (the COO Agreement). The COO Agreement provides for (i) an annual base salary of
$180,000 per calendar year, (ii) eligibility to participate in the Companys equity incentive plan to be adopted by the Company;
(iii) continued eligibility to participate in all employee benefit plans, practices and program maintained by the Company that are generally
made available to employees of the Company, including vacation days, sick days, and reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket
business and travel expenses incurred by him in connection with the performance of his duties. The COO Employment Agreement contains
certain non-disclosure and confidentiality provisions applicable to Dr. Xie for the benefit of the Company. Dr. Xie has also agreed,
during the term of his employment and for the 18-month period following the termination of his employment not to solicit any employee
or any person who was employed by the Company for employment. The Company has the right to terminate Dr. Xies employment at any
time, with or without cause, and if he is terminated without cause, he may be entitled to severance payments in certain circumstances.
*Offer
Letter with Dr. Huijuan Zhong*
****
Pursuant
to the Offer Letter, dated May 11, 2024, Dr. Zhong received total compensation in the amount of $66,667 representing her salary for
her service as Chief Scientific Officer following the closing of the IPO. On March 18, 2026, we issued an aggregate of 24,000 shares
of Common Stock to Dr. Huijuan Zhong as additional compensation. These shares were valued at $0.408 per share, the closing price on
March 17, 2026, as reported on Nasdaq. These shares were issued in reliance on exemption from registration requirements under
Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, as transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering.
| 82 | |
**ITEM
12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT and Related Stockholder Matters**
The
following table sets forth certain information, as of the date of this Annual Report, with respect to the holdings of (1), each of
our director;
(2)
each of our executive officer;
(3)
all of our current directors and executive officers as a group; and
(4)
each person who is the beneficial owner of more than 5% of Company voting stock.
Beneficial
ownership of the voting stock is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Under these
rules, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person directly or indirectly has or shares voting power, which
includes the power to vote or direct the voting of the security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose or direct the
disposition of the security. The person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any security of which that person has a right to acquire
beneficial ownership within 60 days from the date of this Annual Report. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed to be
a beneficial owner of the same securities, and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which he or she may
not have any pecuniary interest.
Except
as otherwise indicated, the persons named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of voting stock
held by them. Applicable percentage ownership in the following table is based on 28,364,812 shares of common stock issued and outstanding
as of the date of this Annual Report, 1,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding as of the date of this Annual Report and
any securities that individual has the right to acquire within 60 days from the date of this Annual Report.
The
percentage of voting power of Series A Preferred Stock in the table below is calculated based on the
voting power of 1,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding as of the date of this Annual Report; holders of which are entitled
to 40% votes on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. 
Unless
otherwise indicated, the principal address of the named directors and directors and 5% stockholders of the Company is c/o Curanex Pharmaceuticals
Inc, 2 Jericho Plaza, Suite 101B, Jericho, NY 11753.
| 
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner | | 
Class
of Voting Stock Beneficially Owned | | 
Number
of shares beneficially owned | | | 
%
of Ownership | | | 
%
of Voting Power | | |
| 
Directors
and Officers | | 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Jun
Liu, CEO, President and director | | 
Common
Stock | | 
| 11,237,160 | (1)(3) | | 
| 39.62 | % | | 
| 39.62 | % | |
| 
| | 
Series
A Preferred Stock | | 
| 690,000 | (4) | | 
| 69 | % | | 
| 27.6 | % | |
| 
Dian
Ying Jing, Secretary | | 
Common
Stock | | 
| 11,237,160 | (2)(3) | | 
| 39.62 | % | | 
| 39.62 | % | |
| 
| | 
Series
A Preferred Stock | | 
| 690,000 | (4) | | 
| 69 | % | | 
| 27.6 | % | |
| 
Huijuan
Zhong, Chief Scientific Officer and director | | 
Common
Stock | | 
| 24,000 | | | 
| 0.08 | % | | 
| 0.08 | % | |
| 
| | 
Series
A Preferred Stock | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | |
| 
Liqin
Xie, Chief Operating Officer | | 
Common
Stock | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | |
| 
| | 
Series
A Preferred Stock | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | |
| 
Wanjun
Zhang, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | | 
Common
Stock | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | |
| 
| | 
Series
A Preferred Stock | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | |
| 
Ning
Zhang, Chief Technology Officer | | 
Common
Stock | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | |
| 
| | 
Series
A Preferred Stock | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | |
| 
Helen
Hsu, director | | 
Common
Stock | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | |
| 
| | 
Series
A Preferred Stock | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | |
| 
Yong
Yan, director | | 
Common
Stock | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | |
| 
| | 
Series
A Preferred Stock | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | |
| 
Xiaohui
Hao, director | | 
Common
Stock | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | |
| 
| | 
Series
A Preferred Stock | | 
| 0 | | | 
| 0 | | | 
| | | |
| 
All
Directors and Officers (9) as a group | | 
Common
Stock | | 
| 11,261,160 | (3) | | 
| 39.7 | % | | 
| 39.7 | % | |
| 
| | 
Series
A Preferred Stock | | 
| 690,000 | (4) | | 
| 69 | % | | 
| 27.6 | % | |
| 
| | 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
5%
Shareholder | | 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
Common
Stock | | 
| 7,982,220 | (5) | | 
| 28.14 | % | | 
| 28.14 | % | |
| 
Chang Liu | | 
Series
A Preferred Stock | | 
| 310,000 | | | 
| 31 | % | | 
| 12.4 | % | |
| 
(1) | 
Includes
7,076,160 shares of common stock Mr. Liu holds directly. Also includes 3,248,400 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Jun
Liu through Dian Ying Jing, his wife, who holds these shares directly, and additional 912,600 shares of common stock held directly
by Doublewin Developer LLC, an entity in which Dian Ying Jing has sole voting and investment power. Does not include 4,870,020 shares
of common stock directly held by Chang Liu, Jun Lius son, and 3,112,200 shares of common stock held by entities in which Chang
Liu has the sole voting and investment power. | |
| 83 | |
| 
(2) | 
Includes
3,248,400 shares of common stock Dian Ying Jing holds directly, 912,600 shares of common stock held directly by Doublewin Developer
LLC, an entity in which Dian Ying Jing has sole voting and investment power, and 7,076,160 shares of common stock beneficially owned
by Dian Ying Jing through her husband, Jun Liu, the Companys President, who holds these shares directly. Does not include
4,870,020 shares of common stock held directly by Chang Liu, Jun Lius son, and 3,112,200 shares of common stock held by entities
in which Chang Liu has the sole voting and investment power. | |
| 
(3) | 
Jun
Liu and Dian Ying Jing have shared voting and investment power over these shares of common stock. | |
| 
(4) | 
Includes
490,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock held directly by Jun Liu and 200,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock held directly
by Jun Lius wife, Dian Ying Jing. Jun Liu and Dian Ying Jing have shared voting
and investment power over these shares of Series A Preferred Stock. | |
| 
(5) | 
Includes
4,870,020 shares of common stock that Chang Liu holds directly; 2,340,000 shares of common stock directly held by Korovyev Hippo
LLC and 772,200 shares of common stock held by Liu and Company LLC, entities in which Chang Liu has the sole voting and investment
power. | |
**ITEM
13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, and Director Independence**
The
following is a description of transactions since January 1, 2024, to which we were a party or will be a party, in which the amount involved
exceeded or will exceed the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last three completed fiscal
years, and in which any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock, or any immediate
family member of, or person sharing the household with, any of these individuals or entities, had or will have a direct or indirect material
interest.
*Asset
Purchase Agreement*
On
June 17, 2024, we entered into the Asset Purchase Agreement with Duraviva, a related entity in which our Chief Executive Officer and
President and members of his immediate family, including our Secretary, are also directors, officers and majority shareholders. At the
Closing, which occurred on the same date, Duraviva transferred to us all of its IP Assets, which together with $730,000 consideration,
constitute all or substantially all of the assets of Duraviva. The IP Assets include four (4) provisional patent applications (with the
expiration date of March 18, 2025), and 8 research and development animal study reports for:
| 
| 
1. | 
Ulcerative
Colitis; | |
| 
| 
2. | 
Atopic
Dermatitis; | |
| 
| 
3. | 
Nonalcoholic
fatty liver disease prevention; | |
| 
| 
4. | 
Nonalcoholic
fatty liver disease treatment; | |
| 
| 
5. | 
Diabetes; | |
| 
| 
6. | 
COVID-19
prevention and treatment; | |
| 
| 
7. | 
Gouty
nephritis; and | |
| 
| 
8. | 
Gouty
arthritis | |
Pursuant
to the Asset Purchase Agreement, at the Closing, which occurred on the same date, Duraviva transferred and assigned to us all of its
IP Assets, which, together with $730,000 consideration,
constitute all or substantially all of the assets of Duraviva as of the date of the Asset Purchase Agreement. In consideration for $730,000
and the transfer and assignment of the IP Assets to the Company, the Company issued an aggregate of 23,400,000 shares of its Common Stock
to shareholders of Duraviva pro-rata to their beneficial ownership in Duraviva.
*Promissory
Notes to D. Jing*
In
February and May 2025, the Company received two $200,000 loans from Dian Ying Jing, Secretary and the spouse of our Chief Executive Officer.
In consideration of these loans, in February 2025 and May 2025, the Company issued to Ms. Jing two promissory notes, in the total principal
amount of $400,000, which had an interest rate of 4.34% per annum. The principal and interest of both promissory notes were due at maturity
in February and May 2027, respectively. The Company repaid the outstanding principal and accrued interest on these notes in September
2025, following the completion of the Companys IPO.
| 84 | |
*Underwriting
Agreement and the IPO*
On
August 25, 2025, the Company entered into the Underwriting Agreement, pursuant to which on August 27, 2025, the Company completed its
IPO, selling 3,750,000 shares of its Common Stock at the gross proceeds of $15.0 million before payment of underwriting discounts, commissions,
and other offering expenses. Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Company granted the underwriters an option to purchase additional
562,500 shares of Common Stock at the same public offering price of $4.00 per share. On September 12, 2025, the underwriters exercised
this over-allotment option in full, resulting in the sale of additional 562,500 shares of Common Stock by the Company at the gross proceeds
of $2.25 million.
*Employment
Agreements with Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer*
On
March 2, 2026, we entered into two employment agreements: (1) the employment agreement with Jun Liu, the Companys current Chief
Executive Officer and President and (2) the employment agreement with Liqin Xie, our Chief Operating Officer. The Jun Lius Employment
Agreement provides for an initial three-year term. Further contract extensions or renewal may be arranged by mutual consent of the parties
prior to the expiration of the initial term. The CEO Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Liu will receive a base salary of $393,600
per annum.
The
Employment Agreement with Liqin Xie can be terminated at any time. It provides for (i) an annual base salary of $180,000 per calendar
year. Both employment agreements provide to the employees eligibility to participate in the Companys equity incentive plan to
be adopted by the Company; continued eligibility to participate in all employee benefit plans, practices and program maintained by the
Company that are generally made available to employees of the Company, including vacation days, sick days, and reimbursement for all
reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket business and travel expenses incurred by him in connection with the performance of his duties.
**Item
14. Principal accounting fees and services**
**Audit
Fees**
****
The
following table sets forth fees billed to us by our independent registered public accounting firm, Kreit & Chiu CPA LLP for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, for: (i) Audit Fees include fees for audit services primarily related
to the audit of our annual financial statements; the review of our quarterly financial statements and services provided related to
the filing of our registration statement; (ii) services by our independent registered public accounting firms that are reasonably
related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and that are not reported as audit fees; (iii)
services rendered in connection with tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning; and (iv) all other fees for services
rendered.
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Audit
Fees | | 
$ | 197,900 | | | 
$ | 159,475 | | |
| 
Audit-Related
Fees | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Tax
Fees | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
All
Other Fees | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
TOTAL | | 
$ | 197,900 | | | 
$ | 159,475 | | |
**Pre-Approval
Policies and Procedures**
Our
Board reviewed and approved all audit and non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firms and has determined
that their provision of such services to us during fiscal years ended December 31, 2024, and 2025 did not impair their independence.
| 85 | |
**PART
IV**
**ITEM
15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.**
**Financial
Statements**
Financial
Statements and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms are set forth on pages F-1 through F-18 of this Annual Report.
**Exhibits**
| 
Exhibit
No. | 
| 
Description | |
| 
1.1 | 
| 
Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Dominari Securities, LLC, dated August 25, 2025 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the current report on Form 8-K dated August 26, 2025) | |
| 
3.1(a) | 
| 
Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant in the State of New York | |
| 
3.2(a) | 
| 
Certificate of Amendment of the Registrant in the State of New York to change the name from Durand Damiel Health Inc. to Fordman Pharma Inc. | |
| 
3.3(a) | 
| 
Certificate of Amendment of the Registrant in the State of New York to change the name from Fordman Pharma Inc. to Curanex Pharmaceuticals Inc. | |
| 
3.4(a) | 
| 
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Curanex Pharmaceuticals Inc in the State of Nevada | |
| 
3.5(a) | 
| 
Certificate of Designation of Series A Preferred Stock of the Registrant in the State of Nevada | |
| 
3.6(a) | 
| 
Certificate of Merger filed with the State of New York | |
| 
3.7(a) | 
| 
Articles of Merger filed with the State of Nevada | |
| 
3.8(a) | 
| 
Bylaws of the Registrant in the State of Nevada | |
| 
3.9(c) | 
| 
Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation dated November 19, 2024 | |
| 
4.1(d) | 
| 
Promissory Note, dated February 4, 2025, issued to Dian Ying Jing in the principal amount of $200,000 | |
| 
4.2(e) | 
| 
Amendment No. 1 to Promissory Note issued February 4, 2025 to Dian Ying Jing | |
| 
4.3(e) | 
| 
Promissory Note dated May 23, 2025, issued to Dian Ying Jing in the principal amount of $200,000 | |
| 
4.4* | 
| 
Description of Registrants Securities | |
| 
10.1(b) | 
| 
Asset Purchase Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated June 17, 2024 by and between the Registrant and Duraviva Pharma Inc | |
| 
10.2(a) | 
| 
Agreement of Merger between Curanex Pharmaceuticals Inc., a New York corporation and Curanex Pharmaceuticals Inc, a Nevada corporation, dated June 10, 2024 | |
| 
10.3(c) | 
| 
Amended and Restated Subscription Agreement dated as of November 27, 2024, between the Registrant and the investor | |
| 
10.4 + | 
| 
Consulting Agreement between Registrant and Wanjun Zhang, dated December 31, 2025 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K dated January 5, 2026) | |
| 
10.5 + | 
| 
Employment Agreement between Registrant and Jun Liu, dated March 2, 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K dated March 6, 2026) | |
| 
10.6 + | 
| 
Employment Agreement between Registrant and Liqin Xie, dated March 2, 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K dated March 6, 2026) | |
| 
19.1* | 
| 
Insider Trading Policy | |
| 
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 and Accounting 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 and Accounting Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 
97.1(b) | 
| 
Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy | |
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
101.INS* | 
| 
Inline
XBRL Instance 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 (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). | |
*
Filed herewith.
+ Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.
(a)
Incorporated by reference to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed October 16, 2024.
(b)
Incorporated by reference to Amendment #1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed November 1, 2024
(c)
Incorporated by reference to Amendment #2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed November 27, 2024
(d)
Incorporated by reference to Amendment #3 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed February 14, 2025
(e)
Incorporated by reference to Amendment #5 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed July 1, 2025
In
accordance with Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K and SEC Release Nos. 33-8238 and 34-47986, Final Rule: Managements Reports
on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and Certification of Disclosure in Exchange Act Periodic Reports, the certifications furnished
in Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 hereto will not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act. Such certification
will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent
that the registration specifically incorporates it by reference.
**Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.**
None.
| 86 | |
**SIGNATURES**
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| 
March
30, 2026 | 
CURANEX
PHARMACEUTICALS INC | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
By: | 
/s/
Jun Liu | |
| 
| 
| 
Jun
Liu | |
| 
| 
| 
Chief
Executive Officer and President
(Principal
Executive Officer) | |
| 
March
30, 2026 | 
CURANEX
PHARMACEUTICALS INC | |
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
By: | 
/s/
Wanjun Zhang | |
| 
| 
| 
Wanjun
Zhang | |
| 
| 
| 
Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer) | |
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 | 
| 
Position | 
| 
Date | |
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/
Jun Liu | 
| 
Chief
Executive Officer, President and Director | 
| 
March
30, 2026 | |
| 
Jun
Liu | 
| 
(Principal
Executive Officer) | 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/
Wanjun Zhang | 
| 
Chief
Financial Officer | 
| 
| |
| 
Wanjun
Zhang | 
| 
(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer) | 
| 
March
30, 2026 | |
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/
Liqin Xie | 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
Liqin
Xie | 
| 
Chief
Operating Officer | 
| 
March
30, 2026 | |
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/
Yong Yan | 
| 
Director | 
| 
March
30, 2026 | |
| 
Yong
Yan | 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/
Xiaohui Hao | 
| 
Director | 
| 
March
30, 2026 | |
| 
Xiaohui
Hao | 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 
/s/
Helen Hsu | 
| 
Director | 
| 
March
30, 2026 | |
| 
Helen
Hsu | 
| 
| 
| 
| |
| 87 | |
**INDEX
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**Audited
Financial Statements**
| 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 6651) | 
F-2 | |
| 
Balance Sheets | 
F-3 | |
| 
Statements of Operations | 
F-4 | |
| 
Changes in Shareholders Equity | 
F-5 | |
| 
Statements of Cash Flow | 
F-6 | |
| 
Notes to Financial Statements | 
F-7 | |
| F-1 | |
****
**REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM**
Board
of Directors and Shareholders
Curanex
Pharmaceuticals Inc
**Opinion
on the Financial Statements**
We
have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Curanex Pharmaceuticals Inc (the Company) as of December 31, 2025 and 2024,
and the related statements of operations, changes in shareholders 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 financial statements). In our opinion, the
financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2025 and 2024,
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
financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 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 entitys 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/
Kreit & Chiu CPA LLP
We
have served as the Companys auditor since 2024.
Los
Angeles, California
March
30, 2026
| F-2 | |
**CURANEX
PHARMACEUTICALS INC**
**BALANCE
SHEETS**
| 
| | 
As
of December 31, 2025 | | | 
As
of December 31,
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
ASSETS | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Current
assets | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Cash | | 
$ | 4,973,134 | | | 
$ | 148,891 | | |
| 
Prepaid
Expenses | | 
| 6,254,374 | | | 
| 1,179 | | |
| 
Other
Current Assets | | 
| - | | | 
| 367,865 | | |
| 
Total
Current Assets | | 
| 11,227,508 | | | 
| 517,935 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Right-of-Use
Asset | | 
| 352,616 | | | 
| - | | |
| 
TOTAL
ASSETS | | 
$ | 11,580,124 | | | 
$ | 517,935 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Current
Liabilities | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Accrued
Expenses | | 
$ | 11,915 | | | 
$ | 9,575 | | |
| 
Accounts
Payable | | 
| 2,426 | | | 
| 5,000 | | |
| 
Lease
Liability, Current | | 
| 122,689 | | | 
| - | | |
| 
Total
Current Liabilities | | 
| 137,030 | | | 
| 14,575 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Lease
Liability, Noncurrent | | 
| 224,010 | | | 
| - | | |
| 
TOTAL
LIABILITIES | | 
$ | 361,040 | | | 
$ | 14,575 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Shareholders
Equity | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Common
Stock, 475,000,000 Shares
Authorized; $0.0001 par
Value; 28,340,812 Shares
Issued and Outstanding as of December 31, 2025, and 24,000,000
December 31, 2024 | | 
$ | 2,834 | | | 
$ | 2,400 | | |
| 
Preferred
Stock, 25,000,000 Shares Authorized; $0.0001 par Value; 1,000,000 Shares Issued and Outstanding as of December 31, 2025, and December
31, 2024 | | 
| 100 | | | 
| 100 | | |
| 
Common
Stock to be Issued | | 
| - | | | 
| 200,000 | | |
| 
Additional
Paid-in Capital | | 
| 16,063,705 | | | 
| 923,309 | | |
| 
Accumulated
Deficit | | 
| (4,847,555 | ) | | 
| (622,449 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
TOTAL
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY | | 
$ | 11,219,084 | | | 
$ | 503,360 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
TOTAL
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY | | 
$ | 11,580,124 | | | 
$ | 517,935 | | |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
| F-3 | |
**CURANEX
PHARMACEUTICALS INC**
**STATEMENTS
OF OPERATIONS**
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
For
the Years Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
Operating
Expenses: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
General
& Administrative | | 
$ | 1,253,203 | | | 
$ | 290,386 | | |
| 
IP
Development Impairments | | 
| - | | | 
| 74,676 | | |
| 
Research
& Development | | 
| 2,985,873 | | | 
| - | | |
| 
Total
Operating Expenses | | 
| 4,239,076 | | | 
| 365,062 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Loss
from Operations | | 
| (4,239,076 | ) | | 
| (365,062 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Other
Income (Expense): | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Interest
Expense | | 
| (8,537 | ) | | 
| - | | |
| 
Other
Income | | 
| 22,507 | | | 
| 3,556 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Net
Loss | | 
$ | (4,225,106 | ) | | 
$ | (361,506 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Net
Loss per Common Share: Basic and Diluted | | 
$ | (0.17 | ) | | 
$ | (0.03 | ) | |
| 
Weighted Average
Number of Common Shares | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Outstanding:
Basic and Diluted | | 
| 25,497,328 | | | 
| 13,259,016 | | |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
| F-4 | |
**CURANEX
PHARMACEUTICALS INC**
**CHANGES
IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY**
| 
| | 
Number
of Shares | | | 
Amount | | | 
Number
of Shares | | | 
Amount | | | 
Stock
to be Issued | | | 
Paid in
Capital | | | 
Accumulated
Deficit | | | 
Total | | |
| 
| | 
Common
Stock | | | 
Preferred
Stock | | | 
Common | | | 
Additional | | | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
| | 
Number
of Shares | | | 
Amount | | | 
Number
of Shares | | | 
Amount | | | 
Stock
to be Issued | | | 
Paid in
Capital | | | 
Accumulated
Deficit | | | 
Total | | |
| 
Balance
at December 31, 2023 | | 
| 600,000 | | | 
$ | 60 | | | 
| - | | | 
$ | - | | | 
$ | 200,000 | | | 
$ | 120,973 | | | 
$ | (260,943 | ) | | 
$ | 60,090 | | |
| 
Issuance
of Common Stock | | 
| 23,400,000 | | | 
| 2,340 | | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | | 
| 802,336 | | | 
| - | | | 
| 804,676 | | |
| 
Issuance
of Preferred Stock | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | | 
| 1,000,000 | | | 
| 100 | | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | | 
| 100 | | |
| 
Net
Loss | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | | 
| (361,506 | ) | | 
| (361,506 | ) | |
| 
Balance
at December 31, 2024 | | 
| 24,000,000 | | | 
$ | 2,400 | | | 
| 1,000,000 | | | 
$ | 100 | | | 
$ | 200,000 | | | 
$ | 923,309 | | | 
$ | (622,449 | ) | | 
$ | 503,360 | | |
| 
Balance | | 
| 24,000,000 | | | 
$ | 2,400 | | | 
| 1,000,000 | | | 
$ | 100 | | | 
$ | 200,000 | | | 
$ | 923,309 | | | 
$ | (622,449 | ) | | 
$ | 503,360 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Issuance
of Common Stock | | 
| 4,340,812 | | | 
| 434 | | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | | 
| (200,000 | ) | | 
| 15,140,396 | | | 
| - | | | 
| 14,940,830 | | |
| 
Net
Loss | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | | 
| (4,225,106 | ) | | 
| (4,225,106 | ) | |
| 
Balance
at December 31, 2025 | | 
| 28,340,812 | | | 
$ | 2,834 | | | 
| 1,000,000 | | | 
$ | 100 | | | 
$ | - | | | 
$ | 16,063,705 | | | 
$ | (4,847,555 | ) | | 
$ | 11,219,084 | | |
| 
Balance | | 
| 28,340,812 | | | 
$ | 2,834 | | | 
| 1,000,000 | | | 
$ | 100 | | | 
$ | - | | | 
$ | 16,063,705 | | | 
$ | (4,847,555 | ) | | 
$ | 11,219,084 | | |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
| F-5 | |
**CURANEX
PHARMACEUTICALS INC**
**STATEMENT
OF CASH FLOWS**
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
For
the Years Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Net
Loss for the Year | | 
$ | (4,225,106 | ) | | 
$ | (361,506 | ) | |
| 
Adjustments
to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Amortization
of Right-of-Use Assets | | 
| 79,396 | | | 
| - | | |
| 
IP
Development Impairments | | 
| - | | | 
| 74,676 | | |
| 
Changes
in Operating Assets and Liabilities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Prepaid
Expenses | | 
| (6,253,298 | ) | | 
| (1,179 | ) | |
| 
Lease
Liabilities | | 
| (85,210 | ) | | 
| - | | |
| 
Accounts
Payable | | 
| (2,574 | ) | | 
| 5,000 | | |
| 
Accrued
Expenses | | 
| 2,340 | | | 
| (4,701 | ) | |
| 
Other
Current Assets | | 
| - | | | 
| (267,865 | ) | |
| 
NET
CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | 
| (10,484,452 | ) | | 
| (555,575 | ) | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Issuance
of Common Stock Private Placements | | 
| - | | | 
| 630,000 | | |
| 
Issuance
of Preferred Stock | | 
| - | | | 
| 100 | | |
| 
Proceeds
from Issuance of Common Stock, net of Underwriting Costs - IPO | | 
| 15,655,192 | | | 
| - | | |
| 
Payment
of Offering Costs | | 
| (346,497 | ) | | 
| - | | |
| 
NET
CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | 
| 15,308,695 | | | 
| 630,100 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
NET
INCREASE IN CASH | | 
| 4,824,243 | | | 
| 74,525 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Cash
at Beginning of the Year | | 
| 148,891 | | | 
| 74,366 | | |
| 
Cash
at End of the Year | | 
$ | 4,973,134 | | | 
$ | 148,891 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Supplemental
Schedule of Cash Flow Information: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Non-cash
Investing & Financing Activities: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Issuance
of Common Stock with Non-cash Payment | | 
$ | - | | | 
$ | 100,000 | | |
| 
Recognition
of Right-of-Use Asset in Exchange for Lease Liability | | 
$ | 323,820 | | | 
$ | - | | |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
| F-6 | |
**NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**1.
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies**
**Description
of Business**
Curanex
Pharmaceuticals Inc (the Company) was originally incorporated as Durand Damiel Health Inc. under the laws of the State
of New York on June 1, 2018. The Company is headquartered in Jericho, NY, with an initial focus on research and development of health
products and botanical medicines.
On
November 9, 2023, the Company was rebranded as Curanex Pharmaceuticals Inc, and shifted its focus to discovering, developing, and commercializing
innovative botanical drugs for treating major unmet medical needs in patients with inflammatory diseases.
On
June 10, 2024, Curanex Pharmaceuticals Inc., a New York corporation (Curanex NY), entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger (the Merger Agreement) with Curanex Pharmaceuticals Inc, (the Surviving Corporation), a newly formed
Nevada corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Curanex NY. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, on the same date, Curanex NY, as the
parent in this transaction, merged with and into the Surviving Corporation (the Reincorporation Merger). Upon the consummation
of the Reincorporation Merger, Curanex NY ceased its legal existence as a New York corporation, and the Surviving Corporation continued
the business as the surviving corporation under the name Curanex Pharmaceuticals Inc
The
financial statements for the year ended 2024 reflect the impact of the Reincorporation Merger. In accordance with ASC 805 Business Combinations,
the merger has been treated as a reorganization under common control. As such, the assets and liabilities have been transferred to the
Surviving Corporation at their historical carrying amounts, and no gain or loss has been recognized in connection with the merger. The
balance sheet now presents the Nevada corporation as the surviving entity, incorporating the combined assets and liabilities of the predecessor
and the successor entities.
This
merger did not result in any changes to the reported financial position or results of operations for prior periods, as the historical
financial information of the Company has been carried forward to the Surviving Corporation. The impact of the merger on the financial
statements is primarily legal and administrative, ensuring the continuity of the Companys operations under the new jurisdiction
without interruption. Consequently, the financial statements include all transactions and balances of both the original and the surviving
entities, presented as if the merger had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented. This approach ensures consistency
and comparability in the financial reporting of the Companys ongoing business activities.
On
August 27, 2025, the Company successfully completed its initial public offering (the IPO) and began trading on the Nasdaq
Capital Market under the ticker symbol CURX.
Following
the completion of our IPO, the Company incurred significant research and development (R&D) expense, totaling approximately
$2,983,773 within the year ended December 31, 2025. These expenditures primarily related to FDA-mandated investigational new drug (IND)-enabling
studies supporting programs in ulcerative colitis, atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, and diabetic foot. R&D
activities during the period included good laboratory practice (GLP) toxicology and pharmacokinetic/bioanalytical studies,
chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) work involving formulation, stability, and method validation, as well as fees
to Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs).
The increase in R&D expense compared to prior periods reflects the progression of multiple investigational programs through preclinical
development toward IND submission and future clinical evaluation, consistent with the Companys development strategy following
the IPO.
**Basis
of Accounting**
The
accompanying financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles in the United States of America (GAAP).
| F-7 | |
**Use
of Estimates**
The
preparation of the financial statements requires the Company to make judgments in applying its accounting policies and estimates and
assumptions about the future. These judgments, estimates and assumptions affect the Companys reported amounts of assets, liabilities,
and items in net income (loss), and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, if any. Such estimates are based on
various assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances, and these estimates form the basis for making judgments
about the carrying value of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of items in net loss that are not readily apparent from other
sources. These estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant,
and actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The
estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the year
in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that year, or in the year of the revision and future years if the revision
affects both current and future years.
**Going
Concern**
At
the end of each reporting period, management exercises judgment in assessing the Companys ability to continue as a going concern
by reviewing the Companys performance, resources, and future obligations. This assessment is based on assumptions derived from
actual operating results, industry and market trends, and involves critical judgments regarding the Companys short and long-term
operating budgets, expected profitability, investment and financing activities, and strategic planning.
In
prior years, the Company disclosed conditions that raised substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management
has re-evaluated the Companys liquidity and capital resources in accordance with ASC 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements
Going Concern, for the twelve-month period following the issuance of these financial statements. While those conditions that initially
raised substantial doubt continued to exist as of the evaluation date, managements plans, primarily the successful completion
of the Companys initial public offering and the resulting improvement in liquidity, were determined to mitigate the substantial
doubt regarding the Companys ability to continue as a going concern. Accordingly, management concluded that no substantial doubt
exists about the Companys ability to continue as a going concern.
As
of December 31, 2025, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $5.0 million and received net proceeds of approximately
$13.24 million from its initial public offering completed in August 2025 and additional net proceeds of $2.07 million from the subsequent
exercise of the underwriters over-allotment option in September 2025. These proceeds, together with the Companys current
operating plan and anticipated cash flows, provide sufficient liquidity to meet the Companys obligations for at least the next
twelve months from the issuance date of these financial statements.
Accordingly,
management concluded that the factors which previously raised substantial doubt about the Companys ability to continue as a going
concern have been alleviated, and the accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
**Cash**
The
Company maintains balances with multiple financial institutions, with balances periodically exceeding the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(FDIC) insurance limit. The management monitors the cash balances in the operating accounts and adjusts the cash balances as appropriate;
however, these cash balances could be impacted if the underlying financial institutions fail or are subject to other adverse conditions
in the financial markets. To date, the Company has experienced no loss or lack of access to cash in the operating accounts.
**Basic
and Diluted Net Loss per Common Share**
The
Company computes loss per share in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings per Share, which requires presentation of both basic and diluted
earnings per share on the face of the statement of operations. Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to common
shareholders by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares during the period. Diluted loss per share gives effect to all
dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. During the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024, the Company had no
potential dilutive instruments and accordingly basic loss and diluted loss per share are the same.
| F-8 | |
**Initial
Public Offering**
On
August 27, 2025, the Company completed its initial public offering (IPO) of 3,750,000 shares of its common stock, par value
$0.0001 per share, at a public offering price of $4.00 per share. This offering generated gross proceeds of $15.0 million before underwriting
discounts, commissions, and other offering expenses.
In
connection with the IPO, total offering costs were approximately $2.12 million, consisting of $1.41 million in underwriting discounts
and commissions and $0.71 million of other offering-related expenses (including legal, accounting, and filing fees). The Company had
previously recorded these other offering costs as deferred IPO costs prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement. Upon the
closing of the IPO, all deferred costs were reclassified and recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital (APIC)
within stockholders equity.
After
deducting total underwriting discounts, commissions, and offering expenses, the Company received net proceeds of approximately $13.24
million from its IPO.
**Over-Allotment
Option**
On
September 12, 2025, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional 562,500 shares of the Companys common stock
at the same public offering price of $4.00 per share, resulting in gross proceeds of $2.25 million. The Company incurred $0.18 million
in underwriting discounts and commissions related to the option exercise. After deducting these offering costs, the Company received
net proceeds of $2.07 million.
All
costs directly attributable to the over-allotment exercise were likewise recorded as a reduction of APIC within stockholders equity,
consistent with the accounting for the initial closing.
**Fair
Value of Financial Instruments**
ASC
820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures establishes a framework for all fair value measurements and expands disclosures related to
fair value measurement and developments. ASC 820 defines fair value as the price 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.
ASC
820 requires that assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
| 
| Level
1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; | |
| 
| Level
2 Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability
either directly or indirectly; and | |
| 
| Level
3 Inputs that are not based on observable market data. | |
The
carrying amounts of cash and accrued liabilities approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these items.
**Leases
& Right of Use Assets**
The
Company adopted ASC 842 Leases on January 1, 2022. At inception of a contract, the Company assesses whether a contract is, or contains,
a lease. Contracts that convey the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration
are accounted for as leases giving rise to right-of-use assets.
At
the commencement date, a right-of-use asset is measured at cost, where cost comprises: (a) the amount of the initial measurement of the
lease liability; (b) any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, less any lease incentives received; (c) any initial
direct costs incurred by the Company; and (d) an estimate of costs to be incurred by the Company in dismantling and removing the underlying
asset, restoring the site on which it is located or restoring the underlying asset to the condition required by the terms and conditions
of the lease, unless those costs are incurred to produce inventories.
| F-9 | |
A
lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments. Subsequently, the Company measures a lease liability
by: (a) increasing the carrying amount to reflect interest on the lease liability; (b) reducing the carrying amount to reflect the lease
payments made; and (c) re-measuring the carrying amount to reflect any reassessment or lease modifications, or to reflect revised in-substance
fixed lease payments. Each lease payment is allocated between repayment of the lease principal and interest. Interest on the lease liability
in each period during the lease term is allocated to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the lease
liability. Except where the costs are included in the carrying amount of another asset, the Company recognizes in profit or loss (a)
the interest on a lease liability and (b) variable lease payments not included in the measurement of a lease liability in the period
in which the event or condition that triggers those payments occurs. The Company subsequently measures a right-of-use asset at cost less
any accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses; and adjusted for any re-measurement of the lease liability. Right-of-use
assets are depreciated over the shorter of the assets useful life and the lease term.
**Intangible
Assets**
The
Company accounts for transfers of assets between entities under common control in accordance with ASC 805-50, Business Combinations 
Related Party Transactions. When there is a transfer of assets, such as provisional patent applications, research and development (R&D)
studies and reports, and associated rights, between entities under common control, the assets are recognized at their carrying amount
in the financial statements of the receiving entity, consistent with the historical cost principle.
The
Company acquired IP assets from Duraviva Pharma Inc. (Duraviva), a New York corporation under common control, through an
asset purchase agreement. The IP assets include four provisional patent applications, eight research and development (R&D)
animal studies and reports, and the associated rights to use these studies for further research and development, clinical, and commercial
purposes. According to ASC 730-10-25-1, Research and Development, the costs of materials, equipment, facilities, and intangibles acquired
or produced for research and development activities should be expensed as incurred, unless they have alternative future uses. Since animal
studies typically do not have alternative future uses and are directly related to research activities, they are expensed immediately
rather than capitalized. Therefore, there is no book value recorded for R&D and associated rights.
As
required by ASC 805-50, the Company recorded these IP assets at their carrying amount, which was maintained based on the historical cost
principle and not adjusted to fair market value at the time of transfer. Since Duraviva recorded these IP assets at cost, the Company
also recorded the IP assets at the same value.
The
IP assets are amortized in accordance with ASC 350, IntangiblesGoodwill and Other. The Company uses a straight-line method of
amortization over an estimated useful life of 7 years unless a method that better reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits
of the intangible asset are consumed or otherwise used up can be reliably determined. However, legal fees associated with patent applications
are not amortized until the patent is approved; if the patent is not approved, these fees are expensed immediately, as per ASC 350.
The
estimated useful lives of the Companys intangible assets are determined based on several factors, including the nature of the
assets, the medical industry, and the Companys specific use of the assets:
Provisional Patent Applications These are typically converted to full patents within a year, but the useful life is usually tied
to the life of the resulting patent, which can be up to 20 years. However, the economic benefit derived from the patents might be shorter
in the medical industry, often around 7 to 10 years, due to the rapid pace of medical advancements and the regulatory environment. Medical
technologies and pharmaceuticals often face intense competition and fast-paced innovation cycles, which can limit the period during which
they generate significant revenue.
| F-10 | |
Intangible
assets with indefinite useful lives are tested annually for impairment or when events and circumstances indicate that the asset might
be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its fair value, following
ASC 350-30.
Determining the fair values of intangible assets, whether as part of a business combination or an impairment assessment, involves the
use of a probability-weighted income approach that discounts expected future cash flows to present value and requires the use of critical
estimated inputs, including:
Identification of product candidates with sufficient substance requiring separate recognition;
Estimates of projected future cash flows, including revenues and operating profits related to the products or product candidates, which,
for example, include significant inputs such as addressable patient population, treatment duration, and projected market share;
The probability of technical and regulatory success for unapproved product candidates, considering their stages of development;
The time and resources needed to complete the development and approval of product candidates;
An appropriate discount rate based on the estimated weighted-average cost of capital for companies with profiles similar to ours, representing
the rate that market participants would use to value the intangible assets;
The
life of the potential commercialized products and associated risks, including the inherent difficulties and uncertainties in developing
a product candidate such as obtaining FDA and other regulatory approvals.
**Risks
related to the viability of and potential alternative treatments in any future target markets.**
These
estimates are subject to uncertainty due to the high rate of failure inherent in the discovery and development of new products; delays
that can occur in development, approval, and product launch processes; unanticipated decisions made by regulatory agencies; the advent
of competing products; unexpected changes in U.S. and global financial markets; and other unanticipated events and circumstances.
For
the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company recorded $nil and $74,676 impairment charge related to its intangible assets,
respectively. The intangible assets related to capitalized legal fees for four provisional patent applications. These fees were erroneously
capitalized as intangible assets instead of being expensed. Based on both quantitative and qualitative considerations, the Company determined
that the misstatement was immaterial and therefore recorded an impairment charge to correct the error.
**General
and Administrative Costs**
General
and administrative (G&A) costs include all operational expenses required to operate the Company, such as accounting,
legal, bank charges, and other related expenditures.
**Research
and Development Costs**
The
Company accounts for research and development (R&D) costs in accordance with ASC 730, Research and Development. R&D
costs are expensed as incurred unless they represent nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services to be received in the future.
Nonrefundable advance payments to third partiessuch as Contract Research Organizations (CROs), Contract Development
and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs), clinical sites, and other service providersare recorded as prepaid expenses
and recognized in R&D expense as the related services are performed, generally over the contractual period of performance.
R&D
expense primarily includes employee-related costs (salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation) for personnel engaged in R
fees to CROs, CDMOs, consultants, and other third parties; clinical trial and preclinical study costs; and costs to manufacture and test
preclinical and clinical materials. The Company records accruals for services performed but not yet invoiced based on estimates of work
completed, patient enrollment/visits, manufacturing progress, and data from vendors. Up-front set-up or activation fees under executory
service arrangements are deferred and recognized over the expected period of performance. Materials, equipment, and licenses with no
alternative future use are expensed when incurred; items with alternative future use are capitalized and recognized in accordance with
the applicable guidance. Prepaid R&D balances are evaluated for recoverability and adjusted for changes in project scope, timing,
or cancellations.
| F-11 | |
**Deferred
Offering Costs**
The
Company accounts for deferred offering costs in accordance with ASC 340-10-S99-1, which prescribes that offering costs directly attributable
to an equity securities offering are to be deferred and charged against the gross proceeds of the offering, reducing additional paid-in
capital. These costs, including legal fees, registration fees, and underwriting fees, are capitalized as deferred offering costs and
recorded under other current assets on the balance sheet until the IPO is successfully completed. Upon the successful closing of the
IPO in August 2025, the deferred offering costs were reclassified and recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital within stockholders
equity.
**Income
Taxes**
The
Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740, Income Taxes. This standard requires the Company to use the asset and liability method,
which involves making estimates and assumptions and exercising judgment regarding the carrying values of assets and liabilities. These
values are subject to inherent accounting estimates, the interpretation of income tax legislation across various jurisdictions, expectations
about future operating results, the timing of reversal of temporary differences, and potential audits of income tax filings by tax authorities.
Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement carrying amounts
of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. These assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates
expected to apply to taxable income in the years when those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The impact
of changes in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts expected to be realized.
When
the Company incurs losses for income tax purposes, it assesses the probability of future taxable income based on budgeted forecasts.
These forecasts are adjusted to account for non-taxable income and expenses and specific rules on the use of unused credits and tax losses.
If the forecasts indicate that sufficient future taxable income will not be available to deduct the temporary differences, a deferred
tax asset is not recognized for all deductible temporary differences.
**Related
Party Transactions**
The
Company identifies and accounts for related party transactions, disclosing them in accordance with ASC 850, Related Party Disclosures,
and other relevant ASC standards. Parties are considered related to the Company if they, directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include the principal
owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of the principal owners and management, and other parties with
which the Company may engage in transactions if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies
of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests.
**Commitments
and Contingencies**
Certain
conditions existing as of the date the financial statements are issued may result in a loss to the Company but will only be resolved
by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more future events. Management assesses such contingent liabilities, which inherently involves
judgment. In evaluating loss contingencies related to pending legal proceedings or unasserted claims that could result in such proceedings,
the Companys management considers the perceived merits of these claims, and the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought.
| F-12 | |
If
it is probable that a material loss has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated, the estimated liability
is accrued in the Companys financial statements. If a potential material loss contingency is either not probable but reasonably
possible, or probable but cannot be estimated, the nature of the contingent liability, along with an estimate of the possible loss range,
if determinable and material, is disclosed.
On
October 3, 2024, the Company entered into an agreement with Revere Securities under which it may be required to pay a success-based fee
upon the completion of the offering. The success fee is contingent upon the final transaction value and consists of (i) 7% of the gross
proceeds from the sale of shares in the offering and (ii) a $100,000 advisory fee payable upon the closing of the offering. In April 2025, the Company provided written notice to Revere Securities
to terminate the previously executed agreement. In June 2025, the Company and Revere Securities entered into a mutual termination agreement,
pursuant to which the agreement was formally terminated. In connection with the termination, the Company paid $65,000 to Revere Securities
representing reimbursement of expenses incurred through the termination date. All other fee arrangements under the agreement, including
any contingent or success-based fees, were terminated, and no additional amounts are payable by the Company.
**Segment Reporting**
Operating segments are
defined as components of an entity where discrete financial information is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker
(CODM) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Companys Chief Executive Officer
is its CODM. The Companys CODM uses GAAP financial statements for the purposes of making operating decisions, allocating resources
and evaluating financial performance. As such, the Company has determined that it operates in one operating and one reportable segment.
The Companys long-lived assets are entirely based in the United States.
**Recent
Accounting Pronouncements**
The
Company is classified as an emerging growth company (EGC) under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the JOBS
Act). This classification allows EGCs to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued after the enactment of the JOBS Act
until these standards apply to private companies. The Company has chosen to delay the adoption of these new or revised accounting standards.
The
Company is classified as a smaller reporting company (SRC) under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations.
This classification allows SRCs to provide scaled disclosures in their SEC filings, including reduced financial statement and executive
compensation disclosure requirements. The Company has elected to take advantage of these scaled disclosure requirements to simplify its
reporting processes.
The
Company evaluated the impact of ASU 2024-03, *Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses*, issued by the Financial Accounting Standards
Board (FASB) as issued by the FASB in March 2024. The update provides requires additional disclosures to provide disaggregated
information about certain expense captions presented in the income statement, including, among other items, inventory, employee compensation,
depreciation, and amortization, to enhance transparency into the nature of expenses. The amendments in ASU 2024-03 are effective for
annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The Company
is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its financial statement disclosures. While the standard
is not expected to have an impact on the Companys results of operations, financial position, or cash flows, it is expected to
result in expanded disclosures upon adoption.
Apart
from as mentioned above, management does not believe that other recently issued but not yet effective accounting standards, if currently
adopted, would have a material effect on the Companys balance sheets, statements of operations, or cash flows.
**2.
Accrued Expenses**
A
summary of accrued expenses is as follows:
Schedule
of Accrued Expenses
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
For
the Years Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
Accounting
fees | | 
$ | 550 | | | 
$ | 9,550 | | |
| 
Payroll
expenses | | 
| 9,741 | | | 
| - | | |
| 
Rent | | 
| 1,599 | | | 
| - | | |
| 
Tax
fees | | 
| 25 | | | 
| 25 | | |
| 
Total
Accrued Expenses | | 
$ | 11,915 | | | 
$ | 9,575 | | |
****
| F-13 | |
****
**3.
Prepaid expenses**
A
summary of prepaid expenses is as follows:
Schedule
of Prepaid Expenses
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
For
the Years Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
Insurance | | 
$ | 80,232 | | | 
$ | - | | |
| 
R&D | | 
| 6,166,294 | | | 
| - | | |
| 
Other | | 
| 7,848 | | | 
| 1,179 | | |
| 
Total
Prepaid Expenses | | 
$ | 6,254,374 | | | 
$ | 1,179 | | |
**4.
Other Current Assets**
Our
other current assets primarily consisted of deferred offering costs incurred in connection with our initial public offering. These costs,
which included legal, accounting, and filing fees directly attributable to the IPO, were recorded as an asset on the balance sheet prior
to the completion of the offering. Upon the successful closing of the IPO in August 2025, the deferred offering costs were reclassified
and recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital within stockholders equity.
A
summary of other current assets is as follows:
Schedule
of Other Current Assets
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
For
the Years Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Deferred
IPO Expenses: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Legal
fees | | 
$ | - | | | 
$ | 200,025 | | |
| 
Underwriting
fees | | 
| - | | | 
| 110,000 | | |
| 
Other
IPO related expenses | | 
| - | | | 
| 57,840 | | |
| 
Other
Current Asset | | 
$ | - | | | 
$ | 367,865 | | |
**5.
Lease**
On
January 1, 2025, the Company assumed an office lease from Duraviva Pharma Inc. (Duraviva), a New York corporation under
common control, through a lease assignment agreement. Thelease term extends through August 31, 2026.The Company classified
the lease as an operating lease. Upon adoption of ASC 842, the Company recognized right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability
for its operating lease.
During
the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company entered into lease agreements for three motor vehicles with non-cancelable terms ranging from
36 to 51 months.
| F-14 | |
The
following summarizes information about the Companys lease as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Schedule
of Lease
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
For
the Years Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
Amount
recognized in the income statements | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Operating
lease expense | | 
$ | 88,040 | | | 
$ | - | | |
| 
| | 
As
of December 31, 2025 | | | 
As
of December 31, 2024 | | |
| 
| | 
| | | 
| | |
| 
Amount
recognized in the balance sheets | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Right-of-use
assets | | 
$ | 352,616 | | | 
$ | - | | |
| 
Operating
lease liabilities | | 
| 346,699 | | | 
| - | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Amount
recognized in the income statements | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Operating
lease expense | | 
$ | 88,040 | | | 
$ | - | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Cash
paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Operating
lease expense | | 
$ | 93,957 | | | 
$ | - | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Lease
commitment | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
2026 | | 
$ | 136,921 | | | 
$ | - | | |
| 
2027 | | 
| 89,964 | | | 
| - | | |
| 
2028 | | 
| 86,766 | | | 
| | | |
| 
2029 | | 
| 61,078 | | | 
| | | |
| 
Total
future minimum lease payments | | 
| 374,729 | | | 
| - | | |
| 
less
imputed interest | | 
| (28,030 | ) | | 
| - | | |
| 
Present
value of lease liabilities | | 
$ | 346,699 | | | 
$ | - | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Supplement
information | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Discount
rate | | 
| 5.47 | % | | 
| n.a. | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Remaining
lease term | | 
| 47months | | | 
| n.a. | | |
**6.
Income Taxes**
Due
to the Companys net losses and the valuation allowance provided on the related deferred tax assets, there were no provisions for
income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024.
The
components of income tax provision (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 are as follows:
Schedule
of Components of Income Tax Provision (benefit)
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
For the Years Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Current income tax expense: | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Federal | | 
$ | - | | | 
$ | - | | |
| 
State and local | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | |
| 
Total current income tax expense: | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) | | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Federal | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | |
| 
State and local | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | |
| 
Total deferred income tax expense | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | |
| 
| | 
| | | | 
| | | |
| 
Total income tax provision (benefit) | | 
$ | - | | | 
$ | - | | |
The following table presents a reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory
income tax rate to the Companys effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:
Schedule
of Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
For
the Years Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
U.S.
federal statutory rate | | 
| 21.0 | % | | 
| 21.0 | % | |
| 
State
and local taxes, net of federal benefit | | 
| 5.1 | % | | 
| 5.1 | % | |
| 
Change
in valuation allowance | | 
| (26.1 | )% | | 
| (26.1 | )% | |
| 
Effective
tax rate | | 
| - | % | | 
| - | % | |
| F-15 | |
Deferred
income tax assets as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, are as follows:
Schedule
of Deferred Income Tax Assets
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
| | 
For
the Years Ended December 31, | | |
| 
| | 
2025 | | | 
2024 | | |
| 
Net
operating losses carry forwards | | 
$ | 1,017,359 | | | 
$ | 130,087 | | |
| 
Others | | 
| - | | | 
| - | | |
| 
Total
deferred tax assets | | 
| 1,017,359 | | | 
| 130,087 | | |
| 
Less
valuation allowance | | 
| (1,017,359 | ) | | 
| (130,087 | ) | |
| 
Total
deferred tax assets | | 
$ | - | | | 
$ | - | | |
In
assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management evaluates whether it is more likely than not that some or all of these assets
will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends on generating future taxable income during the periods
when these temporary differences become deductible.
Based
on the available objective evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets will not be realizable.
Accordingly, the Company has applied a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2025, and 2024.
The net change in the total valuation allowance between December 31, 2025, and 2024, was an increase of $887,271.
The
Company is subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and relevant state tax authorities.
The Company is incorporated in the state of Nevada, which does not impose a corporate income tax.
The
Companys policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
As of December 31, 2025, and 2024, the Company did not have any significant uncertain tax positions or unrecognized tax benefits. Additionally,
as of December 31, 2025, and 2024, the Company has federal net operating loss carry forwards of $4,847,550 and $622,449, respectively,
for tax purposes. These net operating loss carryforwards may be carried forward indefinitely; however, their utilization may be subject
to limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code in the event of a change in ownership.
**7.
Related Party Transactions**
On
June 17, 2024, following the completion of Reincorporation, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
(the Asset Purchase Agreement) with Duraviva. Duraviva is a related party, as the majority shareholders, including its
President and members of the Presidents immediate family, are also majority shareholders, officers, and directors in both entities.
On the same day, the Company closed the transactions outlined in the Asset Purchase Agreement (the Closing).
At
the Closing, Duraviva transferred and assigned to the Company four provisional patent applications, eight research and development animal
studies and reports, and the rights to use these studies for further research and development, clinical, and commercial purposes (collectively,
the IP Assets). In exchange for the transfer and assignment of the IP Assets, a cash consideration of $630,000, and a non-cash
consideration of $100,000, which together constituted substantially all of Duravivas assets, the Company issued an aggregate of
23,400,000 shares of common stock, adjusted retroactively for the reverse stock split, to Duravivas shareholders, proportionate
to their ownership in Duraviva.
In
January 2025, Duraviva also assigned its office lease to the Company. The terms of the lease, including the original lease end date,
remained unchanged upon reassignment. The Company accounted for the lease under ASC 842 as an operating lease. Please refer to Note 4
Lease.
In
February and May 2025, the Company received two $200,000 loans from an existing shareholder to support ongoing costs related to its initial
public offering. The loans accrue simple interest at an annual rate of 4.34%, with both principal and interest due at maturity in February
and May 2027.
In
September 2025, following the completion of the Companys IPO, the shareholder loans were fully repaid, including all accrued interest.
Total interest paid upon settlement amounted to $8,537. As a result of the repayment, there were no outstanding related-party loan balances
as of December 31, 2025.
| F-16 | |
**8.
Shareholders Equity**
Common
Stock
The
Company is authorized to issue 475,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Each share entitles the holder to one
vote on matters submitted to stockholders and to receive dividends as and if declared by the Board of Directors.
As
of December 31, 2024, the Company had 24,000,000 shares of common stock issued and outstanding (giving retroactive effect to the reverse
stock split described below).
During
2025, in connection with its initial public offering and related transactions, the Company issued an aggregate of 4,340,812 shares of
common stock, consisting of (i) 3,750,000 shares issued upon the closing of the IPO on August 27, 2025, (ii) 562,500 shares issued upon
the underwriters exercise of their over-allotment option on September 12, 2025, and (iii) 28,312 shares issued on September 23,
2025 to settle a previously recorded common stock to be issued balance.
Following
these issuances, the Company had 28,340,812 shares of its common stock issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2025, including an aggregate
of 4,340,812 shares of common stock issued during the quarter ended December 31, 2025.
**Reverse
Stock Split**
Effective
November 19, 2024, the Board of Directors approved a three-for-five reverse stock split of the Companys issued and outstanding
common stock. The par value of $0.0001 per share was not affected. All share and per-share amounts for all periods presented have been
retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split.
**Subscriptions
Received Shares to be Issued**
In
2019, the Company received $200,000 in cash from an existing investor for a subscription to common stock representing 0.1% of the Companys
then-anticipated total issued and outstanding shares upon completion of the IPO. This amount was recorded as common stock to be
issued within stockholders equity and remained outstanding as of December 31, 2024.
Following
the successful completion of the IPO, the Company issued 28,312 shares of common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2025 to
settle this subscription in full. As of December 31, 2025, there were no remaining shares or amounts recorded as common stock
to be issued.
**Preferred
Stock**
The
Company is authorized to issue 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock at $0.0001 per share. The Companys Board of Directors also
has the authority to issue additional preferred stock in one or more classes or series.
On
June 14, 2024, the Companys Board of Directors approved the issuance of 1,000,000 shares of Series A Super Voting Preferred Stock
(Series A Preferred Stock) at the par value of $0.0001 per share. These shares grant the holders 40% of the total voting
power of the Companys equity voting stock. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock do not possess any rights to dividends.
No
shares of preferred stock were issued during the year ended December 31, 2025.
| F-17 | |
**9.
Subsequent Events**
The
Company has evaluated subsequent events through March 30, 2026, the date the financial statements were issued.
On
December 31, 2025, Haiyan Yang resigned as the Companys Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective immediately. Ms. Yangs
resignation was not the result of any disagreement with the Company regarding its operations, policies, or practices.
In
connection with Ms. Yangs resignation, the Company appointed Wanjun Zhang as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective
January 1, 2026. In connection with his appointment, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Zhang for an initial term
of two years beginning January 1, 2026, pursuant to which Mr. Zhang will perform the duties of Chief Financial Officer of a publicly
listed company. The agreement provides for annual compensation of $20,000.
On
March 2, 2026, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Jun Liu, its Chief Executive Officer and President, effective March
1, 2026, for an initial 3three-year term. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of $393,600, eligibility to participate in
the Companys equity incentive plan, standard employee benefits, reimbursement of business expenses, and certain severance provisions,
including continuation of salary and benefits for a limited period upon termination without cause or for good reason. The Company also
agreed to cover certain automobile lease expenses.
On
March 2, 2026, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Dr. Liqin Xie, its Chief Operating Officer, effective March 1, 2026.
The agreement provides for an annual base salary of $180,000, eligibility to participate in the Companys equity incentive plan,
standard employee benefits, and severance provisions, including continuation of salary and benefits for a limited period upon certain
qualifying terminations.
The
employment agreements with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer also include customary restrictive covenants, including
confidentiality, non-solicitation, and non-competition provisions, as well as proprietary information and invention assignment obligations.
On
March 18, 2026, we issued an aggregate of 24,000
shares of Common Stock to Dr. Huijuan Zhong as additional compensation.
These shares were valued at $0.408
per share, the closing price on March 17, 2026, as reported
on Nasdaq. These shares were issued in reliance on exemption from registration requirements under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act,
as transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering.
These
events represent non-recognized subsequent events as of December 31, 2025, and accordingly, no adjustments have been made to the accompanying
financial statements.
Other
than the matters described above, the Company did not identify any additional subsequent events that would require adjustment to or disclosure
in the financial statements.
| F-18 | |