ITEM 1.BUSINESS
THE CORPORATION
OVERVIEW
We are a vaccine company and are focused on developing next generation vaccines for infectious diseases, with five vaccine candidates in our pipeline: HIV-1/AIDS, intra nasal Influenza, Malaria, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and the Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV) vaccine. Our core technology and expertise lays in the use of virosomes, lipid-based carriers containing functional fusion viral proteins and natural membrane proteins, in combination with rationally designed antigens. Our vaccines are designed to induce protection against early transmission and infection, focusing on the mucosal immune response as a first-line defense, which, for some pathogens, may be essential for the development of an effective prophylactic vaccine We believe that virosomes are the most promising vaccine delivery systems since they do not use live attenuated or killed pathogens and increase the immunogenicity and stability of the vaccine.
We currently do not make, market or sell any products, but we generate some revenue through the licensing of our RSV vaccine, grant funding and R&D services. We believe that our research and development activities will result in valuable intellectual property and know-how that can generate significant revenues for us in the future such as by licensing. Vaccines are one of the fastest growing markets in the pharmaceutical industry. Vaccines have evolved from being an exclusively low price sector to one where substantial prices may be paid for some vaccine products that address unmet medical needs.
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY
We were incorporated in July 1994 pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the name "PDG Remediation, Inc." In November 1996, we reincorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and changed our name to "ICHOR Corporation." In July 2001, we changed our name to "Mymetics Corporation."
In March 2001, we acquired 99.9% of the outstanding shares of the French registered company Mymetics S.A. in consideration for shares of our common stock and shares of Class B Exchangeable Preferential Non-Voting Stock of 6543 Luxembourg S.A., which were convertible into shares of our common stock. In 2002, we acquired all but 0.01% of the remaining outstanding common stock of Mymetics S.A. pursuant to share exchanges with the remaining stockholders of Mymetics S.A. The terms of these share exchanges were substantially similar to the terms of the share exchange that occurred in March 2001. In 2004, all the remaining convertible shares of 6543 Luxembourg S.A. not already held by Mymetics Corporation were converted into shares of Mymetics Corporation. On February 7, 2006, the Tribunal de Commerce in Lyon, France placed the French subsidiary Mymetics S.A., under receivership ("Redressement Judiciaire") and this subsidiary was subsequently officially closed by the Tribunal de Commerce in Lyon on March 21, 2012.
We own all of the outstanding voting stock of: (i) Mymetics S.A., a company originally organ
ized as Mymetics Management Sаrl in 2007 under the laws of Switzerland, (ii) Bestewil Holding B.V. and (
iii) Bestewil Holding B.V’s subsidiary Mymetics B.V. (formerly Virosome Biologicals B.V.) both of which are organized under the laws of The Netherlands and were acquired in 2009. In this document, unless the context otherwise requires, "Mymetics" and the "Corporation" refer to Mymetics Corporation and its subsidiaries.
MYMETICS S.A.
Our Swiss subsidiary Mymetics S.A. was founded in 2007 as Mymetics Management Sàrl to facilitate the conduct of our business in Switzerland. This includes managing our staff retirement and social security contributions, leasing our Swiss premises and other such local tasks which a U.S. registered company cannot easily conduct without significant legal and organizational costs. The change in name and bylaws affected in 2009, from “Société à Responsabilité Limitée » (SàRL) to “Société Anonyme” (SA) is indicative of the transition from a pure service company status of this unit to a development company in its own rights within Mymetics Corporation.
BESTEWIL HOLDING B.V. and its subsidiary MYMETICS B.V.
On April 1, 2009 we entered into an agreement with Norwood Immunology Limited (“NIL”) for the acquisition of Bestewil Holding B.V. (“Bestewil”) from its parent, NIL, under a Share Purchase Agreement pursuant to which we agreed to purchase all issued and outstanding shares of capital stock (the “Bestewil Shares”) of Bestewil from its parent, NIL, and all issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Virosome Biologicals B.V. which were held by Bestewil. Virosome Biologicals B.V., the name of which was subsequently changed to Mymetics B.V., continues to be engaged in research and development activities in its own facilities in Leiden (Netherlands) under the management of its founder, the original inventor of the virosome technology.
STRATEGY
With only 26 diseases addressed by vaccines in the world today, it is a well-known fact that the world needs many more vaccines and focus on prevention.
Our vision is to become the market leader in the research and development of new generation virosome and membrane protein based vaccines for infectious diseases.
By using virosomes as a delivery platform, Mymetics vaccine candidates do not use live attenuated or killed pathogens, while increasing the immunogenicity and stability of the vaccine.
Moreover, the company’s vaccines are designed to induce protection against early transmission and infection, focusing both on the mucosal immune response as a first-line defense and on the systemic humoral (blood) immune response, which, for some pathogens, may be essential for the development of an effective prophylactic vaccine.
Our strategy is to strengthen our virosome and membrane protein know how, expertise and intellectual property and extend the application of our key scientific approaches to new vaccines by:
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Leveraging the effective and safe virosome vaccine technology and know-how
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Building on our leading expertise in membrane proteins and lipid membranes
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Advancing existing vaccine candidates through Phase II clinical trials with our partners
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Maintaining a comprehensive IP portfolio
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Adopting a flexible cost model based on a combination of in-house expertise and best-in-class outsourcing
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Entering into strategic partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies and research organizations
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This approach has resulted in the development of a rich pipeline of promising vaccine candidates in either the pre-clinical or Phase I stage of development and a strong validation through world leading partnerships.
PRODUCTS UNDER DEVELOPMENT
Our current pipeline has five proprietary vaccines in development: HIV-1, malaria, herpes simplex virus type I and II (HSV-1 and HSV-II), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and intra-nasal influenza vaccine. The vaccines in our portfolio are primarily prophylactic. The current stage of development of these vaccines is shown in the table below:
Vaccine
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Pre-Clinical
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Phase
I
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HIV-1
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X
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RSV
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X
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HSV
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X
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Malaria
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X
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Influenza
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X
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HIV-1 and AIDS
HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus type 1) is a retrovirus that gradually destroys the immune system and ultimately leads to AIDS. HIV-1 is among the pathogens harboring the highest genetic variation, leading to millions of variants, each rapidly mutating. Indeed, HIV-1 exists under many different versions (aka “clades”), like members of a large family; they are different from, but related to each other.
Our current prophylactic HIV-1 vaccine candidate is constituted of virosomes linked to conserved antigens (epitopes) derived from the HIV-1 gp41 proteins from the clade B, the dominant clade found in Europe and North America. The vaccine is designed to trigger blood and mucosal antibodies of both isotype IgG and IgA, for example in the vaginal and intestinal tracts. The rationale for the design of the vaccine was based on the observation that certain people who are repeatedly exposed to HIV-1 do not contract infection; they were shown to have mucosal antibodies in the semen or vaginal secretions against the HIV-1 gp41 that apparently protect them. We intend for our vaccine to imitate “Mother Nature”.
Key scientific results with the HIV vaccine to date:
2005:
“Proof of Concept” for inducing mucosal antibodies
. Vaccination of rabbits with virosomes-P1 elicited mucosal antibodies in the vagina and intestinal mucosa. P1 is a synthetic peptide corresponding to the C-terminal end of the C-helix ectodomain of the gp41. In a laboratory test, these antibodies strongly inhibited HIV-1 passage through the mucosal tissues, also called trancytosis, confirming the potential of developing an HIV-1 vaccine that prevents infection at the mucosal layer.
2006/2007:
Mucosal antibodies in monkeys
. Macaque monkeys (
Macaca Mulatta),
from Chinese origin, showed after vaccination with virosomes-P1, specific mucosal antibodies, which were detected in more than 90% of the animals and harboring the potential to block
in-vitro
HIV-1 trancytosis, confirming the rabbit data.
2008:
Full protection of monkeys against multiple vaginal challenges with live heterologous clade B virus
. Macaque monkeys from Chinese origin were vaccinated with both virosomes-modified P1 and virosomes-rgp41 (vaccine MYM-V201.) One month after the last vaccination, animals received multiple intra-vaginal challenges with the live SHIV
SF162P3
virus. The vaccinated animals that developed mucosal antibodies with trancytosis inhibition activity were not infected with the virus, while the placebo vaccinated control group was fully infected.
Dec 2008:
Approval to start Phase I clinical trials
. After the ground breaking results of the monkey study in 2006 and 2008, a Phase I study proposal (IMPD, IB, clinical protocol, etc.) was submitted and approved by the Independent Ethics Committee (IEC) of the Ghent University Hospital. Mymetics received the approval and authorization from the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAGG) in Belgium to conduct the clinical trial MYM-V101-CT08-101 (EudraCT number 2008-007306-10) for testing the drug product MYM-V101 (virosomes with the modified and lipidated P1).
Sep.- Oct. 2009:
Production of the GMP-grade vaccine
(MYMV101: virosomes-modified P1) for a Phase I clinical trial in Belgium. European competent authorities require GMP-grade products for clinical phase I. GMP-grade products are notoriously more difficult and costly to produce than GLP-grade ones. Succeeding in the GMP production is considered a major achievement.
Dec. 2009 - Sep. 2010:
Phase I clinical trial –“proof of principle”
with the final signed report in July 2011. The trial demonstrated that virosomes-modified P1 can induce mucosal antibodies in the genital tract of women, and confirmed the immunogenicity data previously obtained on monkeys. The drug product MYMV-101 was used as a vaccine in a double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase I study at CEVAC (Ghent, Belgium), involving 24 healthy women randomized in two Panels to monitor safety and mucosal immunogenicity. In each Panel, eight subjects received the vaccine and four subjects received the placebo through intra-muscular and intra-nasal administrations. The Phase I clinical trial achieved its primary objective and showed that the HIV vaccine MYMV101 was safe and well tolerated by healthy women. The secondary objective was also met as the presence of IgG and IgA antibodies in the serum of all vaccinated women was detected. Further, samples showed that mucosal antibodies in the vaginal and rectal secretions were present. Tested vaginal secretions could block
in vitro
the HIV-1 transcytosis, confirming the previous pre-clinical work. Mymetics could claim a shelf life of nine months for its MYM-V101 drug product. Results were published in PlosOne, February 20, 2013.
Oct. 2014 – to date: Start of a non-human primate study in collaboration with Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas which is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Objective of the study is to confirm the results obtained in previous pre-clinical studies and investigate the role of the two antigens. Results are expected during the first half of 2016.
May 2015 – to date: the Company was selected to receive project grants funded as part of Horizon 2020, the European Union research and innovation framework program and by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for the Swiss based consortium partners. The grant will fund the evaluation, development and manufacturing scale-up of thermo-stable and cold-chain independent nano-pharmaceutical virosome-based vaccine candidates. The consortium partners are Catalent UK Swindon Zydis Ltd, Chimera Biotec GmbH (Germany), Upperton Ltd. (UK) and Bachem AG (Switzerland). The project duration is 42 months and started on May 4, 2015.
Next steps:
Towards the end of March 2016 we will obtain the results of the non-human primate study. A successful study will trigger a phase where the mechnisms of protection will be analyzed and also start the planning of the clinical trial development for the Mymetics HIV vaccine candidate, building on the previous Phase I that already showed a good safety and tolerance profile and the induction of mucosal and humoral antibodies. Funding for the clinical trial development will be sought from partners and grant funding organizations. A combined Phase I/II on women and men might start by the end 2016 and an eventual market launch anticipated in 2025.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a disease that causes infections of the lower respiratory tract, mainly in infants and young children. The virus, which belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family, can cause symptoms similar to the common cold, but can also lead to otitis media (middle ear infection), pneumonia, and bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung). Infection with RSV early in life can increase the chances of developing recurrent wheezing and asthma. Globally, RSV is responsible for over 30 million new acute lower respiratory infection episodes annually and up to 199,000 deaths in children under five years old, with 99 percent of these deaths occurring in low-resource countries. It’s so widespread in the United States that nearly all children become infected with the virus before their second birthdays. The elderly population is also at risk of severe RSV disease.
Approach:
The RSV vaccine consists of the reconstituted membrane of RSV containing the native viral proteins, which can be adjuvanted with a lipopeptide or other adjuvants. In mice, our RSV vaccine was shown to induce cellular and humoral immunity to the virus, with a balanced Th1/Th2 response, resulting in protection against a live virus challenge, and without inducing “enhanced disease” (a skewed Th1/Th2 response being the hallmark of enhanced disease). In cotton rats, a better model than mice for RSV, the vaccine protected against a live virus challenge, without inducing enhanced disease. In a direct comparison with the 1960’s vaccine of another pharmaceutical company that caused severe safety issues in infants, another group of cotton rats was immunized with formaldehyde-inactivated virus, and developed enhanced disease after vaccination and challenge. Mymetics focuses on developing an RSV vaccine for elderly followed by a vaccine for children.
Key Results to date
:
2007: First pre-clinical research on our RSV vaccine.
2008 and 2009: MedImmune repeated key experiments in order to obtain their own validation of the results. Results were beyond their expectation but MedImmune decided not to continue the program.
2010: Conducting additional pre-clinical research and improving the manufacturing procedure of the RSV virosomes and
publication of Mymetics RSV results in scientific journal “Vaccine.
2011: Improved the understanding of the adjuvant ratio in different formulations and continued further tests on cotton rats and mice at the University of Groningen, Netherlands, showing that a different adjuvant ratios still triggered protection and the absence of enhanced disease and the vaccine could trigger systemic and mucosal antibodies.
May 2012: Publication of Mymetics RSV vaccine results in scientific journal “PLOS ONE”.
2013: Improved up-scale capabilities and up and down stream process of vaccine production and tested different formulations.
March 2013: Publication of Mymetics RSV vaccine results in scientific journal “Vaccine”.
April 2013: Publication of Mymetics RSV vaccine results in scientific journal “Influenza Journal”
Dec. 2013: Mymetics signed a License and Collaboration Agreement with RSV Corporation (RSVC), a dedicated entity specifically set-up for developing the Mymetics RSV vaccine. Under this agreement Astellas Pharma Inc. will fund RSVC’s development of the virosome vaccine technology, licensed from Mymetics for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) through completion of a Phase 2b human proof
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of
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concept study. Based on the strategic partnership, Astellas received exclusive rights to acquire RSVC as well as further develop and commercialize the vaccine product. We continue to provide research and development activities for the pre-clinical phases and prepare for the upscale production, assay developments and provide further scientific advice on the development of the RSV virosome vaccine.
Next steps
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On January 25, 2016 Mymetics received notice from RSVC that it will no longer pursue the development of a vaccine technology for RSV in order to focus on other infectious therapies. The LCA which was signed on December 27, 2013, between Bestewil Holding BV and RSVC will formally be terminated as of July 25, 2016. Mymetics will regain all the rights, results and data related to the research, development and commercialization once the license agreement with RSVC terminates. Both parties will work together in the coming months to facilitate this transfer. In addition, Mymetics announced that it will be starting the development of a vaccine for Chikungunya and has started to investigate the possibilities of developing a vaccine for Zika.
Intranasal Influenza
Approach:
The intranasal influenza vaccine consists of the reconstituted membrane of influenza virus, also containing a lipopeptide adjuvant. In mice, intranasal application of virosomes without adjuvant does not induce immunity to influenza; however, incorporation of the lipopeptide in the virosomes produces a candidate vaccine that does induce cellular immunity, as well as serum and mucosal antibodies to the virus. The vaccine was licensed to Solvay Pharmaceuticals, a major European pharmaceutical company, which was acquired by Abbott Laboratories. Since October 2011, Mymetics has been able to reclaim the intra-nasal influenza vaccine in its portfolio as Abbott decided not to continue the product due to strategic decisions.
Key results to date:
2005:
The vaccine completed pre-clinical trials
. A first milestone payment was received from Solvay in the same year.
2006:
Successful completion of Phase I trial
. The vaccine was shown to be safe and well tolerated and induced an immune response which met and exceeded CHMP (European regulatory) criteria for an off-the-shelf injected vaccine. Subsequent milestone payment was received.
Next steps:
Mymetics will seek partners for its intra-nasal influenza vaccine and will thereby focus on mainly emerging market vaccine manufacturers.
Malaria
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female mosquitoes.
About 3.2 billion people – almost half of the world’s population – are at risk of malaria. Young children, pregnant women and non-immune travellers from malaria-free areas are particularly vulnerable to the disease when they become infected. Malaria is preventable and curable, and increased efforts are dramatically reducing the malaria burden in many places. Between 2000 and 2015, malaria incidence among populations at risk (the rate of new cases) fell by 37% globally. In that same period, malaria death rates among populations at risk fell by 60% globally among all age groups, and by 65% among children under 5. Sub-Saharan Africa carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2015, the region was home to 88% of malaria cases and 90% of malaria deaths.. (Source: WHO).
Malaria is caused by a parasite called
Plasmodium
, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells.
Malaria being an extremely climate-sensitive disease, a potential risk exists that Global Warming leads Malaria towards areas in higher latitudes
Approach
: The malaria vaccine design is based on optimized mimicry of the native parasite protein structure and eliciting antibodies against two stages of the parasite life cycle, unlike 70% of vaccine candidates, which target only one or the other parasite. It is today among the rare malaria vaccine candidates able to also boost existing malaria immune responses (it has both prophylactic and therapeutic effects) in subjects that were previously exposed to malaria. A second malaria vaccine candidate is under development as Mymetics virosome technology and know-how had been selected to collaborate with PATH-MVI and the LMIV (NIAID) to develop a transmission blocking malaria vaccine candidate based on the virosome technology and two antigens provided by LMIV.
Key results to date:
2007:
Mymetics acquired a Malaria vaccine project
from Pevion Biotech (Ittigen, Switzerland). A human clinical trial Phase Ia for the vaccine with two antigens (AMA-1 and CSP-1) anchored to virosomes was successfully completed on adults in Switzerland. Results showed good safety and tolerability, and the induction of blood antibodies.
2008 - 2009:
Phase Ib in Tanzania on children and young adults
. The clinical trial Phase Ib in Tanzania evaluated the safety of the same antigens with virosomes on children and young adults under “native” (endemic) conditions. The final report showed that the vaccine induced specific AMA and CSP antibodies in the majority of children and the CSP antibodies have remained up 12 months. The overall malaria clinical episodes were reduced by 50% in vaccinated group compared to the placebo group.
Nov. 2014; Mymetics signed an agreement with PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) and the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology (LMIV) of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), where Mymetics will develop and produce virosome based vaccine formulations for a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine candidate which will be based on two antigens provided by LMIV. The vaccine formulations will then be tested in animal models. PATH MVI will fund all activities under this project, which started in January 2015. The Company recognizes revenue under the proportional performance method and recognized E306 for the year ending December 31, 2015. In addition, fees received in advance for research and development services are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized ratably over the period that the services are provided.
Next steps
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The collaboration with PATH-MVI and LMIV will deliver results during the first quarter of 2016. Depending on the success of this study, the next step could be to prepare for clinical trials for a malaria transmission-blocking virosome vaccine and also explore the possibilities to combine this vaccine with Mymetics first virosome vaccine candidate that focuses on the other two forms of the parasite.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) type 1 and 2 cause lifelong latent infections that can lead to recurrent painful blisters. HSV-1 is common (infecting 40-60% of people) and predominantly induces lip, mouth and facial blisters, or the genitalia. HSV-2 is more usually sexually transmitted and affects the genitalia in about 20% of the population, but can also infect the oral mucosa. Although the disease is more a social burden than a serious disease, primary herpes infection can be devastating for babies, and HSV can cause serious complications in immune-compromised individuals, especially HIV/AIDS patients.
Both viruses are closely related immunologically and infection with one type partially protects against the other.
Infection leads to life-long latency and periodic reactivations occur that can lead to the shedding of live virus. Although therapeutic drugs are available, their efficacy is limited and there is not currently a vaccine against these viruses.
Approach
: The current HSV vaccine candidate consists of the reconstituted membrane of HSV-1 or HSV-2, also containing a lipopeptide, or other adjuvant. In mice, the virosome vaccine induces better immunity than repeated near-lethal live virus infections, resulting in the induction of neutralizing antibodies, with predominantly a Th1 profile, cellular immunity, and vaginal IgA. Different routes of application are possible (intranasal, intramuscular).
Next steps:
Mymetics is seeking partners to further advance this vaccine candidate.
HORIZON 2020-SERI
In April 2015, the Company was selected to receive project grants with a total of E8.4 million. A total of E5.3 million is funded as part of Horizon 2020, the European Union research and innovation framework program and up to E3.1 million of funding will be provided by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for the Swiss based consortium partners. The grant will fund the evaluation, development and manufacturing scale-up of thermos-stable and cold-chain independent nano-pharmaceutical virosome-based vaccine candidates. Of the total amount, E3.4 million is directly attributable to Mymetics activities, with the remaining balance going to the consortium partners, Catalent UK Swindon Zydis Ltd, Chimera Biotec GmbH (Germany), Upperton Ltd. (UK) and Bachem AG (Switzerland). The project duration is 42 months and started on May 4, 2015. In May 2015, the Company has received a pre-payment from the two granting organizations for a total value of E1.5 million.
MATERIAL THIRD PARTY AGREEMENTS
For the development of its vaccines the Company has entered into several agreements in the form of license agreements, exploitation agreements or co-ownership agreements with third parties. These third parties provide specific experience and capabilities or provide access to specific know how, which are not the core competence of Mymetics. The Company believes that the following third party agreements are material. The following summaries of their material terms are qualified in their entirety by reference to the agreements filed as exhibits to prior SEC filings by the Company as set forth under Item 15 (Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules).
INSERM
The Co-Ownership Agreement dated January 8, 2008 for two patents PCT IB2005/001180 and PCT IB2005/001182, has been cancelled by Mymetics as it does not fit the strategic direction of the Company.
Exploitation Agreement dated January 8, 2008 that allows Mymetics to have global rights to develop, promote, produce, co-produce, sell and distribute HIV products based on any of the following three patents: PCT IB2005/001180, PCT IB2005/001182 and PCT IB 2006/000466 has been amended on August 4, 2011 and now only includes the PCT IB 2006/000466 patent. On October 9, 2013 this agreement was renegotiated and amended to link the progress of the related technology to milestones, which was reflected in the following financial considerations:
Milestone payments:
By December 2013: E100,000 (paid in February 2014)
Start of a second phase I: E50,000
Positive results of second phase I: E100,000
Positive results of phase II: E310,000
Start of phase III: E1,000,000
Positive results of phase III: E740,000
Receipt of BLA Authorization: E1,000,000
Royalty payments in case of direct or indirect commercialization:
For sales below E250,000,000: 1%
For sales between E250,000,000 and E500,000,000: 2%
For sales more than E500,000,000: 3%
The Exploitation Agreement terminates upon the later of: the expiration date of the longest-lived patent, or, 10 years after the first date of commercialization of the product, unless terminated by INSERM following market approval of the HIV products in the event (i)Mymetics does not develop the product for a period more than six months, (ii) the exploitation of the product is interrupted for a period of more than twelve months, or (iii) there is an absence of sales for twelve months starting from the date of market approval.
PEVION
During the year ended December 31, 2014, Pevion initiated a process of winding down and communicated their inability to continue to supply the virosomes needed for the HIV and malaria vaccines. Mymetics had taken the necessary steps to ensure the continuing supply of virosomes needed for the HIV and malaria vaccines. Mymetics terminated its agreements with Pevion Biotech in January 2014. Operations between Pevion Biotech and Mymetics had substantially ceased in 2013. Mymetics retained knowledge, rights and access to production and development of the HIV and malaria virosome vaccines by hiring key personnel.
NORWOOD IMMUNOLOGY
Share Purchase Agreement dated March 5, 2009 pursuant to which Mymetics acquired Mymetics B.V. from Norwood Immunology Ltd. The renegotiated agreement and subsequent amendments to this agreement have eliminated the payments to Norwood for the intranasal influenza vaccine, Mymetics’ RSV vaccine and Mymetics’ HSV vaccine. On March 31, 2014 Mymetics paid the remaining E1,500,000 of the loan and accrued interest of E75,834 and issued 5,338,809 shares of common stock in April 2014 to Norwood and thereby has no further obligations to Norwood.
RSV CORPORATION
On December 27, 2013 Mymetics signed a License and Collaboration Agreement with RSV Corporation (RSVC), a dedicated entity specifically set-up for developing the Mymetics RSV vaccine. Under this agreement Astellas Pharma Inc. will fund RSVC’s development of the virosome vaccine technology, licensed from Mymetics for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) through completion of a Phase 2b human proof
‐
of
‐
concept study. Based on the strategic partnership, Astellas received exclusive rights to acquire RSVC as well as further develop and commercialize the vaccine product. We continued to provide research and development activities for the pre-clinical phases and prepared for the upscale production, assay developments and provided further scientific advice on the development of the RSV virosome vaccine.
On January 25, 2016 Mymetics received notice from RSVC that it will no longer pursue the development of a vaccine technology for RSV in order to focus on other infectious therapies. The LCA which was signed on December 27, 2013, between Bestewil Holding BV and RSVC will formally be terminated as of July 25, 2016. Mymetics will regain all the rights, results and data related to the research, development and commercialization once the license agreement with RSVC terminates. Both parties will work together in the coming months to facilitate this transfer. In addition, Mymetics announced that it will be starting the development of a vaccine for Chikungunya and has started to investigate the possibilities of developing a vaccine for Zika.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
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WO/1999/025377 (GP41 mutee) Method for obtaining vaccines for preventing the pathogenic effects related to a retroviral infection Mymetics Corp. Expiration date: November 16, 2018
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WO/2005/010033 (GP41 ter) New soluble and stabilized trimeric form of GP 41 polypeptide Mymetics Corp. Expiration date: July 28, 2024
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WO/2007/099446 (Virosome-P1) Virosome-like vesicles comprising gp41 - derived antigens Mymetics Corp. + INSERM + Pevion Expiration date: January 3, 2027
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US/61/202 215 (GP41 4th gen) Mymetics Corp. Expiration date: February 5, 2029
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US/61/202 219 (Splitting GP41) Mymetics Corp. Expiration date: February 5, 2029
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WO/2004/106366 (UK39) Methods for synthetizing conformationally constrained peptides, peptidomimetics and use of
such peptidomimetics as synthetic vaccines Mymetics Corp. Expiration date: June 1, 2024
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WO/2004/078099 (AMA49) Compositions and methods for the generation of immune response against Malaria Mymetics Corp. Expiration date: March 2, 2023
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WO/2004/045641 (APRECS) Antigen-complexes Bestewil BV Expiration date: November 19, 2023
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WO/2004/110486 (Lipopeptide) Functionally reconstituted viral membranes containing adjuvant Bestewil BV Expiration date: June 17, 2024
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WO/2004071492 (DCPC) Virosome-like particles Bestewil BV Expiration date: December 2, 2023
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COMPETITION
We have not yet developed an actual product. Our future competitive position depends on our ability to successfully develop our intellectual property, and to license or sell such intellectual property to third parties on financially favorable terms. Although we believe that the results of our research and development activities have been favorable, there are numerous entities and individuals conducting research and development activities in the area of human biology and medicine, all of which could be considered competitors.
The worldwide vaccine market is dominated by five large multinational companies: Sanofi Pasteur S.A. (formerly Aventis Pasteur S.A.), Merck & Co., GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Pfizer-Wyeth and Novartis. Smaller and mid-size companies such as Crucell (acquired by Johnson & Johnson) and Novavax are developing vaccines in the same area as Mymetics.
While many of these entities have greater financial and scientific capabilities, and greater experience in conducting pre-clinical and clinical trials, the Company believes that its innovative approach to vaccine development is very competitive.
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION
Our strategy was crafted in part to minimize the risks usually associated with Phase III clinical trials, regulatory approvals and marketing, which are expected to be borne by one or more future partners.
We contract with third parties to perform research projects related to our business. These third parties are located in various countries and are subject to the applicable laws and regulations of their respective countries. Accordingly, regulation by government authorities in the United States, the European Union and other foreign countries is a significant factor in the development, manufacture and marketing of our proposed products by our future partners and therefore has a direct impact on our ongoing research and product development activities.
Any products that will be developed by our future partners based on our technology will require regulatory approval by government agencies prior to commercialization. In particular, like human therapeutic products, vaccines are subject to rigorous pre-clinical studies and clinical trials and other approval procedures of the FDA and similar regulatory authorities in foreign countries. In addition, various federal and state statutes and regulations will also govern, or influence testing, manufacturing, safety, labeling, storage and record keeping related to such products and their marketing. The process of obtaining these approvals and the subsequent substantial compliance with appropriate federal and state statutes and regulations require the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources. Obtaining royalties in the future will depend on our future partners' ability to obtain and maintain the necessary regulatory approvals.
Pre-clinical studies are generally conducted on laboratory animals to evaluate the immunogenicity (induction of antibodies of the cellular response), first proof of potential efficacy and safety of a product. In light of our limited financial resources, clinical trials of our vaccines are conducted first in Europe under the European Union (“EU”) guidelines, a quicker and less expensive approach than seeking FDA approval, which we intend to do after EU approval is granted and we expect our financial resources to be greater. There is however no certainty that such EU approval will be granted. The Phase I, II and III EU clinical trials are similar to those required for FDA approval. The FDA requirements are addressed in this discussion.
The process which is described below is therefore to be considered as generic background information which is relevant to the industry as a whole. As such process applies to drugs as well as vaccines, the term “drugs” as used hereafter refers also to vaccines.
In the United States, any company developing new drugs must submit the results of pre-clinical studies to the FDA as a part of an investigational new drug application, or IND, which application must become effective before it can begin clinical trials in the United States. An IND becomes effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA unless the FDA objects to it and the IND must be annually updated. Typically, clinical evaluation involves a time-consuming and costly three-phase process.
Phase I refers typically to closely monitored clinical trials and includes the initial introduction of an investigational new drug into human patients or normal healthy volunteer subjects. Phase I clinical trials are designed to determine the safety (metabolic and pharmacologic actions of a drug in humans), the side effects associated with increasing drug doses and, if possible, to gain early evidence on effectiveness (inductions of antibodies in our case). Phase I trials also include the study of structure-activity relationships and mechanism of action in humans, as well as studies in which investigational drugs are used as research tools to explore biological phenomena or disease processes. During Phase I clinical trials, sufficient information about a drug's pharmacokinetics and pharmacological effects should be obtained to permit the design of well-controlled, scientifically valid, Phase II studies. The total number of subjects and patients included in Phase I clinical trials varies but is generally in the range of 20 to 80 people. Bioanalyses on the clinical trial samples in different
in vitro
assays must be conducted under good laboratory practice (GLP). At this stage, all techniques must be qualified according to standard operating procedures (SOPs) but it is not required to have the assays validated. Validating an assay consists of analyzing or verifying the 8 or 9 assay parameters as described in the US pharmacopeia or the ICH guidelines: 1) accuracy; 2) precision; 3) limit of detection; 4) limit of qualification; 5) specificity; 6) linearity and range; 7) robustness; and 8) system suitability.
Phase II refers to controlled clinical trials conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a drug for a particular indication or indications in patients with a disease or condition under study and to determine the common short-term side effects and risks associated with the drug. These clinical trials are typically well-controlled, closely monitored and conducted in a relatively small number of patients, usually involving no more than several hundred subjects. For prophylactic vaccines, a fraction of the enrolled subjects for the Phase II trials should ideally correspond to people at higher risk to contract the infection due to their social and/or sexual behaviors. At this stage, all identified and relevant techniques must be qualified and validation should be initiated prior starting the phase II and full validation must be achieved at the end of the phase II, prior launching Phase III. Completion of Phase II trials generally corresponds to the “stage of development” where big Pharma have a high interest for the drug product.
Phase III refers to expanded controlled clinical trials, which many times are designated as "pivotal trials" designed to reach end points that the FDA has agreed in advance, if met, would allow approval for marketing. These clinical trials are performed after preliminary evidence suggesting effectiveness of a drug has been obtained. Meanwhile, prophylactic vaccines are different because the true evidence of effectiveness is obtained during the Phase III trials involving an important fraction of the enrolled subjects with high risk of contracting the pathogen, providing more statistical power. Depending on the vaccine tested, vaccinated subjects are monitored over a period of few months to several years and the infection rate (protection) of this group is compared to the placebo treated group. Phase III trials are intended to gather additional information about the effectiveness and safety that is needed to evaluate the overall benefit-risk relationship of the drug and to provide an adequate basis for physician labeling. Phase III clinical trials can include from several hundred to tens of thousands of subjects depending on the specific indication being tested.
The FDA closely monitors the progress of each of the three phases of clinical trials that are conducted in the United States and may, at its discretion, re-evaluate, alter, suspend or terminate the testing based upon the data accumulated to that point and the FDA's assessment of the risk/benefit ratio to the patient. Once Phase III trials are completed, drug developers submit the results of pre-clinical studies and clinical trials to the FDA, in the form of a new drug application, or NDA, for approval to commence commercial sales. In response, the FDA may grant marketing approval, request additional information or deny the application if the FDA determines that the application does not meet the predetermined study goals and other regulatory approval criteria.
Furthermore, the FDA may prevent a drug developer from marketing a product under a label for its desired indications, which may impair commercialization of the product.
If the FDA approves the new drug application, the drug becomes available for physicians to prescribe in the United States. After approval, the drug developer must submit periodic reports to the FDA, including descriptions of any adverse reactions reported. The FDA may request additional studies, known as Phase IV clinical trials to evaluate long-term effects.
We will be required to comply with similar regulatory procedures in countries other than the United States.
In addition to studies requested by the FDA after approval, a drug developer may conduct other trials and studies to explore use of the approved compound for treatment of new indications. The purpose of these trials and studies and related publications is to broaden the application and use of the drug and its acceptance in the medical community.
At this time, neither we nor any of our partners have submitted any of its pre-clinical results to the FDA. Our partners and future partner(s) will have to complete an approval process, similar to the one required in the United States, in virtually every foreign target market in order to commercialize product candidates based on our technology in those countries. The approval procedure and the time required for approval vary from country to country and may involve additional testing. Approvals (both foreign and in the United States) may not be granted on a timely basis, or at all. In addition, regulatory approval of prices is required in most countries other than the United States. We face the risk that the resulting prices would be insufficient to generate an acceptable return to our partner(s).
EMPLOYEES
Ronald Kempers is our President and Chief Executive Officer.
Our Swiss subsidiary, Mymetics S.A., has on its payroll three employees: the Chief Scientific Officer, the Director of Finance and the Head of Manufacturing and Quality.
Mymetics B.V. has one full time executive officer (CSO), one full time Head of Non-clinical Development, one part time Admin assistant and four technicians.
WWW.MYMETICS.COM
News and information about Mymetics Corporation are available on our web site, www.mymetics.com.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the risks described below together with all of the other information included in this report on Form 10-K. An investment in our common stock is risky. If any of the following risks materialize, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected. In such an event, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose part or all of your investment. When used in these risk factors, the terms "we" or "our" refer to Mymetics Corporation and its subsidiaries.
We are a company engaged exclusively in research and development activities, focusing primarily on vaccine development. Our strategy was crafted in part to minimize the risks usually associated with clinical trials, regulatory approvals and marketing, which we would expect to be borne by our future partner(s).
WE HISTORICALLY HAVE INCURRED NET LOSSES, EXPECT LOSSES TO CONTINUE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE AND MAY NEVER ACHIEVE PROFITABILITY.
We historically have incurred net losses. In the years ended December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, we sustained net losses of approximately E3,006,000 and E3,256,000, respectively. At December 31, 2015, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately E70,427,000.
The amount of these losses may vary significantly from year-to-year and quarter-to-quarter and will depend on, among other factors:
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the timing and cost of product development;
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the progress and cost of preclinical and clinical development programs;
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the timing and cost of obtaining necessary regulatory approvals;
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the timing and cost of sales and marketing activities for future products; and
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the costs of pending and any future litigation of which we may be subject.
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We currently are engaged in research and development activities and do not have any commercially marketable products. The research and development process requires significant capital expenditures.
The RSV vaccine activities are funded through incoming revenue from RSV Corporation and will formally be terminated as of July 25, 2016. We also have attracted funding from PATH-MVI for our malaria vaccine development and from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the non-human primate study for our HIV vaccine candidate at Texas Biomedical Research Institute. In April 2015, Mymetics announced that it was leading a consortium of companies that have received a grant worth a total of E8.4 million. The grant will fund the evaluation, development and manufacturing scale-up of thermos-stable and cold-chain independent nano-pharmaceutical virosome-based vaccine candidates. These revenue streams and funds are not fully covering the costs of all our activities.
Accordingly, we expect to generate additional operating losses at least until such time as we are able to generate significant revenues.
To become profitable, we will need to generate revenues to offset our operating costs, including our general and administrative expenses. We may not achieve or, if achieved, sustain our revenue or profit objectives, and our losses may increase in the future, and, ultimately, we may have to cease operations.
In order to generate new and significant revenues, we must successfully develop and commercialize our proposed products or enter into collaborative agreements with others who can successfully develop and commercialize them. Our business plan is predicated on commercializing our products in collaboration with others. Even if our proposed products are commercially introduced, they may never achieve market acceptance and we may never generate significant revenues or achieve profitability.
WE NEED TO RAISE SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL CAPITAL TO FUND OUR OPERATIONS AND WE MAY BE UNABLE TO RAISE SUCH FUNDS ON A TIMELY BASIS AND ON ACCEPTABLE TERMS.
We need to address our working capital needs to allow us to continue devoting our efforts to development of the business instead of raising needed capital. If we must devote a substantial amount of time to raising capital, it will delay our ability to achieve our business plan within the time frames that we now expect, which could increase the amount of capital we need and could threaten the success of our business if competitors are able to produce an effective vaccine and bring it to the market ahead of us.
OUR LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO EVALUATE OR PREDICT OUR FUTURE BUSINESS PROSPECTS.
We have no operating history, and our operating results are impossible to predict because we have not begun selling any products. We are in the development stage, and our proposed operations are subject to all of the risks inherent in establishing a new business enterprise, including:
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the absence of an operating history;
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the lack of commercialized products;
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expected substantial and continual losses for the foreseeable future;
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limited experience in dealing with regulatory issues;
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limited marketing experience;
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an expected reliance on third parties for the commercialization of our proposed products;
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a competitive environment characterized by numerous, well-established and well-capitalized competitors;
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uncertain market acceptance of our proposed products; and
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reliance on key personnel.
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The likelihood of our success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications, and delays frequently encountered in connection with the formation of a new business, the development of new technology, and the competitive and regulatory environment in which we will operate. See "Description of the Business".
Because we are subject to these risks, you may have a difficult time evaluating our business and your investment in our company.
OUR PROPOSED VACCINES ARE IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGES AND WILL LIKELY NOT BE COMMERCIALLY INTRODUCED BEFORE 2020, IF AT ALL.
Our proposed key products still are in the development stage and will require further development, preclinical and clinical testing and investment prior to commercialization in the United States and abroad. See "Description of the Business". While we are pleased about the progress made to date on these products, we cannot be sure that these products in development will:
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be successfully developed;
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prove to be safe and efficacious in clinical trials;
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meet applicable regulatory standards or obtain required regulatory approvals;
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demonstrate substantial protective or therapeutic benefits in the prevention or treatment of any disease;
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be capable of being produced in commercial quantities at reasonable costs;
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obtain coverage and favorable reimbursement rates from insurers and other third-party payers; or
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be successfully marketed or achieve market acceptance by physicians and patients.
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We do not intend to undertake any product development beyond Phase II human clinical trials (i.e., Phase III clinical studies) or be responsible for obtaining regulatory approval or marketing the products. Nevertheless, even if we are successful in selling or licensing our products to another pharmaceutical company, it is likely that any revenues we may receive in connection with those arrangements will depend upon other companies’ sales, which will, in turn, depend upon the factors stated above.
THE LOSS OF KEY SCIENTIFIC OR INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS WOULD DIMINISH OUR ABILITY TO ACHIEVE OUR BUSINESS PLAN.
Certain components or know-how obtained from partners such as PX’Therapeutics, supplier of GMP grade engineered mutated gp41 protein, are key components of our vaccines currently under development. Accordingly, the loss of any of these components or know-how might prevent us from achieving our business plan, despite the fact that contractual safeguards are in place.
OUR BUSINESS MODEL IS PREDICATED ON OUR BELIEF THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE LARGE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES TO PARTNER WITH US IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR PRODUCTS AND FAILURE TO DO SO WILL LIKELY MAKE US UNATTRACTIVE AS AN ACQUISITION TARGET.
We anticipate that we will need a large pharmaceutical company to assist us with human trials and financing. See "Funding Requirements". Our failure to succeed in this endeavor will have a dramatic adverse result regarding our financial needs and ability to successfully sell any products that we develop.
IF WE FAIL TO OBTAIN REGULATORY APPROVAL TO COMMERCIALLY MANUFACTURE OR SELL ANY OF OUR FUTURE PRODUCTS, OR IF APPROVAL IS DELAYED OR WITHDRAWN, WE WILL BE UNABLE TO GENERATE REVENUE FROM THE SALE OF OUR PRODUCTS.
We must obtain regulatory approval to sell any of our products in the United States and abroad. In the United States, we must obtain the approval of the FDA for each product or drug that we intend to commercialize. The FDA approval process is typically lengthy and expensive, and approval is never certain. Products to be commercialized abroad are subject to similar foreign government regulation.
Generally, only a very small percentage of newly discovered pharmaceutical products that enter preclinical development are approved for sale. Because of the risks and uncertainties in biopharmaceutical development, our proposed products could take a significantly longer time to gain regulatory approval than we expect or may never gain approval. If regulatory approval is delayed or never obtained, our management's credibility, the value of our company and our operating results and liquidity would be adversely affected. Furthermore, even if a product gains regulatory approval, the product and the manufacturer of the product may be subject to continuing regulatory review. Even after obtaining regulatory approval, we may be restricted or prohibited from marketing or manufacturing a product if previously unknown problems with the product or its manufacture are subsequently discovered. The FDA may also require us to commit to perform lengthy post-approval studies, for which we would have to expend significant additional resources, which could have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
Although we have conducted pre-clinical studies, costly and lengthy human clinical trials are required to obtain regulatory approval to market our proposed vaccine, and the results of the trials are highly uncertain. In addition, the number of pre-clinical studies and human clinical trials that the FDA requires varies depending on the product, the disease or condition the product is being developed to address and regulations applicable to the particular product. Accordingly, we may need to perform additional pre-clinical studies using various doses and formulations before we can begin human clinical trials, which could result in delays in our ability to market any of our products. Furthermore, even if we obtain favorable results in pre-clinical studies on animals, the results in humans may be different.
After we have conducted pre-clinical studies in animals, we must demonstrate that our products are safe and effective for use on the target human patients in order to receive regulatory approval for commercial sale. The data obtained from pre-clinical and human clinical testing are subject to varying interpretations that could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval. We face the risk that the results of our clinical trials in later phases of clinical trials may be inconsistent with those obtained in earlier phases. A number of companies in the biopharmaceutical industry have suffered significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials, even after experiencing promising results in early animal or human testing. Adverse or inconclusive human clinical results would prevent us from filing for regulatory approval of our products. Additional factors that can cause delay or termination of our human clinical trials include:
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slow patient enrollment;
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timely completion of clinical site protocol approval and obtaining informed consent from subjects;
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longer trial time than foreseen to demonstrate efficacy or safety;
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adverse medical events or side effects in immunized patients; and
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lack of effectiveness of the vaccines being tested.
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Delays in our clinical trials could allow our competitors additional time to develop or market competing products and thus can be extremely costly in terms of lost sales opportunities and increased clinical trial costs.
EVEN IF OUR PROPOSED PRODUCTS RECEIVE EU AND FDA APPROVAL, THEY MAY NOT ACHIEVE EXPECTED LEVELS OF MARKET ACCEPTANCE, WHICH COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS, FINANCIAL POSITION AND OPERATING RESULTS AND COULD CAUSE THE MARKET VALUE OF OUR COMMON STOCK TO DECLINE.
Even if we are able to obtain required regulatory approvals for our proposed products, the success of those products is dependent upon market acceptance by physicians and patients. Levels of market acceptance for our new products could be impacted by several factors, including:
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the availability of alternative products from competitors;
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the price of our products relative to that of our competitors;
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the timing of our market entry; and
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the ability to market our products effectively.
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Some of these factors are not within our control. Our proposed products may not achieve expected levels of market acceptance. Additionally, continuing studies of the proper utilization, safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products are being conducted by the industry, government agencies and others. Such studies, which increasingly employ sophisticated methods and techniques, can call into question the utilization, safety and efficacy of previously marketed products. In some cases, these studies have resulted, and may in the future result, in the discontinuance of product marketing. These situations, should they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations, and the market value of our common stock could decline.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO PROTECT OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COMPETE AS EFFECTIVELY.
The pharmaceutical industry places considerable importance on obtaining patent and trade secret protection for new technologies, products and processes. Our success will depend, in part, upon our ability to obtain, enjoy and enforce protection for any products we develop or acquire under United States and foreign patent laws and other intellectual property laws, preserve the confidentiality of our trade secrets and operate without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties.
Where appropriate, we seek patent protection for certain aspects of our technology. However, our owned and licensed patents and patent applications may not ensure the protection of our intellectual property for a number of other reasons:
- Competitors may interfere with our patents and patent process in a variety of ways. Competitors may claim that they invented the claimed invention before us or may claim that we are infringing on their patents and therefore we cannot use our technology as claimed under our patent. Competitors may also have our patents reexamined by showing the patent examiner that the invention was not original or novel or was obvious.
- We are in the development stage and are in the process of developing proposed products. Even if we receive a patent, it may not provide much practical protection. If we receive a patent with a narrow scope, then it will be easier for competitors to design products that do not infringe on our patent. Even if the development of our proposed products is successful and approval for sale is obtained, there can be no assurance that applicable patent coverage, if any, will not have expired or will not expire shortly after this approval. Any expiration of the applicable patent could have a material adverse effect on the sales and profitability of our proposed product.
- Enforcing patents is expensive and may require significant time by our management. In litigation, a competitor could claim that our issued patents are not valid for a number of reasons. If the court agrees, we would lose protection on products covered by those patents.
- We also may support and collaborate in research conducted by government organizations or universities. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to acquire any exclusive rights to technology or products derived from these collaborations. If we do not obtain required licenses or rights, we could encounter delays in product development while we attempt to design around other patents or we may be prohibited from developing, manufacturing or selling products requiring these licenses. There is also a risk that disputes may arise as to the rights to technology or products developed in collaboration with other parties.
It also is unclear whether efforts to secure our trade secrets will provide useful protection. While we use reasonable efforts to protect our trade secrets, our employees or consultants may unintentionally or willfully disclose our proprietary information to competitors resulting in a loss of protection. Enforcing a claim that someone else illegally obtained and is using our trade secrets, like patent litigation, is expensive and time consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, courts outside the United States are sometimes less willing to protect trade secrets. Finally, our competitors may independently develop equivalent knowledge, methods and know-how.
CLAIMS BY OTHERS THAT OUR PRODUCTS INFRINGE THEIR PATENTS OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION.
The pharmaceutical industry has been characterized by frequent litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. Patent applications are maintained in secrecy in the United States and also are maintained in secrecy outside the United States until the application is published. Accordingly, we can conduct only limited searches to determine whether our technology infringes the patents or patent applications of others. Any claims of patent infringement asserted by third parties would be time-consuming and could likely:
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result in costly litigation;
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divert the time and attention of our technical personnel and management;
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cause product development delays;
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require us to develop non-infringing technology; or
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require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements.
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Although patent and intellectual property disputes in the pharmaceutical industry often have been settled through licensing or similar arrangements, costs associated with these arrangements may be substantial and often require the payment of ongoing royalties, which could hurt our gross margins. In addition, we cannot be sure that the necessary licenses would be available to us on satisfactory terms, or that we could redesign our products or processes to avoid infringement, if necessary. Accordingly, an adverse determination in a judicial or administrative proceeding, or the failure to obtain necessary licenses, could prevent us from developing, manufacturing and selling some of our products, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results.
WE HAVE ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN OUR BYLAWS THAT MAY DISCOURAGE A CHANGE OF CONTROL.
Our bylaws contain provisions that could discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our Company or changes in our management that the stockholders of our company may deem advantageous. These provisions
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limit the ability of our stockholders to call special meetings of stockholders;
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provide for a staggered board;
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provide that our board of directors is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal the bylaws; and
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establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings.
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