Strategic Review and Business Operations - The company is undergoing a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives aimed at maximizing shareholder value, including potential mergers, sales, or divestitures, with no set timetable for completion [169]. - A workforce reduction of approximately 95% is expected to be completed by April 15, 2024, to reduce costs and preserve capital, with estimated restructuring charges of around 13million[172].−ThecompanyhasdiscontinuedthreeglobalPhase3studiesofposoleucelandotherclinicaldevelopmentprogramsaspartofitsstrategicreview[172].−Thestrategicreviewprocessmayincursubstantialcosts,includinglegalandaccountingfees,whichcoulddecreaseavailablecashforbusinessoperations[169].−Thecompanyhasnotsetadefinitivecourseofactionregardingitsstrategicreview,andanypotentialtransactionmaynotyieldtheanticipatedbenefits[171].−Thecompanymaypursuedissolutionandliquidationifastrategictransactionisnotconsummated,impactingcashavailablefordistributiontoshareholders[171].RegulatoryandClinicalDevelopmentChallenges−Themajorityofthecompany′sproductcandidatesarestillinpreclinicaldevelopment,withnoregulatoryapprovalsobtainedforanyproductcandidates,includingposoleucelandALVR106[175].−Thecompanyanticipatessignificantcostsassociatedwiththecommercializationofanyapprovedproductcandidates,whichmayhinderprofitability[175].−Theabilitytosuccessfullydevelopandcommercializeproductcandidatesiscontingentuponvariousfactors,includingregulatoryapprovalsandmarketacceptance[175].−Theregulatoryapprovalprocessforthecompany′snovelmulti−VST−celltherapyiscomplexandmaytakelongerthanforotherpharmaceuticalproductsduetothelackofexistingFDA−approvedcell−basedtherapiesforviraldiseases[181].−Thecompanyfacesrisksrelatedtotheunpredictabilityofclinicaltrialresults,whichcouldsignificantlyharmitsbusinessandprospectsifregulatoryapprovalisnotobtained[180].−DisruptionsattheFDAandotherregulatoryagenciesduetofundingshortagescouldhindertimelyproductdevelopmentandapproval,negativelyimpactingthecompany′soperations[182].−Thecompanymustnavigatearigorousregulatorylandscapeforgeneandcelltherapy,whichissubjecttofrequentchangesandheightenedscrutiny[183].−Clinicaltrialsmayexperiencedelaysduetovariousfactors,includingdifficultiesinrecruitingsuitablesubjectsandobtainingnecessaryregulatoryapprovals[189].−ThecompanyreliesonCROsandothervendorsforclinicaltrialexecution,whichmayimpactthetimelyconductoftrialsduetolimitedinfluenceovertheirperformance[192].−TheFDAmayimposeadditionalpost−marketrequirements,suchasRiskEvaluationandMitigationStrategies,whichcouldaffectcommercializationplans[187].FinancialConditionandFunding−Thecompanyincurrednetlossesof190.4 million and 168.7millionfortheyearsendedDecember31,2023and2022,respectively,withanaccumulateddeficitof656.2 million as of December 31, 2023 [290]. - The company anticipates significant losses to continue for the foreseeable future as it progresses with research and development and seeks regulatory approvals for its product candidates [290]. - The company will need substantial additional funding to support the development and commercialization of its product candidates, which may be delayed or reduced if capital is not raised [295]. - The company believes its existing cash resources will fund operating expenses for at least twelve months following the issuance of financial statements, but this estimate may prove incorrect [298]. - The company had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of 183.9millionasofDecember31,2023[297].MarketandCompetitiveLandscape−Thetotaladdressablemarketopportunityforposoleucelwilldependonacceptancebythemedicalcommunity,patientaccess,drugpricing,andreimbursement,whichmayaffectrevenueandprofitability[214].−Thecompanyfacessubstantialcompetitionfrompharmaceuticalandbiotechnologyenterprises,whichmayimpactitscommercialopportunitiesifcompetitorsdevelopsaferormoreeffectiveproducts[209].−TherearecurrentlynoFDA−orEMA−approveddrugsforthecompany′sindications,exceptforCOVID−19,whichmayaffectmarketentryandpricingstrategies[210].−Thecommercialsuccessofthecompany′sproductcandidatesdependsonsignificantmarketacceptanceamonghealthcareprovidersandpatients,influencedbyfactorssuchasefficacy,safety,andreimbursementavailability[228].IntellectualPropertyandLicensing−ThecompanyreliesheavilyontheBCMLicenseforintellectualproperty,data,andknow−how,whichiscriticalforthecommercializationofitsproductcandidates[320].−Disputesmayariseregardingthescopeofrightsunderlicensingagreements,potentiallyimpactingthecompany′sabilitytodevelopandcommercializeproducts[321].−Thecompanyhaslimitedcontroloverthepatentapplicationprocessandenforcementofintellectualpropertyrightslicensedfromthirdparties,whichmayaffectitscompetitiveposition[323].−Thecompanyhasfiledmultiplepatentapplicationsforitsproductcandidates,butthereisnoassurancethatthesewillresultinissuedpatentsorthattheywillbeenforceable[336].ComplianceandRegulatoryRisks−Compliancewithhealthcarelawsandregulationsmayresultinsignificantcivil,criminal,andadministrativepenalties,includingexclusionfromgovernment−fundedhealthcareprograms[244].−Thecompanyissubjecttoevolvingcompliancerequirementsthatimposesignificantcosts,includingorganizationalchangesandadditionalprotectiontechnologies[249].−Regulatoryauthoritiesmayimposesanctionsfornon−compliance,impactingbusinessandfinancialcondition[315].−Thecompanymayfacepenaltiesorrestrictionsifitfailstocomplywithregulatoryrequirements,whichcouldinhibitcommercializationefforts[222].EmployeeandOperationalRisks−Thecompanyishighlydependentonkeypersonnel,andanylossoftheseindividualscoulddelayproductdevelopmentandharmbusinessoperations[252].−Thecompanyhad112employeesasofDecember31,2023,andanticipatesneedingadditionalpersonnelforfuturegrowthanddevelopment[258].−ChangesinU.S.immigrationlawscouldadverselyaffectthecompany′sabilitytohireskilledpersonnel,impactingitsoperations[254].StockandMarketPerformance−Thetradingpriceofthecompany′scommonstockislikelytobehighlyvolatile,influencedbyvariousfactorsincludingclinicaltrialresultsandregulatorydecisions[357].−Thecompanyhasnotmaintainedaminimumclosingbidpriceof1.00 per share for the last 30 consecutive business days, as notified by Nasdaq [360]. - The company has until August 7, 2024, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, which requires the closing bid price to be $1.00 or more for at least 10 consecutive business days [361].