Company: CERO
Filing Date: 2025-04-15
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001213900-25-032134
Chunk: 1677

Company: CERO THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC.
Filing Date: 2025-04-15
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 1677
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 could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.

Periodic maintenance and
annuity fees on any issued patent are due to be paid to the USPTO and patent agencies outside the United States in several stages over
the lifetime of the patent. The USPTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural,
documentary, fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent application process. While an inadvertent lapse can in many cases
be cured by payment of a late fee or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules, there are situations in which noncompliance
can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction.
Non-compliance events that could result in abandonment or lapse of a patent include failure to respond to official actions within prescribed
time limits, non-payment of fees and failure to properly legalize and submit formal documents. If we fail to maintain the patents covering
our product candidates, our competitors might be able to enter the market, which would harm our business. In addition, to the extent that
we have responsibility for taking any action related to the prosecution or maintenance of patents or patent application in-licensed from
a third party, any failure on our part to maintain the in-licensed rights could jeopardize our rights under the relevant license and may
expose us to liability.

79

We may be subject to claims challenging
the inventorship of our patents and other intellectual property.

We may in the future be subject
to claims that former employees, collaborators, or other third parties have an interest in our patents or other intellectual property
as an inventor or co-inventor. For example, we may have inventorship disputes arise from conflicting obligations of consultants or others
who are involved in developing our product candidates. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these and other claims challenging
inventorship. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property
rights, such as exclusive ownership of, or right to use, valuable intellectual property. Such an outcome could have a material adverse
effect on our business. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be
a distraction to management and other employees.

We may need to license intellectual property
from third parties, and such licenses may not be available or may not be available on commercially reasonable terms.

A third party may hold intellectual
property rights, including