Company: CSTL
Filing Date: 2025-08-04
Form Type: 10-Q
Source: 0001447362-25-000097
Chunk: 68

Company: CASTLE BIOSCIENCES INC
Filing Date: 2025-08-04
Form: 10-Q
Item: Item 4
Chunk 68
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, changes in trade and tariff policies, the availability and cost of credit, investor and consumer confidence, and the strength of the economies in which we, our collaborators, our manufacturers and our suppliers operate.

A severe or prolonged global economic downturn could result in a variety of risks to our business. For example, inflation rates, particularly in the United States, have increased recently to levels not seen in years, and increased inflation has resulted in increased personnel costs and increased prices for certain lab supplies and may result in additional increases in our operating costs (including our labor costs), reduced liquidity and limits on our ability to access credit or otherwise raise capital on acceptable terms, if at all. In addition, the U.S. Federal Reserve has raised, and may again raise, interest rates in response to concerns about inflation, which coupled with reduced government spending and volatility in financial markets may have the effect of further increasing economic uncertainty and heightening these risks. Furthermore, the closures of specific financial institutions, or the broader financial services industry, may lead to market-wide liquidity shortages that could materially harm our business and financial condition. For example, closures of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank in 2023 resulted in broader financial institution liquidity risk and concerns. Additionally, rapid changes in U.S. trade policy, such as the imposition of additional tariffs and trade barriers, as well as potential retaliatory measures taken by other governments, could increase the price of and/or affect the availability of imported raw materials used in the production of our products.

Risks of a prolonged global economic downturn are particularly true in Europe, which is undergoing a continued severe economic crisis. A weak or declining economy could also strain our suppliers and manufacturers, possibly 

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resulting in supply disruption. Any of the foregoing could harm our business and we cannot anticipate all of the ways in which the current economic climate and financial market conditions could adversely impact our business.

Additionally, financial markets around the world experienced volatility following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022. In response to the invasion, the United States, UK and European Union, along with others, imposed significant new sanctions and export controls against Russia, Russian banks and certain Russian individuals and may implement additional sanctions or take further punitive actions in the future. The full economic and social impact of the sanctions imposed on Russia (as well as possible future punitive measures that may be implemented), as well as the counter measures imposed by Russia, in addition to the ongoing military conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which could conceivably expand into the surrounding region, remains