EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 907654
Filing Year: 2025
Filename: 907654_10-K_2025_0001213900-25-021165.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business.
Acquisition of Pre-Merger Oruka
On August 29, 2024 (the “Merger Closing”), we completed our acquisition (the “Merger”) of Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. (“Pre-Merger Oruka”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of April 3, 2024 (the “Merger Agreement”). Following the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Pre-Merger Oruka merged with and into Atlas Merger Sub Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of ARCA biopharma, Inc. (“ARCA”) and following that, Pre-Merger Oruka then merged with and into Atlas Merger Sub II, LLC (“Second Merger Sub”), with Second Merger Sub being the surviving entity. Second Merger Sub changed its corporate name to “Oruka Therapeutics Operating Company, LLC.” Pre-Merger Oruka was a pre-clinical stage biotechnology company that was incorporated on February 6, 2024 under the direction of Peter Harwin, a Managing Member of Fairmount Funds Management LLC (“Fairmount”), for the purposes of holding rights to certain intellectual property being developed by Paragon Therapeutics, Inc. (“Paragon”). On August 29, 2024, we changed our name from “ARCA biopharma, Inc.” (“ARCA”) to “Oruka Therapeutics, Inc.” and our Nasdaq ticker symbol from “ABIO” to “ORKA”.
Company Overview
We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel monoclonal antibody therapeutics for psoriasis (“PsO”) and other inflammatory and immunology (“I&I”) indications. Our name is derived from or, for “skin,” and arukah, for “restoration,” and reflects our mission to deliver therapies for chronic skin diseases that provide patients the most possible freedom from their condition. Our strategy is to apply antibody engineering and format innovations to validated modes of action, which we believe will enable us to improve meaningfully upon the efficacy and dosing regimens of standard-of-care medicines while significantly reducing technical and biological risk. Our programs aim to treat and potentially modify disease by targeting mechanisms with proven efficacy and safety involved in disease pathology and the activity of pathogenic tissue-resident memory T cells (“TRMs”).
Our lead program, ORKA-001, is designed to target the p19 subunit of interleukin-23 (“IL-23p19”) for the treatment of PsO. Our co-lead program, ORKA-002, is designed to target interleukin-17A and interleukin-17F (“IL-17A/F”) for the treatment of PsO, psoriatic arthritis (“PsA”), and other conditions. These programs each bind their respective targets at high affinity and incorporate half-life extension technology with the aim to increase exposure and decrease dosing frequency. We believe that our focused strategy, differentiated portfolio, and deep expertise position us to set a new treatment standard in large I&I markets with continued unmet need.
Our Pipeline
ORKA-001
ORKA-001 is a high affinity, extended half-life monoclonal antibody (“mAb”) designed to target IL-23p19. IL-23 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a critical role in the proliferation and development of T helper 17 (“Th17”) cells, which are the primary drivers of several autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, including PsO. IL-23 is composed of two subunits: a p40 subunit that is shared with IL-12 and a p19 subunit that is specific to IL-23. First-generation IL-23 antibodies bound p40 and inhibited both IL-12 and IL-23 signaling, while more recent IL-23 antibodies targeting the p19 subunit have shown improved efficacy and safety. Based on preclinical evidence, we believe that ORKA-001 could achieve higher response rates than established therapies in PsO while requiring less frequent dosing and maintaining the favorable safety profile of therapies targeting IL-23p19. ORKA-001 is engineered with YTE half-life extension technology, a specific three amino acid change in the fragment crystallizable (“Fc”) domain to modify the pH-dependent binding to the neonatal Fc receptor (“FcRn”). As a result, it has a pharmacokinetic profile designed to support a subcutaneous (“SQ”) injection as infrequently as once or twice a year. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that IL-23 blockade can modify the disease biology of PsO, possibly leading to durable remissions and preventing the development of PsA. We believe that the expected characteristics of ORKA-001 increase its potential to deliver these disease-modifying benefits.
We initiated dosing of healthy volunteers in a Phase 1 trial of ORKA-001 in the fourth quarter of 2024. We expect to share interim data from the first-in-human trial in healthy volunteers, including initial pharmacokinetic data, in the second half of 2025 and initial efficacy on patients with PsO in the second half of 2026. Based on recent precedent for PsO, we anticipate that the entire development program from first-in-human to biologics license application (“BLA”) filing could take as little as six to seven years based on the averages for recently approved medicines. However, we have no control over the length of time needed for United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) review, and this timeline could vary.
ORKA-002
ORKA-002 is a high affinity, extended half-life mAb designed to target IL-17A and IL-17F (“IL-17A/F”). IL-17 inhibition has become central to the treatment of psoriatic diseases, including PsO and PsA, and has also shown efficacy in other I&I indications, such as hidradenitis suppurativa (“HS”) and axial spondyloarthritis (“axSpA”). More recently, the importance of inhibiting the IL-17F isoform along with IL-17A has become appreciated, and dual blockade with the recently approved therapy Bimzelx (bimekizumab) has led to higher response rates in patients than blockade of IL-17A alone. ORKA-002 is designed to bind IL-17A/F at similar epitopes, or binding sites, and affinity ranges as bimekizumab, but incorporates half-life extension technology that could enable more convenient dosing intervals. We plan to initiate dosing of healthy volunteers in a Phase 1 trial of ORKA-002 in the third quarter of 2025. We expect to share interim data from the first-in-human trial in healthy volunteers, including initial pharmacokinetic data, in the first half of 2026.
We view ORKA-002 and ORKA-001 as highly complementary. Patients with moderate-to-severe PsO that have purely skin manifestations are most often treated with IL-23 inhibitors due to the high efficacy and tolerability of this mechanism. However, for patients who also have joint involvement or signs and symptoms of PsA, an IL-17 inhibitor is typically used due to its efficacy in addressing both skin and joint symptoms. In addition, IL-17 inhibitors are often used in patients with highly resistant skin symptoms that do not adequately resolve through treatment with an IL-23 inhibitor. Furthermore, we have the potential opportunity to administer ORKA-002 and ORKA-001 sequentially, called ORKA-021, to combine two attractive features of each program: the rapid response of an IL-17 inhibitor with the ideal maintenance profile of an IL-23 inhibitor. We believe that ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 provide the potential to offer a highly compelling product profile for most patients with PsO and/or PsA, as well as the opportunity to address additional I&I indications.
Additional Pipeline Program
We have a third mAb program, ORKA-003, designed to target an undisclosed pathway. Our strategy as a company is to remain highly focused on I&I diseases, and specifically on inflammatory dermatology conditions. Our third program provides the potential for indication expansion beyond PsO and may create combination opportunities with our more advanced programs.
Our Team, Investors, and Paragon Collaboration
We are led by a management team with significant experience in developing novel treatments for patients at biopharmaceutical companies such as CRISPR Therapeutics, Celgene, Novartis, CymaBay Therapeutics and Protagonist Therapeutics. Together, our team has a proven track record of building successful biotech organizations in high-growth environments.
Pre-Merger Oruka was founded in February 2024 by leading healthcare investor Fairmount. Fairmount founded Paragon in 2021 to conduct biologics discovery and optimization, including acting as the firm’s discovery engine for biologics that potentially overcome limitations of existing therapies. We have entered into license agreements with Paragon pursuant to which Paragon granted us a royalty-bearing, world-wide, exclusive license to develop, manufacture, commercialize or otherwise exploit certain antibodies and products targeting IL-23 outside of the field of inflammatory bowel disease for ORKA-001 and for ORKA-002, certain antibodies and products targeting IL-17A/F.
Our Strategy
To achieve our goal of developing leading therapeutic antibodies for patients with inflammatory skin diseases, we are applying antibody engineering to validated modes of action. We believe this approach will enable us to improve meaningfully upon the efficacy and convenience of standard-of-care medicines while significantly reducing technical and biological risk. The key elements of our strategy include:
● Employ advanced antibody engineering to build biologics that could significantly improve upon existing therapies: We and our collaborators at Paragon have optimized a variety of parameters using a suite of antibody technologies to develop candidates with the potential to improve upon existing therapies. These parameters include extending half-life to increase exposure and reduce dosing frequency, enhancing affinity and specificity to maximize potency and safety, and optimizing developability to ensure consistency and enable convenient, high-dose formulations. Together, we believe these features have the potential to translate into more efficacious and convenient medicines for patients.
● Target validated mechanisms of action: Our initial targets, IL-23p19 and IL-17A/F, have established efficacy and safety for the treatment of PsO, PsA, and other indications. The FDA has approved four biologics in the IL-23 class, including three targeting IL-23p19, and four biologics in the IL-17 class, including one targeting IL-17A/F. While these therapies have advanced the standard of care in PsO and PsA, they have not addressed these diseases completely, and a significant fraction of patients do not achieve complete skin clearance. By applying our advanced antibody engineering to these validated targets, we believe we can maximize our chances of developing superior medicines for patients. In addition, the reduced technical and biological risk of these validated mechanisms may allow us to progress our programs more efficiently and rapidly.
● Leverage insights from earlier entrants to optimize our approach: We benefit from a large body of clinical evidence generated by prior therapies targeting IL-23 and IL-17. We continue to extract and apply learnings from this precedent to our programs, including in development candidate selection, clinical trial design, dosing regimens, formulations and presentations, regulatory pathway, and indication prioritization. For instance, based on correlations between affinity and efficacy, we have designed ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 to bind to similar epitopes and at similar or greater affinities as the leading antibodies in each class: risankizumab and bimekizumab, respectively, with the aim of maximizing efficacy. Also, by understanding the exposure-response relationships for efficacy and safety for other therapies, we plan to select dose levels and regimens that could maximize efficacy and maintenance of response while maintaining safety.
● Pursue opportunities with strong prospects of yielding meaningful new medicines as a “base case” and the potential to shift the treatment paradigm entirely as an “upside case”: Our strategy seeks to maximize the potential for our programs to reach a base case product profile that could meaningfully advance the standard of care-for instance, for ORKA-001, SQ dosing one or twice a year with equal or greater efficacy compared to today’s standard of care. At the same time, we aim to deliver an upside case that dramatically improves outcomes for patients-for instance, significantly increasing rates of complete skin clearance via higher antibody exposures or offering patients durable remissions free from therapy by introducing patient-specific dosing intervals.
● Build a preeminent biotechnology company focused on chronic skin disease and other I&I indications: We are assembling a team of exceptional people and helping them reach their full potential and flourish so that together we can bring forward meaningful new medicines for patients.
We believe that pursuing the focused strategy outlined above will help us to succeed in our mission of offering patients living with PsO, PsA, and other dermatologic and inflammatory diseases the greatest possible freedom from their condition.
Targeting IL-23 and IL-17 to Treat Multiple I&I Indications
Our programs benefit from significant advances in the understanding of the biology of I&I diseases over the past four decades. ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 are designed to target two key cytokines that play a related role in multiple indications. IL-23 is an upstream regulator of Th17 cells, a pro-inflammatory subset of T helper cells characterized by their production of IL-17. IL-23 has a critical role in maintaining Th17 cells in the tissue as well as activating these cells to secrete IL-17, which acts downstream to trigger inflammation and other disease symptoms. Th17 cells are involved in PsO, PsA, HS, axSpA, and many other diseases. They play a particularly central role in PsO and PsA. The diagram below depicting the immunopathogenesis of PsO provides an example of how Th17 cells can mediate disease and how blocking IL-23 or IL-17 can break the inflammatory cycle that drives disease.
Immunopathogenesis of PsO and the role of IL-23 and IL-17
PsO develops when environmental triggers and a genetic predisposition combine to cause activation of an inflammatory cycle in the skin that leads to the formation of plaques and other disease manifestations. This process begins with the aberrant activation of the dendritic cells (“DCs”), specifically those producing IL-23 and other cytokines like IL-1β, IL-21, TNF-α, and IL-12. These cytokines induce the differentiation of Th17 cells, as well as other cell types, such as T helper type 1 (“Th1”) cells that produce IFNγ and TNF-α and T helper type 22 (“Th22”) cells that produce IL-22. IL-23 plays a key role in the differentiation and activation of Th17 cells to secrete IL-17, as well as Th22 cells to produce IL-22. IL-17 and these other cytokines induce keratinocyte hyperproliferation leading to plaque formation and a feedforward inflammatory response, with changes in gene expression in keratinocytes, the production of antimicrobial peptides, and neutrophil recruitment driving further inflammation. While many cytokines and cell types contribute to the pathogenesis of PsO, the IL-23/IL-17 axis plays an important role, as supported by the success of therapies targeting this axis.
While the successful treatment of PsO - for instance, with mAbs targeting IL-23 or IL-17 - can result in lesional skin returning to an apparently normal state, disease tends to recur at previously affected sites following cessation of therapy, suggesting a mechanism of “immunological memory” that predisposes individuals to recurrence in the same locations. Evidence suggests that pathogenic TRMs play a critical role in this memory. TRMs may arise from the Th17 cells and other cells that drove disease in the first place and remain in their resident tissue, in this case the epidermis and dermis, for long periods of time. Upon a disease trigger, these TRMs can actively produce proinflammatory cytokines, causing disease recurrence. IL-23 appears to play an important role in maintaining and potentiating TRMs, as indicated by the depletion of TRMs following treatment with an IL-23 inhibitor but not an IL-17 inhibitor, which may explain the longer remissions observed with IL-23 inhibitors following withdrawal of therapy. This type of data has raised the prospect that efficient IL-23 blockade could modify the disease biology of PsO, possibly leading to durable remissions.
The scientific discoveries that refined our understanding of the immunopathogenesis of PsO have led to waves of therapeutic advances, ultimately leading to today’s standard of care. Before the 1980s, PsO was not even thought of as an immunologic disease, but rather a disease of keratinocyte dysfunction, leading to treatments such as phototherapy, methotrexate, and retinoids. The discovery in the 1980s that PsO results from immune dysfunction led to the use of broad immunosuppressants like cyclosporine. From 1990 to 2008, it was believed that Th1 cells were the predominant mediators of the disease, which led to the use of biologics targeting TNF-α such as Enbrel (etanercept) and Humira (adalimumab). Finally, the revelation that PsO is driven principally by Th17 cells resulted in the development of the primary therapies used today, which target IL-23 and IL-17. This increasingly refined understanding of the disease has narrowed the standard of care from broad immunosuppressive agents (such as cyclosporine) to more specific immunomodulators (TNF-α inhibitors) to precise biologic therapies targeting the key cytokines involved in disease pathology (IL-23 and IL-17 inhibitors), with each new therapeutic class raising the bar on both safety and efficacy.
Biologic therapies, especially mAbs, are now mainstays in the treatment of a wide variety of I&I diseases, including PsO and PsA. Therapies that have improved upon efficacy and/or reduced dosing frequency have achieved the most commercial success, even when launched many years after other biologics. Enbrel was first approved for PsO in 2004 with a weekly maintenance dosing schedule. Four years later, Humira was approved for PsO with an every-other-week (Q2W) dosing schedule. Stelara (ustekinumab) was approved a year later with similar Phase 3 data to Humira, but with a significantly improved dosing schedule of every twelve weeks (Q12W). Several drugs for PsO have been approved since 2009 that demonstrated higher efficacy in their pivotal studies compared to Stelara, but with more burdensome dosing schedules, including Tremfya (guselkumab), which has a dosing schedule of every eight weeks (Q8W), and Cosentyx (secukinumab) and Taltz (ixekizumab), which have dosing schedules of every four weeks (Q4W). While these therapies have all become generally successful products, the most commercially successful drug in the PsO market today is Skyrizi (risankizumab), which combines Stelara’s Q12W dosing schedule with improvements in efficacy, as evidenced by a higher psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score of PASI 90 and PASI 100 rates (i.e., a 90% improvement in PASI score and a 100% improvement in PASI score (complete clearance), respectively) in clinical trials. In addition, Bimzelx (bimekizumab), approved by the FDA in 2023, has shown evidence of efficacy that exceeds even Skyrizi, though with a less convenient Q8W dosing schedule. Although many biologics have entered the PsO market over the past two decades, new entrants have had significant commercial success when they have improved upon efficacy and/or dosing frequency, and room remains to improve in both areas to set a new standard for the treatment of PsO.
Biologics have raised the bar on the standard of care in PsO, but leave room for improvement
The biology driving PsO and PsA is well understood today, and the standard of care has progressed dramatically. We believe that it is unlikely that a novel mechanism will emerge that is as safe and efficacious as targeting the IL-23/IL-17 axis. Therefore, we believe that innovation now should be focused on optimizing the product profile that can be offered to patients. While much effort is being directed toward daily oral formats to inhibit this axis, oral medicines have yet to match the efficacy of biologics. We believe that a better biologic with a longer dosing interval and the potential for improved efficacy will present a more attractive product profile for most patients.
Overview of Psoriasis (PsO)
PsO is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder that affects an estimated 125 million people worldwide with steadily increasing prevalence, estimated to be around 2 - 3% of the population currently, according to the World Psoriasis Day consortium. It is the largest pharmaceutical market within dermatology, with annual sales of approximately $25.0 billion in 2022, which is estimated to grow to $32 billion by 2028. The most common form of PsO is plaque psoriasis. Patients with chronic plaque psoriasis have well-demarcated, erythematous plaques with overlying, coarse, silvery-scaled patches. These plaques can occur anywhere on the body, though are typically found on the scalp, extensor areas of the knees and elbows, and gluteal cleft. Involvement of the palms, soles, or nails, and intertriginous areas, including the genitals, can also occur and can be particularly difficult to treat. Between one-quarter and one-half of PsO patients have moderate disease, defined as having 3% to 10% of the body surface area (“BSA”) involved, or severe disease, defined as having more than 10% BSA involvement. The chronic inflammation in PsO is associated with multiple comorbidities, including PsA, obesity, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
As discussed earlier, PsO is a complex immune-mediated disease driven primarily by Th17 cells and the cytokines IL-23 and IL-17. The interplay of environmental and behavioral risk factors and genetics is believed to trigger PsO. Multiple lines of evidence support a genetic component to the disease, including the observation that approximately 40% of patients with PsO and PsA have a family history of the disease and the identification of multiple susceptibility loci, many containing genes related to the regulation of the immune system, in genome-wide association studies.
Current PsO Treatments and Limitations
While patients with mild PsO typically rely on topical corticosteroids or oral therapies like Otezla (apremilast), these agents often do not provide an adequate response for patients with moderate-to-severe PsO. As a result, the American Academy of Dermatology-National Psoriasis Foundation recommends biologics as first-line therapy for moderate-to-severe PsO.
Several classes of biologic therapies have been approved for PsO over the past 20 years, resulting in progressively more complete symptom relief. Efficacy in PsO is typically measured via the PASI scoring system. The first biologics approved for PsO were tumor necrosis alpha (“TNF-α”) inhibitors such as Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), and Remicade (infliximab), which achieved a PASI score of PASI 90 at 16 weeks in around 25 - 50% of patients and a PASI score of PASI 100 in around 5 - 20% of patients. Stelara (ustekinumab), which targets the p40 subunit of IL-23 that is shared with IL-12, was approved next and achieved efficacy on par with Humira. IL-17 inhibitors Cosentyx (secukinumab), Taltz (ixekizumab), and Siliq (brodalumab) followed and achieved responses of PASI 90 in around 70% of patients and PASI 100 in around 40% of patients with some risk of certain side effects such as oral candidiasis. Most recently, IL-23p19 inhibitors such as Ilumya (tildrakizumab), Tremfya (guselkumab), and Skyrizi (risankizumab) have achieved responses of PASI 90 in around 70 - 80% of patients and PASI 100 in around 30 - 50% of patients with highly tolerable profiles. Finally, IL-17A/F inhibitors such as Bimzelx (bimekizumab) have recently shown even higher response rates than IL-23 inhibitors, but with slightly less tolerable profiles.
Treatment expectations in PsO have evolved progressively with this continued innovation. A 75% improvement in PASI score was previously thought to be an adequate depth of response, and weekly SQ dosing was viewed as acceptable. With each subsequent generation of innovation, patient and caregiver expectations have advanced. Today, Skyrizi (risankizumab) is widely viewed as the leader in PsO biologic therapy. In Phase 3 clinical trials, 43% and 58% of patients achieved PASI 100 at 16 and 52 weeks, respectively, with SQ maintenance dosing every three months. Most recently, Bimzelx (bimekizumab) has shown evidence of efficacy that exceeds even Skyrizi, achieving a 64% PASI 100 rate at 16 weeks in Phase 3 trials. However, the increased efficacy comes with a less convenient Q8W dosing schedule and an increased risk of certain side effects, most notably oral candidiasis. While agents like Skyrizi and Bimzelx reflect the remarkable advancement in PsO treatment, there remains significant unmet need. Approximately half of moderate-to-severe PsO patients do not achieve full skin clarity, and while early signs are present, the promise of disease modifying therapy remains unrealized. In addition, a continued desire for more convenient dosing options has driven significant interest in orally delivered medicines targeting these same pathways. However, oral therapies have yet to match the efficacy and safety profile of biologics. We believe that ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 could represent the next step in biologic innovation in PsO, with the potential for higher rates of complete skin clearance, more durable remissions, and markedly more convenient dosing regimens.
Overview of Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
PsA is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects both the skin and joints, and often coexists with PsO. Around a quarter to a third of patients with moderate-to-severe PsO also have PsA. Most individuals develop PsO before being diagnosed with PsA, with a median gap of seven to eight years between the diagnosis of skin and joint disease, though in up to 30% of patients with PsA, joint symptoms appear before or simultaneously with skin manifestations. Patients with PsA present with joint pain, stiffness, and swelling affecting the peripheral joints, axial skeleton, or both. Enthesitis, dactylitis, nail lesions, fatigue, and ocular inflammation all occur commonly. PsA can lead to irreversible joint damage, including bony fusion across a joint (ankylosis). The pathogenesis of PsA is likely to be closely related to the mechanisms that underlie PsO. Like PsO, the exact cause of PsA remains unknown, but environmental triggers, including infection and trauma, and genetic factors play a role.
Current PsA Treatments and Limitations
Effective treatment of PsA requires a coordinated approach to address the unique combination of disease manifestations each patient has, which can include peripheral and axial arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis, and skin and nail involvement. Many patients with milder disease symptoms will start with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (“NSAIDs”) and/or local treatments to address specific disease manifestations. However, those with more moderate or severe disease and/or multidomain involvement will typically receive a biologic therapy targeting TNF-α or IL-17, or less commonly an oral Janus kinase (“JAK”) inhibitor. Comorbid conditions can also influence treatment selection. For example, an IL-17 inhibitor would be preferred for a patient with significant skin involvement, but not for patients with IBD or ocular symptoms, where a TNF-α inhibitor would be preferred. The most common endpoint used to measure the efficacy of TNF-α or IL-17 inhibitors in PsA is ACR response, or the proportion of patients achieving a specified percent improvement in American College of Rheumatology (“ACR”) score, which measures peripheral joint disease. Approved TNF-α inhibitors, including Humira (adalimumab) and Cimzia (certolizumab), achieved a placebo-adjusted ACR50 response of around 30 - 35% at 24 weeks with Q2W dosing. Approved IL-17 inhibitors, including Cosentyx (secukinumab) and Taltz (ixekizumab), achieved a slightly lower placebo-adjusted ACR50 response of around 25 - 30% at 24 weeks, but with more convenient Q4W dosing. Bimzelx (bimekizumab), which was recently approved in the United States for PsA, achieved a placebo-adjusted ACR50 response of approximately 35% at 16 weeks with Q4W dosing. A significant fraction of patients with PsA still do not achieve a satisfactory response with available therapies, and even the most convenient regimens require monthly SQ dosing.
Overview of additional opportunities
In addition to PsO and PsA, inhibition of IL-23 or IL-17 has demonstrated efficacy in a number of additional I&I indications, including HS and axSpA.
HS is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by lesions that include deep-seated nodules and abscesses, draining tracts, and fibrotic scars that occur most commonly in intertriginous areas, such as the armpits and groin. Due to the associated pain, sensitive locations, drainage, odor, and scarring, this condition can have a particularly negative psychosocial impact on affected individuals. HS is believed to be underdiagnosed and could have a prevalence well above 1% worldwide. Treatment varies depending on severity and can include topical and systemic antibiotics, hormone therapy, immune modulators, and surgery. Humira (adalimumab) was the only FDA-approved medication for the treatment of moderate-to-severe HS from its approval in 2015 until the approval of Cosentyx (secukinumab) in October 2023 and Bimzelx (bimekizumab) in November 2024. Now multiple other biologics are advancing through development and have demonstrated encouraging data in Phase 2 clinical trials, though a significant fraction of patients still do not achieve adequate responses.
axSpA is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints that comprise the axial skeleton. The disease causes severe pain, stiffness, and fatigue, and can have additional clinical manifestations like uveitis, enthesitis, peripheral arthritis, and PsO. Patients with axSpA may develop further structural damage in their spine, which can lead to the fusion of vertebra (spinal ankylosis), which has a massive negative impact on mobility, physical function, and quality of life. The overall prevalence of axSpA is estimated to be around 1% in the United States. Treatment of axSpA starts with physical therapy and NSAIDs. If patients do not have an adequate response to NSAIDs, a TNF-α inhibitor is typically used, followed by an IL-17 inhibitor, such as Cosentyx (secukinumab), Taltz (ixekizumab), or Bimzelx (bimekizumab), or less frequently a JAK inhibitor. Patients often need to cycle through therapies over time due to inadequate responses or loss of response.
Our Solution: Half-Life Extension and Antibody Engineering Technologies
Our antibody engineering campaigns are designed to optimize multiple attributes in parallel: binding affinity, potency in a variety of assays, developability, and consistently extended serum half-life in non-human primates (“NHPs”). Half-life extension is possible by modifying the pH-dependent binding affinity of the antibody Fc domain for FcRn. A primary mechanism of elimination of antibodies from the serum is through pinocytosis and degradation in the lysosomes of cells. Throughout this process, antibodies can be recycled back into the serum by binding to FcRn while they are in endosomes. The interior of the endosome is acidic, and therefore the efficiency of this recycling process depends on the ability of the antibody Fc domain to bind to FcRn at low pH. If this low pH binding is efficient enough, antibody recycling can be favored over degradation, potentially resulting in a much longer serum half-life.
Antibody engineers have discovered methods of modifying the Fc domain to optimize the efficiency of recycling via FcRn binding. Several engineering strategies have been identified over the past two decades, with the so-called “YTE” mutations (M252Y/S254T/T256E) and “LS” mutations (M428L/N434S) being the most frequently used. Importantly, while these strategies have been known for some time, it was only relatively recently that enough clinical precedent was established to provide confidence in how these mutations perform in humans. Two products incorporating YTE modification were approved in 2023 by the FDA, Beyfortus (nirsevimab) and Evusheld (tixagevimab and cilgavimab), and several more candidates are in clinical trials. Two products using LS mutations were approved in 2021 and 2022, Xevudy (sotrovima) and Ultomiris (ravulizumab), respectively, and several more candidates are in clinical trials. Based on clinical data in humans, antibodies with YTE mutations typically have a half-life that is two to four times longer than wildtype antibodies. In addition, preclinical data in NHPs can be used to predict the approximate half-life in humans, with the human half-life equaling around two to four times the NHP half-life.
Clinical experience with YTE-modified mAbs predicts significant half-life extension over wildtype mAbs
While this increasing body of clinical precedent serves to validate half-life extension, we do not yet have clinical data showing that the introduction of these amino acid substitutions in our programs leads to a longer serum half-life. However, we aim to establish this favorable pharmacokinetic profile early in the clinical development of our product candidates.
ORKA-001
Summary
ORKA-001 is a high affinity, extended half-life mAb designed to target the p19 subunit of IL-23. Based on preclinical data generated to date, we believe ORKA-001 has the potential to become the leading IL-23 inhibitor and achieve an optimal product profile in PsO consisting of the following:
● One to two maintenance doses per year. Standard-of-care therapies targeting IL-23 require maintenance dosing every eight to twelve weeks. We engineered the Fc portion of ORKA-001 to include YTE mutations to increase the half-life of ORKA-001 in circulation, which may enable dosing every six to twelve months - a dosing interval made feasible by half-life extension technology. In preclinical studies, serum levels from NHPs indicated an elimination half-life of over 30 days following SQ administration of ORKA-001. Based on published scientific literature on other antibodies incorporating YTE mutations and pharmacokinetic modeling, we anticipate this half-life in NHPs to translate to a half-life in humans that could allow subcutaneous dosing every six to twelve months while maintaining high antibody exposures.
● Higher PASI 100. ORKA-001 benefits from the robust validation of IL-23 inhibition in PsO by multiple approved therapies, such as Skyrizi (risankizumab) and Tremfya (guselkumab), while leveraging insights from these therapies to improve upon their clinical profile. ORKA-001 is designed to bind a similar epitope to the market-leading anti-IL-23 antibody, Skyrizi, with similar or greater affinity and could achieve much higher exposures in patients due to half-life extension and higher dosing. Skyrizi and Tremfya both have a robust exposure-response relationship, with higher drug exposures leading to higher response rates. Published data indicates that these therapies have not saturated this exposure-response relationship, and ORKA-001 could lead to higher response rates, including higher rates of complete skin clearance, or PASI 100, through increased exposure, even while having more convenient dosing with as few as one or two maintenance doses per year.
● Validated IL-23p19 safety profile. Existing commercially approved antibodies targeting IL-23 provide a robust precedent for the safety of IL-23 inhibition. Across thousands of patients dosed in dermatology and IBD indications, no correlations have been observed at the patient level between exposure and safety. While we are not pursuing IBD, the approved Skyrizi regimens for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis supports the safety of high peak exposures. Peak Skyrizi exposures during the IV induction phase in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are multiple times higher than the anticipated peak ORKA-001 exposures at dose levels we currently plan to evaluate in PsO. In addition, an exposure-response analysis for Skyrizi in ulcerative colitis showed no relationship between exposures and evaluated safety endpoints in the 12-week induction or 52-week maintenance periods. In this assessment, the top quartile of average exposures were significantly higher than the highest anticipated exposures with ORKA-001 in the same periods.
● Potential to offer longer term remission to some patients. Emerging evidence suggests that IL-23 blockade can modify the disease biology of PsO, possibly leading to durable remissions and preventing the development of PsA. Dr. Andrew Blauvelt, chair of our Scientific Advisory Board, pioneered some of this work by using two- and four-times the approved dose levels of risankizumab to achieve best-in-indication response rates. This study, called KNOCKOUT, showed a robust depletion of TRMs following high dose IL-23 inhibition, which could lead to longer-lasting remissions in some patients. Additional evidence from a study of guselkumab, called GUIDE, showed that intervention early in the disease course can lead to longer treatment-free remissions. In addition, retrospective claims data suggests that treatment with an IL-23 inhibitor could help prevent progression to PsA, though this finding has yet to be confirmed by a prospective clinical trial. Given the high antibody exposures expected with ORKA-001, we believe that ORKA-001 could lead to durable remissions for some patients, especially those with short disease duration. We plan to pursue patient-specific dosing intervals to provide each patient the greatest possible freedom from their disease.
We believe that this target profile for ORKA-001 could offer improved freedom from disease to many patients affected by PsO and represent a step forward in the standard of care.
Preclinical Data
We evaluated ORKA-001 in numerous preclinical studies for several key features:
Potency that matches or exceeds Skyrizi (risankizumab) in vitro
We have tested the potency of ORKA-001 in vitro in multiple assays, including assays evaluating the inhibition of IL-17 release from human peripheral mononuclear blood cells, in comparison to risankizumab generated recombinantly based on amino acid sequences from patent filings. Based on the results of these experiments, we believe ORKA-001 binds a similar epitope as risankizumab with similar potency.
ORKA-001 binds to a similar epitope as risankizumab with similar potency
Significant half-life extension in NHPs that could enable a maintenance dosing interval of once or twice a year in humans
We assessed ORKA-001 in NHPs in comparison to risankizumab generated recombinantly based on amino acid sequences from patent filings. ORKA-001 had a significantly longer half-life, reaching over 30 days with SQ administration. Based on clinical experience with YTE-modified mAbs and pharmacokinetic modeling, we believe that this half-life extension could enable dosing once or twice per year, as shown in the figure below.
The incorporation of YTE mutations significantly extends half-life in NHPs, which could enable once or twice yearly dosing
In addition to enabling less frequent dosing, an extended half-life would increase the exposure of ORKA-001, which has the potential to increase efficacy. Based on published literature, Skyrizi (risankizumab) demonstrates a clear relationship between antibody exposure and efficacy, with higher average serum antibody concentration correlating with higher PASI 90 and PASI 100 rates short-term (at 16 weeks) and long-term (at 52 weeks), as shown for PASI 100 in the figure below. In addition, the KNOCKOUT study, which evaluated two- and four-times higher doses of Skyrizi than the approved regimen, yielded some of the highest PASI 100 rates observed to date, reaching 67% at 16 weeks. Based on our pharmacokinetic modeling, ORKA-001 could achieve four-fold higher average exposures than the approved Skyrizi regimen over the first 16 weeks and over two-fold higher average exposures at steady-state, exceeding even the exposures in KNOCKOUT. Based on the exposure-response relationship observed with other IL-23 inhibiting antibodies, we believe that these increased exposures could result in higher efficacy.
ORKA-001 is projected to extend the exposure-response relationship established by studies of Skyrizi
Safety in vitro and in vivo
We have evaluated ORKA-001 in several in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies to assess safety. In addition, we have a nonclinical program to characterize the toxicology, toxicokinetics, and anti-drug antibody profile of ORKA-001 in NHPs. Our nonclinical program supported the initiation of our Phase 1 clinical trial for ORKA-001 and our continuing clinical development.
Characteristics that support ease of manufacturing and potentially enable high-concentration formulations
Finally, we have assessed a variety of attributes essential for manufacturability and high-concentration formulation, including viscosity, solubility, and stability, among others. ORKA-001 shows evidence of desirable properties across these characteristics, which we believe will enhance our ability to manufacture ORKA-001 successfully and consistently and to deliver high doses of ORKA-001 subcutaneously using convenient, low-volume presentations.
Clinical Development
ORKA-001
We dosed the first participants in a Phase 1 clinical trial of ORKA-001 in healthy volunteers in the fourth quarter of 2024. This trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose study evaluating the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of ORKA-001 in healthy volunteers. The trial is expected to enroll approximately 24 healthy volunteers across three subcutaneous dose cohorts. We expect to share interim data from this trial in the second half of 2025. We believe this data has the potential to provide key validation of initial safety and pharmacokinetics data, including half-life, to support extended dosing intervals.
We plan to initiate a Phase 2a proof-of-concept study of ORKA-001 in moderate-to-severe PsO in the second half of 2025. We believe that several aspects of PsO facilitate clinical development, including well-established, reproducible endpoints based on PASI scores, low placebo rates, particularly with PASI 90 and PASI 100, a rapid efficacy readout at 16 weeks, and potentially rapid enrollment due to the large patient population. Our Phase 2a clinical trial is anticipated to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a single dose level of ORKA-001 versus placebo in approximately 80 subjects, followed by randomization to one of two maintenance dosing arms. In one maintenance arm, subjects will receive ORKA-001 every six months. In the other, subjects will receive only induction dosing to assess the length of time patients maintain clear skin, which could support once-yearly dosing or even longer-term durability in some patients. The anticipated primary endpoint is PASI 100 at Week 16. After completing the trial, subjects may have the option to roll over to an open-label extension study. We expect to share initial data from the Phase 2a trial in the second half of 2026. We believe this data has the potential to inform efficacy at Week 16, as well as later timepoints, and provide us information on preliminary durability, including the potential for extended dosing intervals and longer-term remissions.
ORKA-002
Summary
ORKA-002 is a high affinity, extended half-life mAb designed to target IL-17A/F. Dual inhibition of both IL-17A and IL-17F has shown superior efficacy compared to IL-17A inhibition alone in PsO and other indications, as shown by the performance of Bimzelx (bimekizumab) compared to Cosentyx (secukinumab) and Taltz (ixekizumab) in Phase 3 trials. These therapies all utilize Q4W maintenance dosing in PsO and PsA, except Bimzelx, where Q8W maintenance dosing in PsO patients <120 kg is recommended. By binding IL-17A/F at similar epitopes and affinity ranges as Bimzelx while incorporating half-life extension technology to potentially enable dosing two to three times a year in PsO and PsA, we believe that ORKA-002 could become the leading therapy in the IL-17 class.
Preclinical Data
The preclinical program we are conducting for ORKA-002 mirrors that for ORKA-001 and spans potency, pharmacokinetics, safety, and manufacturing characteristics. Based on the results of these experiments, we believe ORKA-002 has the potential for comparable potency to bimekizumab, but with a significantly longer half-life, which we believe could support dosing two or three times per year based on extrapolation from clinical precedent and pharmacokinetic modeling.
Clinical Development Plans
We plan to initiate dosing of healthy volunteers in a Phase 1 trial of ORKA-002 in the third quarter of 2025. As with ORKA-001, initial data on ORKA-002 in healthy volunteers has the potential to provide key validation of both early safety and pharmacokinetics to support extended dosing intervals. Though clinical development of ORKA-002 will initially focus on one lead indication, we plan to evaluate ORKA-002 in a range of indications over time. We see ORKA-002 as highly complementary to ORKA-001, with the potential to provide an optimal therapy for the approximately one-quarter to one-third of moderate-to-severe PsO patients who have PsA, as well as for PsO patients with highly resistant skin symptoms that do not respond adequately to an IL-23 inhibitor. Furthermore, ORKA-002 could address indications beyond PsO, including PsA with limited skin involvement, HS, axSpA, and additional I&I diseases.
ORKA-021
The IL-17 and IL-23 classes each have distinct advantages. IL-17 inhibitors tend to have the fastest onset and highest peak response, while IL-23 inhibitors have less frequent dosing and better durability and safety. Combining the two mechanisms sequentially has the potential to provide two attractive features of each program: the rapid response of an IL-17 inhibitor with the ideal maintenance profile of an IL-23 inhibitor. As a result, following ORKA-002 and ORKA-001, we plan to explore a sequential combination regimen of ORKA-002 and ORKA-001, called “ORKA-021.”
Additional Pipeline Program
We have a third mAb program, ORKA-003, that targets an undisclosed pathway. A core tenet of our strategy is to remain highly focused on I&I diseases, and specifically on inflammatory dermatology conditions. ORKA-003 provides the potential for indication expansion beyond PsO as well as combination opportunities with our more advanced programs. In the future, we may add additional programs to our portfolio beyond ORKA-001, ORKA-002, ORKA-021 and ORKA-003 that fit our strategic focus.
Intellectual Property
We strive to protect the proprietary programs and technologies that we believe are important to our business, including seeking and maintaining patent protection intended to cover the composition of matter of our programs, their methods of use and manufacture, related technologies, diagnostics, and other inventions.
Paragon has filed, on our behalf, provisional patent applications, and we have filed non-provisional patent applications, and may file additional patent applications directed to antibodies that target IL-23, including applications covering composition of matter, pharmaceutical formulations, and methods of using such antibodies, including ORKA-001. In addition, Paragon has filed, on our behalf, provisional patent applications, and we may file additional patent applications directed to antibodies that target IL-17, including applications covering composition of matter, pharmaceutical formulations, and methods of using such antibodies, including ORKA-002. We have exclusive rights to ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 and the corresponding IL-23 and IL-17 patent applications pursuant to license agreements with Paragon. If the patent applications mature into one or more issued patents covering ORKA-001 or ORKA-002, we would expect those patents to expire in 2045, absent any applicable patent term adjustments or extensions.
Commercial
Should any of our product candidates be approved for commercialization, we intend to develop a plan to commercialize them in the United States and other key markets, through internal infrastructure and/or external partnerships in a manner that will enable us to realize the full commercial value of our programs. Given our stage of development, we have not yet established a commercial organization or distribution capabilities. We have exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 pursuant to license agreements with Paragon.
Manufacturing
We do not currently own or operate facilities for product manufacturing, testing, storage, and distribution. We have contracted and expect to continue to contract with third parties for the manufacture and distribution of our product candidates. Because we rely on contract manufacturers, we employ personnel with extensive technical, manufacturing, analytical, and quality experience. Our team has deep knowledge and understanding of the regulations that govern manufacturing, documentation, quality assurance, and quality control of drug supply that are required to support our regulatory filings.
Competition
The biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries are characterized by continuing technological advancement and significant competition. While we believe that our programs, technology, development experience and scientific knowledge provide us with competitive advantages, we face competition from major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic institutions, governmental agencies, and public and private research institutions, among others. Any product candidates that we successfully develop and commercialize will compete with existing therapies and therapies that may become available in the future. Many of the companies with which we are currently competing or will compete against in the future have significantly greater financial resources and expertise in research and development, manufacturing, preclinical testing, conducting clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals, and marketing approved products than we do. Mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry may result in even more resources being concentrated among a smaller number of our competitors. Smaller or early-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large and established companies. These competitors also compete with us in recruiting and retaining qualified scientific and management personnel, establishing clinical trial sites, patient enrollment for clinical trials as well as in acquiring technologies complementary to, or necessary for, our programs.
Key competitive factors affecting the success of all our product candidates that we develop, if approved, are likely to be efficacy, safety, convenience, presentation, price, the level of generic competition, and the availability of reimbursement from government and other third-party payors. Our competitors may also obtain FDA or other regulatory approval for their products more rapidly than we may obtain approval for our products, which could result in our competitors establishing a strong market position before we are able to enter the market.
Specifically, there are several companies developing or marketing treatments that may be approved for the same indications and/or diseases as our two most advanced programs, ORKA-001 and ORKA-002, including major pharmaceutical companies. We do not yet have clinical data for any of our programs and there can be no assurance that our programs will have similar or comparable results.
There are several approved biologic therapies for the treatment of moderate-to-severe PsO. These include mAbs targeting IL-23, such as Skyrizi (risankizumab) from AbbVie, Tremfya (guselkumab) from Janssen, and Ilumya (tildrakizumab) from Sun Pharma, also marketed as Ilumetri by Almirall in Europe, which all target the p19 subunit, and Stelara (ustekinumab) from Janssen, which targets the p40 subunit; mAbs targeting IL-17, such as Bimzelx (bimekizumab) from UCB, which targets IL-17A/F, Cosentyx (secukinumab) from Novartis and Taltz (ixekizumab) from Eli Lilly, which both target IL-17A, and Siliq (brodalumab) from Ortho Dermatologics, also marketed as Kyntheum by LEO Pharma in Europe, which targets IL-17 receptor/A; and biologics targeting TNF-α, such as Humira (adalimumab) from AbbVie, Enbrel (etanercept) from Amgen, and Remicade (infliximab) from Janssen, and various biosimilar versions of each. In addition, there are several approved oral medicines in these indications, including the phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor Otezla (apremilast) from Amgen and the tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) from Bristol-Myers Squibb. Many of these therapies also are approved or in development for PsA, HS, axSpA, and other I&I indications.
In addition, we are aware of several product candidates in clinical development for moderate-to-severe PsO, along with PsA, HS, axSpA, and other indications. These include the biologics picankibart from Innovent Biologics targeting IL-23p19 and sonelokimab from MoonLake Immunotherapeutics targeting IL-17A/F. Also, there are several oral agents in development, including JNJ-2113 from Janssen targeting the IL-23 receptor, DC-853 from Eli Lilly targeting IL-17A, and TAK-279 from Takeda and ESK-001 from Alumis, both targeting TYK2.
Significant Agreements
Paragon Therapeutics - Option Agreements
In March 2024, we entered into two antibody discovery and option agreements (“Option Agreements”) with Paragon and Paruka Holding, LLC (“Paruka”). Paruka is an entity formed by Paragon as a vehicle to hold equity in our Company in order to share profits with certain employees of Paragon. Under the terms of each agreement, Paragon identifies, evaluates, and develops antibodies directed against certain mutually agreed therapeutic targets of interest to us. From time to time, we can choose to add additional targets to the collaboration upon agreement with Paragon and Paruka. Under the Option Agreements, we have the exclusive option to, on a research program-by-research program basis, be granted an exclusive, worldwide license to all of Paragon’s right, title, and interest in and to the intellectual property resulting from the applicable research program to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the antibodies and products directed to the selected target(s) (each, an “Option”). We have initiated certain research programs with Paragon that generally focus on discovering, generating, identifying and/or characterizing antibodies directed to a particular target (each, a “Research Program”), including for IL-23 and IL-17A/F for ORKA-001 and ORKA-002, respectively. Our exclusive option with respect to each Research Program is exercisable at our sole discretion at such time as specified in the Option Agreements (the “Option Period”). There is no payment due upon exercise of an Option pursuant to the Option Agreements. For each of these agreements, once we enter into the corresponding license agreements, we will be required to make non-refundable milestone payments to Paragon of up to $12.0 million under each respective agreement upon the achievement of certain clinical development milestones, up to $10.0 million under each respective agreement upon the achievement of certain regulatory milestones, as well as a low single-digit percentage royalty for antibody products beginning on the first commercial sale in each program.
We may terminate any Option Agreement or any Research Program at any time for any or no reason upon 30 days’ prior written notice to Paragon, provided that we must pay certain unpaid fees due to Paragon upon such termination, as well as any non-cancellable obligations reasonably incurred by Paragon in connection with its activities under any terminated Research Program. Paragon may terminate any Option Agreement or a Research Program immediately upon written notice to us if, as a result of any action or failure to act by us or our affiliates, such Research Program or all material activities under the applicable Research Plan are suspended, discontinued or otherwise delayed for a certain consecutive number of months. Each party has the right to terminate the Option Agreements or any Research Program upon material breach that remains uncured or the other party’s bankruptcy.
Additionally, as part of the Option Agreements, on December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025, we granted and will grant, respectively, Paruka a warrant to purchase a number of shares equal to 1.00% of outstanding shares as of the date of the grant on a fully-diluted basis, with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying shares on the grant date.
Paragon Therapeutics - License Agreements
In September 2024, we exercised the Option to acquire certain rights to ORKA-001, and in December 2024, we entered into the corresponding license agreement with Paragon (the “ORKA-001 License Agreement”), pursuant to which Paragon granted us a royalty-bearing, world-wide, exclusive license to develop, manufacture, commercialize or otherwise exploit certain antibodies and products targeting IL-23 in all fields other than the field of inflammatory bowel disease (“ORKA-001 Field”). In December 2024, we exercised the Option with respect to ORKA-002 for the IL-17A/F program, and in February 2025, we entered into the corresponding license agreement with Paragon (the “ORKA-002 License Agreement” and together with the ORKA-001 License Agreement, the “License Agreements”), pursuant to which Paragon granted us a royalty-bearing, world-wide, exclusive license to develop, manufacture, commercialize or otherwise exploit certain antibodies and products targeting IL-17A/F in all fields (“ORKA-002 Field” and together with the ORKA-001 Field, the “Fields”).
The License Agreements provide us with exclusive licenses in the Fields to Paragon’s patent applications covering the related antibodies, their method of use and their method of manufacture and Paragon has agreed not to conduct any new campaigns that generate anti-IL-23 monospecific antibodies or anti-IL-17A/F monospecific antibodies for the ORKA-001 Field or the ORKA-002 Field, respectively, for at least five years. Each of the ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 License Agreements may be terminated on 60 days’ notice to Paragon, on material breach without cure, and on a party’s insolvency or bankruptcy to the extent permitted by law.
Pursuant to the terms of each of the ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 License Agreements, we are obligated to pay Paragon non-refundable milestone payments of up to $12.0 million under each respective agreement upon the achievement of certain clinical development milestones and up to $10.0 million under each respective agreement upon the achievement of certain regulatory milestones, including a $1.5 million fee for nomination of a development candidate (or initiation of an investigational new drug (“IND”) enabling toxicology study) and a further milestone payment of $2.5 million upon the first dosing of a human patient in a Phase 1 trial for each of ORKA-001 and ORKA-002. In addition, we are obligated to pay Paragon a low single-digit percentage royalty for antibody products for each of ORKA-001 and ORKA-002. For each of the License Agreements, the royalty term ends on the later of (i) the last-to-expire licensed patent or our patent directed to the manufacture, use or sale of a licensed antibody in the country at issue or (ii) 12 years from the date of first sale of a Company product. There is also a royalty step-down if there is no Paragon patent in effect during the royalty term for each program.
Cell Line License Agreement
In March 2024, we entered into the Cell Line License Agreement (the “Cell Line License Agreement”) with WuXi Biologics Ireland Limited (“WuXi Biologics”). Under the Cell Line License Agreement, we received a non-exclusive, worldwide, sublicensable license to certain of WuXi Biologics’ know-how, cell line, biological materials (the “WuXi Biologics Licensed Technology”) and media and feeds to make, have made, use, sell and import certain therapeutic products produced through the use of the cell line licensed by WuXi Biologics under the Cell Line License Agreement (the “WuXi Biologics Licensed Products”). Specifically, the WuXi Biologics Licensed Technology is used in certain manufacturing activities in support of the ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 programs.
In consideration for the license, we agreed to pay WuXi Biologics a non-refundable license fee of $150,000. Additionally, to the extent that we manufacture our commercial supplies of bulk drug product with a manufacturer other than WuXi Biologics or its affiliates, we are required to make royalty payments to WuXi Biologics at a rate of less than one percent of net sales of WuXi Biologics Licensed Products manufactured by the third-party manufacturer. Pursuant to an amendment to the Cell Line License Agreement effective in November 2024, a provision was added that permits the royalties owed under the agreement to be bought out on a product-by-product basis for a lump-sum payment.
The Cell Line License Agreement will continue indefinitely unless terminated (i) by us upon six months’ prior written notice and our payment of all undisputed amounts due to WuXi Biologics through the effective date of termination, (ii) by WuXi Biologics for a material breach by us that remains uncured for 60 days after written notice, (iii) by WuXi Biologics if we fail to make a payment and such failure continues for 30 days after receiving notice of such failure, or (iv) by either party upon the other party’s bankruptcy.
Government Regulation
The FDA and other regulatory authorities at federal, state and local levels, as well as in foreign countries, extensively regulate, among other things, the research, development, testing, manufacture, quality control, import, export, safety, effectiveness, labeling, packaging, storage, distribution, record keeping, approval, advertising, promotion, marketing, post-approval monitoring and post-approval reporting of biologics such as those we are developing. We, along with our third-party contractors, will be required to navigate the various preclinical, clinical and commercial approval requirements of the governing regulatory agencies of the countries in which we wish to conduct studies or seek approval or licensure of our product candidates. Generally, before a new therapeutic product can be marketed, considerable data demonstrating a biological product candidate’s quality, safety, purity and potency, or a small molecule drug candidate’s quality, safety and efficacy, must be obtained, organized into a format specific for each regulatory authority, submitted for review and approved by the regulatory authority. For biological product candidates, potency is similar to efficacy and is interpreted to mean the specific ability or capacity of the product, as indicated by appropriate laboratory tests or by adequately controlled clinical data obtained through the administration of the product in the manner intended, to effect a given result.
Failure to comply with the applicable U.S. requirements at any time during the product development process, approval process or post-marketing may subject an applicant to administrative or judicial sanctions. These sanctions could include, among other actions, the FDA’s refusal to approve pending applications from the sponsor, withdrawal of an approval, a clinical hold, untitled or warning letters, product recalls or market withdrawals, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, fines, refusals of government contracts, restitution, disgorgement and civil or criminal penalties. Any agency or judicial enforcement action could have a material adverse effect on our company and our products or product candidates.
United States Biologics Regulation
In the United States, biological products are subject to regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”), the Public Health Service Act (“PHSA”) and other federal, state, local, and foreign statutes and regulations. The process of obtaining regulatory approvals and the subsequent compliance with appropriate federal, state, and local statutes and regulations requires the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources. Failure to comply with the applicable U.S. requirements at any time during the product development process, approval process or following approval may subject an applicant to administrative action and judicial sanctions. The process required by the FDA before biologic product candidates may be marketed in the United States generally involves the following:
● completion of preclinical laboratory tests and animal studies performed in accordance with the FDA’s current Good Laboratory Practices (“GLP”) regulation;
● submission to the FDA of an IND, which must become effective before clinical trials may begin and must be updated annually or when significant changes are made;
● approval by an independent institutional review board (“IRB”), or ethics committee at each clinical site before the trial is commenced;
● manufacture of the proposed biologic candidate in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (“cGMPs”);
● performance of adequate and well-controlled human clinical trials in accordance with current Good Clinical Practice (“GCP”) requirements to establish the safety, purity and potency of the proposed biologic product candidate for its intended purpose;
● preparation of and submission to the FDA of a BLA, after completion of all pivotal clinical trials;
● satisfactory completion of an FDA Advisory Committee review, if applicable;
● a determination by the FDA within 60 days of its receipt of a BLA to file the application for review;
● satisfactory completion of an FDA pre-approval inspection of the manufacturing facility or facilities at which the proposed product is produced to assess compliance with cGMPs, and to assure that the facilities, methods and controls are adequate to preserve the biological product’s continued safety, purity and potency, and of selected clinical investigation sites to assess compliance with GCPs; and
● FDA review and approval of a BLA to permit commercial marketing of the product for particular indications for use in the United States.
Preclinical and Clinical Development
Prior to beginning any clinical trial with a product candidate in the United States, we must submit an IND to the FDA. An IND is a request for authorization from the FDA to administer an investigational new drug product to humans. The central focus of an IND submission is on the general investigational plan and the protocol or protocols for preclinical studies and clinical trials. The IND also includes results of animal and in vitro studies assessing the toxicology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology and pharmacodynamic characteristics of the product, chemistry, manufacturing and controls information, and any available human data or literature to support the use of the investigational product. An IND must become effective before human clinical trials may begin. The IND automatically becomes effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless the FDA, within the 30-day period, raises safety concerns or questions about the proposed clinical trial. In such a case, the IND may be placed on clinical hold and the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding concerns or questions before the clinical trial can begin. Submission of an IND therefore may or may not result in FDA authorization to begin a clinical trial.
In addition to the IND submission process, supervision of human gene transfer trials includes evaluation and assessment by an institutional biosafety committee (“IBC”), a local institutional committee that reviews and oversees research utilizing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules at that institution. The IBC assesses the safety of the research and identifies any potential risk to public health or the environment and such review may result in some delay before initiation of a clinical trial.
Clinical trials involve the administration of the investigational product to human subjects under the supervision of qualified investigators in accordance with GCPs, which include the requirement that all research subjects provide their informed consent for their participation in any clinical study. Clinical trials are conducted under protocols detailing, among other things, the objectives of the study, the parameters to be used in monitoring safety and the effectiveness criteria to be evaluated. A separate submission to the existing IND must be made for each successive clinical trial conducted during product development and for any subsequent protocol amendments. Furthermore, an independent IRB for each site proposing to conduct the clinical trial must review and approve the plan for any clinical trial and its informed consent form before the clinical trial begins at that site, and must monitor the study until completed.
Regulatory authorities, the IRB or the sponsor may suspend a clinical trial at any time on various grounds, including a finding that the subjects are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk or that the trial is unlikely to meet its stated objectives. Some studies also include oversight by an independent group of qualified experts organized by the clinical study sponsor, known as a data safety monitoring board, which provides authorization for whether or not a study may move forward at designated check points based on access to certain data from the study and may halt the clinical trial if it determines that there is an unacceptable safety risk for subjects or other grounds, such as no demonstration of efficacy. There are also requirements governing the reporting of ongoing preclinical studies and clinical trials and clinical study results to public registries.
For purposes of BLA approval, human clinical trials are typically conducted in three sequential phases that may overlap.
● Phase 1. The investigational product is initially introduced into healthy human subjects or patients with the target disease or condition. These studies are designed to test the safety, dosage tolerance, absorption, metabolism and distribution of the investigational product in humans, the side effects associated with increasing doses, and, if possible, to gain early evidence on effectiveness.
● Phase 2. The investigational product is administered to a limited patient population with a specified disease or condition to evaluate the preliminary efficacy, optimal dosages and dosing schedule and to identify possible adverse side effects and safety risks. Multiple Phase 2 clinical trials may be conducted to obtain information prior to beginning larger and more expensive Phase 3 clinical trials.
● Phase 3. The investigational product is administered to an expanded patient population to further evaluate dosage, to provide statistically significant evidence of clinical efficacy and to further test for safety, generally at multiple geographically dispersed clinical trial sites. These clinical trials are intended to establish the overall risk/benefit ratio of the investigational product and to provide an adequate basis for product approval.
In some cases, the FDA may require, or companies may voluntarily pursue, additional clinical trials after a product is approved to gain more information about the product. These so-called Phase 4 studies may be made a condition to approval of the BLA. Concurrent with clinical trials, companies may complete additional animal studies and develop additional information about the biological characteristics of the product candidate and must finalize a process for manufacturing the product in commercial quantities in accordance with cGMP requirements. The manufacturing process must be capable of consistently producing quality batches of the product candidate and, among other things, must develop methods for testing the identity, strength, quality and purity of the final product, or for biologics, the safety, purity and potency. Additionally, appropriate packaging must be selected and tested, and stability studies must be conducted to demonstrate that the product candidate does not undergo unacceptable deterioration over its shelf life.
A sponsor may choose, but is not required, to conduct a foreign clinical study under an IND. When a foreign clinical study is conducted under an IND, all IND requirements must be met unless waived. When the foreign clinical study is not conducted under an IND, the sponsor must ensure that the study complies with certain FDA regulatory requirements in order to use the study as support for an IND or application for marketing approval or licensure, including that the study was conducted in accordance with GCP, including review and approval by an independent ethics committee and use of proper procedures for obtaining informed consent from subjects, and the FDA is able to validate the data from the study through an onsite inspection if the FDA deems such inspection necessary. The GCP requirements encompass both ethical and data integrity standards for clinical studies.
BLA Submission and Review
Assuming successful completion of all required testing in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements, the results of product development, nonclinical studies and clinical trials are submitted to the FDA as part of a BLA requesting approval to market the product for one or more indications. The BLA must include all relevant data available from pertinent preclinical studies and clinical trials, including negative or ambiguous results as well as positive findings, together with detailed information relating to the product’s chemistry, manufacturing, controls, and proposed labeling, among other things. Data can come from company-sponsored clinical studies intended to test the safety and effectiveness of the product, or from a number of alternative sources, including studies initiated and sponsored by investigators. The submission of a BLA requires payment of a substantial application user fee to the FDA, unless a waiver or exemption applies.
In addition, under the Pediatric Research Equity Act (“PREA”), a BLA or supplement to a BLA must contain data to assess the safety and effectiveness of the biological product candidate for the claimed indications in all relevant pediatric subpopulations and to support dosing and administration for each pediatric subpopulation for which the product is safe and effective. The Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act requires that a sponsor who is planning to submit a marketing application for a biological product that includes a new active ingredient, new indication, new dosage form, new dosing regimen or new route of administration submit an initial pediatric study plan within sixty days after an end-of-Phase 2 meeting or as may be agreed between the sponsor and FDA. Unless otherwise required by regulation, PREA does not apply to any biological product for an indication for which orphan designation has been granted.
Within 60 days following submission of the application, the FDA reviews a BLA submitted to determine if it is substantially complete before the agency accepts it for filing. The FDA may refuse to file any BLA that it deems incomplete or not properly reviewable at the time of submission and may request additional information. In this event, the BLA must be resubmitted with the additional information. Once a BLA has been accepted for filing, the FDA’s goal is to review standard applications within ten months after the filing date, or, if the application qualifies for priority review, six months after the FDA accepts the application for filing. In both standard and priority reviews, the review process may also be extended by FDA requests for additional information or clarification. The FDA reviews a BLA to determine, among other things, whether a product is safe, pure and potent and the facility in which it is manufactured, processed, packed or held meets standards designed to assure the product’s continued safety, purity and potency. The FDA may convene an advisory committee to provide clinical insight on application review questions. The FDA is not bound by the recommendations of an advisory committee, but it considers such recommendations carefully when making decisions.
Before approving a BLA, the FDA will typically inspect the facility or facilities where the product is manufactured. The FDA will not approve an application unless it determines that the manufacturing processes and facilities are in compliance with cGMP requirements and adequate to assure consistent production of the product within required specifications. Additionally, before approving a BLA, the FDA will typically inspect one or more clinical sites to assure compliance with GCPs. If the FDA determines that the application, manufacturing process or manufacturing facilities are not acceptable, it will outline the deficiencies in the submission and often will request additional testing or information. Notwithstanding the submission of any requested additional information, the FDA ultimately may decide that the application does not satisfy the regulatory criteria for approval.
After the FDA evaluates a BLA and conducts inspections of manufacturing facilities where the investigational product and/or its drug substance will be produced, the FDA may issue an approval letter or a Complete Response letter. An approval letter authorizes commercial marketing of the product with specific prescribing information for specific indications. A Complete Response letter will describe all of the deficiencies that the FDA has identified in the BLA, except that where the FDA determines that the data supporting the application are inadequate to support approval, the FDA may issue the Complete Response letter without first conducting required inspections, testing submitted product lots and/or reviewing proposed labeling. In issuing the Complete Response letter, the FDA may recommend actions that the applicant might take to place the BLA in condition for approval, including requests for additional information or clarification. The FDA may delay or refuse approval of a BLA if applicable regulatory criteria are not satisfied, require additional testing or information and/or require post-marketing testing and surveillance to monitor safety or efficacy of a product.
If regulatory approval of a product is granted, such approval will be granted for particular indications and may entail limitations on the indicated uses for which such product may be marketed. For example, the FDA may approve the BLA with a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (“REMS”) to ensure the benefits of the product outweigh its risks. A REMS is a safety strategy to manage a known or potential serious risk associated with a product and to enable patients to have continued access to such medicines by managing their safe use, and could include medication guides, physician communication plans, or elements to assure safe use, such as restricted distribution methods, patient registries and other risk minimization tools. The FDA also may condition approval on, among other things, changes to proposed labeling or the development of adequate controls and specifications. Once approved, the FDA may withdraw the product approval if compliance with pre- and post-marketing requirements is not maintained or if problems occur after the product reaches the marketplace. The FDA may require one or more Phase 4 post-market studies and surveillance to further assess and monitor the product’s safety and effectiveness after commercialization, and may limit further marketing of the product based on the results of these post-marketing studies.
Combination Therapy
Combination therapy is a treatment modality that involves the use of two or more drugs to be used in combination to treat a disease or condition. If those drugs are combined in one dosage form, such as one pill, that is known as a fixed dose combination product and it is reviewed pursuant to the FDA’s Combination Rule at 21 CFR 300.50. The rule provides that two or more drugs may be combined in a single dosage form when each component contributes to the claimed effects and the dosage of each component (amount, frequency, duration) is such that the combination is safe and effective for a significant patient population requiring such concurrent therapy as defined in the labeling for the drug. But not all combination therapy falls under the category of a fixed dose combination. For example, the FDA recognizes that two drugs in separate dosage forms and in separate packaging, that otherwise might be administered as monotherapy for an indication, also may be used in combination for the same indication. In 2013, the FDA issued guidance to assist sponsors that were developing the range of combination therapies that fall outside the category of fixed dose combinations. That guidance provides recommendations and advice on such topics as: (1) assessment at the outset whether two or more therapies are appropriate for use in combination; (2) guiding principles for nonclinical and clinical development of the combination; (3) options for regulatory pathways to seek marketing approval of the combination; and (4) post-marketing safety monitoring and reporting obligations. Given the wide range of potential combination therapy variations, the FDA indicated it intends to assess each potential combination on a case-by case basis and encouraged sponsors to engage in early and regular consultation with the relevant review division at the agency throughout the development process for its proposed combination.
Regulation of Combination Products
Certain therapeutic products are comprised of multiple components, such as drug components, biologic components, and device components, that would normally be subject to different regulatory frameworks by the FDA and frequently regulated by different centers at the FDA. These products are known as combination products. Under the FDCA, the FDA is charged with assigning a center with primary jurisdiction, or a lead center, for review of a combination product. The determination of which center will be the lead center is based on the “primary mode of action” of the combination product. Thus, if the primary mode of action of drug/biologic-device combination product is attributable to the drug or biological product, the FDA center responsible for premarket review of the drug or biological product would have primary jurisdiction for the combination product. The FDA has also established the Office of Combination Products to address issues surrounding combination products and provide more certainty to the regulatory review process. That office serves as a focal point for combination product issues for agency reviewers and industry. It is also responsible for developing guidance and regulations to clarify the regulation of combination products, and for assignment of the FDA center that has primary jurisdiction for review of combination products where the jurisdiction is unclear or in dispute. A combination product with a primary mode of action attributable to the drug or biologic component generally would be reviewed and approved pursuant to the drug or biologic approval processes set forth in the FDCA. In reviewing the new drug application or BLA for such a product, however, FDA reviewers would consult with their counterparts in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health to ensure that the device component of the combination product met applicable requirements regarding safety, effectiveness, durability and performance. In addition, under FDA regulations, combination products are subject to cGMP requirements applicable to both drugs and devices, including the Quality System Regulation applicable to medical devices.
Post-Approval Requirements
Any products manufactured or distributed by us pursuant to FDA approvals are subject to pervasive and continuing regulation by the FDA, including, among other things, requirements relating to record-keeping, reporting of adverse experiences, periodic reporting, product sampling and distribution, and advertising and promotion of the product. As part of the manufacturing process, the manufacturer is required to perform certain tests on each lot of the product before it is released for distribution. After a BLA is approved for a biological product, the product also may be subject to official lot release. If the product is subject to official release by the FDA, the manufacturer submits samples of each lot of product to the FDA together with a release protocol showing a summary of the history of manufacture of the lot and the results of all of the manufacturer’s tests performed on the lot. The FDA also may perform certain confirmatory tests on lots of some products before releasing the lots for distribution by the manufacturer. In addition, the FDA conducts laboratory research related to the regulatory standards on the safety, purity, and potency or effectiveness of biologics. After approval, most changes to the approved product, such as adding new indications or other labeling claims, are subject to prior FDA review and approval. There also are continuing user fee requirements, under which the FDA assesses an annual program fee for each product identified in an approved BLA. Biologic manufacturers and their subcontractors are required to register their establishments with the FDA and certain state agencies, and are subject to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA and certain state agencies for compliance with cGMPs, which impose certain procedural and documentation requirements upon us and our third-party manufacturers. Changes to the manufacturing process are strictly regulated, and, depending on the significance of the change, may require prior FDA approval before being implemented. FDA regulations also require investigation and correction of any deviations from cGMPs and impose reporting requirements upon us and any third-party manufacturers that we may decide to use. Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money and effort in the area of production and quality control to maintain compliance with cGMPs and other aspects of regulatory compliance.
The FDA may withdraw approval if compliance with regulatory requirements and standards is not maintained or if problems occur after the product reaches the market. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with a product, including adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or with manufacturing processes, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may result in revisions to the approved labeling to add new safety information; imposition of post-market studies or clinical studies to assess new safety risks; or imposition of distribution restrictions or other restrictions under a REMS program. Other potential consequences include, among other things:
● restrictions on the marketing or manufacturing of a product, complete withdrawal of the product from the market or product recalls;
● fines, warning letters or holds on post-approval clinical studies;
● refusal of the FDA to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications, or suspension or revocation of existing product approvals;
● product seizure or detention, or refusal of the FDA to permit the import or export of products;
● consent decrees, corporate integrity agreements, debarment or exclusion from federal healthcare programs;
● mandated modification of promotional materials and labeling and the issuance of corrective information;
● the issuance of safety alerts, Dear Healthcare Provider letters, press releases and other communications containing warnings or other safety information about the product; or
● injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties.
The FDA closely regulates the marketing, labeling, advertising and promotion of biologics. A company can make only those claims relating to safety and efficacy, purity and potency that are approved by the FDA and in accordance with the provisions of the approved label. The FDA and other agencies actively enforce the laws and regulations prohibiting the promotion of off-label uses. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in, among other things, adverse publicity, warning letters, corrective advertising and potential civil and criminal penalties. Physicians may prescribe legally available products for uses that are not described in the product’s labeling and that differ from those tested by us and approved by the FDA. Such off-label uses are common across medical specialties. Physicians may believe that such off-label uses are the best treatment for many patients in varied circumstances. The FDA does not regulate the behavior of physicians in their choice of treatments. The FDA does, however, restrict manufacturer’s communications on the subject of off-label use of their products.
Biosimilars and Reference Product Exclusivity
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Healthcare and Education Reconciliation Act (the “ACA”) includes a subtitle called the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (“BPCIA”), which created an abbreviated approval pathway for biological products that are highly similar, or “biosimilar,” to or interchangeable with an FDA-approved reference biological product. The FDA has issued several guidance documents outlining an approach to review and approval of biosimilars.
Biosimilarity, which requires that there be no clinically meaningful differences between the biological product and the reference product in terms of safety, purity, and potency, is generally shown through analytical studies, animal studies, and a clinical study or studies. Interchangeability requires that a product is biosimilar to the reference product and the product must demonstrate that it can be expected to produce the same clinical results as the reference product in any given patient and, for products that are administered multiple times to an individual, the biologic and the reference biologic may be alternated or switched after one has been previously administered without increasing safety risks or risks of diminished efficacy relative to exclusive use of the reference biologic. A product shown to be biosimilar or interchangeable with an FDA-approved reference biological product may rely in part on the FDA’s previous determination of safety and effectiveness for the reference product for approval, which can potentially reduce the cost and time required to obtain approval to market the product. Complexities associated with the larger, and often more complex, structures of biological products, as well as the processes by which such products are manufactured, pose significant hurdles to implementation of the abbreviated approval pathway that are still being worked out by the FDA. The FDA has issued guidance documents intended to inform prospective applicants and facilitate the development of proposed biosimilars and interchangeable biosimilars, as well as to describe the FDA’s interpretation of certain statutory requirements added by the BPCIA.
Under the BPCIA, an application for a biosimilar product may not be submitted to the FDA until four years following the date that the reference product was first licensed by the FDA. In addition, the approval of a biosimilar product may not be made effective by the FDA until 12 years from the date on which the reference product was first licensed. During this 12-year period of exclusivity, another company may still market a competing version of the reference product if the FDA approves a full BLA for the competing product containing that applicant’s own preclinical data and data from adequate and well-controlled clinical trials to demonstrate the safety, purity and potency of its product. The BPCIA also created certain exclusivity periods for biosimilars approved as interchangeable products. At this juncture, it is unclear whether products deemed “interchangeable” by the FDA will, in fact, be readily substituted by pharmacies, which are governed by state pharmacy law.
A reference biologic is granted twelve years of exclusivity from the time of first licensure of the reference product. The first biologic product submitted under the abbreviated approval pathway that is determined to be interchangeable with the reference product has exclusivity against other biologics submitted under the abbreviated approval pathway for the lesser of (i) one year after the first commercial marketing, (ii) 18 months after approval if there is no legal challenge, (iii) 18 months after the resolution in the applicant’s favor of a lawsuit challenging the biologics’ patents if an application has been submitted, or (iv) 42 months after the application has been approved if a lawsuit is ongoing within the 42-month period.
A biological product can also obtain pediatric market exclusivity in the United States. Pediatric exclusivity, if granted, adds six months to existing exclusivity periods and patent terms. This six-month exclusivity, which runs from the end of other exclusivity protection or patent term, may be granted based on the voluntary completion of a pediatric study in accordance with an FDA-issued “Written Request” for such a study. The BPCIA is complex and continues to be interpreted and implemented by the FDA. In July 2018, the FDA announced an action plan to encourage the development and efficient review of biosimilars, including the establishment of a new office within the agency that will focus on therapeutic biologics and biosimilars. On December 20, 2020, Congress amended the PHSA as part of the COVID-19 relief bill to further simplify the biosimilar review process by making it optional to show that conditions of use proposed in labeling have been previously approved for the reference product, which used to be a requirement of the application. In addition, government proposals have sought to reduce the 12-year reference product exclusivity period. Other aspects of the BPCIA, some of which may impact the BPCIA exclusivity provisions, have also been the subject of recent litigation. As a result, the ultimate impact, implementation, and impact of the BPCIA is subject to significant uncertainty.
As discussed below, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (“IRA”) is a significant new law that intends to foster generic and biosimilar competition and to lower drug and biologic costs.
Patent Term Extension
In the United States, after a BLA is approved, owners of relevant drug patents may apply for up to a five-year patent extension, which permits patent term restoration as compensation for the patent term lost during the FDA regulatory process. The allowable patent term extension is typically calculated as one-half the time between, the latter of the effective date of an IND and issue date of the patent for which extension is sought, and the submission date of a BLA, plus the time between BLA submission date and the BLA approval date up to a maximum of five years. The time can be shortened if the FDA determines that the applicant did not pursue licensure with due diligence. The total patent term after the extension may not exceed 14 years from the date of product licensure. Only one patent applicable to a licensed biological product is eligible for extension and only those claims covering the product, a method for using it, or a method for manufacturing it may be extended and the application for the extension must be submitted prior to the expiration of the patent in question. However, we may not be granted an extension because of, for example, failing to exercise due diligence during the testing phase or regulatory review process, failing to apply within applicable deadlines, failing to apply prior to expiration of relevant patents or otherwise failing to satisfy applicable requirements. Some, but not all, foreign jurisdictions possess patent term extension or other additional patent exclusivity mechanisms that may be more or less stringent and comprehensive than those of the United States.
Other Healthcare Laws and Compliance Requirements
Pharmaceutical companies are subject to additional healthcare regulation and enforcement by the federal government and by authorities in the states and foreign jurisdictions in which they conduct their business. Such laws include, without limitation: the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (“AKS”); the federal False Claims Act (“FCA”); the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) and similar foreign, federal and state fraud, abuse and transparency laws.
The AKS prohibits, among other things, persons and entities from knowingly and willfully soliciting, receiving, offering or paying remuneration, to induce, or in return for, either the referral of an individual, or the purchase or recommendation of an item or service for which payment may be made under any federal healthcare program. The term remuneration has been interpreted broadly to include anything of value.
The AKS has been interpreted to apply to arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers on one hand, and prescribers and purchasers on the other. The government often takes the position that to violate the AKS, only one purpose of the remuneration need be to induce referrals, even if there are other legitimate purposes for the remuneration. There are a number of statutory exceptions and regulatory safe harbors protecting some common activities from AKS prosecution, but they are drawn narrowly and practices that involve remuneration, such as consulting agreements, that may be alleged to be intended to induce prescribing, purchasing or recommending may be subject to scrutiny if they do not qualify for an exception or safe harbor. Our practices may not in all cases meet all of the criteria for protection under a statutory exception or regulatory safe harbor. Failure to meet all of the requirements of a particular applicable statutory exception or regulatory safe harbor does not make the conduct per se illegal under the AKS. Instead, the legality of the arrangement will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on a cumulative review of all of its facts and circumstances. A person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation.
Civil and criminal false claims laws, including the FCA, and civil monetary penalty laws, which can be enforced through civil whistleblower or qui tam actions, prohibit, among other things, individuals or entities from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, claims for payment of federal government funds, including in federal healthcare programs, that are false or fraudulent. Pharmaceutical and other healthcare companies have been prosecuted under these laws for engaging in a variety of different types of conduct that “caused” the submission of false claims to federal healthcare programs. Under the AKS, for example, a claim resulting from a violation of the AKS is deemed to be a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the FCA.
HIPAA created additional federal criminal statutes that prohibit, among other things, executing a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program, including private third-party payors, and making false statements relating to healthcare matters. A person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the healthcare fraud statute implemented under HIPAA or specific intent to violate the statute in order to have committed a violation.
The FDCA addresses, among other things, the design, production, labeling, promotion, manufacturing, and testing of drugs, biologics and medical devices, and prohibits such acts as the introduction into interstate commerce of adulterated or misbranded drugs or devices. The PHSA also prohibits the introduction into interstate commerce of unlicensed or mislabeled biological products.
The U.S. federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics and medical supplies for which payment is available under Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, with specific exceptions, to annually report to the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (“CMS”) information related to payments or other transfers of value to various healthcare professionals including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse anesthetists, certified nurse-midwives, and teaching hospitals, as well as ownership and investment interests held by physicians and their immediate family members. Beginning on January 1, 2023, California Assembly Bill 1278 requires California physicians and surgeons to notify patients of the Open Payments database established under the federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act.
We are also subject to federal price reporting laws and federal consumer protection and unfair competition laws. Federal price reporting laws require manufacturers to calculate and report complex pricing metrics to government programs, where such reported prices may be used in the calculation of reimbursement and/ or discounts on approved products. Federal consumer protection and unfair competition laws broadly regulate marketplace activities and activities that potentially harm consumers.
We are also subject to additional similar U.S. state and foreign law equivalents of each of the above federal laws, which, in some cases, differ from each other in significant ways, and may not have the same effect, thus complicating compliance efforts. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of such laws or any other governmental regulations that apply, we may be subject to penalties, including, without limitation, civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, fines, exclusion from government-funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid or similar programs in other countries or jurisdictions, integrity oversight and reporting obligations to resolve allegations of non-compliance, disgorgement, individual imprisonment, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations.
Data Privacy and Security
Numerous state, federal, and foreign laws govern the collection, dissemination, use, access to, confidentiality, and security of personal information, including health-related information. In the United States, numerous federal and state laws and regulations, including state data breach notification laws, state health information privacy laws, and federal and state consumer protection laws and regulations, govern the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of health-related and other personal information could apply to our operations or the operations of our partners. For example, HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (“HITECH”), and their respective implementing regulations imposes data privacy, security, and breach notification obligations on certain health care providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouses, known as covered entities, as well as their business associates and their covered subcontractors that perform certain services that involve using, disclosing, creating, receiving, maintaining, or transmitting individually identifiable protected health information (“PHI”) for or on behalf of such covered entities. These requirements imposed by HIPAA and the HITECH Act on covered entities and business associates include entering into agreements that require business associates protect PHI provided by the covered entity against improper use or disclosure, among other things; following certain standards for the privacy of PHI, which limit the disclosure of a patient’s past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition or information about a patient’s receipt of health care if the information identifies, or could reasonably be used to identify, the individual; ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all PHI created, received, maintained, or transmitted in electronic form, to identify and protect against reasonably anticipated threats or impermissible uses or disclosures to the security and integrity of such PHI; and reporting of breaches of PHI to individuals and regulators. Entities that are found to be in violation of HIPAA may be subject to significant civil, criminal, and administrative fines and penalties and/or additional reporting and oversight obligations if required to enter into a resolution agreement and corrective action plan with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) to settle allegations of HIPAA non-compliance. A covered entity or business associate is also liable for civil money penalties for a violation that is based on an act or omission of any of its agents, which may include a downstream business associate, as determined according to the federal common law of agency. HITECH also increased the civil and criminal penalties applicable to covered entities and business associates and gave state attorneys general new authority to file civil actions for damages or injunctions in federal courts to enforce HIPAA and seek attorneys’ fees and costs associated with pursuing federal civil actions. To the extent that we submit electronic healthcare claims and payment transactions that do not comply with the electronic data transmission standards established under HIPAA and HITECH, payments to us may be delayed or denied.
In addition, state health information privacy laws, such as California’s Confidentiality of Medical Information Act and Washington’s My Health My Data Act, govern the privacy and security of health-related information, specifically, may apply even when HIPAA does not and impose additional requirements.
Even when HIPAA and state health information privacy laws do not apply, according to the FTC and state Attorneys General, violating consumers’ privacy rights or failing to take appropriate steps to keep consumers’ personal information secure may constitute unfair acts or practices in or affecting commerce in violation of Section 5(a) of the Federal Trade Commission Act and state consumer protection laws.
In addition, certain state laws, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020 (“CCPA”), govern the privacy and security of personal information, including health-related information in certain circumstances, some of which are more stringent than HIPAA in various ways. Numerous other states have passed similar laws, but many differ from each other in significant ways and may not have the same effect, thus complicating compliance efforts. The CCPA applies to personal data of consumers, business representatives, and employees, and imposes obligations on certain businesses that do business in California, including to provide specific disclosures in privacy notices, and affords rights to California residents in relation to their personal information. Health information falls under the CCPA’s definition of personal information where it identifies, relates to, describes, or is reasonably capable of being associated with or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular consumer or household - unless it is subject to HIPAA - and is included under a new category of personal information, “sensitive personal information,” which is offered greater protection. The numerous other comprehensive privacy laws that have passed or are being considered in other states, as well as at the federal and local levels, also exempt some data processed in the context of clinical trials; but others exempt covered entities and business associates subject to HIPAA altogether, further complicating compliance efforts, and increasing legal risk and compliance costs for us and the third parties upon whom we rely. Additionally, our use of artificial intelligence and machine learning may be subject to laws and evolving regulations regarding the use of artificial intelligence/machine learning, controlling for data bias, and antidiscrimination.
Failure to comply with these laws, where applicable, can result in the imposition of significant civil and/or criminal penalties and private litigation. Privacy and security laws, regulations, and other obligations are constantly evolving, may conflict with each other to complicate compliance efforts, and can result in investigations, proceedings, or actions that lead to significant civil and/or criminal penalties and restrictions on data processing.
Coverage and Reimbursement
In the United States and markets in other countries, patients generally rely on third-party payors to reimburse all or part of the costs associated with their treatment. Adequate coverage and reimbursement from governmental healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, and commercial payors is critical to new product acceptance. Our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates will depend in part on the extent to which coverage and adequate reimbursement for these products and related treatments will be available from government health administration authorities, private health insurers and other organizations. Even if coverage is provided, the approved reimbursement amount may not be high enough to allow it to establish or maintain pricing sufficient to realize a sufficient return on its investment. Government authorities and third-party payors, such as private health insurers and health maintenance organizations, decide which medications they will pay for and establish reimbursement levels.
Significant uncertainty exists as to the coverage and reimbursement status of any pharmaceutical or biological product for which we obtain regulatory approval. Sales of any product, if approved, depend, in part, on the extent to which such product will be covered by third-party payors, such as federal, state, and foreign government healthcare programs, commercial insurance and managed healthcare organizations, and the level of reimbursement, if any, for such product by third-party payors. Decisions regarding whether to cover any of our product candidates, if approved, the extent of coverage and amount of reimbursement to be provided are made on a plan-by-plan basis. Further, no uniform policy for coverage and reimbursement exists in the United States, and coverage and reimbursement can differ significantly from payor to payor. Third-party payors often rely upon Medicare coverage policy and payment limitations in setting their own reimbursement rates, but also have their own methods and approval process apart from Medicare determinations. As a result, the coverage determination process is often a time-consuming and costly process that will require us to provide scientific and clinical support for the use of our product candidates to each payor separately, with no assurance that coverage and adequate reimbursement will be applied consistently or obtained in the first instance. Factors payors consider in determining reimbursement are based on whether the product is:
● a covered benefit under its health plan;
● safe, effective and medically necessary;
● cost-effective; and
● neither experimental nor investigational.
Third-party payors are increasingly challenging the prices charged for medical products and services, examining the medical necessity and reviewing the cost effectiveness of pharmaceutical or biological products, medical devices and medical services, in addition to questioning safety and efficacy. Adoption of price controls and cost-containment measures, and adoption of more restrictive policies in jurisdictions with existing controls and measures, could further limit sales of any product that receives approval. Decreases in third-party reimbursement for any product or a decision by a third-party not to cover a product could reduce physician usage and patient demand for the product.
For products administered under the supervision of a physician, obtaining coverage and adequate reimbursement may be particularly difficult because of the higher prices often associated with such drugs. Additionally, separate reimbursement for the product itself or the treatment or procedure in which the product is used may not be available, which may impact physician utilization. In addition, companion diagnostic tests require coverage and reimbursement separate and apart from the coverage and reimbursement for their companion pharmaceutical or biological products. Similar challenges to obtaining coverage and reimbursement, applicable to pharmaceutical or biological products, will apply to companion diagnostics.
In addition, the U.S. government, state legislatures and foreign governments have continued implementing cost-containment programs, including price controls, restrictions on coverage and reimbursement and requirements for substitution of generic products. The IRA provides CMS with significant new authorities intended to curb drug costs and to encourage market competition. For the first time, CMS will be able to directly negotiate prescription drug prices and to cap out-of-pocket costs. Each year, CMS will select and negotiate a preset number of high-spend drugs and biologics that are covered under Medicare Part B and Part D that do not have generic or biosimilar competition. On August 29, 2023, HHS announced the list of the first ten drugs subject to price negotiations. These price negotiations occurred in 2024. In January 2025, CMS announced a list of 15 additional Medicare Part D drugs that will be subject to price negotiations. The IRA also provides a new “inflation rebate” covering Medicare patients that took effect in 2023 and is intended to counter certain price increases in prescriptions drugs. The inflation rebate provision requires drug manufacturers to pay a rebate to the federal government if the price for a drug or biologic under Medicare Part B and Part D increases faster than the rate of inflation. To support biosimilar competition, beginning in October 2022, qualifying biosimilars may receive a Medicare Part B payment increase for a period of five years. Separately, if a biologic drug for which no biosimilar exists delays a biosimilar’s market entry beyond two years, CMS will be authorized to subject the biologics manufacturer to price negotiations intended to ensure fair competition. Notwithstanding these provisions, the IRA’s impact on commercialization and competition remains largely uncertain.
In addition, net prices for drugs may be reduced by mandatory discounts or rebates required by government healthcare programs or private payors and by any future relaxation of laws that presently restrict imports of drugs from countries where they may be sold at lower prices than in the United States. Increasingly, third-party payors are requiring that drug companies provide them with predetermined discounts from list prices and are challenging the prices charged for medical products. We cannot be sure that reimbursement will be available for any product candidate that we may commercialize and, if reimbursement is available, the level of reimbursement. In addition, many pharmaceutical manufacturers must calculate and report certain price reporting metrics to the government, such as average sales price and best price. Penalties may apply in some cases when such metrics are not submitted accurately and timely. Further, these prices for drugs may be reduced by mandatory discounts or rebates required by government healthcare programs.
Finally, in some foreign countries, the proposed pricing for a drug must be approved before it may be lawfully marketed. The requirements governing drug pricing vary widely from country to country. For example, the European Union (“EU”) provides options for its member states to restrict the range of medicinal products for which their national health insurance systems provide reimbursement and to control the prices of medicinal products for human use. To obtain reimbursement or pricing approval, some of these countries may require the completion of clinical trials that compare the cost effectiveness of a particular product candidate to currently available therapies. A member state may approve a specific price for the medicinal product or it may instead adopt a system of direct or indirect controls on the profitability of the company placing the medicinal product on the market. There can be no assurance that any country that has price controls or reimbursement limitations for pharmaceutical products will allow favorable reimbursement and pricing arrangements for any of our product candidates. Historically, products launched in the EU do not follow price structures of the United States and generally prices tend to be significantly lower.
Healthcare Reform
The United States and some foreign jurisdictions are considering or have enacted a number of reform proposals to change the healthcare system. There is significant interest in promoting changes in healthcare systems with the stated goals of containing healthcare costs, improving quality or expanding access. In the United States, the pharmaceutical industry has been a particular focus of these efforts and has been significantly affected by federal and state legislative initiatives, including those designed to limit the pricing, coverage, and reimbursement of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products, especially under government-funded health care programs, and increased governmental control of drug pricing.
The ACA, which was enacted in March 2010, substantially changed the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private insurers in the United States, and significantly affected the pharmaceutical industry. The ACA contains a number of provisions of particular import to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, including, but not limited to, those governing enrollment in federal healthcare programs, a new methodology by which rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program are calculated for drugs that are inhaled, infused, instilled, implanted or injected, and annual fees based on pharmaceutical companies’ share of sales to federal health care programs. Since its enactment, there have been judicial and Congressional challenges to certain aspects of the ACA, and we expect there will be additional challenges and amendments to the ACA in the future. For example, the IRA, among other things, extends enhanced subsidies for individuals purchasing health insurance coverage in ACA marketplaces through plan year 2025. The IRA also eliminates the “donut hole” under the Medicare Part D program beginning in 2025 by significantly lowering the beneficiary maximum out-of-pocket cost and creating a new manufacturer discount program.
Other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since the ACA was enacted, including automatic aggregate reductions of Medicare payments to providers of on average 2% per fiscal year as part of the federal budget sequestration under the Budget Control Act of 2011. These reductions went into effect in April 2013 and, due to subsequent legislative amendments, will remain in effect until 2032 unless additional action is taken by Congress.
In addition, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, among other things, amended the Medicare Act (as amended by the ACA) to increase the point-of-sale discounts that manufacturers must agree to offer under the Medicare Part D coverage discount program from 50% to 70% off negotiated prices of applicable brand drugs to eligible beneficiaries during their coverage gap period, as a condition for the manufacturer’s outpatient drugs being covered under Medicare Part D.
Moreover, there has recently been heightened governmental scrutiny over the manner in which manufacturers set prices for their marketed products, which has resulted in several Congressional inquiries and proposed and enacted federal and state measures designed to, among other things, reduce the cost of prescription drugs, bring more transparency to product pricing, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for drug products. For example, in May 2019, CMS adopted a final rule allowing Medicare Advantage Plans the option to use step therapy for Part B drugs, permitting Medicare Part D plans to apply certain utilization controls to new starts of five of the six protected class drugs, and requiring the Explanation of Benefits for Part D beneficiaries to disclose drug price increases and lower cost therapeutic alternatives, which went into effect on January 1, 2021. In response to the Biden administration’s October 2022 executive order, on February 14, 2023, HHS released a report outlining three new models for testing by the CMS Innovation Center which will be evaluated on their ability to lower the cost of drugs, promote accessibility, and improve quality of care. It is unclear whether the models will be utilized in any health reform measures in the future. Further, on December 7, 2023, the Biden administration announced an initiative to control the price of prescription drugs through the use of march-in rights under the Bayh-Dole Act. On December 8, 2023, the National Institute of Standards and Technology published for comment a Draft Interagency Guidance Framework for Considering the Exercise of March-In Rights which for the first time includes the price of a product as one factor an agency can use when deciding to exercise march-in rights. While march-in rights have not previously been exercised, it is uncertain if that will continue under the new framework.
Notwithstanding the IRA, continued legislative and enforcement interest exists in the United States with respect to specialty drug pricing practices. Specifically, we expect regulators to continue pushing for transparency to drug pricing, reducing the cost of prescription drugs under Medicare, reviewing the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, and reforming government program reimbursement methodologies for drugs.
Individual states in the United States have also become increasingly active in passing legislation and implementing regulations designed to control pharmaceutical and biological product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain drug access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures, and designed to encourage importation from other countries and bulk purchasing. Legally mandated price controls on payment amounts by third-party payors or other restrictions could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. In addition, regional healthcare authorities and individual hospitals are increasingly using bidding procedures to determine what pharmaceutical products and which suppliers will be included in their prescription drug and other healthcare programs. This could reduce the ultimate demand for its drugs or put pressure on its drug pricing, which could negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Other Government Regulation Outside of the United States
In addition to regulations in the United States, we are subject to a variety of regulations in other jurisdictions governing, among other things, research and development, clinical trials, testing, manufacturing, safety, efficacy, quality control, labeling, packaging, storage, record keeping, distribution, reporting, export and import, advertising, marketing and other promotional practices involving biological products as well as authorization, approval as well as post-approval monitoring and reporting of our products. Because biologically sourced raw materials are subject to unique contamination risks, their use may be restricted in some countries.
Whether or not we obtain FDA approval for a product, we must obtain the requisite approvals from regulatory authorities in foreign countries prior to the commencement of clinical trials or marketing of the product in those countries. Certain countries outside of the United States have a similar process that requires the submission of a clinical trial application much like the IND prior to the commencement of human clinical trials.
The requirements and process governing the conduct of clinical trials, including requirements to conduct additional clinical trials, product licensing, safety reporting, post-authorization requirements, marketing and promotion, interactions with healthcare professionals, pricing and reimbursement may vary widely from country to country. No action can be taken to market any product in a country until an appropriate approval application has been approved by the regulatory authorities in that country. The current approval process varies from country to country, and the time spent in gaining approval varies from that required for FDA approval. In certain countries, the sales price of a product must also be approved. The pricing review period often begins after market approval is granted. Even if a product is approved by a regulatory authority, satisfactory prices may not be approved for such product, which would make launch of such products commercially unfeasible in such countries.
Regulation in the European Union
European Data Laws
The collection and use of personal health data and other personal data in the EU is governed by the provisions of the European General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”), which came into force in May 2018, and related data protection laws in individual EU Member States. The GDPR imposes a number of strict obligations and restrictions on the ability to process, including collecting, analyzing and transferring, personal data of individuals, in particular with respect to health data from clinical trials and adverse event reporting. The GDPR includes requirements relating to the legal basis of the processing (such as consent of the individuals to whom the personal data relates), the information provided to the individuals prior to processing their personal data, the personal data breaches which may have to be notified to the national data protection authorities and data subjects, the measures to be taken when engaging processors, and the security and confidentiality of the personal data. EU Member States may also impose additional requirements in relation to health, genetic and biometric data through their national legislation.
In addition, the GDPR imposes specific restrictions on the transfer of personal data to countries outside of the European Economic Area (“EEA”) that are not considered by the European Commission (“EC”) to provide an adequate level of data protection. Appropriate safeguards are required to enable such transfers. Among the appropriate safeguards that can be used, the data exporter may use the standard contractual clauses (“SCCs”). When relying on SCCs, data exporters are also required to conduct a transfer risk assessment to verify if anything in the law and/or practices of the third country may impinge on the effectiveness of the SCCs in the context of the transfer at stake and, if so, to identify and adopt supplementary measures that are necessary to bring the level of protection of the data transferred to the EU standard of essential equivalence. Where no supplementary measure is suitable, the data exporter should avoid, suspend or terminate the transfer. With regard to the transfer of data from the EEA to the United States, on July 10, 2023, the EC adopted its adequacy decision for the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. On the basis of the new adequacy decision, personal data can flow from the EEA to U.S. companies participating in the framework. With regard to the transfer of data from the EU to the United Kingdom (“UK”), personal data may freely flow from the EEA to the UK since the UK is deemed to have an adequate data protection level. However, the adequacy decisions include a ’sunset clause’ which entails that the decisions will automatically expire four years after their entry into force, unless renewed.
Failure to comply with the requirements of the GDPR and the related national data protection laws of the EU Member States may result in significant monetary fines for noncompliance of up to €20 million or 4% of the annual global revenues of the noncompliant company, whichever is greater, other administrative penalties and a number of criminal offenses for organizations and, in certain cases, their directors and officers, as well as civil liability claims from individuals whose personal data was processed. Data protection authorities from the different EU Member States may still implement certain variations, enforce the GDPR and national data protection laws differently, and introduce additional national regulations and guidelines, which adds to the complexity of processing personal data in the EU.
Furthermore, there are specific requirements relating to processing health data from clinical trials, including public disclosure obligations provided in the EU Clinical Trials Regulation No. 536/2014 (“CTR”), European Medical Agency (“EMA”) disclosure initiatives and voluntary commitments by industry. Failure to comply with these obligations could lead to government enforcement actions and significant penalties against us, harm to our reputation, and adversely impact our business and operating results.
Additionally, following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and the EEA, companies also have to comply with the UK’s data protection laws (including the UK GDPR (as defined in section 3(10) (as supplemented by section 205(4)) of the Data Protection Act 2018 (the “DPA 2018”)), the DPA 2018, and related data protection laws in the UK). Separate from the fines that can be imposed by the GDPR, the UK regime has the ability to fine up to the greater of £17.5 million or 4% of global turnover.
Companies are subject to specific transfer rules under the UK regime, which broadly mirror the GDPR rules. On February 2, 2022, the UK Secretary of State laid before the UK Parliament the international data transfer agreement (“IDTA”) and the international data transfer addendum to the EC’s standard contractual clauses for international data transfers (Addendum) and a document setting out transitional provisions. The IDTA and Addendum came into force on March 21, 2022 and replaced the old SCCs for the purposes of the UK regime.
Regarding transfers from the UK to the EEA, personal data may flow freely since the EEA is deemed to have an adequate data protection level for purposes of the UK regime. With regard to the transfer of personal data from the UK to the United States, the UK government has adopted an adequacy decision for the United States, the UK-US Data Bridge, which came into force on October 12, 2023. The UK-US Data Bridge recognizes the United States as offering an adequate level of data protection where the transfer is to a U.S. company participating in the EU-US Data Privacy Framework and the UK Extension.
Drug and Biologic Development Process
Regardless of where they are conducted, all clinical trials included in applications for marketing authorization (“MA”) for human medicines in the EU/EEA must have been carried out in accordance with EU regulations. This means that clinical trials conducted in the EU/EEA have to comply with EU clinical trial legislation but also that clinical trials conducted outside the EU/EEA have to comply with ethical principles equivalent to those set out in the EEA, including adhering to international good clinical practice and the Declaration of Helsinki. The conduct of clinical trials in the EU is governed by the CTR, which entered into force on January 31, 2022. The CTR replaced the Clinical Trials Directive 2001/20/EC, (“Clinical Trials Directive”) and introduced a complete overhaul of the existing regulation of clinical trials for medicinal products in the EU.
Under the former regime, which will expire after a transition period of three years as outlined below in more detail, before a clinical trial can be initiated it must be approved in each EU member state where there is a site at which the clinical trial is to be conducted. The approval must be obtained from two separate entities: the National Competent Authority (“NCA”) and one or more Ethics Committees. The NCA of the EU Member States in which the clinical trial will be conducted must authorize the conduct of the trial, and the independent Ethics Committee must grant a positive opinion in relation to the conduct of the clinical trial in the relevant EU member state before the commencement of the trial. Any substantial changes to the trial protocol or other information submitted with the clinical trial applications must be submitted to or approved by the relevant NCA and Ethics Committees. Under the current regime all suspected unexpected serious adverse reactions to the investigated drug that occur during the clinical trial must be reported to the NCA and to the Ethics Committees of the EU member state where they occur.
A more unified procedure will apply under the new CTR. A sponsor will be able to submit a single application for approval of a clinical trial through a centralized EU clinical trials portal (the Clinical Trials Information System or “CTIS”). One national regulatory authority (the reporting EU member state proposed by the applicant) will take the lead in validating and evaluating the application and consult and coordinate with the other concerned EU Member States. If an application is rejected, it may be amended and resubmitted through the EU clinical trials portal. If an approval is issued, the sponsor may start the clinical trial in all concerned EU Member States. However, a concerned EU member state may in limited circumstances declare an “opt-out” from an approval and prevent the clinical trial from being conducted in such member state. The CTR also aims to streamline and simplify the rules on safety reporting, and introduces enhanced transparency requirements such as mandatory submission of a summary of the clinical trial results to the EU Database. The CTR foresees a three-year transition period. EU Member States will work in CTIS immediately after the system has gone live. Since January 31, 2023, submission of initial clinical trial applications via CTIS is mandatory and CTIS serves as the single entry point for submission of clinical trial-related information and data. By January 31, 2025, all ongoing trials approved under the former Clinical Trials Directive will need to comply with the CTR and have to be transitioned to CTIS. On July 19, 2023, the EC published guidance concerning the steps to be taken in this transition. This guidance provides, among other things, that (i) documentation which was previously assessed will not be reassessed, (ii) templates that were developed and endorsed by the EU Clinical Trials Expert Group to provide compliance with the CTR do not need to be updated and (iii) there is no need to retrospectively create a site suitability form, which are only necessary for new trial sites.
Under both the former regime and the new CTR, national laws, regulations, and the applicable GCP and GLP standards must also be respected during the conduct of the trials, including the International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use guidelines on Good Clinical Practice and the ethical principles that have their origin in the Declaration of Helsinki.
During the development of a medicinal product, the EMA and national regulators within the EU provide the opportunity for dialogue and guidance on the development program. At the EMA level, this is usually done in the form of scientific advice, which is given by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (“CHMP”) on the recommendation of the Scientific Advice Working Party. A fee is incurred with each scientific advice procedure, but is significantly reduced for designated orphan medicines. Advice from the EMA is typically provided based on questions concerning, for example, quality (chemistry, manufacturing and controls testing), nonclinical testing and clinical studies, and pharmacovigilance plans and risk-management programs. Advice is not legally binding with regard to any future Marketing Authorization Application (“MAA”) of the product concerned.
Drug Marketing Authorization
In the EEA, after completion of all required clinical testing, pharmaceutical products may only be placed on the market after obtaining a MA. To obtain a MA of a drug under EU regulatory systems, an applicant can submit an MAA through, amongst others, a centralized or decentralized procedure.
To be used or sold in the UK, a drug must have an effective MA obtained by a centralized application through EMA or a national application. National applications are governed by the Human Medicines Regulations (SI 2012/1916). Applications are made electronically through the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (“MHRA”) Submissions Portal. The process from application to authorizations generally takes up to 210 days, excluding time taken to provide any additional information or data required by the MHRA.
On August 30, 2023, the MHRA published detailed guidance on its recently announced new International Reliance Procedure (“IRP”) for MAAs. The IRP applies since January 1, 2024 and replaces existing EU reliance procedures to apply for authorizations from seven international regulators (e.g. Health Canada, Swiss Medic, FDA, EMA, among others). The IRP allows medicinal products approved in other jurisdictions that meet certain criteria to undergo a fast-tracked MHRA review to obtain and/or update a MA in the UK.
Applicants can submit initial MAAs to the IRP but the procedure can also be used throughout the lifecycle of a product for post-authorization procedures including line extensions, variations and renewals.
Centralized Authorization Procedure
The centralized procedure provides for the grant of a single MA that is issued by the EC following the scientific assessment of the application by the EMA that is valid for all EU Member States as well as in the three additional EEA Member States (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein). The centralized procedure is compulsory for specific medicinal products, including for medicines developed by means of certain biotechnological processes, products designated as orphan medicinal products, advanced therapy medicinal products (“ATMP”) (gene therapy, somatic cell therapy or tissue engineered medicines) and medicinal products with a new active substance indicated for the treatment of certain diseases (HIV/AIDS, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, auto-immune and viral diseases). For medicinal products containing a new active substance not yet authorized in the EEA before May 20, 2004 and indicated for the treatment of other diseases, medicinal products that constitute significant therapeutic, scientific or technical innovations or for which the grant of a MA through the centralized procedure would be in the interest of public health at EU level, an applicant may voluntarily submit an application for a MA through the centralized procedure.
Under the centralized procedure, the CHMP established at the EMA, is responsible for conducting the initial assessment of a drug. The CHMP is also responsible for several post-authorization and maintenance activities, such as the assessment of modifications or extensions to an existing MA. Under the centralized procedure, the timeframe for the evaluation of an MAA by the EMA’s CHMP is, in principle, 210 days from receipt of a valid MAA. However, this timeline excludes clock stops, when additional written or oral information is to be provided by the applicant in response to questions asked by the CHMP, so the overall process typically takes a year or more, unless the application is eligible for an accelerated assessment. Accelerated evaluation might be granted by the CHMP in exceptional cases, when a medicinal product is expected to be of a major public health interest, particularly from the point of view of therapeutic innovation. Upon request, the CHMP can reduce the time frame to 150 days if the applicant provides sufficient justification for an accelerated assessment. The CHMP will provide a positive opinion regarding the application only if it meets certain quality, safety and efficacy requirements. This opinion is then transmitted to the EC, which has the ultimate authority for granting MA within 67 days after receipt of the CHMP opinion.
Decentralized Authorization Procedure
Medicines that fall outside the mandatory scope of the centralized procedure have three routes to authorization: (i) they can be authorized under the centralized procedure if they concern a significant therapeutic, scientific or technical innovation, or if their authorization would be in the interest of public health; (ii) they can be authorized under a decentralized procedure where an applicant applies for simultaneous authorization in more than one EU member state; or (iii) they can be authorized in an EU member state in accordance with that state’s national procedures and then be authorized in other EU countries by a procedure whereby the countries concerned agree to recognize the validity of the original, national MA (mutual recognition procedure).
The decentralized procedure permits companies to file identical MA applications for a medicinal product to the competent authorities in various EU Member States simultaneously if such medicinal product has not received marketing approval in any EU Member State before. This procedure is available for pharmaceutical products not falling within the mandatory scope of the centralized procedure. The competent authority of a single EU Member State, the reference member state, is appointed to review the application and provide an assessment report. The competent authorities of the other EU Member States, the concerned member states, are subsequently required to grant a MA for their territories on the basis of this assessment. The only exception to this is where the competent authority of an EU Member State considers that there are concerns of potential serious risk to public health, the disputed points are subject to a dispute resolution mechanism and may eventually be referred to the EC, whose decision is binding for all EU Member States.
Risk Management Plan
All new MAAs must include a Risk Management Plan (“RMP”) describing the risk management system that the company will put in place and documenting measures to prevent or minimize the risks associated with the product. RMPs are continually modified and updated throughout the lifetime of the medicine as new information becomes available. An updated RMP must be submitted: (i) at the request of EMA or a national competent authority, or (ii) whenever the risk-management system is modified, especially as the result of new information being received that may lead to a significant change to the benefit-risk profile or as a result of an important pharmacovigilance or risk-minimization milestone being reached. The regulatory authorities may also impose specific obligations as a condition of the MA. Since October 20, 2023, all RMPs for centrally authorized products are published by the EMA, subject only to limited redactions.
MA Validity Period
MAs have an initial duration of five years. After these five years, the authorization may subsequently be renewed on the basis of a reevaluation of the risk-benefit balance. Once renewed, the MA is valid for an unlimited period unless the EC or the national competent authority decides, on justified grounds relating to pharmacovigilance, to proceed with only one additional five-year renewal. Applications for renewal must be made to the EMA at least nine months before the five-year period expires.
Any authorization which is not followed by the actual placing of the drug on the EU market (in case of centralized procedure) or on the market of the authorizing member state within three years after authorization ceases to be valid.
For the UK, the period of three years during which the drug has not been marketed in Great Britain will be restarted from the date of conversion to a Great Britain MA. Conversion refers to the procedure by which, as of January 1, 2021, MAs granted on the basis of a centralized procedure in the EU are only valid in Northern Ireland but not in Great Britain, whereas, prior EU authorizations have all been automatically converted into UK MAs effective in Great Britain only.
On the other hand, for the EU, in the case the drug has been marketed in the UK, the placing on the UK market before the end of the period starting when the UK left the EU on January 31, 2020 and ending on December 31, 2020 (the “Brexit Transition Period”) will be taken into account. If, after the end of the Brexit Transition Period, the drug is not placed on any other market of the remaining EU Member States, the three-year period will start running from the last date the drug was placed on the UK market before the end of the Brexit Transition Period.
Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products
In the EU, medicinal products, including ATMPs are subject to extensive pre- and post-market regulation by regulatory authorities at both the EU and national levels. ATMPs comprise gene therapy products, somatic cell therapy products and tissue engineered products, which are genes, cells or tissues that have undergone substantial manipulation and that are administered to human beings in order to cure, diagnose or prevent diseases or regenerate, repair or replace a human tissue. Pursuant to the Regulation (EC) No 1394/2007, the Committee for Advanced Therapies (“CAT”) is responsible in conjunction with the CHMP for the evaluation of ATMPs. The CHMP and CAT are also responsible for providing guidelines on ATMPs. These guidelines provide additional guidance on the factors that the EMA will consider in relation to the development and evaluation of ATMPs and include, among other things, the preclinical studies required to characterize ATMPs. Although such guidelines are not legally binding, compliance with them is often necessary to gain and maintain approval for product candidates.
In addition to the mandatory RMP, the holder of a MA for an ATMP must put in place and maintain a system to ensure that each individual product and its starting and raw materials, including all substances coming into contact with the cells or tissues it may contain, can be traced through the sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, storage, transport and delivery to the relevant healthcare institution where the product is used.
Exceptional Circumstances/Conditional Approval
Similar to accelerated approval regulations in the United States, conditional MAs can be granted in the EU in exceptional circumstances. A conditional MA can be granted for medicinal products where, although comprehensive clinical data referring to the safety and efficacy of the medicinal product have not been supplied, a number of criteria are fulfilled: (i) the benefit/risk balance of the product is positive, (ii) it is likely that the applicant will be in a position to provide the comprehensive clinical data, (iii) unmet medical needs will be fulfilled by the grant of the MA and (iv) the benefit to public health of the immediate availability on the market of the medicinal product concerned outweighs the risk inherent in the fact that additional data are still required. Once a conditional MA has been granted, the MA holder must fulfil specific obligations within defined timelines. A conditional MA is valid for one year and must be renewed annually, but it can be converted into a standard MA once the MA holder fulfils the obligations imposed and the complete data confirm that the medicine’s benefits continue to outweigh its risks.
Data and Market Exclusivity
As in the United States, it may be possible to obtain a period of market and / or data exclusivity in the EU that would have the effect of postponing the entry into the marketplace of a competitor’s generic, hybrid or biosimilar product (even if the pharmaceutical product has already received a MA) and prohibiting another applicant from relying on the MA holder’s pharmacological, toxicological and clinical data in support of another MA for the purposes of submitting an application, obtaining MA or placing the product on the market. Innovative medicinal products, referred to as New Chemical Entities (“NCEs”) approved in the EU qualify for eight years of data exclusivity and 10 years of marketing exclusivity.
An additional non-cumulative one-year period of marketing exclusivity is possible if during the data exclusivity period (the first eight years of the 10-year marketing exclusivity period), the MA holder obtains an authorization for one or more new therapeutic indications that are deemed to bring a significant clinical benefit compared to existing therapies.
The data exclusivity period begins on the date of the product’s first MA in the EU. After eight years, a generic product application may be submitted and generic companies may rely on the MA holder’s data. However, a generic product cannot launch until two years later (or a total of 10 years after the first MA in the EU of the innovator product), or three years later (or a total of 11 years after the first MA in the EU of the innovator product) if the MA holder obtains MA for a new indication with significant clinical benefit within the eight-year data exclusivity period. Additionally, another non-cumulative one-year period of data exclusivity can be added to the eight years of data exclusivity where an application is made for a new indication for a well-established substance, provided that significant pre-clinical or clinical studies were carried out in relation to the new indication.
Another year of data exclusivity may be added to the eight years, where a change of classification of a pharmaceutical product has been authorized on the basis of significant pre-trial tests or clinical trials (when examining an application by another applicant for or holder of MA for a change of classification of the same substance the competent authority will not refer to the results of those tests or trials for one year after the initial change was authorized).
Products may not be granted data exclusivity since there is no guarantee that a product will be considered by the EU’s regulatory authorities to include an NCE. Even if a compound is considered to be an NCE and the MA applicant is able to gain the prescribed period of data exclusivity, another company nevertheless could also market another version of the medicinal product if such company can complete a full MAA with their own complete database of pharmaceutical tests, preclinical studies and clinical trials and obtain MA of its product.
On April 26, 2023, the EC submitted a proposal for the reform of the European pharmaceutical legislation. The current draft envisages e.g., a shortening of the periods of data exclusivity, however, there is currently neither a final version of this draft nor a date for its entry into force. While the European Parliament adopted its approving position on the reform on April 10, 2024, no further required legislative steps have been taken since.
Pediatric Development
In the EU, companies developing a new medicinal product are obligated to study their product in children and must therefore submit a PIP together with a request for agreement to the EMA. The EMA issues a decision on the PIP based on an opinion of the EMA’s Pediatric Committee. Companies must conduct pediatric clinical trials in accordance with the PIP approved by the EMA, unless a deferral (e.g. until enough information to demonstrate its effectiveness and safety in adults is available) or waiver (e.g. because the relevant disease or condition occurs only in adults) has been granted by the EMA. The MAA for the medicinal product must include the results of all pediatric clinical trials performed and details of all information collected in compliance with the approved PIP, unless a waiver or a deferral has been granted, in which case the pediatric clinical trials may be completed at a later date. Medicinal products that are granted an MA on the basis of the pediatric clinical trials conducted in accordance with the approved PIP are eligible for a six-month extension of the protection under a supplementary protection certificate (if any is in effect at the time of approval), or, in the case of orphan medicinal products, a two-year extension of the orphan market exclusivity. This pediatric reward is subject to specific conditions and is not automatically available when data in compliance with the approved PIP are developed and submitted. An approved PIP is also required when a MA holder wants to add a new indication, medicinal form or route of administration for a medicine that is already authorized and covered by intellectual property rights.
In the UK, the MHRA has published guidance on the procedures for UK Paediatric Investigation Plans (“PIPs”) which, where possible, mirror the submission format and requirements of the EU system. EU PIPs remain applicable for Northern Ireland and EU PIPs agreed by the EMA prior to January 1, 2021 have been adopted as UK PIPs.
Post-Approval Regulation
Similar to the United States, both MA holders and manufacturers of medicinal products are subject to comprehensive regulatory oversight by the EMA, the EC and/or the competent regulatory authorities of the EU Member States. This oversight applies both before and after grant of manufacturing licenses and MAs. It includes control of compliance with EU good manufacturing practices rules, manufacturing authorizations, pharmacovigilance rules and requirements governing advertising, promotion, sale, and distribution, recordkeeping, importing and exporting of medicinal products.
Failure by us or by any of our third-party partners, including suppliers, manufacturers and distributors to comply with EU laws and the related national laws of individual EU Member States governing the conduct of clinical trials, manufacturing approval, MA of medicinal products and marketing of such products, both before and after grant of MA, statutory health insurance, bribery and anti-corruption or other applicable regulatory requirements may result in administrative, civil or criminal penalties. These penalties could include delays or refusal to authorize the conduct of clinical trials or to grant MA, product withdrawals and recalls, product seizures, suspension, withdrawal or variation of the MA, total or partial suspension of production, distribution, manufacturing or clinical trials, operating restrictions, injunctions, suspension of licenses, fines and criminal penalties.
The holder of an MA for a medicinal product must also comply with EU pharmacovigilance legislation and its related regulations and guidelines, which entail many requirements for conducting pharmacovigilance, or the assessment and monitoring of the safety of medicinal products.
These pharmacovigilance rules can impose on holders of MAs the obligation to conduct a labor intensive collection of data regarding the risks and benefits of marketed medicinal products and to engage in ongoing assessments of those risks and benefits, including the possible requirement to conduct additional clinical studies or post-authorization safety studies to obtain further information on a medicine’s safety, or to measure the effectiveness of risk-management measures, which may be time consuming and expensive and could impact our profitability. MA holders must establish and maintain a pharmacovigilance system and appoint an individual qualified person for pharmacovigilance, who is responsible for oversight of that system. Key obligations include expedited reporting of suspected serious adverse reactions and submission of Periodic Safety Update Reports (“PSURs”) in relation to medicinal products for which they hold MAs. The EMA reviews PSURs for medicinal products authorized through the centralized procedure. If the EMA has concerns that the risk benefit profile of a product has varied, it can adopt an opinion advising that the existing MA for the product be suspended, withdrawn or varied. The agency can advise that the MA holder be obliged to conduct post-authorization Phase 4 safety studies. If the EC agrees with the opinion, it can adopt a decision varying the existing MA. Failure by the MA holder to fulfill the obligations for which the EC’s decision provides can undermine the ongoing validity of the MA.
More generally, non-compliance with pharmacovigilance obligations can lead to the variation, suspension or withdrawal of the MA for the product or imposition of financial penalties or other enforcement measures.
The manufacturing process for pharmaceutical products in the EU is highly regulated and regulators may shut down manufacturing facilities that they believe do not comply with regulations. Manufacturing requires a manufacturing authorization, and the manufacturing authorization holder must comply with various requirements set out in the applicable EU laws, regulations and guidance, including Directive 2001/83/EC, Directive 2003/94/EC (repealed by Directive 2017/1572 on January 31, 2022), Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 and the European Commission Guidelines for Good Manufacturing Practice (“GMP”). These requirements include compliance with EU GMP standards when manufacturing pharmaceutical products and active pharmaceutical ingredients, including the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients outside of the EU with the intention to import the active pharmaceutical ingredients into the EU. Amendments or replacements of at least Directive 2001/83/EC and Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 are part of the reform proposal for European pharmaceutical legislation. Similarly, the distribution of pharmaceutical products into and within the EU is subject to compliance with the applicable EU laws, regulations and guidelines, including the requirement to hold appropriate authorizations for distribution granted by the competent authorities of the EU Member States. The manufacturer or importer must have a qualified person who is responsible for certifying that each batch of product has been manufactured in accordance with GMP, before releasing the product for commercial distribution in the EU or for use in a clinical trial. Manufacturing facilities are subject to periodic inspections by the competent authorities for compliance with GMP.
Sales and Marketing Regulations
The advertising and promotion of our products is also subject to EU laws concerning promotion of medicinal products, interactions with physicians, misleading and comparative advertising and unfair commercial practices. In addition, other national legislation of individual EU Member States may apply to the advertising and promotion of medicinal products and may differ from one country to another. These laws require that promotional materials and advertising in relation to medicinal products comply with the product’s SmPC as approved by the competent regulatory authorities. The SmPC is the document that provides information to physicians concerning the safe and effective use of the medicinal product. It forms an intrinsic and integral part of the MA granted for the medicinal product. Promotion of a medicinal product that does not comply with the SmPC is considered to constitute off-label promotion. All advertising and promotional activities for the product must be consistent with the approved SmPC and therefore all off-label promotion is prohibited. Direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription-only medicines is also prohibited in the EU. Violations of the rules governing the promotion of medicinal products in the EU could be penalized by administrative measures, fines and imprisonment. These laws may further limit or restrict the advertising and promotion of our products to the general public and may also impose limitations on its promotional activities with healthcare professionals.
EU regulation with regards to dispensing, sale and purchase of medicines has generally been preserved in the UK following Brexit, through the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. However, organizations wishing to sell medicines online need to register with the MHRA. Following Brexit, the requirements to display the common logo no longer apply to UK-based online sellers, except for those established in Northern Ireland.
Anti-Corruption Legislation
In the EU, interactions between pharmaceutical companies and physicians are also governed by strict laws, regulations, industry self-regulation codes of conduct and physicians’ codes of professional conduct both at EU level and in the individual EU Member States. The provision of benefits or advantages to physicians to induce or encourage the prescription, recommendation, endorsement, purchase, supply, order or use of medicinal products is prohibited in the EU. The provision of benefits or advantages to physicians is also governed by the national anti-bribery laws of the EU Member States. Violation of these laws could result in substantial fines and imprisonment.
Payments made to physicians in certain EU Member States also must be publicly disclosed. Moreover, agreements with physicians must often be the subject of prior notification and approval by the physician’s employer, his/her regulatory professional organization, and/or the competent authorities of the individual EU Member States. These requirements are provided in the national laws, industry codes, or professional codes of conduct, applicable in the individual EU Member States. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in reputational risk, public reprimands, administrative penalties, fines or imprisonment.
In the UK, the pharmaceutical sector is recognized as being particularly vulnerable to corrupt practices, some of which fall within the scope of the Bribery Act 2010. Due to the Bribery Act 2010’s far-reaching territorial application, the potential penalized act does not have to occur in the UK to become within its scope. If the act or omission does not take place in the UK, but the person’s act or omission would constitute an offense if carried out there and the person has a close connection with the UK, an offense will still have been committed.
The Bribery Act 2010 is comprised of four offenses that cover (i) individuals, companies and partnerships that give, promise or offer bribes, (ii) individuals, companies and partnerships that request, agree to receive or accept bribes, (iii) individuals, companies and partnerships that bribe foreign public officials, and (iv) companies and partnerships that fail to prevent persons acting on their behalf from paying bribes. The penalties imposed under the Bribery Act 2010 depend on the offence committed, harm and culpability and penalties range from unlimited fines to imprisonment for a maximum term of ten years and in some cases both.
Regulations in the UK and Other Markets
The UK formally left the EU on January 31, 2020 and EU laws now only apply to the UK in respect of Northern Ireland as laid out in the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland and as amended by the Windsor Framework sets out a long-term set of arrangements for the supply of medicines into Northern Ireland. The EU and the UK agreed on a trade and cooperation agreement (“TCA”), which includes provisions affecting the life sciences sector (including on customs and tariffs). There are some specific provisions concerning pharmaceuticals, including the mutual recognition of GMP, inspections of manufacturing facilities for medicinal products and GMP issued documents. The TCA does not, however, contain wholesale mutual recognition of UK and EU pharmaceutical regulations and product standards.
The UK government has adopted the Medicines and Medical Devices Act 2021 (the “MMDA”) to enable the UK’s regulatory frameworks to be updated following the UK’s departure from the EU. The MMDA introduces regulation-making, delegated powers covering the fields of human medicines, clinical trials of human medicines, veterinary medicines and medical devices. The MHRA has since been consulting on future regulations for medicines and medical devices in the UK.
For other countries outside of the EU, such as countries in Eastern Europe, Latin America or Asia, the requirements governing the conduct of clinical trials, product licensing, pricing and reimbursement vary from country to country. In all cases, again, the clinical trials must be conducted in accordance with GCP and the applicable regulatory requirements and the ethical principles that have their origin in the Declaration of Helsinki.
If we fail to comply with applicable foreign regulatory requirements, we may be subject to, among other things, fines, suspension of clinical trials, suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals, product recalls, seizure of products, operating restrictions and criminal prosecution.
Corporate Information
We were formed as a Delaware corporation in 1992 under the name “Nuvelo, Inc.” and subsequently, in 2009, we completed a business combination with ARCA biopharma, Inc. On August 29, 2024, we completed the Merger with Pre-Merger Oruka and changed our name from “ARCA biopharma, Inc.” to “Oruka Therapeutics, Inc.” Our corporate headquarters are located at 855 Oak Grove Avenue, Suite 100, Menlo Park, California 94025. The telephone number at our corporate headquarters is (650) 606-7910. Our corporate website address is www.orukatx.com. We do not incorporate information contained on, or accessible through, our website into this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and you should not consider it part of this Annual Report.
Employees and Human Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2024 and as of February 28, 2025, we had 28 full-time employees and 36 full-time employees, respectively. We also engage temporary employees and consultants to augment our existing workforce. None of our employees are represented by a labor union or covered under a collective bargaining agreement. We consider our relationship with our employees to be good.
We recognize that attracting, motivating, and retaining talent at all levels is vital to continuing our success. We invest in our employees through high-quality benefits, professional development opportunities, and various health and wellness initiatives and offer competitive compensation packages (base salary and incentive plans), ensuring fairness in internal compensation practices. The principal purposes of our incentive plans (bonus and equity) are to align with the long-term interests of our stakeholders and stockholders.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Risk Factors Summary
We are subject to a number of risks that could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or growth prospects or cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements we have made in this Form 10-K and those we may make from time to time. The success of our product candidates will depend on a variety of factors. We do not have complete control over many of these factors, including certain aspects of clinical development and the regulatory submission process, potential threats to our intellectual property rights and the manufacturing, marketing, distribution and sales efforts of any current or future collaborator. In addition, some of the factors, events and contingencies discussed below may have occurred in the past, but the disclosures below are not representations as to whether or not the factors, events or contingencies have occurred in the past and instead reflect our beliefs and opinions as to the factors, events, or contingencies that could materially and adversely affect us in the future.
The following summary is not exhaustive and is qualified by reference to the full set of risk factors set forth in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of this Form 10-K. Please carefully consider all the information in this Form 10-K, including the full set of risks set forth in the “Risk Factors” section and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), before making an investment decision regarding Oruka.
Risks Related to Drug Development and Regulatory Approval
● Drug development and obtaining and maintaining regulatory approval for drug products is costly, time-consuming, and highly uncertain.
● We are substantially dependent on the success of our two most advanced programs, ORKA-001 and ORKA-002. Our projected development goals, including our clinical trials, may not be successful or we may fail to achieve our projected development goals in the time frames we announce and expect.
● We may not be able to meet requirements for the chemistry, manufacturing and control of our programs.
● The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and comparable foreign regulatory approval processes are lengthy and time consuming and we may not be able to obtain or may be delayed in obtaining regulatory approvals for our product candidates. Moreover, even if we obtain regulatory approval, we will be subject to ongoing regulatory obligations.
● We face competition from entities that have developed or may develop programs for the diseases addressed by product candidates developed by us.
Risks Related to Our Financial Condition and Capital Requirements
● We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company with a limited operating history on which to assess our business; we have not completed any clinical trials, and have no products approved for commercial sale.
● We have historically incurred losses and we anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future.
● We have never generated revenue from product sales and may never be profitable.
● We may not be able to raise the capital that we need to support our business plans.
● Raising additional capital may cause dilution to our stockholders, restrict our operations or require us to relinquish rights to our technologies or product candidates.
Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property
● Our ability to obtain and protect our patents and other proprietary rights is uncertain and we may fail in obtaining or maintaining necessary rights to our programs.
● We may become subject to claims challenging the inventorship or ownership of our intellectual property and may be subject to patent infringement claims or may need to file such claims.
● Our patents and our ability to protect our products may be impaired by changes to patent laws, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with legal requirements.
● We may fail to identify or interpret relevant third-party patents.
● Patent terms may be inadequate to protect our competitive position of our programs.
● Our technology licensed from third parties may be subject to retained rights.
Risks Related to Our Reliance on Third Parties
● We currently rely on agreements with third parties to develop our product candidates. If we are unable to maintain collaborations or licensing arrangements, or if our collaborations or licensing arrangements are not successful, our business could be negatively impacted.
● Third parties we rely on for the execution of nonclinical studies and clinical trials may fail to carry out their contractual duties.
● We may be unable to use third-party manufacturing sites, our third-party manufacturers may encounter difficulties in production or we may need to switch or create third-party manufacturer redundancies.
Other Risk Factors - Risks Related to Employee Matters, Managing Growth, Other Risks Related to Our Business, and Owning Our Common Stock
● Our estimates of market opportunity and forecasts of market growth may prove to be inaccurate, and even if the markets in which we compete achieve the forecasted growth, our business may not grow at similar rates, or at all.
● Our business is dependent on key personnel, and we will be harmed if we cannot recruit and retain highly qualified personnel to successfully implement our business strategy.
● In order to successfully implement our plans and strategies, we will need to grow the size of our organization, and we may experience difficulties in managing this growth.
● Significant disruptions of information technology systems or breaches of data security could adversely affect our business.
● Changes in and failures to comply with United States and foreign privacy and data protection laws, regulations and standards may adversely affect our business, operations and consolidated financial performance.
● We may become exposed to costly and damaging liability claims and our insurance may not cover all damages from such claims.
● Our business could be adversely affected by macroeconomic or geopolitical conditions.
● We do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future.
● Future sales of shares by existing stockholders could cause our stock price to decline.
● Future sales and issuances of equity and debt could result in additional dilution to our stockholders and could cause our stock price to decline.
Risk Factors
Risks Related to Our Financial Condition and Capital Requirements
We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company with a limited operating history on which to assess our business; we have not completed any clinical trials, have no products approved for commercial sale, have historically incurred losses, and we anticipate that we will continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future. Moreover, we have never generated revenue from product sales and may never be profitable.
We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company with a limited operating history. We will need to raise substantial additional capital to continue to fund our operations in the future. We have based our estimates on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and could exhaust our available financial resources sooner than we currently anticipate. We have devoted substantially all of our financial resources to identify, acquire, and develop our product candidates, organizing and staffing our company, and providing general and administrative support for our operations.
Biopharmaceutical product development is a highly speculative undertaking and involves a substantial degree of risk. We expect our losses to increase as our product candidates enter advanced clinical trials. It may be several years, if ever, before we complete pivotal clinical trials or have a product candidate approved for commercialization. We expect to invest significant funds into the research and development of our programs to determine the potential to advance product candidates to regulatory approval. If we obtain regulatory approval to market a product candidate, our future revenue will depend upon the size of any markets in which our product candidates may receive approval, and our ability to achieve sufficient market acceptance, pricing, coverage and adequate reimbursement from third-party payors, and adequate market share for our product candidates in those markets. Even if we obtain adequate market share for our product candidates, we may never become profitable despite obtaining such market share and acceptance of our products.
We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future and our expenses will increase substantially if and as we:
● continue the clinical development of our product candidates, including advancing our product candidates into larger, more expensive trials;
● continue efforts to discover and develop new product candidates, including initiating preclinical studies or clinical trials;
● progress our chemistry, manufacturing and control development, registration, and validation, including the manufacture of our product candidates by third parties, including increasing volumes manufactured by third parties;
● seek regulatory and marketing approvals and reimbursement for our product candidates;
● establish a sales, marketing, and distribution infrastructure to commercialize any products for which we may obtain marketing approval and market for ourselves;
● make milestone, royalty, or other payments under third-party license agreements;
● seek to maintain, protect, and expand our intellectual property portfolio; and
● experience any delays or encounter issues with the development and potential regulatory approval of our product candidates such as safety issues, manufacturing delays, clinical trial delays, longer follow-up for planned studies or trials, additional major studies or trials, or supportive trials necessary to support marketing approval.
If we are unable to raise additional capital when required or on acceptable terms, we may be required to curtail our product development activities and other activities commensurate with the magnitude of the shortfall and our product development activities may cease altogether, which could materially harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations. To the extent that the costs of our activities exceed our current estimates and we are unable to raise sufficient additional capital to cover such costs, we will need to reduce operating expenses, sell assets, enter into strategic transactions, or effect a combination of the above. No assurance can be given that we will be able to enter into any of such transactions on acceptable terms, if at all. Any of the following events could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and prospects:
● a delay, scaling back, or discontinuation of the development or commercialization of our product candidates;
● seeking strategic partnerships, or amending existing partnerships, for research and development programs at an earlier stage than otherwise would be desirable or that we otherwise would have sought to develop independently, or on terms that are less favorable than might otherwise be available in the future;
● disposal of technology assets, or the relinquishing or licensing of assets on unfavorable terms, of our rights to technologies or any of our product candidates that we otherwise would seek to develop or commercialize ourselves;
● pursuing the sale of the company to a third party at a price that may result in a loss on investment for our stockholders; or
● filing for bankruptcy or cease operations altogether.
Even if we are successful in raising new capital, we could be limited in the amount of capital we raise due to investor demand restrictions placed on the amount of capital we raise, or other reasons.
Raising additional capital may cause dilution to our stockholders, restrict our operations, or require us to relinquish rights.
To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of our stockholders will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of holders of our common stock. Debt financing and preferred equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures, or declaring dividends. For example, in September 2024, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with certain new institutional and accredited investors, whereby the investors purchased an aggregate of 5,600,000 shares of common stock, 2,439 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and pre-funded warrants to purchase an aggregate of 680,000 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $200.5 million. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into 1,000 shares of common stock.
If we raise additional funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or marketing, distribution or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may be required to relinquish valuable rights to our research programs or product candidates or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. Debt financing, if available, would likely involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures, making additional product acquisitions, or declaring dividends.
Risks Related to Clinical Development, Regulatory Approval and Commercialization
We face competition from entities that have developed or may develop programs for the diseases addressed by our product candidates.
The development and commercialization of drugs is highly competitive. Product candidates developed by us, if approved, will face significant competition and our failure to effectively compete may prevent us from achieving significant market penetration. We compete with a variety of biopharmaceutical companies as well as academic institutions, governmental agencies, and public and private research institutions, among others. Many of the companies with which we are currently competing or will compete against in the future have significantly greater financial resources and expertise in research and development, manufacturing, preclinical testing, clinical trials, regulatory approvals, and marketing than we do. Mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry may result in even more resources being concentrated among a smaller number of our competitors. Smaller or early-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large and established companies. These competitors also compete with us in establishing clinical trial sites, recruiting participants for clinical trials, as well as in acquiring technologies complementary to, or necessary for, our product candidates.
Our competitors have developed, are developing or will develop programs and processes competitive with our programs and processes. Competitive therapeutic treatments include those that have already been approved and accepted by the medical community and any new treatments. Our success will depend partially on our ability to develop and commercialize products that have a competitive safety, efficacy, dosing and/or presentation profile. Our commercial opportunity and success will be reduced or eliminated if competing products are safer, more effective, have a more attractive dosing profile or presentation or are less expensive than the products we develop, or if biosimilars enter the market and are able to gain market acceptance more quickly than we do or at wider scale.
Our product candidates may fail in development or suffer delays. We depend on the successful initiation and completion of clinical trials for our product candidates to advance our product development plans.
We have no products on the market, and all of our programs are in preclinical or clinical stages of development. As a result, we expect it will be many years before we can obtain regulatory approval for and commercialize any product candidate, if ever. Clinical testing is expensive, difficult to design and implement, and can take years to complete and is uncertain as to outcome. A failure of one or more of our clinical trials can occur at any stage of testing. The outcome of preclinical testing and early clinical trials may not be predictive of the success of later clinical trials, and interim results of a clinical trial do not necessarily predict final results. Moreover, preclinical and clinical data are often susceptible to varying interpretations and analyses, and many companies that have believed their product candidates performed satisfactorily in preclinical studies and clinical trials have nonetheless failed to obtain marketing approval for their products. It may be difficult for us to raise additional capital if we experience any issues that delay or prevent the regulatory approval or the ability to commercialize our product candidates.
We may experience a number of unforeseen events affecting our product development timeline, including the following:
● our clinical trials may fail to show safety or efficacy, produce negative or inconclusive results, or our product candidates may have undesirable side effects or unexpected characteristics, and we may decide, or regulators may require that we conduct additional preclinical studies or clinical trials or we may decide to abandon product development programs;
● the supply or quality of our clinical trial materials or other materials necessary to conduct clinical trials of our product candidates may be insufficient or inadequate;
● regulators or IRBs, the FDA, or ethics committees may not authorize us or our investigators to commence or conduct a clinical trial at one or more prospective trial sites; or may require that we or our investigators materially modify, suspend or terminate clinical research or trials for various reasons, including noncompliance with regulatory requirements or a finding that the participants in our trials are being exposed to unacceptable health risks;
● our failure to establish an appropriate safety profile for a product candidate based on clinical or preclinical data as well as data emerging from other therapies in the same class as our product candidates;
● the number of subjects required for clinical trials of any product candidates may be larger than we anticipate, especially if regulatory bodies require completion of non-inferiority or superiority trials; enrollment in these clinical trials may be slower than we anticipate or subjects may drop out of these clinical trials or fail to return for post-treatment follow-up at a higher rate than we anticipate;
● trial conduct or data analysis errors may occur, including, but not limited to, failure by investigators or participants to adhere to the study protocol or data entry and/or labeling errors;
● we may experience delays in reaching, or fail to reach, agreement on acceptable terms with prospective trial sites and/or contract research organizations (“CROs”);
● our third-party contractors or clinical trial sites may fail to comply with regulatory requirements or meet their contractual obligations to us in a timely manner, or at all, or may deviate from the clinical trial protocol or drop out of the trial, which may require that we add new clinical trial sites or investigators and could potentially complicate the analysis of data;
● the cost of clinical trials of any of our programs may be greater than we anticipate;
● reports from clinical testing of other therapies may raise safety or efficacy concerns about our programs; and
● the FDA or other regulatory authorities may require us to submit additional data or impose other requirements and our product development timeline may be adversely affected.
If our clinical trials do not produce favorable results, our ability to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates will be adversely impacted. Moreover, the combined data from our trials may be inconclusive or may not be sufficient to ultimately gain marketing approval from the FDA or other regulatory authorities. There are equivalent processes and risks applicable to clinical trial applications in other countries outside of the United States.
In addition, because of the competitive landscape for immunology and inflammation (commonly referred to as “I&I”) indications, we may also face competition for clinical trial enrollment. Clinical trial enrollment will depend on many factors, including if potential clinical trial participants choose to undergo treatment with approved products or enroll in competitors’ ongoing clinical trials for programs that are under development for the same indications as our programs. An increase in the number of approved products for the indications we are targeting with our programs may further exacerbate this competition. Our inability to enroll a sufficient number of participants could, among other things, delay our development timeline, which may further harm our competitive position and have an adverse effect on our business and operations.
We are substantially dependent on the success of our two most advanced programs, ORKA-001 and ORKA-002, and our clinical trials of such programs may not be successful.
Our future success is substantially dependent on our ability to develop and timely obtain marketing approval for, and then successfully commercialize, our two most advanced programs, ORKA-001 and ORKA-002. We are investing a majority of our efforts and financial resources into the research and development of these programs. We have initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of ORKA-001 in healthy volunteers and anticipate initiating a Phase 1 clinical trial of ORKA-002 in healthy volunteers in the second half of 2025, subject to the filing of an IND or foreign equivalent and regulatory approval. Currently, we believe that the success of our programs is dependent on observing a longer half-life of our product candidates in humans than monoclonal antibodies (“mAbs”) currently marketed and in development as we believe this longer half-life has the potential to result in a more favorable dosing schedule for our product candidates, assuming they successfully complete clinical development and obtain marketing approval. This is based in part on the assumption that the longer half-life we have observed in NHPs will translate into an extended half-life of our product candidates in humans. To the extent we do not observe this extended half-life in humans, it would significantly and adversely affect the clinical and commercial potential of our product candidates.
If we do not achieve our projected development goals in the time frames we announce and expect, the development and potential commercialization of our product candidates may be delayed and our expenses may increase and, as a result, our business may be materially harmed and our stock price may decline.
From time to time, we estimate the timing of the anticipated accomplishment of various scientific, clinical, regulatory and other product development goals, which we sometimes refer to as milestones. These milestones may include the commencement or completion of scientific studies and clinical trials, such as the expected timing of our clinical trials in our target indications, anticipated data analysis and results from our clinical trials, as well as the submission of regulatory filings. From time to time, we may publicly announce the expected timing of some of these milestones. All of these milestones are and will be based on numerous assumptions. The actual timing of these milestones can vary dramatically compared to our estimates, in some cases for reasons beyond our control. If we do not meet these milestones as publicly announced, or at all, the development and potential commercialization of our product candidates may be delayed or never achieved and, as a result, our business may be materially harmed and our stock price may decline. Additionally, delays relative to our projected timelines are likely to cause overall expenses to increase, which may require us to raise additional capital sooner than expected and prior to achieving targeted development milestones.
Any drug delivery device that we may use to deliver our product candidates may have its own regulatory, development, supply and other risks.
We expect to deliver our product candidates via a drug delivery device, such as an injector or other delivery system. There may be unforeseen technical complications related to the development activities required to bring such a product to market, including primary container compatibility and/or dose volume requirements. If our product candidates are intended to be used with drug delivery devices, we expect to utilize drug delivery devices authorized for marketing under clearances of approvals held by third parties. Our product candidates may not be approved or may be substantially delayed in receiving approval if the devices that we choose to develop do not gain and/or maintain their own regulatory approvals or clearances. Where approval of the drug product and device is sought under a single application, the increased complexity of the review process may delay approval. In addition, some drug delivery devices are provided by single-source third-party companies. We may be dependent on the sustained cooperation and effort of those third-party companies both to supply the devices and, in some cases, to conduct the studies required for approval or other regulatory clearance of the devices. Even if approval is obtained for our products, we may also be dependent on those third-party companies continuing to maintain such approvals or clearances, if required, for their drug delivery devices once they have been received. Failure of third-party companies to supply the devices on time and in accordance with the agreed-upon specifications, to successfully complete studies on the devices in a timely manner, or to obtain or maintain required approvals or clearances of the devices could result in increased development costs, delays in or failure to obtain regulatory approval and delays in product candidates reaching patients.
Our approach to the discovery and development of our programs is unproven, and we may not be successful in our efforts to build a pipeline of programs with commercial value.
Our approach to the discovery and development of the research programs with respect to which we have signed a license agreement, exercised the Option to acquire intellectual property license rights to or have the Option to acquire intellectual property license rights to pursuant to the Option Agreements, leverages clinically validated mechanisms of action and incorporates advanced antibody engineering to optimize half-life and other properties designed to overcome limitations of existing therapies. Our programs are purposefully designed to improve upon existing product candidates and products while maintaining the same, well-established mechanisms of action. However, the scientific research that forms the basis of our efforts to develop programs using half-life extension technologies is ongoing and may not result in viable programs. There is limited clinical data available on product candidates utilizing half-life extension technologies, especially in I&I indications, demonstrating whether they are safe or effective for long-term treatment in humans. The long-term safety and efficacy of these technologies and the extended half-lives and exposure profiles of our programs compared to currently approved products are unknown.
We may ultimately discover that utilizing half-life extension technologies for our specific targets and indications and any programs resulting therefrom does not possess certain properties required for therapeutic effectiveness. In addition, programs using half-life extension technologies may demonstrate different chemical and pharmacological properties in human participants than they do in laboratory studies or preclinical studies. This technology and any programs resulting therefrom may not demonstrate the same chemical and pharmacological properties in humans and may interact with human biological systems in unforeseen, ineffective or harmful ways.
In addition, we may in the future seek to discover and develop programs that are based on novel targets and technologies that are unproven. If our discovery activities fail to identify novel targets or technologies for drug discovery, or such targets prove to be unsuitable for treating human disease, we may not be able to develop viable additional programs. We and our existing or future collaborators may never receive approval to market and commercialize any product candidate. Even if we or an existing or future collaborator obtains regulatory approval, the approval may be for targets, disease indications or patient populations that are not as broad as we intended or desired or may require labeling that includes significant use or distribution restrictions or safety warnings. If the products resulting from the research programs with respect to which we have signed license agreements with Paragon, exercised the Option to acquire intellectual property license rights to or have the Option to acquire intellectual property license rights to pursuant to the Option Agreements prove to be ineffective, unsafe or commercially unviable, such programs would have little, if any, value, which would have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Preclinical and clinical development involves a lengthy and expensive process that is subject to delays and uncertain outcomes, and results of earlier studies and trials may not be predictive of future clinical trial results. If our preclinical studies and clinical trials are not sufficient to support regulatory approval of any of our product candidates, we may incur additional costs or experience delays in completing, or ultimately be unable to complete, the development of such product candidate.
Before obtaining marketing approval from regulatory authorities for the sale of any product candidate, we must complete preclinical studies and then conduct extensive clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of such product candidate in humans. Our clinical trials may not be conducted as planned or completed on schedule, if at all, and failure can occur at any time during the preclinical study or clinical trial process.
Furthermore, a failure of one or more clinical trials can occur at any stage of testing. Clinical data is often susceptible to varying interpretations and analyses, and in addition, we expect to rely on participants to provide feedback on measures such as measures of quality of life, which are subjective and inherently difficult to evaluate. These measures can be influenced by factors outside of our control, and can vary widely from day-to-day for a particular participant, and from participant to participant and from site to site within a clinical trial.
We cannot be sure that the FDA, or comparable foreign regulatory authority, as applicable, will agree with our clinical development plan. We plan to use the data from our Phase 1 trials of our ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 programs in healthy volunteers to support Phase 2 trials in PsO and potentially other I&I indications. If the FDA and/or comparable foreign regulatory authority requires us to materially modify our proposed trial designs, conduct additional trials or enroll additional participants, our development timelines may be delayed. We cannot be sure that submission of an IND, Clinical Trial Application or similar application will result in the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities, as applicable, allowing clinical trials to begin in a timely manner, if at all. Moreover, even if these trials begin, issues may arise that could suspend or terminate such clinical trials. Events that may prevent successful or timely initiation or completion of clinical trials include: inability to generate sufficient preclinical, toxicology or other in vivo or in vitro data to support the initiation or continuation of clinical trials; delays in reaching a consensus with regulatory authorities on study design or implementation of the clinical trials; delays or failure in obtaining regulatory authorization to commence a trial; delays in reaching agreement on acceptable terms with prospective CROs and clinical trial sites; recruiting and training suitable clinical investigators; delays in obtaining required IRB approval at each clinical trial site; delays in manufacturing, testing, releasing, validating or importing/exporting sufficient stable quantities of our product candidates for use in clinical trials or the inability to do any of the foregoing; failure by our CROs, other third parties or us to adhere to clinical trial protocols; failure to perform in accordance with the FDA’s or any other regulatory authority’s current GCP requirements or applicable regulatory guidelines in other countries; changes to the clinical trial protocols; clinical sites deviating from trial protocol or dropping out of a trial; delays or failure by our third party vendors or us in the manufacturing, packaging, labeling and proper delivery of clinical trial materials; and third parties being unwilling or unable to satisfy their contractual obligations to us.
We could also encounter delays if a clinical trial is required to be materially modified or suspended or terminated by us, the IRBs, by the Data Safety Monitoring Board, if any, or by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities. Such authorities may suspend, put on clinical hold or terminate a clinical trial due to a number of factors, including not aligning with or supporting our clinical trial designs or our failure to conduct the clinical trial in accordance with regulatory requirements or our clinical trial protocols, inspection of the clinical trial operations or trial site by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities resulting in the imposition of a clinical hold, unforeseen safety issues or adverse side effects, failure to demonstrate a benefit from the programs, changes in governmental regulations or administrative actions or lack of adequate funding to continue the clinical trial. If we are required to conduct additional clinical trials or other testing of our product candidates beyond those that we currently contemplate, if we are unable to successfully complete clinical trials of our product candidates, if the results of these trials are not positive or are only moderately positive or if there are safety concerns, our business and results of operations may be adversely affected and we may need to adjust or abandon our business plans and we may incur significant additional costs.
If we encounter difficulties enrolling participants in our current and future clinical trials, our clinical development activities could be delayed or otherwise adversely affected. We depend on the successful completion of clinical trials for our product candidates.
We may experience difficulties in patient participant enrollment in our clinical trials for a variety of reasons. The timely completion of clinical trials in accordance with their protocols depends, among other things, on our ability to enroll a sufficient number of participants who remain in the trial until conclusion. The enrollment of participants in future trials for any of our programs will depend on many factors, including if participants choose to enroll in clinical trials, rather than using approved products, or if our competitors have ongoing clinical trials for programs that are under development for the same indications as our programs, and participants instead enroll in such clinical trials. Even if we are able to enroll a sufficient number of participants for our clinical trials, it may have difficulty maintaining participants in our clinical trials. Our inability to enroll or maintain a sufficient number of participants would result in significant delays in completing clinical trials and increased development costs or may require us to abandon one or more clinical trials altogether.
Preliminary, “topline” or interim data from our clinical trials may change as more participant data becomes available and are subject to audit and verification procedures, and should be viewed with caution until the final data are available.
From time to time, we may publicly disclose preliminary or topline data from our preclinical studies and clinical trials, which are based on a preliminary analysis of then-available data, and the results and related findings and conclusions are subject to change following a more comprehensive review of the data. We also make assumptions, estimations, calculations and conclusions as part of our analyses of these data without the opportunity to fully and carefully evaluate complete data. As a result, the preliminary or topline results that we report may differ from future results of the same studies, or different conclusions or considerations may qualify such results, once additional data have been received and fully evaluated or subsequently made subject to audit and verification procedures.
From time to time, we may also disclose interim data from our preclinical studies and clinical trials. Interim data are subject to the risk that one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change as participant enrollment continues and more participant data become available or as participants from our clinical trials continue other treatments. Further, others, including regulatory agencies, may not accept or agree with our assumptions, estimates, calculations, conclusions or analyses or may interpret or weigh the importance of data differently, which could impact the value of the particular product candidate, the approvability or commercialization of the particular product candidate and our company in general. In addition, the information we choose to publicly disclose regarding a particular preclinical study or clinical trial is based on what is typically extensive information, and you or others may not agree with what we determine is material or otherwise appropriate information to include in our disclosure. If the preliminary, topline or interim data that we report differ from actual results, or if others, including regulatory authorities, disagree with the conclusions reached, our ability to obtain approval for, and commercialize, our product candidates may be harmed, which could harm our business, operating results, prospects or financial condition.
Our clinical trials may reveal significant adverse events, undesirable side effects or patient intolerance not seen in our preclinical studies or earlier clinical trials, and may result in a safety profile that could halt clinical development, inhibit regulatory approval or limit commercial potential or market acceptance of any of our product candidates.
Results of our clinical trials could reveal a high and unacceptable severity and prevalence of side effects or patient intolerance, adverse events or unexpected characteristics, and any of these occurrences could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects significantly. If significant adverse events or other side effects are observed in any of our clinical trials, we may have difficulty recruiting participants to such trials, participants may drop out of the trials, or we may have to suspend, materially modify or abandon the trials or our development efforts of one or more programs altogether. We, the FDA or other applicable regulatory authorities, or an IRB, may suspend or require the material modification of any clinical trials of any program at any time for various reasons, including a belief that participants in such trials are being exposed to unacceptable health risks or adverse side effects. Moreover, negative or inconclusive results could cause the FDA or other regulatory agencies to require that we repeat or conduct additional clinical trials. If our clinical trials do not produce favorable results, our ability to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates may be adversely impacted.
Even if side effects do not preclude the product candidate from obtaining or maintaining marketing approval, undesirable side effects may inhibit market acceptance of the approved product due to their tolerability versus other therapies. In addition, an extended half-life could prolong the duration of undesirable side effects, which could also affect our clinical trials or inhibit market acceptance. Potential side effects associated with our product candidates may not be appropriately recognized or managed by the treating medical staff, as toxicities resulting from our product candidates may not be normally encountered in the general patient population and by medical personnel.
In addition, even if we successfully advance our product candidates through clinical trials, such trials will only include a limited number of participants and limited duration of exposure to our product candidates. As a result, we cannot be assured that adverse effects of our product candidates will not be uncovered when a significantly larger number of participants are exposed to the product candidate after approval. Further, any clinical trials may not be sufficient to determine the effect and safety consequences of using our product candidates over a multi-year period.
If any of the foregoing events occur or if one or more of the research programs with respect to which we have signed a licensed agreement for or exercised the Option to acquire intellectual property license rights to or have the Option to acquire intellectual property license rights to pursuant to the Option Agreements prove to be unsafe, our pipeline could be affected, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We may expend our limited resources to pursue a particular program and fail to capitalize on programs that may be more profitable or for which there is a greater likelihood of success.
We are initially focused on our most advanced programs, ORKA-001 and ORKA-002, and as a result, we may forgo or delay pursuit of opportunities with other programs that later prove to have greater commercial potential. Our resource allocation decisions may cause us to fail to capitalize on viable commercial products or profitable market opportunities. Our spending on current and future research and development programs for specific indications may not yield any commercially viable product candidates. If we do not accurately evaluate the commercial potential or target market for a particular product candidate, we may be in a position where we may have to relinquish valuable rights to that product candidate through collaboration, licensing or other arrangements in cases in which we would have been more advantageous for us to retain sole development and commercialization rights to such product candidate.
Any approved products resulting from our programs may not achieve adequate market acceptance among clinicians, patients, healthcare third-party payors and others in the medical community necessary for commercial success and we may not generate any future revenue from the sale or licensing of such products.
Even if regulatory approval is obtained for a product candidate resulting from one of our current or future programs, it may not gain market acceptance among physicians, patients, healthcare payors or the medical community. Market acceptance of our product candidates will depend on many factors, including factors that are not within our control. While there are several approved products and product candidates in later stages of development for the treatment of PsO, our programs incorporate advanced antibody engineering to optimize the half-life and formulation of antibodies, and to date, no such antibody has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of PsO. Market participants with influence over acceptance of new treatments, such as clinicians and third-party payors, may not adopt a biologic that incorporates half-life extension for our targeted indications, and we may not be able to convince the medical community and third-party payors to accept and use, or to provide favorable reimbursement for, any programs developed by us or our existing or future collaborators. Moreover, an extended half-life may make it more difficult for patients to change treatments and there may be a perception that half-life extension could exacerbate side effects, each of which may adversely affect our ability to gain market acceptance.
Sales of medical products also depend on the willingness of healthcare providers to prescribe the treatment, and if any of our product candidates is approved but does not achieve an adequate level of acceptance, we may not generate or derive sufficient revenue from that product candidate and may not become or remain profitable.
Certain of our programs may compete with our other programs, which could negatively impact our business and reduce our future revenue.
We are developing product candidates for the same indication, PsO, and may in the future develop our programs for other I&I indications. Each such program targets a different mechanism of action. However, developing multiple programs for a single indication may negatively impact our business if the programs compete with each other. For example, if multiple programs are conducting clinical trials at the same time, they could compete for the enrollment of participants. In addition, if multiple product candidates are approved for the same indication, they may compete for market share, which could limit our future revenue.
We may conduct clinical trials for programs at sites outside the United States, and the FDA may not accept data from trials conducted in such locations. Moreover, conducting clinical trials outside of the U.S. presents additional risks that may delay our clinical trials.
We may choose to conduct one or more of our future clinical trials outside the United States. Although the FDA may accept data from clinical trials conducted outside the United States, acceptance of this data is subject to conditions imposed by the FDA. If the FDA does not accept the data from any trial that we conduct outside the United States, it would likely result in the need for additional trials, which would be costly and time-consuming and would delay or permanently halt our development of the applicable product candidates. Even if the FDA accepted such data, it could impose additional conditions, such as requiring us to modify our planned clinical trials to receive clearance to initiate such trials in the United States or to continue such trials once initiated.
Further, conducting clinical trials outside of the U.S. presents additional risks that may delay completion of our clinical trials. These risks include the failure of investigators or enrolled participants in foreign countries to adhere to clinical protocol as a result of differences in healthcare services or cultural customs that could restrict or limit our ability to conduct our clinical trials, the administrative burdens of conducting clinical trials under multiple sets of foreign regulations, potential restrictions, such as local privacy restrictions, on data generated from the clinical trial, diminished protection of intellectual property in some countries, as well as political and economic risks relevant to foreign countries.
Risks Related to Government Regulation
The regulatory approval processes of the FDA and other comparable foreign regulatory authorities are lengthy, time-consuming and unpredictable. If we are not able to obtain, or if there are delays in obtaining, required regulatory approvals for our product candidates, we may not be able to commercialize, or may be delayed in commercializing, our product candidates, and our ability to generate revenue may be materially impaired.
The lengthy regulatory approval process as well as the unpredictability of clinical trial results may result in our failing to obtain or be delayed in obtaining approval to market our product candidates, which would significantly harm our business, results of operations and prospects. Of the large number of drugs in development, only a small percentage successfully complete the FDA or foreign regulatory approval processes and are commercialized. The process of obtaining regulatory approvals, both in the United States and abroad, is unpredictable, expensive and typically takes many years following commencement of clinical trials. Approval may never be obtained and the approval process can vary substantially based upon a variety of factors, including the type, complexity and novelty of the product candidates involved. Before obtaining regulatory approvals for the commercial sale of our product candidates, we must demonstrate through lengthy, complex and expensive preclinical studies and clinical trials that our product candidates are both safe and effective for each targeted indication. Securing regulatory approval also requires the submission of information about the drug manufacturing process to, and inspection of manufacturing facilities by, the relevant regulatory authority. Further, our product candidates may not be effective, may be only moderately effective or may prove to have undesirable or unintended side effects, toxicities or other characteristics that may preclude our obtaining marketing approval. The FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities have substantial discretion in the approval process and may refuse to accept any application or may decide that our data are insufficient for approval and require additional preclinical, clinical or other data. Our product candidates could be delayed in receiving, or fail to receive, regulatory approval for many reasons, including: the failure to demonstrate that a product candidate’s benefits outweigh safety risks; regulatory authorities may disagree with our interpretation of clinical data or the data collected may not be acceptable or sufficient to support submission; or the results may not meet the level of statistical significance required for approval by the relevant regulatory authorities or otherwise considered insufficient by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities. Regulatory authorities may require the addition of labeling statements, such as black box or other warnings or contraindications that could diminish the usage of the product or otherwise limit the commercial success of the affected product.
Moreover, regulatory authorities may approve any of our product candidates for fewer or more limited indications than we request, including failing to approve the most commercially promising indications, may grant approval contingent on the performance of costly post-marketing clinical trials, or may approve a product candidate with a label that does not include the labeling claims necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization of that product candidate. If we are not able to obtain, or if there are delays in obtaining, required regulatory approvals for our product candidates, we will not be able to commercialize, or will be delayed in commercializing, our product candidates and our ability to generate revenue will be materially impaired.
We may not be able to meet requirements for the chemistry, manufacturing and control of our programs.
In order to receive approval of our products by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities, we must show that we and our CMO partners are able to characterize, control and manufacture our drug products safely and in accordance with regulatory requirements. This includes manufacturing the active ingredient, developing an acceptable formulation, manufacturing the drug product, performing tests to adequately characterize the formulated product, documenting a repeatable manufacturing process, and demonstrating that our drug products meet stability requirements. As noted above, we may deliver our product candidates via a drug delivery device, which also requires us to meet certain chemistry, manufacturing and control requirements set forth by the FDA and other foreign regulatory authorities. Meeting these chemistry, manufacturing and control requirements is a complex task that requires specialized expertise. If we are not able to meet the chemistry, manufacturing and control requirements, we may not be successful in getting our products approved.
Our product candidates for which we intend to seek approval as biologics may face competition sooner than anticipated.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Healthcare and Education Reconciliation Act (the “ACA”), includes a subtitle called the BPCIA, which created an abbreviated approval pathway for biological products that are biosimilar to or interchangeable with an FDA-licensed reference biological product. Under the BPCIA, an application for a highly similar or “biosimilar” product may not be submitted to the FDA until four years following the date that the reference product was first approved by the FDA. In addition, the approval of a biosimilar product may not be made effective by the FDA until 12 years from the date on which the reference product was first approved. During this 12-year period of exclusivity, another company may still market a competing version of the reference product if the FDA approves a full BLA for the competing product containing the sponsor’s own preclinical data and data from adequate and well-controlled clinical trials to demonstrate the safety, purity and potency of their product.
We believe that any of our product candidates approved as biologics under a BLA should qualify for the 12-year period of exclusivity. However, there is a risk that this exclusivity could be shortened due to congressional action or otherwise, or that the FDA will not consider our product candidates to be reference products for competing products, potentially creating the opportunity for competition sooner than anticipated. Other aspects of the BPCIA, some of which may impact the BPCIA exclusivity provisions, have also been the subject of recent litigation. Moreover, the extent to which a biosimilar, once approved, will be substituted for any reference products in a way that is similar to traditional generic substitution for non-biological products is not yet clear, and will depend on a number of marketplace and regulatory factors that are still developing.
Even if we receive regulatory approval of our product candidates, we will be subject to extensive ongoing regulatory obligations and continued regulatory review and may result in restrictions on the use of the product, which may result in significant additional expense and we may be subject to penalties if we fail to comply with regulatory requirements or experience unanticipated problems with our product candidates.
Any regulatory approvals that we may receive for our product candidates will require the submission of reports to regulatory authorities and surveillance to monitor the safety and efficacy of the product candidate, may contain significant limitations related to use restrictions for specified age groups, warnings, precautions or contraindications, and may include burdensome post-approval study or risk management requirements. For example, the FDA may require a REMS in order to approve our product candidates. In addition, even if our product candidates receive approval, our product candidates and the activities associated with their development and commercialization, including their design, testing, manufacture, safety, efficacy, recordkeeping, labeling, storage, approval, advertising, promotion, sale, distribution, import and export will be subject to comprehensive regulation by the FDA and other regulatory agencies in the United States and by comparable foreign regulatory authorities. These requirements include submissions of safety and other post-marketing information and reports, registration, as well as on-going compliance with current CGMPs and GCPs for any clinical trials that we conduct following approval. In addition, manufacturers of drug products and their facilities are subject to continual review and periodic, unannounced inspections by the FDA and other regulatory authorities for compliance with CGMPs.
If we or a regulatory authority discover previously unknown problems with a product or problems with the facilities where the product is manufactured, a regulatory authority may impose restrictions on that product, the manufacturing facility or us, including requiring recall or withdrawal of the product from the market or suspension of manufacturing, restrictions on our ability to conduct clinical trials, including full or partial clinical holds on ongoing or planned trials, restrictions on the manufacturing process, warning or untitled letters, civil and criminal penalties, injunctions, product seizures, detentions or import bans, voluntary or mandatory publicity requirements and imposition of restrictions on operations, including costly new manufacturing requirements.
Disruptions at the FDA, the SEC and other government agencies and regulatory authorities caused by funding shortages or global health concerns could hinder their ability to hire and retain key leadership and other personnel, prevent new products and services from being developed or commercialized in a timely manner or otherwise prevent those agencies from performing normal business functions on which the operation of our business may rely, which could negatively impact our business.
The ability of the FDA to review regulatory filings and our ability to commence human clinical trials can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding levels, ability to hire and retain key personnel and accept the payment of user fees, and statutory, regulatory and policy changes. Average review times at the agency have fluctuated in recent years as a result. In addition, government funding of the SEC, and other government agencies on which our operations may rely, including those that fund research and development activities is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable.
Disruptions at the FDA and other agencies or comparable foreign regulatory authorities, may also slow the time necessary for the review and approval of applications for clinical trial or marketing authorization, which would adversely affect our business. For example, in recent years, including in 2018 and 2019, the U.S. government shut down several times and certain regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and the SEC, had to furlough critical employees and stop critical activities. Additionally, action by the new Trump Administration to limit federal agency budgets or personnel may result in reductions to the FDA’s budget, employees, and operations, which may lead to slower response times and longer review periods, potentially affecting our ability to progress development of our product candidates or obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates. If a prolonged government shutdown occurs, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Further, future government shutdowns could impact our ability to access the public markets and obtain necessary capital in order to properly capitalize and continue our operations.
If a prolonged government shutdown occurs, or if global health concerns prevent the FDA or other regulatory authorities from conducting their regular inspections, reviews, or other regulatory activities, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA or other regulatory authorities to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We may face difficulties from legislative or regulatory reform measures.
We may be faced with additional or changing regulatory and governmental regulations that could prevent, limit or delay regulatory approval of our product candidates. We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative or executive action, either in the United States or abroad. For example, the Trump Administration has discussed several changes to the reach and oversight of the FDA, which could affect its relationship with the pharmaceutical industry, transparency in decision making and ultimately the cost and availability of prescription drugs. If we are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or if we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we may lose any marketing approval that we may have obtained and we may not achieve or sustain profitability.
The price of pharmaceuticals has been a topic of considerable public discussion that could lead to price controls or other price-limiting strategies by payors that have the effect of lowering payment and reimbursement rates for drugs or otherwise making the commercialization of pharmaceuticals less profitable. Many federal and state legislatures have considered, and adopted, healthcare policies intended to curb rising healthcare costs, such as the IRA. These cost-containment measures may include, among other measures: requirements for pharmaceutical companies to negotiate prescription drug prices with government healthcare programs; controls on government-funded reimbursement for drugs; new or increased requirements to pay prescription drug rebates to government healthcare programs, including if drug prices increase at a higher rate than inflation; controls on healthcare providers; challenges to or limits on the pricing of drugs, including pricing controls or limits or prohibitions on reimbursement for specific products through other means; requirements to try less expensive products or generics before a more expensive branded product; and public funding for cost effectiveness research, which may be used by government and private third-party payors to make coverage and payment decisions. Political, economic and regulatory developments may further complicate developments in healthcare systems and pharmaceutical drug pricing. These developments could, for example, impact our potential licensing agreements as commercial and collaborative partners may also consider the impact of these pressures on their licensing strategies.
Any new laws or regulations that have the effect of imposing additional costs or regulatory burden on pharmaceutical manufacturers, or otherwise negatively affect the industry, could adversely affect our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates. The implementation of any price controls, caps on prescription drugs or price transparency requirements could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our business operations and current and future arrangements with investigators, healthcare professionals, consultants, third-party payors, patient organizations and customers will be subject to applicable healthcare regulatory laws, including conflicts of interest rules, which could expose us to penalties.
Our business operations and current and future arrangements with investigators, healthcare professionals, consultants, third-party payors, patient organizations and customers may expose us to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations. These laws may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we conduct our operations, including how we research, market, sell and distribute our product candidates, if approved. Principal investigators for our clinical trials may serve as scientific advisors or consultants to us or may be affiliated with our other service providers, including CROs or site management organizations, and from time to time may receive cash compensation in connection with such services. If these relationships and any related compensation result in perceived or actual conflicts of interest, the integrity of the data generated at the applicable clinical trial site or in the applicable trial may be questioned or jeopardized.
Ensuring that our internal operations and future business arrangements with third parties comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations will involve costs and management attention. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of these laws or any other governmental laws and regulations that may apply to it, we may be subject to significant penalties, including civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, fines, exclusion from government-funded healthcare programs, integrity oversight and reporting obligations to resolve allegations of non-compliance, disgorgement, individual imprisonment, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations. Further, defending against any such actions can be costly and time-consuming and may require significant personnel resources. Therefore, even if we are successful in defending against any such actions that may be brought against us, our business may be impaired.
Even if we are able to commercialize any product candidates, due to unfavorable pricing regulations and/or third-party coverage and reimbursement policies, we may not be able to offer such product candidates at competitive prices, which would seriously harm our business.
We intend to seek approval to market our product candidates in the United States and in selected foreign jurisdictions, and we will be subject to rules and regulations in those jurisdictions where we obtain approval. Our ability to successfully commercialize any product candidates that we may develop will depend in part on the extent to which reimbursement for these product candidates and related treatments will be available from government health administration authorities, private health insurers and other organizations. In some jurisdictions, government authorities and other third-party payors decide which medications they will pay for and establish reimbursement levels, and have attempted to control costs by limiting coverage and the amount of reimbursement for particular medications. These entities may create preferential access policies for a competitor’s product, including a branded or generic/biosimilar product, over our products in an attempt to reduce their costs, which may reduce our commercial opportunity. Additionally, if any of our product candidates are approved and we are found to have improperly promoted off-label uses of those product candidates, we may become subject to significant liability, which would materially adversely affect our business and financial condition.
We are subject to U.S. and certain foreign export and import controls, sanctions, embargoes, anti-corruption laws, and anti-money laundering laws and regulations. We can face criminal liability and other serious consequences for violations, which can harm our business.
We are subject to export control and import laws and regulations, including the U.S. Export Administration Regulations, U.S. Customs regulations, various economic and trade sanctions regulations administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Controls, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, the U.S. domestic bribery statute contained in 18 U.S.C. § 201, the U.S. Travel Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, the U.S. Physician Payments Sunshine Act and other state and national anti-bribery and anti-money laundering laws in the countries in which we conduct activities. Anti-corruption laws are interpreted broadly and prohibit companies and their employees, agents, contractors, and other collaborators from authorizing, promising, offering, or providing, directly or indirectly, improper payments or anything else of value to or from recipients in the public or private sector. We may engage third parties to sell our products outside the United States, to conduct clinical trials, and/or to obtain necessary permits, licenses, patent registrations, and other regulatory approvals. We have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or government-affiliated hospitals, universities, and other organizations. We can be held liable for the corrupt or other illegal activities of our employees, agents, contractors, and other collaborators, even if we do not explicitly authorize or have actual knowledge of such activities. Any violations of the laws and regulations described above may result in substantial civil and criminal fines and penalties, imprisonment, the loss of export or import privileges, debarment, tax reassessments, breach of contract and fraud litigation, reputational harm, and other consequences.
Governments outside the United States tend to impose strict price controls, which may adversely affect our revenue, if any.
In some countries, particularly member states of the EU (“EU Member States”), the pricing of prescription drugs is subject to governmental control. In these countries, pricing negotiations with governmental authorities can take considerable time after receipt of marketing approval for a therapeutic. In addition, there can be considerable pressure by governments and other stakeholders on prices and reimbursement levels, including as part of cost containment measures. Political, economic and regulatory developments may further complicate pricing negotiations, and pricing negotiations may continue after reimbursement has been obtained. Reference pricing used by various EU Member States and parallel distribution, or arbitrage between low-priced and high-priced EU Member States, can further reduce prices. To obtain coverage and reimbursement or pricing approvals in some countries, we or current or future collaborators may be required to conduct a clinical trial or other studies that compare the cost-effectiveness of our product candidates to other available therapies in order to obtain or maintain reimbursement or pricing approval. Publication of discounts by third-party payors or authorities may lead to further pressure on the prices or reimbursement levels within the country of publication and other countries. If reimbursement of any product candidate approved for marketing is unavailable or limited in scope or amount, or if pricing is set at unsatisfactory levels, our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects could be materially and adversely affected. If the UK or EU Member States were to significantly alter their regulations affecting the pricing of prescription pharmaceuticals, we could face significant new costs.
Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property
Our ability to obtain and protect our patents and other proprietary rights is uncertain, exposing us to the possible loss of competitive advantage.
We rely upon a combination of patents, trademarks, trade secret protection, confidentiality agreements and the Option and License Agreements to protect the intellectual property related to our programs and technologies and to prevent third parties from competing unfairly with it. Our success depends in large part on our ability to obtain and maintain patent protection for our programs and our product candidates and their uses, as well as our ability to operate without infringing on or violating the proprietary rights of others. Paragon has filed, on our behalf, provisional patent applications and we have filed non-provisional patent applications directed to antibodies that target IL-23, including applications covering composition of matter, pharmaceutical formulations, and methods of using such antibodies, including ORKA-001. In addition, Paragon has filed, on our behalf, provisional patent applications and we intend to file one or more additional provisional patent applications directed to antibodies that target IL-17, including applications covering composition of matter, pharmaceutical formulations, and methods of using such antibodies, including ORKA-002. However, we may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world and the legal systems in certain countries may not favor enforcement or protection of patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property. Filing, prosecuting and defending patents on programs worldwide is expensive and our intellectual property rights in some foreign jurisdictions can be less extensive than those in the United States; the reverse may also occur. As such, we may not have patents in all countries or all major markets and may not be able to obtain patents in all jurisdictions even if we apply for them. Our competitors may operate in countries where we do not have patent protection and can freely use our technologies and discoveries in such countries to the extent such technologies and discoveries are publicly known or disclosed in countries where we do have patent protection or pending patent applications.
Our pending and future patent applications may not result in patents being issued. Any issued patents may not afford sufficient protection of our programs or their intended uses against competitors, nor can there be any assurance that the patents issued will not be infringed, designed around, invalidated by third parties, or effectively prevent others from commercializing competitive technologies, products or programs. Even if these patents are granted, they may be difficult to enforce. Further, any issued patents that we may license or own covering our programs could be narrowed or found invalid or unenforceable if challenged in court or before administrative bodies in the United States or abroad, including the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”). Further, if we encounter delays in our clinical trials or delays in obtaining regulatory approval, the period of time during which we could market our product candidates under patent protection would be reduced. Thus, the patents that we may own and license may not afford us any meaningful competitive advantage.
In addition to seeking patents for some of our technology and programs, we may also rely on trade secrets, including unpatented know-how, technology and other proprietary information, to maintain our competitive position. Any disclosure, either intentional or unintentional, by our employees, the personnel of third parties with whom we share our facilities or third-party consultants and vendors that we engage to perform research, clinical trials or manufacturing activities, or misappropriation by third parties (such as through a cybersecurity breach) of our trade secrets or proprietary information could enable competitors to duplicate or surpass our technological achievements, thus eroding our competitive position in our market. In order to protect our proprietary technology and processes, we rely in part on agreements, such as confidentiality agreements, with our vendors, collaborators, employees, consultants, outside scientific collaborators and sponsored researchers and other advisors. These agreements may not effectively prevent disclosure of confidential information and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. We may need to share our proprietary information, including trade secrets, with future business partners, collaborators, contractors and others located in countries at heightened risk of theft of trade secrets, including through direct intrusion by private parties or state actors and those affiliated with or controlled by state actors. In addition, while we undertake efforts to protect our trade secrets and other confidential information from disclosure, others may independently discover trade secrets and proprietary information, and in such cases, we may not be able to assert any trade secret rights against such party. Enforcing a claim that a party illegally obtained and is using our trade secrets is challenging and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, courts outside of the U.S. may be less willing to protect trade secrets. Costly and time-consuming litigation could be necessary to enforce and determine the scope of our proprietary rights and failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection could adversely affect our competitive business position.
Lastly, if our trademarks and trade names are not registered or adequately protected, then we may not be able to build name recognition in our markets of interest and our business may be adversely affected.
We may not be successful in obtaining or maintaining necessary rights to our programs through acquisitions and in-licenses.
Because our development programs currently do and may in the future require the use of proprietary rights held by third parties, the growth of our business may depend in part on our ability to acquire, in-license, or use these third-party proprietary rights. It is possible that we may be unable to obtain licenses at a reasonable cost or on reasonable terms, if at all. Even if we are able to obtain a license, it may be non-exclusive, thereby giving our competitors access to the same technologies licensed to us. We may be unable to acquire or in-license any compositions, methods of use, processes or other third-party intellectual property rights from third parties that we identify as necessary for our programs. The licensing and acquisition of third-party intellectual property rights is a competitive area, and a number of more established companies may pursue strategies to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights that we may consider attractive or necessary. These established companies may have a competitive advantage over us due to their size, capital resources and greater clinical development and commercialization capabilities. In addition, companies that perceive us to be a competitor may be unwilling to assign or license rights to us. We also may be unable to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights on terms that would allow us to make an appropriate return on our investment or at all. If we are unable to successfully obtain rights to required third-party intellectual property rights or maintain the existing intellectual property rights we do obtain, we may have to abandon development of the relevant program, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
While we plan to obtain the right to control prosecution, maintenance and enforcement of the patents relating to our programs, there may be times when the filing and prosecution activities for patents and patent applications relating to our programs are controlled by our current and future licensors or collaboration partners. If any of our current and future licensors or collaboration partners fail to prosecute, maintain and enforce such patents and patent applications in a manner consistent with the best interests of our business, we could lose our rights to the intellectual property or our exclusivity with respect to those rights, our ability to develop and commercialize those product candidates may be adversely affected and we may not be able to prevent competitors from making, using and selling competing products. In addition, even where we have the right to control patent prosecution of patents and patent applications we have licensed to and from third parties, we may still be adversely affected or prejudiced by actions or inactions of our licensees, our future licensors and our counsel that took place prior to the date upon which we assumed control over patent prosecution. Moreover, if other third parties have ownership rights to our future in-licensed patents, they may be able to license such patents to our competitors, and our competitors could market competing products and technology.
Failure to obtain licenses at a reasonable cost or terms may require us to expend significant time and resources to redesign our technology, programs, or the methods for manufacturing them or to develop or license replacement technology, all of which may not be feasible on a technical or commercial basis. If we are unable to do so, we may be unable to develop or commercialize the affected product candidates. This could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
Disputes may arise between us and our future licensors regarding intellectual property subject to a license agreement, including: the scope of rights granted under the license agreement and other interpretation-related issues; whether and the extent to which our technology and processes infringe on intellectual property of the licensor that is not subject to the licensing agreement; our right to sublicense patents and other rights to third parties; our right to transfer or assign the license; the inventorship and ownership of inventions and know-how resulting from the joint creation or use of intellectual property by our future licensors and us and our partners; and the priority of invention of patented technology.
We may be subject to patent infringement claims or may need to file claims to protect our intellectual property, which could result in substantial costs and liability and prevent us from commercializing our potential products.
Because the intellectual property landscape in the biopharmaceutical industry is rapidly evolving and interdisciplinary, it is difficult to conclusively assess our freedom to operate and guarantee that we can operate without infringing on or violating third-party rights. Third party patent rights, if found to be valid and enforceable, could be alleged to render one or more of our product candidates infringing. If a third party successfully brings a claim against us, we may be required to pay substantial damages, be forced to abandon any affected product candidate and/or seek a license from the patent holder. Any intellectual property claims brought against us, whether or not successful, may cause us to incur significant legal expenses and divert the attention of our management and key personnel from other business concerns. We cannot be certain that patents owned or licensed by us will not be challenged by others in the course of litigation. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of complex intellectual property litigation more effectively than we can because they have substantially greater resources. In addition, any litigation could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations, including our ability to raise funds.
Competitors may infringe or otherwise violate our patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property. To counter infringement or other violations, we may be required to file claims, which can be expensive and time-consuming, and any such claims could provoke these parties to assert counterclaims against us. In addition, in a patent infringement proceeding, a court or administrative body may decide that one or more of the patents we assert is invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, construe the patent’s claims narrowly or refuse to prevent the other party from using the technology at issue on the grounds that our patents do not cover the technology. Similarly, if we assert trademark infringement claims, a court or administrative body may determine that the marks we have asserted are invalid or unenforceable or that the party against whom we have asserted trademark infringement has superior rights to the marks in question. In such a case, we could ultimately be forced to cease use of such marks. In any intellectual property litigation, even if we are successful, any award of monetary damages or other remedy we receive may not be commercially valuable.
Further, we may be required to protect our patents through procedures created to attack the validity of a patent at the USPTO. An adverse determination in any such submission or proceeding could reduce the scope or enforceability of, or invalidate, our patent rights, which could adversely affect our competitive position. Because of a lower evidentiary standard in USPTO proceedings compared to the evidentiary standard in U.S. federal courts necessary to invalidate a patent claim, a third party could potentially provide evidence in a USPTO proceeding sufficient for the USPTO to hold a claim invalid even though the same evidence would be insufficient to invalidate the claim if first presented in a district court action.
In addition, if our programs are found to infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties, these third parties may assert infringement claims against our future licensees and other parties with whom we have business relationships and we may be required to indemnify those parties for any damages they suffer as a result of these claims, which may require us to initiate or defend protracted and costly litigation on behalf of licensees and other parties regardless of the merits of such claims. If any of these claims succeed, we may be forced to pay damages on behalf of those parties or may be required to obtain licenses for the products they use.
Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation or other legal proceedings relating to our intellectual property rights, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation or other proceedings.
We may be subject to claims that we have wrongfully hired an employee from a competitor or that our employees, consultants or independent contractors have wrongfully used or disclosed confidential information of third parties.
As is common in the biopharmaceutical industry, in addition to our employees, we engage the services of consultants to assist us in the development of our programs. Many of these consultants, and many of our employees, were previously employed at, or may have previously provided or may be currently providing consulting services to, other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies including our competitors or potential competitors. We could in the future be subject to claims that we, our employees or our consultants have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed alleged intellectual property, such as trade secrets, or other confidential information of former employers or competitors. Although we try to ensure that our employees and consultants do not use the intellectual property, proprietary information, know-how or trade secrets of others in their work for us, we may become subject to claims that we caused an individual to breach the terms of his or her non-competition or non-solicitation agreement, or that we or these individuals have, inadvertently or otherwise, used or disclosed the alleged trade secrets or other proprietary information of a former employer or competitor.
While we may litigate to defend ourselves against these claims, even if we are successful, litigation could result in substantial costs and could be a distraction to management. If our defenses to these claims fail, in addition to requiring us to pay monetary damages, a court could prohibit us from using technologies or features that are essential to our programs, if such technologies or features are found to incorporate or be derived from the trade secrets or other proprietary information of the former employers. Moreover, any such litigation or the threat thereof may adversely affect our reputation, our ability to form strategic alliances or sublicense our rights to collaborators, engage with scientific advisors or hire employees or consultants, each of which would have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management.
Changes to patent laws in the United States and other jurisdictions could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect our products.
Changes in either the patent laws or interpretation of patent laws in the United States and foreign jurisdictions could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of our owned and in-licensed patent applications and the maintenance, enforcement or defense of our owned and in-licensed issued patents. Additionally, there have been proposals for additional changes to the patent laws of the United States and other countries that, if adopted, could impact our ability to enforce our proprietary technology. This combination of events has created uncertainty with respect to the validity and enforceability of patents once obtained. Depending on future actions by the U.S. Congress, the federal courts, the USPTO and the relevant law-making bodies in other countries, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways that could have a material adverse effect on our patent rights and our ability to protect, defend and enforce our patent rights in the future. In addition, geopolitical instability could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution or maintenance of patent applications and the maintenance, enforcement or defense of issued patents.
The patent positions of companies in the development and commercialization of biologics and pharmaceuticals are particularly uncertain. U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit rulings have narrowed the scope of patent protection available in certain circumstances and weakened the rights of patent owners in certain situations, including in the antibody arts. For example, the United States Supreme Court in Amgen, Inc. v. Sanofi (Amgen) stated that if patent claims are directed to an entire class of compositions of matter, then the patent specification must enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the entire class of compositions. This decision makes it unlikely that we will be granted U.S. patents with composition of matter claims directed to antibodies functionally defined by their ability to bind a particular antigen. Even if we are granted claims directed to functionally defined antibodies, it is possible that a third party may challenge our patents, when issued, relying on the reasoning in Amgen or other recent precedential court decisions.
In addition, a European Unified Patent Court (“UPC”) entered into force on June 1, 2023. The UPC is a common patent court that hears patent infringement and revocation proceedings effective for EU Member States. This could enable third parties to seek revocation of a European patent in a single proceeding at the UPC rather than through multiple proceedings in each of the jurisdictions in which the European patent is validated.
Although we do not currently own any European patents or applications, if we obtain such patents and applications in the future, any such revocation and loss of patent protection could have a material adverse impact on our business and our ability to commercialize or license our technology and products. Moreover, the controlling laws and regulations of the UPC will develop over time, and may adversely affect our ability to enforce or defend the validity of any European patents we may obtain. We may decide to opt out from the UPC any future European patent applications that we may file and any patents we may obtain. If certain formalities and requirements are not met, however, such European patents and patent applications could be challenged for non-compliance and brought under the jurisdiction of the UPC. We cannot be certain that future European patents and patent applications will avoid falling under the jurisdiction of the UPC, if we decide to opt out of the UPC.
Obtaining and maintaining patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submissions, fee payment and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.
Periodic maintenance fees, renewal fees, annuities fees and various other governmental fees on patents and/or patent applications are due to be paid to the USPTO and foreign patent agencies in several stages over the lifetime of the patent and/or patent application. The USPTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies also 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 or patent application, 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 or patent application include, but are not limited to, 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 and patent applications covering our programs, our competitive position would be adversely affected.
We may not identify relevant third-party patents or may incorrectly interpret the relevance, scope or expiration of a third-party patent, which might adversely affect our ability to develop and market our products.
We cannot guarantee that any of our patent searches or analyses, including the identification of relevant patents, the scope of patent claims or the expiration of relevant patents, are complete or thorough, nor can we be certain that we have identified each and every third-party patent and pending application in the United States and abroad that is relevant to or necessary for the commercialization of our product candidates in any jurisdiction. The scope of a patent claim is determined by an interpretation of the law, the written disclosure in a patent and the patent’s prosecution history. Our interpretation of the relevance or the scope of a patent or a pending application may be incorrect. For example, we may incorrectly determine that our products are not covered by a third-party patent or may incorrectly predict whether a third-party’s pending application will issue with claims of relevant scope. Our determination of the expiration date of any patent in the United States or abroad that we consider relevant may be incorrect. Our failure to identify and correctly interpret relevant patents may negatively impact our ability to develop and market our products.
In addition, because some patent applications in the United States may be maintained in secrecy until the patents are issued, patent applications in the United States and many foreign jurisdictions are typically not published until 18 months after filing, and publications in the scientific literature often lag behind actual discoveries, we cannot be certain that others have not filed patent applications for technology covered by our issued patents or our pending applications, or that we were the first to invent the technology. Our competitors may have filed, and may in the future file, patent applications covering products or technology similar to ours. Any such patent application may have priority over our patent applications or patents, which could require us to obtain rights to issued patents covering such technologies.
We may become subject to claims challenging the inventorship or ownership of our patents and other intellectual property.
We may 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. The failure to name the proper inventors on a patent application can result in the patents issuing thereon being unenforceable. Inventorship disputes may arise from conflicting views regarding the contributions of different individuals named as inventors, the effects of foreign laws where foreign nationals are involved in the development of the subject matter of the patent, conflicting obligations of third parties involved in developing our programs or as a result of questions regarding co-ownership of potential joint inventions. Litigation may be necessary to resolve these and other claims challenging inventorship and/or ownership. Alternatively, or additionally, we may enter into agreements to clarify the scope of our rights in such intellectual property. 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.
Patent terms may be inadequate to protect the competitive position of our product candidates for an adequate amount of time.
Patents have a limited lifespan. In the United States, if all maintenance fees are timely paid, the natural expiration of a patent is generally 20 years from its earliest United States non-provisional filing date. Various extensions may be available, but the life of a patent, and the protection it affords, is limited. Even if patents covering our product candidates are obtained, once the patent life has expired, we may be open to competition from competitive products, including generics or biosimilars. Given the amount of time required for the development, testing and regulatory review of new product candidates, patents protecting such product candidates might expire before or shortly after such product candidates are commercialized. As a result, our owned and licensed patent portfolio may not provide us with sufficient rights to exclude others from commercializing products similar or identical to ours.
Our technology licensed from various third parties may be subject to retained rights.
Our future licensors may retain certain rights under the relevant agreements with us, including the right to use the underlying technology for noncommercial academic and research use, to publish general scientific findings from research related to the technology, and to make customary scientific and scholarly disclosures of information relating to the technology. It is difficult to monitor whether our licensors limit their use of the technology to these uses, and we could incur substantial expenses to enforce our rights to our licensed technology in the event of misuse.
In addition, our future licensors may rely on third-party consultants or collaborators or on funds from third parties, such as the U.S. government, such that our licensors would not be the sole and exclusive owners of any patents we in-license. If other third parties have ownership rights or other rights to our in-licensed patents, they may be able to license such patents to our competitors, and our competitors could market competing products and technology. This could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, business, financial conditions, results of operations, and prospects.
Risks Related to Our Reliance on Third Parties
We currently rely on licensing arrangements with Paragon through the License Agreements. If we are unable to maintain collaborations or licensing arrangements, or if our collaborations or licensing arrangements are not successful, our business could be negatively impacted.
We currently rely on our licensing arrangements with Paragon through the License Agreements for a substantial portion of our in-licenses.
Collaborations or licensing arrangements that we enter into may not be successful, and any success will depend heavily on the efforts and activities of such collaborators or licensors. If any of our current or future collaborators or licensors experience delays in performance of, or fails to perform our obligations under their agreement with us, disagrees with our interpretation of the terms of such agreement or terminates their agreement with us, the research programs with respect to which we have the option to acquire intellectual property license rights to pursuant to the Option Agreements, the licensing agreements we have pursuant to the License Agreements and our development timeline could be adversely affected. If we fail to comply with any of the obligations under our collaborations or license agreements, including payment terms and diligence terms, our collaborators or licensors may have the right to terminate such agreements, in which event we may lose intellectual property rights and may not be able to develop, manufacture, market or sell the products covered by our agreements or may face other penalties under our agreements. Our collaborators and licensors may also fail to properly maintain or defend the intellectual property we have licensed from them, if required by our agreement with them, or even infringe upon, our intellectual property rights, leading to the potential invalidation of our intellectual property or subjecting us to litigation or arbitration, any of which would be time-consuming and expensive and could harm our ability to commercialize our product candidates. In addition, collaborators could independently develop, or develop with third parties, products that compete directly or indirectly with our programs and products if the collaborators believe that the competitive products are more likely to be successfully developed or can be commercialized under terms that are more economically attractive than ours.
As part of our strategy, we plan to evaluate additional opportunities to enhance our capabilities and expand our development pipeline or provide development or commercialization capabilities that complement ours. We may not realize the benefits of such collaborations, alliances or licensing arrangements. Any of these relationships may require us to incur non-recurring and other charges, increase our near and long-term expenditures, issue securities that dilute our existing stockholders or disrupt our management and business.
We may face significant competition in attracting appropriate collaborators, and more established companies may also be pursuing strategies to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights that we consider attractive. These companies may have a competitive advantage over us due to their size, financial resources and greater clinical development and commercialization capabilities. In addition, companies that perceive us to be a competitor may be unwilling to assign or license rights to us. Whether we reach a definitive agreement for a collaboration will depend upon, among other things, our assessment of the collaborator’s resources and expertise, the terms and conditions of the proposed collaboration and the proposed collaborator’s evaluation of a number of factors. Collaborations are complex and time-consuming to negotiate, document and execute. In addition, consolidation among large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies has reduced the number of potential future collaborators. We may not be able to negotiate collaborations on a timely basis, on acceptable terms or at all. If we fail to enter into collaborations and do not have sufficient funds or expertise to undertake the necessary development and commercialization activities, we may not be able to further develop our product candidates or bring them to market.
We currently rely, and plan to rely in the future, on third parties to conduct and support our preclinical studies and clinical trials. If these third parties do not properly and successfully carry out their contractual duties or meet expected deadlines, we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval of or commercialize our product candidates.
We have utilized and plan to continue to utilize and depend upon independent investigators and collaborators, such as medical institutions, CROs, contract testing labs, CMOs and strategic partners, to supply, conduct and support our preclinical studies and clinical trials under agreements with us. We will rely heavily on these third parties over the course of our preclinical studies and clinical trials, and we control only certain aspects of their activities. As a result, we will have less direct control over the conduct, timing and completion of these preclinical studies and clinical trials and the management of data developed through preclinical studies and clinical trials than would be the case if we were relying entirely upon our own staff. Nevertheless, we are responsible for ensuring that each of our studies and trials is conducted in accordance with the applicable protocol, legal, regulatory and scientific standards, and our reliance on these third parties does not relieve us of our regulatory responsibilities. We and our third-party contractors and CROs are required to comply with GCP regulations, which are regulations and guidelines enforced by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities for all of our programs in clinical development. If we or any of these third parties fail to comply with applicable GCP regulations, the clinical data generated in our clinical trials may be deemed unreliable and the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may require us to perform additional clinical trials before approving our marketing applications or refuse to approve our marketing applications. We cannot assure you that upon inspection by a given regulatory authority, such regulatory authority will determine that any of our clinical trials comply with GCP regulations. In addition, our clinical trials must be conducted with products produced under cGMP regulations. Our failure to comply with these regulations may require us to repeat clinical trials, which would delay the regulatory approval process. Moreover, our business may be implicated if any of these third parties violate federal or state fraud and abuse or false claims laws and regulations or healthcare privacy and security laws.
Any third parties conducting our clinical trials will not be our employees and, except for remedies available to us under our agreements with such third parties, we cannot control whether they devote sufficient time and resources to our programs. These third parties may have relationships with other commercial entities, including our competitors, for whom they may also be conducting clinical trials or other product development activities, which could negatively affect their performance on our behalf and the timing thereof and could lead to products that compete directly or indirectly with our product candidates. If these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties or obligations or meet expected deadlines, if they need to be replaced or if the quality or accuracy of the clinical data they obtain is compromised due to the failure to adhere to our clinical protocols or regulatory requirements or for other reasons, our clinical trials may be extended, delayed or terminated and we may not be able to complete development of, obtain regulatory approval of or successfully commercialize our product candidates.
We currently rely and expect to rely in the future on the use of manufacturing suites in third-party facilities or on third parties to manufacture our product candidates, and we may rely on third parties to produce and process our products, if approved. Our business could be adversely affected if we are unable to use third-party manufacturing suites or if the third-party manufacturers encounter difficulties in production.
We do not currently own any facility that may be used as our clinical or commercial manufacturing and processing facility and must currently rely on CMOs to manufacture our product candidates. We have not yet caused any product candidates to be manufactured on a commercial scale and may not be able to do so for any of our product candidates, if approved. We currently have a sole source relationship for our supply of the ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 programs. If there should be any disruption in such supply arrangement, including any adverse events affecting our sole supplier, it could have a negative effect on the clinical development of our programs and other operations while we work to identify and qualify an alternate supply source. We may not control the manufacturing process of, and may be completely dependent on, our contract manufacturing partners for compliance with cGMP requirements and any other regulatory requirements of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities for the manufacture of our product candidates. Beyond periodic audits, we have limited control over the ability of our CMOs to maintain adequate quality control, quality assurance and qualified personnel. If the FDA or a comparable foreign regulatory authority does not approve these facilities for the manufacture of our product candidates or if it withdraws any approval in the future, we may need to find alternative manufacturing facilities, which would require the incurrence of significant additional costs, delays, and materially adversely affect our ability to develop, obtain regulatory approval for or market our product candidates, if approved. Similarly, our failure, or the failure of our CMOs, to comply with applicable regulations could result in sanctions being imposed on us, including fines, injunctions, civil penalties, delays, suspension or withdrawal of approvals, license revocation, seizures or recalls of product candidates or drugs, operating restrictions and criminal prosecutions, any of which could significantly and adversely affect supplies of our product candidates or drugs and harm our business and results of operations.
Moreover, our CMOs may experience manufacturing difficulties due to resource constraints, supply chain issues, proposed or actual legislative changes or requirements, or as a result of labor disputes or unstable political environments. If any CMOs on which we will rely fail to manufacture quantities of our product candidates at quality levels necessary to meet regulatory requirements and at a scale sufficient to meet anticipated demand at a cost that allows us to achieve profitability, our business, financial condition and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, our CMOs are responsible for transporting temperature-controlled materials that can be inadvertently degraded during transport due to several factors, rendering certain batches unsuitable for trial use for failure to meet, among others, our integrity and purity specifications. We and any of our CMOs may also face product seizure or detention or refusal to permit the import or export of products. Our business could be materially adversely affected by business disruptions to our third-party providers that could materially adversely affect our anticipated timelines, potential future revenue and financial condition and increase our costs and expenses. Each of these risks could delay or prevent the completion of our preclinical studies and clinical trials or the approval of any of our product candidates by the FDA, result in higher costs or adversely impact commercialization of our product candidates.
Foreign CMOs may be subject to U.S. legislation, including the proposed BIOSECURE bill, trade restrictions and other foreign regulatory requirements, which could increase the cost or reduce the supply of material available to us, delay the procurement or supply of such material or have an adverse effect on our ability to secure significant commitments from governments to purchase our potential therapies. We currently rely on foreign CROs and CMOs, including WuXi Biologics (Hong Kong) Limited and its affiliates (“WuXi Biologics”) and will likely continue to rely on foreign CROs and CMOs in the future. WuXi Biologics is identified in the U.S. legislation known as the BIOSECURE Act, which was proposed in the 118th Congress, as a “biotechnology company of concern.” The version of the BIOSECURE Act introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives during the 118th Congress would prohibit federal agencies from entering into procurement contracts with, as well as providing grants and loans to, an entity that uses biotechnology equipment or services from a biotechnology company of concern, and includes a grandfathering provision allowing biotechnology equipment and services provided or produced by named “biotechnology companies of concern” under a contract or agreement entered into before the effective date until January 1, 2032. The pathway and timing for the BIOSECURE Act or its provisions to become law are uncertain. Depending on whether the BIOSECURE Act becomes law, what the final language of the BIOSECURE Act includes, and how the law is interpreted by U.S. federal agencies, we could be potentially restricted from pursuing U.S. federal government business or grants in the future if we continue to use WuXi or other parties identified as “biotechnology companies of concern” beyond the grandfathering period.
Furthermore, our operations and financial condition may be negatively impacted as a result of any delays or increased costs arising from the trade restrictions and other foreign regulatory requirements affecting such collaborators. In addition, while we have established relationships with CROs and CMOs outside of China, moving to those suppliers in the event of geopolitical instability affecting our collaborators in China could introduce delays into the development program.
Risks Related to Employee Matters, Managing Growth and Other Risks Related to Our Business
In order to successfully implement our plans and strategies, we will need to grow the size of our organization and we may experience difficulties in managing this growth.
We expect to experience significant growth in the number of our employees and the scope of our operations, particularly in the areas of preclinical and clinical drug development, technical operations, clinical operations, regulatory affairs and, potentially, sales and marketing. To manage our anticipated future growth, we must continue to implement and improve our managerial, operational and financial personnel and systems, expand our facilities and continue to recruit and train additional qualified personnel. Due to our limited financial resources and the limited experience of our management team working together in managing a company with such anticipated growth, we may not be able to effectively manage the expansion of our operations or recruit and train additional qualified personnel.
We are highly dependent on our key personnel and anticipate hiring new key personnel. If we are not successful in attracting and retaining highly qualified personnel, we may not be able to successfully implement our business strategy.
Our ability to pursue our growth strategy will be limited if we are unable to continue to attract and retain high quality personnel. We have been and will continue to be highly dependent on the research and development, clinical and business development expertise of our executive officers, as well as the other principal members of our management, scientific and clinical team. Any of our management team members may terminate their employment with us at any time. We do not maintain “key person” insurance for any of our executives or other employees.
Attracting and retaining qualified personnel will also be critical to our success, including with respect to any strategic transaction that we may pursue. The loss of our executive officers or other key employees could impede the achievement of our research, development and commercialization objectives and seriously harm our ability to successfully implement our business strategy. Furthermore, replacing executive officers and key employees may be difficult and may take an extended period of time because of the limited number of individuals in our industry with the breadth of skills and experience required to successfully develop, facilitate regulatory approval of and commercialize product candidates. Competition to hire from this limited pool is intense, and we may be unable to hire, train, retain or motivate these key personnel on acceptable terms given the competition among numerous pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for similar personnel, as well as from universities and research institutions.
In addition, we rely on consultants and advisors to assist us in formulating our discovery and nonclinical and clinical development and commercialization strategy. Our consultants and advisors may be employed by employers other than us and may have commitments under consulting or advisory contracts with other entities that may limit their availability to us.
Our future growth may depend, in part, on our ability to operate in foreign markets, where we would be subject to additional regulatory burdens and other risks and uncertainties.
Our future growth may depend, in part, on our ability to develop and commercialize our product candidates in foreign markets for which we may rely on collaboration with third parties. If we fail to comply with the regulatory requirements in foreign markets and receive applicable marketing approvals, our target market will be reduced and our ability to realize the full market potential of our product candidates will be harmed and our business will be adversely affected. Moreover, even if we obtain approval of our product candidates and ultimately commercialize our product candidates in foreign markets, we would be subject to the risks and uncertainties, including the burden of complying with complex and changing foreign regulatory, tax, accounting and legal requirements and reduced protection of intellectual property rights in some foreign countries.
Our estimates of market opportunity and forecasts of market growth may prove to be inaccurate, and even if the markets in which we compete achieve the forecasted growth, our business may not grow at similar rates, or at all.
Our market opportunity estimates and growth forecasts are subject to significant uncertainty and are based on assumptions and estimates that may not prove to be accurate. Even if the markets in which we compete meet our size estimates and growth forecasts, our business may not grow at similar rates, or at all.
Our revenue will be dependent, in part, upon the size of the markets in the territories for which we gain regulatory approval, the accepted price for the product, the ability to obtain coverage and reimbursement and whether we own the commercial rights for that territory. If the number of our addressable patients is not as significant as we estimate, the indication approved by regulatory authorities is narrower than we expect or the treatment population is narrowed by competition, physician choice or treatment guidelines, we may not generate significant revenue from sales of such products, even if approved.
Our employees, independent contractors, consultants, commercial collaborators, principal investigators, CROs, CMOs, suppliers and vendors may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including noncompliance with regulatory standards and requirements.
We are exposed to the risk that our employees, independent contractors, consultants, commercial collaborators, principal investigators, CROs, CMOs, suppliers and vendors acting for or on our behalf may engage in misconduct or other improper activities. We have adopted a code of conduct and ethics, but it is not always possible to identify and deter misconduct by these parties and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to comply with these laws or regulations.
Our internal information technology systems, or those of any of our third-party service providers, or potential future collaborators, may fail or suffer security or data privacy breaches or other unauthorized or improper access to, use of, or destruction of our proprietary or confidential data, employee data or personal data, which could result in additional costs, loss of revenue, significant liabilities, harm to our brand and material disruption of our operations.
In the ordinary course of our business, we and the third parties upon which we rely collect, receive, store, process, generate, use, transfer, disclose, make accessible, protect, secure, dispose of, transmit, and share (collectively, process) proprietary, confidential, and sensitive data, including personal data, intellectual property, trade secrets, and other sensitive data (collectively, sensitive information). If we (or a third party upon whom we rely) experience a security incident or are perceived to have experienced a security incident, we may experience adverse consequences. While we have implemented security measures designed to protect against security incidents, there can be no assurance that these measures will be effective. Further, cybersecurity breaches or other cybersecurity incidents may allow hackers access to our preclinical compounds, strategies, discoveries, trade secrets, and/or other confidential information. Additionally, sensitive data could be leaked, disclosed, or revealed as a result of or in connection with our employees’, personnel’s, vendors’ or partners’ use of generative AI technologies. Our ability to monitor third parties’ information security practices is limited, and these third parties may not have adequate security measures in place. We may be unable in the future to detect vulnerabilities in our information technology systems because such threats and techniques change frequently, are often sophisticated in nature, and may not be detected until after a security incident has occurred. Further, we may experience delays in developing and deploying remedial measures designed to address any such identified vulnerabilities. Applicable data privacy and security obligations may require us to notify relevant stakeholders of security incidents. Such disclosures are costly, and the disclosure or the failure to comply with such requirements could lead to adverse consequences. Moreover, while we may be entitled to damages if our third-party service providers fail to satisfy their privacy or security-related obligations to us, any award may be insufficient or we may be unable to recover such award. Security incidents and attendant consequences may negatively impact our ability to grow and operate our business. The risk of a cybersecurity incident or other informational technology disruption, particularly through cyber-attacks, has generally increased as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased.
To the extent that any disruption or security breach were to result in loss, destruction, unavailability, alteration or dissemination of, or damage to, our data (including clinical trial data) or applications, or for it to be believed or reported that any of these occurred, we could incur liability, including under laws and regulations governing the protection of protected health information and other personal data, and reputational damage and the development and commercialization of our product candidates could be delayed. Further, our insurance policies may not be adequate to compensate us for the potential losses arising from any such disruption in, or failure or security breach of, our systems or third-party systems where information important to our business operations or commercial development is stored.
Despite the implementation of security measures in an effort to protect systems that store our information, given their size and complexity and the increasing amounts of information maintained on our internal information technology systems and those of our third-party CROs, contractors (including sites performing our clinical trials), third-party service providers and supply chain companies, and consultants, these systems are potentially vulnerable to breakdown or other damage or interruption from service interruptions, system malfunction, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures, as well as security breaches from inadvertent or intentional actions or from cyber-attacks by malicious third parties, or ransomware attacks, which, in each case, may compromise our system infrastructure or lead to the loss, destruction, alteration or dissemination of, or damage to, our data.
Our hybrid-remote workforce may create additional risks for our information technology systems and data because our employees work remotely and utilize network connections, computers, and devices working at home, while in transit and in public locations.
Our contracts may not contain limitations of liability, and even where they do, there can be no assurance that limitations of liability in our contracts are sufficient to protect us from liabilities, damages, or claims related to our data privacy and security obligations. We cannot be sure that our insurance coverage will be adequate or sufficient to protect us from or to mitigate liabilities arising out of our privacy and security practices, that such coverage will continue to be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or that such coverage will pay future claims.
We are subject to stringent and changing laws, regulations and standards, and contractual obligations relating to privacy, data protection, and data security. The actual or perceived failure to comply with such obligations could lead to government enforcement actions (which could include civil or criminal penalties), fines and sanctions, private litigation and/or adverse publicity and could negatively affect our operating results and business.
We and third parties who we work with are or may become subject to numerous domestic and foreign laws, regulations, and standards relating to privacy, data protection, data transfer, and data security, the scope of which is changing, subject to differing applications and interpretations, and may be inconsistent among countries, or conflict with other rules. We are or may become subject to the terms of contractual obligations related to privacy, data protection and data security. Our obligations may also change or expand as our business grows. The actual or perceived failure by us or third parties related to us to comply with such laws, regulations and obligations could increase our compliance and operational costs, expose us to regulatory scrutiny, actions, fines and penalties, result in reputational harm, lead to a loss of customers, result in litigation and liability, and otherwise cause a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
If we fail to comply with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, we could become subject to fines or penalties or incur costs that could have a material adverse effect on the success of our business.
We are subject to numerous environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, including those governing laboratory procedures and the handling, use, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes. Our operations may involve the use of hazardous and flammable materials, including chemicals and biological and radioactive materials. In addition, we may incur substantial costs in order to comply with current or future environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. These current or future laws and regulations may impair our research, development or commercialization efforts. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations also may result in substantial fines, penalties or other sanctions.
We may be subject to adverse legislative or regulatory tax changes that could negatively impact our financial condition.
The rules dealing with U.S. federal, state and local income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department. Changes to tax laws (which may have retroactive application) could adversely affect our stockholders or us. We continue to assess the impact of various tax reform proposals and modifications to existing tax treaties in all jurisdictions where we have operations or employees to determine the potential effect on our business and any assumptions we make about our future taxable income. We cannot predict whether any specific proposals will be enacted, the terms of any such proposals or what effect, if any, such proposals would have on our business if they were to be enacted. For example, the United States enacted the IRA, which implements, among other changes, a 1% excise tax on certain stock buybacks. In addition, beginning in 2022, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated the previously available option to deduct research and development expenditures and requires taxpayers to amortize them generally over five years for research activities conducted in the United States and over 15 years for research activities conducted outside the United States. Such changes, among others, may adversely affect our effective tax rate, results of operation and general business condition.
We may acquire businesses or products, or form strategic alliances, in the future, and may not realize the benefits of such acquisitions.
We may acquire additional businesses or products, form strategic alliances, or create joint ventures with third parties that we believe will complement or augment our existing business. If we acquire businesses with promising markets or technologies, we may not be able to realize the benefit of acquiring such businesses if we are unable to successfully integrate them with our existing operations and company culture. We may encounter numerous difficulties in developing, manufacturing and marketing any new product candidates or products resulting from a strategic alliance or acquisition that delay or prevent us from realizing their expected benefits or enhancing our business. There is no assurance that, following any such acquisition, we will achieve the synergies expected in order to justify the transaction, which could result in a material adverse effect on our business and prospects.
We maintain our cash at financial institutions, often in balances that exceed federally-insured limits. The failure of financial institutions could adversely affect our ability to pay our operational expenses or make other payments.
Our cash held in non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing accounts exceeds the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. If such banking institutions were to fail, we could lose all or a portion of those amounts held in excess of such insurance limitations. In addition, even if account holders are ultimately made whole with respect to a future bank failure, account holders’ access to their accounts and assets held in their accounts may be substantially delayed. Any material loss that we may experience in the future or inability for a material time period to access our cash and cash equivalents could have an adverse effect on our ability to pay our operational expenses or make other payments, which could adversely affect our business.
General Risk Factors
Our estimates of market opportunity and forecasts of market growth may prove to be inaccurate, and even if the markets in which we compete achieve the forecasted growth, our business may not grow at similar rates, or at all.
Our market opportunity estimates and growth forecasts are subject to significant uncertainty and are based on assumptions and estimates that may not prove to be accurate. Even if the markets in which we compete meet our size estimates and growth forecasts, our business may not grow at similar rates, or at all. Our growth is subject to many factors, including our success in implementing our business strategy, which is subject to many risks and uncertainties.
Our revenue will be dependent, in part, upon the size of the markets in the territories for which we gain regulatory approval, the accepted price for the product, the ability to obtain coverage and reimbursement and whether we own the commercial rights for that territory. If the number of our addressable patients is not as significant as we estimate, the indication approved by regulatory authorities is narrower than we expect or the treatment population is narrowed by competition, physician choice or treatment guidelines, we may not generate significant revenue from sales of such products, even if approved.
We may become exposed to costly and damaging liability claims, either when testing a product candidate in the clinical or at the commercial stage, and our insurance may not cover all damages from such claims.
We are exposed to potential product liability and professional indemnity risks that are inherent in the research, development, manufacturing, marketing, and use of pharmaceutical products. The use of a product candidate in clinical trials and the sale of any approved products in the future may expose us to liability claims. An individual or group of individuals may bring a liability claim against us if one of our product candidates causes, or merely appears to have caused, an injury. Any claims against us, regardless of their merit, could be difficult and costly to defend and could materially and adversely affect our business. While we carry product liability insurance for our clinical trials, it is possible that any liabilities could exceed our insurance coverage or that in the future we may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or obtain insurance coverage that will be adequate to satisfy any liability that may arise. On occasion, large judgments have been awarded in class action or individual lawsuits. A successful product liability claim or series of claims brought against us could cause our stock price to decline and, if judgments exceed our insurance coverage, could decrease our cash and our business operations could be impaired.
Litigation costs and the outcome of litigation could have a material adverse effect on our business.
From time to time we may be subject to litigation claims through the ordinary course of our business operations regarding, but not limited to, employment matters, security of patient and employee personal information, contractual relations with collaborators and intellectual property rights. Litigation to defend ourselves against claims by third parties, or to enforce any rights that we may have against third parties, may continue to be necessary, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources, causing a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Our business could be adversely affected by economic downturns, inflation, fluctuation in interest rates, natural disasters, public health crises, political crises, geopolitical events or other macroeconomic conditions, which could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
The global economy, including credit and financial markets, has experienced and may experience in the future extreme volatility and disruptions, including, among other things, diminished liquidity and credit availability, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, supply chain shortages, new or increased tariffs and other barriers to trade, trade and other international disputes, increases in inflation rates, fluctuation in interest rates, slower growth or recession, tighter credit, volatility in financial markets, high unemployment, labor availability constraints, public health crises, significant natural disasters, including as a result of climate change, changes to fiscal and monetary policy or government budget dynamics (particularly in the pharmaceutical and biotech areas), particularly in the pharmaceutical and biotech areas, political and military conflict, and uncertainty about economic stability. Fluctuation in interest rates, coupled with reduced government spending and volatility in financial markets, may increase economic uncertainty and affect consumer spending. Similarly, the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East and rising tensions with China have created extreme volatility in the global capital markets and may have further global economic consequences, including disruptions of the global supply chain. Any such volatility and disruptions may adversely affect our business or the third parties on whom we rely. If the equity and credit markets deteriorate, including as a result of political unrest or war, it may make any necessary debt or equity financing more costly, more dilutive, or more difficult to obtain in a timely manner or on favorable terms, if at all. Increased inflation rates can adversely affect us by increasing our costs, including materials, operational, labor and employee benefit costs.
We may in the future experience disruptions as a result of such macroeconomic conditions, including delays or difficulties in initiating or expanding clinical trials and manufacturing sufficient quantities of materials. Any one or a combination of these events could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Geopolitical events and global economic conditions may also affect the ability of the FDA and other regulatory authorities to perform routine functions. If such concerns prevent the FDA or other regulatory authorities from conducting their regular inspections, reviews or other regulatory activities, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA or other regulatory authorities to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Risks Related to Owning Our Stock
The market price of our common stock has been, and may continue to be volatile.
The market price of our common stock has been and is likely to be highly volatile and is subject to significant fluctuations. Some of the factors that may cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate include:
● timing and results of clinical trials and preclinical studies of our product candidates, or those of our competitors or our existing or future collaborators;
● failure to meet or exceed financial and development projections that we may provide to the public;
● announcements of significant or potential equity or debt sales by us;
● actions taken by regulatory agencies with respect to our product candidates, clinical studies, manufacturing process or sales and marketing terms;
● failure to meet or exceed the financial and development projections of the investment community or if securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they issue adverse or misleading opinions regarding our business and stock;
● announcements of significant acquisitions, strategic collaborations, joint ventures or capital commitments by us or our competitors;
● general market, macroeconomic or geopolitical conditions or market conditions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors;
● disputes or other developments relating to proprietary rights, including patents, litigation matters, and our ability to obtain patent protection for our technologies;
● additions or departures of key personnel, including scientific or management personnel;
● significant lawsuits, including patent or stockholder litigation;
● changes in the market valuations of similar companies;
● sales of securities by us or our securityholders in the future;
● if we fail to raise an adequate amount of capital to fund our operations or continued development of our product candidates;
● trading volume of our common stock;
● announcements by competitors of new products, clinical progress or lack thereof, significant contracts, commercial relationships or capital commitments;
● the introduction of technological innovations or new therapies that compete with our products; and
● period-to-period fluctuations in our financial results.
Moreover, the stock markets in general have experienced substantial volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of individual companies. These broad market fluctuations may also adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. In addition, a recession, depression or other sustained adverse market event could materially and adversely affect our business and the value of our common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, stockholders have often instituted class action securities litigation against such companies.
Furthermore, market volatility may lead to securities litigation or increased stockholder activism if we experience a market valuation that activists believe is not reflective of our intrinsic value. Activist campaigns that contest or conflict with our strategic direction or seek changes in the composition of our board of directors could have an adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition and cash flows.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as provisions under Delaware law, could make an acquisition of the company more difficult and may prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove management.
Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or other change in control of the company that stockholders may consider favorable, including transactions in which our common stockholders might otherwise receive a premium price for their shares. These provisions could also limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock, thereby depressing the market price of our common stock. In addition, because our board of directors is responsible for appointing the members of our management team, these provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of our board of directors. Among other things, these provisions:
● establish a classified board of directors such that all members of the board are not elected at one time;
● allow the authorized number of our directors to be changed only by resolution of our board of directors;
● limit the manner in which stockholders can remove directors from the board;
● establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on at stockholder meetings;
● require that stockholder actions must be effected at a duly called stockholder meeting and prohibit actions by our stockholders by written consent;
● limit who may call a special meeting of stockholders;
● authorize our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval, which could be used to institute a “poison pill” that would work to dilute the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquirer, effectively preventing acquisitions that have not been approved by our board of directors; and
● require the approval of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the votes that all stockholders would be entitled to cast to amend or repeal certain provisions of our charter or bylaws.
Moreover, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), which prohibits stockholders owning more than 15% of our outstanding voting stock from merging or combining with us. Although we believe these provisions collectively will provide for an opportunity to receive higher bids by requiring potential acquirors to negotiate with our board of directors, they would apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders.
Our governing documents provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, certain designated courts will be the sole and exclusive forum for certain legal actions between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents.
Our governing documents provide that, unless we consent in writing to an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum for state law claims for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of or based on a breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our current or former directors, officers, or other employees or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws, (iv) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or (v) any action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each case subject to the Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein, which for purposes of this risk factor refers to herein as the “Delaware Forum Provision.” Our governing documents further provide that, unless we consent in writing to an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, which for purposes of this risk factor refers to herein as the “Federal Forum Provision.” Neither the Delaware Forum Provision nor the Federal Forum Provision will apply to any causes of action arising under the Exchange Act. In addition, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing Delaware Forum Provision and Federal Forum Provision; provided, however, that stockholders cannot and will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
The Delaware Forum Provision and the Federal Forum Provision may impose additional litigation costs on our stockholders in pursuing any such claims, particularly if such stockholders do not reside in or near the State of Delaware. Additionally, these forum selection clauses may limit our stockholders’ ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that they find favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and employees even though an action, if successful, might benefit our stockholders.
Future sales of shares by existing stockholders could cause our stock price to decline.
If our stockholders sell, or indicate an intention to sell, substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market after legal restrictions on resale lapse, the trading price of our common stock could decline. In addition, shares of our common stock that are subject to our outstanding options will become eligible for sale in the public market to the extent permitted by the provisions of various vesting agreements and Rules 144 and 701 under the Securities Act.
We do not anticipate that we will pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
We do not anticipate that we will pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The current expectation is that we will retain our future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be your sole source of gain, if any, for the foreseeable future.
Our executive officers, directors and principal stockholders have the ability to control or significantly influence all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval.
Our executive officers, directors and principal stockholders beneficially own a significant percentage of our outstanding common stock. As a result, if these stockholders were to choose to act together, they would be able to control or significantly influence all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, as well as our management and affairs. For example, these stockholders, if they choose to act together, would control or significantly influence the election of directors and approval of any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. This concentration of voting power could delay or prevent our acquisition on terms that other stockholders may desire.
If equity research analysts do not publish research or reports, or publish unfavorable research or reports about us, our business or our market, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that equity research analysts publish about us and our business. Equity research analysts may elect to not provide research coverage of our common stock, and such lack of research coverage may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. If we do have equity research analyst coverage, we will not have any control over the analysts or the content and opinions included in their reports. The price of our common stock could decline if one or more equity research analysts downgrade our stock or issue other unfavorable commentary or research. If one or more equity research analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our common stock could decrease, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties.
Our corporate headquarters are in Menlo Park, California and we have an additional office in Waltham, Massachusetts. Our lease for our Menlo Park headquarters expires on September 30, 2027 and our lease for our Waltham office expires in 2029. We believe our current facilities are sufficient for our needs for the foreseeable future.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
From time to time, we may become involved in legal proceedings relating to claims arising from the ordinary course of business. Our management believes that there are currently no claims or actions pending against us, the ultimate disposition of which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market Information
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ORKA.”
Holders of Record
As of February 28, 2025, there were approximately 20 stockholders of record of our common stock based on information provided by our transfer agent. The actual number of stockholders is greater than this number of record holders, and includes stockholders who are beneficial owners, but whose shares are held in street name by brokers and other nominees. This number of holders of record also does not include stockholders whose shares may be held in trust by other entities.
Dividends
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support our operations and finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
None.
Performance Graph
As a “smaller reporting company,” as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, and pursuant to Instruction 6 to Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K, we are not required to provide the stock performance graph.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. [Reserved]

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management’s 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 consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (this “Annual Report”). This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements regarding our plans, objectives, expectations, intentions, hopes, beliefs, strategies or projections regarding the future of its pipeline and business and words such as “may,” “will,”, “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “potential,” “seek,” “target,” “goal,” “intend” and variations of such words and any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that have been anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by 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 Annual Report entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report. These and many other factors could affect our future financial and operating results. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events after the date of this Annual Report. As used in this Annual Report, unless the context suggests otherwise, “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company,” “Oruka Therapeutics, Inc.,” “Oruka,” “ARCA biopharma, Inc.,” “ARCA,” refers to Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Oruka Therapeutics Operating Company LLC, taken as a whole.
Overview
We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel monoclonal antibody therapeutics for psoriasis (“PsO”) and other inflammatory and immunology (“I&I”) indications. Our name is derived from or, for “skin,” and arukah, for “restoration,” and reflects our mission to deliver therapies for chronic skin diseases that provide patients the most possible freedom from their condition. Our strategy is to apply antibody engineering and format innovations to validated modes of action, which we believe will enable us to improve meaningfully upon the efficacy and dosing regimens of standard-of-care medicines while significantly reducing technical and biological risk. Our programs aim to treat and potentially modify disease by targeting mechanisms with proven efficacy and safety involved in disease pathology and the activity of pathogenic tissue-resident memory T cells (“TRMs”).
Our lead program, ORKA-001, is designed to target the p19 subunit of interleukin-23 (“IL-23p19”) for the treatment of PsO. Our co-lead program, ORKA-002, is designed to target interleukin-17A and interleukin-17F (“IL-17A/F”) for the treatment of PsO, psoriatic arthritis (“PsA”), and other conditions. These programs each bind their respective targets at high affinity and incorporate half-life extension technology with the aim to increase exposure and decrease dosing frequency. We believe that our focused strategy, differentiated portfolio, and deep expertise position us to set a new treatment standard in large I&I markets with continued unmet need.
Since our inception in February 2024, we have devoted substantially all of our resources to raising capital, organizing and staffing the company, business and scientific planning, conducting discovery and research activities, establishing arrangements with third parties for the manufacture of our programs and component materials, and providing general and administrative support for these operations. We do not have any programs approved for sale and have not generated any revenue from product sales. To date, we have funded our operations primarily with proceeds from the issuance of convertible preferred stock, common stock, a convertible note, pre-funded warrants, and the proceeds from the reverse recapitalization and merger with ARCA biopharma, Inc., our Pre-Closing Financing and subsequent PIPE Financing (as defined and further described in “Recent developments” below).
Since our inception, we have incurred significant losses and negative cash flows from our operations. Our ability to generate product revenue sufficient to achieve profitability will depend heavily on the successful development and eventual commercialization of any programs we may develop. We generated net losses of $83.7 million for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024. For the period from February 6 (inception) to December 31, 2024, we have used net cash of $57.8 million for our operating activities.
We had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $393.7 million as of December 31, 2024. We expect that our existing cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund our operating plans for at least twelve months from the date of filing of this Annual Report. We expect to continue to incur substantial losses for the foreseeable future, and our transition to profitability will depend upon successful development, approval and commercialization of our product candidates and upon achievement of sufficient revenues to support our cost structure.
ORKA-001
ORKA-001 is a high affinity, extended half-life monoclonal antibody (“mAb”) designed to target IL-23p19. IL-23 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a critical role in the proliferation and development of T helper 17 (“Th17”) cells, which are the primary drivers of several autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, including PsO. IL-23 is composed of two subunits: a p40 subunit that is shared with IL-12 and a p19 subunit that is specific to IL-23. First-generation IL-23 antibodies bound p40 and inhibited both IL-12 and IL-23 signaling, while more recent IL-23 antibodies targeting the p19 subunit have shown improved efficacy and safety. Based on preclinical evidence, we believe that ORKA-001 could achieve higher response rates than established therapies in PsO while requiring less frequent dosing and maintaining the favorable safety profile of therapies targeting IL-23p19.
ORKA-001 is engineered with YTE half-life extension technology, a specific three amino acid change in the fragment crystallizable (“Fc”) domain to modify the pH-dependent binding to the neonatal Fc receptor. As a result, it has a pharmacokinetic profile designed to support a subcutaneous (“SQ”) injection as infrequently as once or twice a year. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that IL-23 blockade can modify the disease biology of PsO, possibly leading to durable remissions and preventing the development of PsA. We believe that the expected characteristics of ORKA-001 increase its potential to deliver these disease-modifying benefits.
We initiated the dosing of healthy volunteers in a Phase 1 trial of ORKA-001 in the fourth quarter of 2024. We expect to share interim data from the first-in-human trial in healthy volunteers, including initial pharmacokinetic data, in the second half of 2025 and initial efficacy data in PsO patients in the second half of 2026. Based on recent precedent for PsO, we anticipate that the entire development program from first-in-human to biologics license application (“BLA”) filing could take as little as six to seven years based on the averages for recently approved medicines. However, we have no control over the length of time needed for United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) review, and this timeline could vary.
ORKA-002
ORKA-002 is a high affinity, extended half-life mAb designed to target IL-17A and IL-17F (“IL-17A/F”). IL-17 inhibition has become central to the treatment of psoriatic diseases, including PsO and PsA, and has also shown efficacy in other I&I indications, such as hidradenitis suppurativa and axial spondyloarthritis. More recently, the importance of inhibiting the IL-17F isoform along with IL-17A has become appreciated, and dual blockade with the recently approved therapy Bimzelx (bimekizumab) has led to higher response rates in patients than blockade of IL-17A alone. ORKA-002 is designed to bind IL-17A/F at similar epitopes, or binding sites, and affinity ranges as bimekizumab, but incorporates half-life extension technology that could enable more convenient dosing intervals. We plan to initiate the dosing of healthy volunteers in a Phase 1 trial of ORKA-002 in the third quarter of 2025. We expect to share interim data from the first-in-human trial in healthy volunteers, including initial pharmacokinetic data, in the first half of 2026.
We view ORKA-002 and ORKA-001 as highly complementary. Patients with moderate-to-severe PsO that have purely skin manifestations are most often treated with IL-23 inhibitors due to the high efficacy and tolerability of this mechanism. However, for patients who also have joint involvement, or signs and symptoms of PsA, an IL-17 inhibitor is typically used due to its efficacy in addressing both skin and joint symptoms. In addition, IL-17 inhibitors are often used in patients with highly resistant skin symptoms that do not adequately resolve through treatment with an IL-23 inhibitor. Furthermore, we have the potential opportunity to administer ORKA-002 and ORKA-001 sequentially, called ORKA-021, to combine two features of each program: the rapid response of an IL-17 inhibitor with the ideal maintenance profile of an IL-23 inhibitor. We believe that ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 provide the potential to offer a highly compelling product profile for most patients with PsO and/or PsA, as well as the opportunity to address additional I&I indications.
Additional Pipeline Program
We have a third mAb program, ORKA-003, designed to target an undisclosed pathway. Our strategy as a company is to remain highly focused on I&I diseases, and specifically on inflammatory dermatology conditions. Our third program provides the potential for indication expansion beyond PsO and may create combination opportunities with our more advanced programs.
Recent Developments
Acquisition of Pre-Merger Oruka
On August 29, 2024 (the “Merger Closing”), we completed our acquisition (the “Merger”) of Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. (“Pre-Merger Oruka”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of April 3, 2024 (the “Merger Agreement”). Following the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Pre-Merger Oruka merged with and into Atlas Merger Sub Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of ARCA biopharma, Inc. (“ARCA”) and following that, Pre-Merger Oruka then merged with and into Atlas Merger Sub II, LLC (“Second Merger Sub”), with Second Merger Sub being the surviving entity. Second Merger Sub changed its corporate name to “Oruka Therapeutics Operating Company, LLC.” Pre-Merger Oruka was a pre-clinical stage biotechnology company that was incorporated on February 6, 2024 under the direction of Peter Harwin, a Managing Member of Fairmount Funds Management LLC (“Fairmount”), for the purposes of holding rights to certain intellectual property being developed by Paragon Therapeutics, Inc. (“Paragon”). On August 29, 2024, we changed our name from “ARCA biopharma, Inc.” (“ARCA”) to “Oruka Therapeutics, Inc.” and our Nasdaq ticker symbol from “ABIO” to “ORKA”.
Pre-Closing Financing
Immediately prior to the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement on April 3, 2024, certain new and existing investors of Pre-Merger Oruka entered into a subscription agreement with Pre-Merger Oruka (the “Subscription Agreement”), pursuant to which, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of which, immediately prior to the Closing, those investors purchased shares of common stock of Pre-Merger Oruka (“Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock”) and Pre-Merger Oruka pre-funded warrants for gross proceeds of approximately $275.0 million (which includes $25.0 million of proceeds previously received from the issuance of the Convertible Note (refer to Note 7 in our consolidated financial statements included in Part II - Item 8 of this Annual Report for additional details) and accrued interest on such note which converted to shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock) (the “Pre-Closing Financing”). We incurred transaction costs of $20.5 million, which was recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated financial statements. At the Closing, the shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock and Pre-Merger Oruka pre-funded warrants issued pursuant to the Subscription Agreement were converted into shares of Company Common Stock and pre-funded warrants of Company Common Stock in accordance with the Exchange Ratio (defined below).
In accordance with an Exchange Ratio determined by terms of the Merger Agreement and upon the effective time of the First Merger (the “First Effective Time”), (i) each then-issued and outstanding share of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock including outstanding and unvested Pre-Merger Oruka restricted stock and shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock issued in connection with the Subscription Agreement, were converted into the right to receive a number of shares of Company Common Stock, equal to the exchange ratio of 6.8569 shares of Company Common Stock (the “Exchange Ratio”), which were subject to the same vesting provisions as those immediately prior to the Merger, (ii) each share of Pre-Merger Oruka Series A convertible preferred stock, par value $0.0001 (“Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock”), outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time was converted into the right to receive a number of shares of ARCA Series B non-voting convertible preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, which are convertible into shares of Company Common Stock at a conversion ratio of approximately 83.3332:1 after the reverse stock split discussed below, (iii) each outstanding option to purchase Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock was converted into an option to purchase shares of Company Common Stock, (iv) each outstanding warrant to purchase shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock was converted into a warrant to purchase shares of Company Common Stock, and (v) each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding at the First Effective Time remain issued and outstanding in accordance with its terms and such shares. Subsequent to the close of the merger, the common stock shares were then, subject to a reverse stock split of 1-for-12 effected on September 3, 2024 (“Reverse Stock Split”).
As part of the Pre-Closing Financing and the Closing, the investors in the Pre-Closing Financing received 22,784,139 shares of Company Common Stock in exchange for 39,873,706 shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock (which includes the issuance of 2,722,207 shares of Company Common Stock in exchange for 4,764,032 shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock on the conversion of Convertible Note along with the accrued interest through the conversion date) and 5,522,207 Company pre-funded warrants in exchange for 9,664,208 Pre-Merger pre-funded warrants.
The Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, Pre-Merger Oruka was deemed to be the accounting acquirer for financial reporting purposes. This determination was primarily based on the fact that, immediately following the Merger: (i) Pre-Merger Oruka stockholders own a substantial majority of the voting rights in the combined company; (ii) Pre-Merger Oruka’s largest stockholders retain the largest interest in the combined company; (iii) Pre-Merger Oruka designated a majority of the initial members of the board of directors of the combined company; and (iv) Pre-Merger Oruka’s executive management team became the management team of the combined company. Accordingly, for accounting purposes: (i) the Merger was treated as the equivalent of Pre-Merger Oruka issuing stock to acquire the net assets of ARCA; (ii) the reported historical operating results of the combined company prior to the Merger are those of Pre-Merger Oruka; and (iii) Pre-Merger Oruka was not a variable interest entity as it had sufficient equity at risk in order to fund its next development milestones at the time of the reverse recapitalization. Additional information regarding the Merger is included in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II - Item 8 of this Annual Report.
Reverse Stock Split
On September 3, 2024, we effected the Reverse Stock Split, a 1-for-12 reverse stock split of Company Common Stock. The par value per share and the number of authorized shares were not adjusted as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. The shares of Company Common Stock underlying outstanding stock options, common stock warrants and other equity instruments were proportionately reduced and the respective exercise prices, if applicable, were proportionately increased in accordance with the terms of the agreements governing such securities. All references to common stock, options to purchase common stock, outstanding common stock warrants, common stock share data, per share data, and related information contained in the consolidated financial statements have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the effect of the Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented, unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires.
PIPE Financing
On September 11, 2024, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement for a private placement (the “PIPE Financing”) with certain institutional and accredited investors. The closing of the PIPE Financing occurred on September 13, 2024.
Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the investors purchased an aggregate of 5,600,000 shares of Company Common Stock at a purchase price of $23.00 per share, an aggregate of 2,439 shares of the Company’s Series A non-voting convertible preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Company Series A Preferred Stock”), at a purchase price of $23,000.00 per share (each Company Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into 1,000 shares of Company Common Stock), and pre-funded warrants to purchase an aggregate of 680,000 shares of Company Common Stock at a purchase price of $22.999 per pre-funded warrant, for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $188.7 million (net of issuance costs of $11.9 million).
Components of Results of Operations
Revenue
To date, we have not generated revenue from any sources, including product sales, and do not expect to generate any revenue from the sale of products in the foreseeable future. If our development efforts for our product candidates are successful and result in regulatory approval, we may generate revenue in the future from product sales or payments from future collaboration or license agreements that we may enter into with third parties, or any combination thereof. We cannot predict if, when, or to what extent we will generate revenue from the commercialization and sale of our product candidates. We may never succeed in obtaining regulatory approval for any of our product candidates.
Operating Expenses
Research and Development
Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs incurred in connection with the development and research of our programs. These expenses include:
● costs of funding research performed by third parties, including Paragon, that conduct research and development activities on our behalf;
● costs incurred, and milestone payments under license and option agreements;
● expenses incurred in connection with continuing our current research programs and discovery-phase development of any programs we may identify, including under future agreements with third parties, such as consultants and contractors;
● expenses incurred under agreements with contract research organizations (“CROs”), contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”), and with clinical trial sites that conduct research and development activities on our behalf;
● the cost of development and validating our manufacturing process for use in our preclinical studies and current and future clinical trials;
● personnel-related expenses, including salaries, bonuses, employee benefits, travel, and stock-based compensation expense, including stock-based compensation related to the Paruka warrant; and
● allocated human resource costs, information technology costs, and facility-related costs, including rent, maintenance, utilities, and depreciation for our leased office space.
We expense research and development costs as incurred. Non-refundable advance payments that we make for goods or services to be received in the future for use in research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses. The prepaid amounts are expensed as the related goods are delivered or the services are performed, or when it is no longer expected that the goods will be delivered or the services rendered. Our primary focus since inception has been the identification and development of our pipeline programs. Our research and development expenses primarily consist of external costs, such as fees paid to Paragon under the Option Agreements. See “-Contractual Obligations and Commitments” below for further details on the Option Agreements.
We expect our research and development expenses will increase substantially for the foreseeable future as we continue to invest in research and development activities related to the continued development of our programs, developing any future programs, including investments in manufacturing, as we advance any program we may identify and continue to conduct clinical trials. The success of programs we may identify and develop will depend on many factors, including the following:
● timely and successful completion of preclinical studies;
● effective investigational new drug (“IND”) or comparable foreign applications that allow commencement of our planned clinical trials or future clinical trials for any programs we may develop;
● successful enrollment and completion of clinical trials;
● positive results from our future clinical trials that support a finding of safety and effectiveness, acceptable pharmacokinetics profile, and an acceptable risk-benefit profile in the intended populations;
● receipt of marketing approvals from applicable regulatory authorities;
● establishment of arrangements through our own facilities or with third-party manufacturers for clinical supply and, where applicable, commercial manufacturing capabilities; and
● maintenance of a continued acceptable safety, tolerability, and efficacy profile of any programs we may develop following approval.
Any changes in the outcome of any of these variables with respect to the development of programs that we may identify could mean a significant change in the costs and possible delays in timing associated with the development of such programs. For example, if the FDA or another regulatory authority were to require us to conduct clinical trials beyond those that we currently anticipate will be required for the completion of clinical development of a program, or if we experience significant delays in our clinical trials due to patient enrollment or other reasons, we would be required to expend significant additional financial resources and time on the completion of clinical development. We may never obtain regulatory approval for any of our programs.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, bonuses, employee benefits, travel, and stock-based compensation, for our executive and other administrative personnel. Other significant general and administrative expenses include legal services, including intellectual property and corporate matters; professional fees for accounting, auditing, tax, insurance, and allocated human resource costs, information technology costs, and facility-related costs, including rent, utilities, maintenance, and depreciation for our leased office space.
We expect our general and administrative expenses will increase substantially for the foreseeable future as we anticipate an increase in our personnel headcount to support the expansion of research and development activities, as well as to support our operations generally. We also expect to continue to incur significant expenses associated with being a public company, including costs related to accounting, audit, legal, regulatory, and tax-related services associated with maintaining compliance with applicable Nasdaq and SEC requirements; director and officer insurance costs; and investor and public relations costs. We also expect to incur additional intellectual property-related expenses as we file patent applications to protect innovations arising from our research and development activities.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net consists of interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities; interest expense on the convertible note from a related party (see discussion herein); and foreign currency transactions gains and losses. Interest expense relates to a convertible note (the “Convertible Note”) issued to Fairmount Healthcare Fund II, L.P. (“Fairmount”), a related party, in March 2024. At the effective time of the Merger, the Convertible Note, along with the accrued interest, was automatically converted into Company Common Stock.
Income Taxes
No provision for income taxes was recorded for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) through December 31, 2024. Deferred tax assets generated from our net operating losses have been fully offset by the valuation allowance as we believe it is not more likely than not that the benefit will be realized due to our cumulative losses generated to date.
Results of Operations for the Period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the period presented (in thousands):
Period from February 6,
2024 (Inception) to
December 31,
Operating expenses
Research and development(1) $ 75,060
General and administrative(2) 13,063
Total operating expenses 88,123
Loss from operations (88,123 )
Other income (expense)
Interest income 5,863
Interest expense(3) (1,468 )
Other income, net
Total other income, net 4,399
Net loss $ (83,724 )
(1) Includes related party amount of $42,640 for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024
(2) Includes related party amount of $1,364 for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024
(3) Includes related party amount of $1,468 for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024
Research and Development Expenses
The following table summarizes our research and development expenses for the period presented (in thousands):
Period from February 6,
2024 (Inception) to
December 31,
External research and development expenses(1) $ 57,680
Other research and development expenses:
Personnel-related (excluding stock-based compensation) 3,959
Stock-based compensation(2) 11,992
Other 1,429
Total research and development expenses $ 75,060
(1) Includes related party amount of $32,283 for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024
(2) Includes related party amount of $10,357 for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024
Research and development expenses were $75.1 million for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024 and consisted primarily of the following:
● $57.7 million of research and development expense primarily includes: $18.3 million related to Paragon services rendered under the Option Agreements for ORKA-001, including $4.8 million for milestones achieved under the Option and License Agreements upon exercise of the option to enter into a license agreement and achievement of development candidate for IL-23 and dosing of the first subject in a Phase 1 clinical trial; $13.3 million of research and development expense primarily related to Paragon services rendered under the Option Agreements for ORKA-002, including $2.3 million for milestones achieved under the Option and License Agreements upon exercise of the option to enter into a license agreement and achievement of development candidate for IL-17; $0.7 million of other research and development expense due to Paragon; $16.5 million of research and development expense on chemistry, manufacturing, and development costs; $5.7 million in toxicology testing with a third-party contract research organization; and $3.2 million of other external research and development costs;
● $4.0 million of personnel-related costs related to salaries, benefits, and other compensation-related costs;
● $12.0 million of stock-based compensation expense, including $10.4 million of stock-based compensation related to the Paruka warrant; and
● $1.4 million of other expense and allocated human resource costs, information technology costs, and facility-related costs, including rent, maintenance, utilities, and depreciation for our leased office space.
General and Administrative Expenses
The following table summarizes our general and administrative expenses for the period presented (in thousands):
Period from February 6,
2024 (Inception) to
December 31,
Personnel-related (including stock-based compensation)(1) $ 7,981
Professional and consulting fees(2) 4,606
Other(3)
Total general and administrative expenses $ 13,063
(1) Includes related party amount of $609 for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024
(2) Includes related party amount of $575 for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024
(3) Includes related party amount of $180 for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024
General and administrative expenses were $13.1 million for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024 and consisted primarily of the following:
● $8.0 million of personnel-related costs related to salaries, benefits, other compensation-related costs, recruiting costs, including stock-based compensation of $2.9 million, and $0.6 million of personnel-related costs are recruiting costs reimbursed to Paragon for hiring of our executive team, legal, and finance and accounting functions;
● $4.6 million of professional and consulting fees associated with accounting, audit, and legal fees associated with becoming a public company, including $0.6 million of legal fees due to Paragon associated with patent-related activities; and
● $0.5 million of other business expenses and net of allocated human resource costs, information technology costs, and facility-related costs, including rent, maintenance, utilities, and depreciation for our leased office space to research and development expenses, including $0.2 million of other business expenses due to Paragon.
Total Other Income, Net
Interest income from cash equivalents and marketable securities was $5.9 million for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024.
Interest expense was $1.5 million for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024 relating to the Convertible Note from Fairmount.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2024, we had $393.7 million of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities.
Since our inception, we have incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flow from operations. We expect to incur significant expenses and operating losses for the foreseeable future as we continue the pre-clinical and clinical development of our programs and our early-stage research activities. We have not yet commercialized any products, and we do not expect to generate revenue from sales of products for several years, if at all. Through December 31, 2024, we had funded our operations primarily with proceeds from issuances of convertible preferred stock, common stock, a convertible note, and pre-funded warrants. In March 2024, we received $2.9 million in net proceeds from the issuance of Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock and $25.0 million in gross proceeds from the issuance of the Convertible Note, both of which were related party transactions. In August 2024, we raised approximately $228.0 million in net proceeds from Pre-Closing Financing and received $4.9 million in cash from ARCA upon consummation of the Merger. In September 2024, we received approximately $188.7 million in net proceeds from the issuance of common stock, Company Series A Preferred Stock, and pre-funded warrants in connection with the PIPE Financing.
Our primary use of cash is to fund the development of our product candidates and advance our pipeline. This includes both the research and development costs and the general and administrative expenses required to support those operations. Since we are a clinical stage biotechnology company, we have incurred significant operating losses since our inception and we anticipate such losses, in absolute dollar terms, to increase as we continue to pursue clinical development of our product candidates, prepare for the potential commercialization of our product candidates, and expand our development efforts in our pipeline of nonclinical candidates. We expect that our existing cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund our operating plans for at least twelve months from the date of filing of this Annual Report. We will need to secure additional financing in the future to fund additional research and development, and before a commercial drug can be produced, marketed, and sold. If we are unable to obtain additional financing or generate license or product revenue, the lack of liquidity could have a material adverse effect on our company.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the period presented (in thousands):
Period from February 6,
2024 (Inception) to
December 31,
Net cash used in operating activities $ (57,837 )
Net cash used in investing activities (330,127 )
Net cash provided by financing activities 449,539
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents $ 61,575
Operating Activities
From February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, net cash used in operating activities was $57.8 million, which was primarily attributable to a net loss of $83.7 million, offset by net non-cash charges of $14.3 million and net changes in operating activities of $11.6 million. Non-cash charges primarily consisted of $14.9 million in stock-based compensation expense (including $10.4 million related to the Paruka warrant) and $1.5 million of non-cash interest expense, partially offset by net accretion of premiums and discounts on marketable securities of $2.2 million. Net changes in our operating activities primarily consisted of a $3.5 million increase in accounts payable, a $3.3 million increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities, a $6.0 million increase in related parties accounts payable and other current liabilities, partially offset by a $1.1 million increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets. The increase in amounts due to related parties, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities was primarily due to an increase in our business activity, as well as vendor invoicing and payments. The increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets was primarily due to prepaid research and development expenses with our contract research organization.
Investing Activities
From February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, net cash used in investing activities was $330.1 million, which was primarily attributable to purchases of marketable securities.
Financing Activities
From February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, net cash provided by financing activities was $449.5 million, consisting of $228.0 million of net proceeds from the Pre-Closing Financing, $188.7 million of net proceeds from the PIPE Financing, $25.0 million of net proceeds from the issuance of notes payable to related parties, $4.9 million of cash acquired in connection with the reverse recapitalization and $2.9 million of net proceeds from issuance of the Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
We enter into contracts in the normal course of business with CROs, CMOs and with other vendors for preclinical research studies, clinical trials, manufacturing, and other services and products for operating purposes. These contracts generally provide for termination on notice or may have a potential termination fee if a purchase order is cancelled within a specified time, and therefore, are cancelable contracts. We do not expect any such contract terminations and did not have any non-cancellable obligations under these agreements as of December 31, 2024.
Paragon Therapeutics - Option Agreements
In March 2024, we entered into two antibody discovery and option agreements (“Option Agreements”) with Paragon and Paruka Holding, LLC (“Paruka”). Under the terms of each agreement, Paragon identifies, evaluates, and develops antibodies directed against certain mutually agreed therapeutic targets of interest to us. From time to time, we can choose to add additional targets to the collaboration upon agreement with Paragon and Paruka. Under the Option Agreements, we have the exclusive option to, on a research program-by-research program basis, be granted an exclusive, worldwide license to all of Paragon’s right, title, and interest in and to the intellectual property resulting from the applicable research program to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the antibodies and products directed to the selected target(s) (each, an “Option”). We have initiated certain research programs with Paragon that generally focus on discovering, generating, identifying and/or characterizing antibodies directed to a particular target (each, a “Research Program”), including for IL-23 and IL-17A/F for ORKA-001 and ORKA-002, respectively. Our exclusive option with respect to each Research Program is exercisable at our sole discretion at such time as specified in the Option Agreements (the “Option Period”). There is no payment due upon exercise of an Option pursuant to the Option Agreements. For each of these agreements, once we enter into the corresponding license agreements, we will be required to make non-refundable milestone payments to Paragon of up to $12.0 million under each respective agreement upon the achievement of certain clinical development milestones, up to $10.0 million under each respective agreement upon the achievement of certain regulatory milestones, as well as a low single-digit percentage royalty for antibody products beginning on the first commercial sale in each program.
We may terminate any Option Agreement or any Research Program at any time for any or no reason upon 30 days’ prior written notice to Paragon, provided that we must pay certain unpaid fees due to Paragon upon such termination, as well as any non-cancellable obligations reasonably incurred by Paragon in connection with its activities under any terminated Research Program. Paragon may terminate any Option Agreement or a Research Program immediately upon written notice to us if, as a result of any action or failure to act by us or our affiliates, such Research Program or all material activities under the applicable Research Plan are suspended, discontinued or otherwise delayed for a certain consecutive number of months. Each party has the right to terminate the Option Agreements or any Research Program upon material breach that remains uncured or the other party’s bankruptcy.
Additionally, as part of the Option Agreements, on December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025, we granted and will grant, respectively, Paruka a warrant to purchase a number of shares equal to 1.00% of outstanding shares as of the date of the grant on a fully-diluted basis, with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying shares on the grant date.
The warrant is liability-classified and after the initial recognition, the liability is adjusted to fair value at the end of each reporting period, with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss as stock-based compensation expenses under research and development expenses. On issuance of the December 31, 2024 warrant to Paruka, the change in fair value of the warrant immediately prior to issuance was recorded in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss and the resultant carrying value of the liability was reclassified to equity on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024.
Pursuant to the Option Agreements, on a research program-by-research program basis following the finalization of the research plan for each respective research program, we were required to pay Paragon a one-time, nonrefundable research initiation fee of $0.8 million related to the ORKA-001 program. This amount was recognized as a research and development expense during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024. In June 2024, pursuant to the Option Agreements with Paragon, we completed the selection process of our development candidate for IL-23 antibody for ORKA-001 program. We were responsible for 50% of the development costs incurred through the completion of the IL-23 selection process. We received the rights to at least one selected IL-23 antibody in June 2024. During the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, we exercised our option for ORKA-001 and recorded a $1.5 million milestone payment related to the achievement of development candidate as research and development expense in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. In addition, during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, we recorded a $2.5 million milestone payment related to the first dosing of a human subject in a Phase 1 trial of ORKA-001 in December 2024 as research and development expense in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. Our share of development costs incurred for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024 was $13.5 million, which was recorded as research and development expenses. An amount of $2.8 million related to ORKA-001 is included in related party accounts payable and other current liabilities as of December 31, 2024.
We were also required to reimburse Paragon $3.3 million for development costs related to ORKA-002 incurred by Paragon through December 31, 2023 and certain other development costs incurred by Paragon between January 1, 2024 and March 6, 2024 as stipulated by the Option Agreements. This amount was recognized as a research and development expense during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024. We are also responsible for the development costs incurred by Paragon from January 1, 2024 through the completion of the IL-17 selection process. We recognized an amount of $0.8 million payable to Paragon for the research initiation fee related to ORKA-002 following the finalization of the ORKA-002 research plan. This was recognized as research and development expenses in the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024. During the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, we exercised our option for ORKA-002 and recorded a $1.5 million milestone payment related to the achievement of development candidate as research and development expense in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. We accounted for development costs of $7.8 million for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024 as research and development expenses. An amount of $2.7 million related to ORKA-002 is included in related party accounts payable and other current liabilities as of December 31, 2024.
We expense the service fees as the associated costs are incurred when the underlying services are rendered. Such amounts are classified within research and development expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
We concluded that the rights obtained under the Option Agreements represent an asset acquisition whereby the underlying assets comprise in-process research and development assets with no alternative future use. The Option Agreements did not qualify as a business combination because substantially all of the fair value of the assets acquired was concentrated in the exclusive license options, which represent a group of similar identifiable assets. The research initiation fee represents a one-time cost on a research program-by-research program basis for accessing research services or resources with benefits that are expected to be consumed in the near term, therefore the amounts paid are expensed as part of research and development costs immediately. Amounts paid as reimbursements of on-going development cost, monthly development cost fee and additional development expenses incurred by Paragon due to work completed for selected targets prior to the effective date of the Option Agreements that is associated with services being rendered under the related Research Programs are recognized as research and development expense when incurred.
For the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, we recognized $42.0 million of expenses in connection with services provided by Paragon and Paruka under the Option Agreements.
Paragon Therapeutics - License Agreements
In September 2024, we exercised the Option to acquire certain rights to ORKA-001, and in December 2024, we entered into the corresponding license agreement with Paragon (the “ORKA-001 License Agreement”), pursuant to which Paragon granted us a royalty-bearing, world-wide, exclusive license to develop, manufacture, commercialize or otherwise exploit certain antibodies and products targeting IL-23 in all fields other than the field of inflammatory bowel disease (“ORKA-001 Field”). In December 2024, we exercised the Option with respect to ORKA-002 for the IL-17A/F program, and in February 2025, we entered into the corresponding license agreement with Paragon (the “ORKA-002 License Agreement” and together with the ORKA-001 License Agreement, the “License Agreements”), pursuant to which Paragon granted us a royalty-bearing, world-wide, exclusive license to develop, manufacture, commercialize or otherwise exploit certain antibodies and products targeting IL-17A/F in all fields (“ORKA-002 Field” and together with the ORKA-001 Field, the “Fields”).
The License Agreements provide us with exclusive licenses in the Fields to Paragon’s patent applications covering the related antibodies, their method of use and their method of manufacture and Paragon has agreed not to conduct any new campaigns that generate anti-IL-23 monospecific antibodies or anti-IL-17A/F monospecific antibodies for the ORKA-001 Field or the ORKA-002 Field, respectively, for at least five years. Each of the ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 License Agreements may be terminated on 60 days’ notice to Paragon, on material breach without cure, and on a party’s insolvency or bankruptcy to the extent permitted by law.
Pursuant to the terms of each of the ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 License Agreements, we are obligated to pay Paragon non-refundable milestone payments of up to $12.0 million under each respective agreement upon the achievement of certain clinical development milestones and up to $10.0 million under each respective agreement upon the achievement of certain regulatory milestones, including a $1.5 million fee for nomination of a development candidate (or initiation of an IND-enabling toxicology study) and a further milestone payment of $2.5 million upon the first dosing of a human patient in a Phase 1 trial for each of ORKA-001 and ORKA-002. In addition, we are obligated to pay Paragon a low single-digit percentage royalty for antibody products for each of ORKA-001 and ORKA-002. For each of the License Agreements, the royalty term ends on the later of (i) the last-to-expire licensed patent or our patent directed to the manufacture, use or sale of a licensed antibody in the country at issue or (ii) 12 years from the date of first sale of a Company product. There is also a royalty step-down if there is no Paragon patent in effect during the royalty term for each program.
Cell Line License Agreement
In March 2024, we entered into the Cell Line License Agreement (the “Cell Line License Agreement”) with WuXi Biologics Ireland Limited (“WuXi Biologics”). Under the Cell Line License Agreement, we received a non-exclusive, worldwide, sublicensable license to certain of WuXi Biologics’ know-how, cell line, biological materials (the “WuXi Biologics Licensed Technology”) and media and feeds to make, have made, use, sell and import certain therapeutic products produced through the use of the cell line licensed by WuXi Biologics under the Cell Line License Agreement (the “WuXi Biologics Licensed Products”). Specifically, the WuXi Biologics Licensed Technology is used in certain manufacturing activities in support of the ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 programs.
In consideration for the license, we agreed to pay WuXi Biologics a non-refundable license fee of $150,000, which was recognized as a research and development expense during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024. Additionally, to the extent that we manufacture our commercial supplies of bulk drug product with a manufacturer other than WuXi Biologics or its affiliates, we are required to make royalty payments to WuXi Biologics at a rate of less than one percent of net sales of WuXi Biologics Licensed Products manufactured by the third-party manufacturer. Pursuant to an amendment to the Cell Line License Agreement effective in November 2024, a provision was added that permits the royalties owed under the agreement to be bought out on a product-by-product basis for a lump-sum payment.
The Cell Line License Agreement will continue indefinitely unless terminated (i) by us upon six months’ prior written notice and our payment of all undisputed amounts due to WuXi Biologics through the effective date of termination, (ii) by WuXi Biologics for a material breach by us that remains uncured for 60 days after written notice, (iii) by WuXi Biologics if we fail to make a payment and such failure continues for 30 days after receiving notice of such failure, or (iv) by either party upon the other party’s bankruptcy.
Note Payable with Related Party
In March 2024, we entered into a Series A Preferred Stock and Convertible Note Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Fairmount, whereby we issued the Convertible Note, with an initial principal amount of $25.0 million that, at the time of issuance, could be converted into Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock (or a series of preferred shares that is identical in respect to the shares of preferred shares issued in its next equity financing) or shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock in exchange for aggregate proceeds of $25.0 million. The Convertible Note accrued interest at a rate of 12.0% per annum. At issuance, the Convertible Note required all unpaid interest and principal to mature on December 31, 2025 (the “Maturity Date”) and prepayment was not permitted without prior written consent of Fairmount. At issuance, the principal payment along with the accrued interest on the Convertible Note was due in full on the Maturity Date. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, we had the right to sell and issue additional convertible notes up to an aggregate principal amount equal to $30.0 million, in addition to the $25.0 million initial principal amount of the Convertible Note.
Immediately prior to the completion of the Merger, the Convertible Note was converted into shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock based on the aggregate principal amount of $25.0 million, plus unpaid accrued interest of $1.5 million divided by the conversion price, which was determined based upon the Company’s fully-diluted capitalization immediately prior to the Merger. At the effective time of the Merger, the Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock issued upon the conversion of the Convertible Note (including accrued interest) automatically converted into shares of Company Common Stock. 2,722,207 shares of Company Common Stock were issued on conversion of the Convertible Note and accrued interest. As of December 31, 2024, there is no note payable to a related party.
Lease Agreement
Our contractual obligations include minimum lease payments under our operating lease obligation for our headquarters in Menlo Park, California. See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements elsewhere in this report for additional information.
Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates
Our management’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations is based on its financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported revenues recognized and expenses incurred during the reporting periods. Our estimates are based on its historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report, we believe the following accounting policies used in the preparation of our financial statements require the most significant judgments and estimates.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses consist of costs incurred in performing research and development activities, including salaries and bonuses, overhead costs, contract services and other related costs. The value of goods and services received from contract research organizations and contract manufacturing organizations in the reporting period are estimated based on the level of services performed, and progress in the period in cases when we have not received an invoice from the supplier. In circumstances where amounts have been paid in excess of costs incurred, we record a prepaid expense. When billing terms under these contracts do not coincide with the timing of when the work is performed, we are required to make estimates of outstanding obligations to those third parties as of period end. Any accrual estimates are based on a number of factors, including our knowledge of the progress towards completion of the specific tasks to be performed, invoicing to date under the contracts, communication from the vendors of any actual costs incurred during the period that have not yet been invoiced and the costs included in the contracts. Significant judgments and estimates may be made in determining the accrued balances at the end of any reporting period. Actual results could differ from the estimates made by us.
Stock-Based Compensation
We measure stock options granted to employees and non-employees based on the estimated fair values of the awards as of the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The model requires management to make a number of assumptions, including common stock fair value, expected volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate and expected dividend yield. For restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, the estimated fair value is the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date. We expense the fair value of our equity-based compensation awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the period in which the related services are received. We account for award forfeitures as they occur. The expense for stock-based awards with performance conditions is recognized when it is probable that a performance condition is met during the vesting period.
Determination of Fair Value of Common Stock
A public trading market for Company Common Stock has been established in connection with the completion of the Merger. As such, it is no longer necessary for our board of directors to estimate the fair value of our stock-based awards in connection with its accounting for granted stock-based awards or other such awards we may grant, as the fair value of Company Common Stock and share-based awards is determined based on the quoted market price of Company Common Stock.
Prior to the merger, Pre-Merger Oruka’s common stock valuations were prepared using a hybrid method, including an option pricing method (“OPM”). The OPM treats common stock and preferred stock as call options on the total equity value of a company, with exercise prices based on the value thresholds at which the allocation among the various holders of a company’s securities changes. Under this method, the common stock has value only if the funds available for distribution to stockholders exceed the value of the preferred stock liquidation preferences at the time of the liquidity event, such as a strategic sale or a merger. The hybrid method is a probability-weighted expected return method (“PWERM”), where the equity value in one or more of the scenarios is calculated using an OPM. The PWERM is a scenario-based methodology that estimates the fair value of common stock based upon an analysis of future values for the Company, assuming various outcomes. The common stock value is based on the probability-weighted present value of expected future investment returns considering each of the possible outcomes available as well as the rights of each class of stock. The future value of the common stock under each outcome is discounted back to the valuation date at an appropriate risk-adjusted discount rate and probability weighted to arrive at an indication of value for the common stock. A discount for lack of marketability of the common stock is then applied to arrive at an indication of value for the common stock.
The assumptions underlying these valuations represented management’s best estimate, which involved inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. As a result, if Pre-Merger Oruka had used significantly different assumptions or estimates, the fair value of Pre-Merger Oruka’s incentive shares and its stock-based compensation expense could have been materially different.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II - Item 8 of this Annual Report for more information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2024, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are a smaller reporting company, as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, and are not required to provide the information under this item.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
ORUKA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Audited Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 238)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
Consolidated Statement of Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Oruka Therapeutics, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2024 and February 6, 2024, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, of convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ equity and of cash flows for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and February 6, 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated 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 of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated 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 Company’s 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
External Research and Development Costs
As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs include salaries and bonuses, stock-based compensation, employee benefits, and external costs of vendors and consultants engaged to conduct research and development activities, as well as allocated human resource costs, information technology costs, and facility-related costs, including rent, maintenance, utilities, and depreciation. As disclosed by management, the Company’s research and development expense for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024 was $75.1 million, $57.7 million of which relates to external research and development costs.
The principal consideration for our determination that performing procedures relating to external research and development costs is a critical audit matter is a high degree of auditor effort in performing procedures related to the Company’s external research and development costs.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included, among others, testing external research and development costs, on a sample basis, by obtaining and agreeing the contractual terms of the agreement, amounts incurred to date, and estimates of work performed to date to the (i) underlying agreements with vendors engaged to conduct research and development; (ii) purchase orders; (iii) invoices received; (iv) underlying payments made for expenses incurred on the contracts; and (v) external confirmations or communications obtained by management from vendors.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
March 6, 2025
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2024.
ORUKA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
December 31, February 6,
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 61,575 $ -
Marketable securities, current 314,073 -
Subscription receivable -
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,221 -
Total current assets 376,869
Marketable securities, long-term 18,069 -
Property and equipment, net -
Operating lease right-of-use assets -
Other non-current assets -
Total assets $ 396,019 $ 1
Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 3,462 $ -
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 3,346 -
Operating lease liability, current -
Related party accounts payable and other current liabilities 6,022 -
Total current liabilities 13,043 -
Operating lease liability, non-current -
Total liabilities 13,798 -
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; no shares and 20,000,000 shares authorized as of December 31, 2024 and February 6, 2024, respectively; none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and February 6, 2024 - -
Series A non-voting convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; none authorized as of December 31, 2024 and February 6, 2024; none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and February 6, 2024 - -
Stockholders’ equity:
Series B non-voting convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 251,504 and no shares authorized as of December 31, 2024 and February 6, 2024, respectively; 137,138 and no shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and February 6, 2024, respectively 2,931 -
Common stock, $0.001 and $0.001 par value as of December 31, 2024 and February 6, 2024, respectively; 545,000,000 and 65,000,000 shares authorized, 37,440,510 and 3,197,975 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and February 6, 2024, respectively -
Additional paid-in capital 463,018
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (41 ) -
Accumulated deficit (83,724 ) -
Total stockholders’ equity 382,221
Total liabilities, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ equity $ 396,019 $ 1
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ORUKA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Period from
February 6,
(Inception) to
December 31,
Operating expenses
Research and development (1) $ 75,060
General and administrative (2) 13,063
Total operating expenses 88,123
Loss from operations (88,123 )
Other income (expense)
Interest income 5,863
Interest expense (3) (1,468 )
Other income, net
Total other income, net 4,399
Net loss (83,724 )
Unrealized loss on marketable securities (41 )
Comprehensive loss $ (83,765 )
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted $ (3.87 )
Net loss per share attributable to Series A non-voting convertible preferred stockholders, basic and diluted $ (3,873.25 )
Net loss per share attributable to Series B non-voting convertible preferred stockholders, basic and diluted $ (322.81 )
Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted 16,789,362
Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to Series A non-voting convertible preferred stockholders, basic and diluted
Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to Series B non-voting convertible preferred stockholders, basic and diluted 51,946
(1) Includes related party amount of $42,640 for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024
(2) Includes related party amount of $1,364 for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024
(3) Includes related party amount of $1,468 for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ORUKA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands, except share data)
Series A
Convertible
Preferred Stock Series A
Non-Voting
Convertible
Preferred Stock Series B
Non-Voting
Convertible
Preferred Stock Common Stock Additional
Paid-In Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Accumulated Total
Stockholders’
Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Gain (Loss) Deficit Equity
Balances as of February 6, 2024 (inception) - $ - - $ - - $ - 3,197,975 $ 3 $ (2 ) $ - $ - $ 1
Issuance of common stock - - - - - - 2,207,553 (2 ) - - -
Issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock, net of issuance costs of $69 20,000,000 2,931 - - - - - - - - - -
Exchange of Series A convertible preferred stock for Series B non-voting convertible preferred stock upon the closing of the reverse capitalization (20,000,000 ) (2,931 ) - - 137,138 2,931 - - - - - 2,931
Conversion of convertible notes (including accrued interest) into common stock upon the closing of the reverse recapitalization - - - - - - 2,722,207 26,445 - - 26,448
Issuance of common stock and pre-funded warrants in the Pre-Closing Financing - - - - - - 20,061,932 248,437 - - 248,457
Issuance costs of Pre-Closing Financing and reverse recapitalization - - - - - - - - (20,504 ) - - (20,504 )
Issuance of common stock to former stockholders of ARCA biopharma, Inc. in connection with the closing of reverse recapitalization - - - - - - 1,208,883 4,999 - - 5,000
Issuance of common stock, Series A non-voting convertible preferred stock, and pre-funded warrants in connection with the PIPE Financing - - 2,439 56,097 - - 5,600,000 144,433 - - 144,439
Issuance costs of PIPE Financing - - - (3,263 ) - - - - (8,592 ) - - (8,592 )
Conversion of Series A non-voting convertible preferred stock to common stock - - (2,439 ) (52,834 ) - - 2,439,000 52,832 - - 52,834
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan - - - - - - 2,960 - - -
Reclassification of the Paruka warrant from liability to equity - - - - - - - - 10,357 - - 10,357
Stock-based compensation expense - - - - - - - - 4,562 - - 4,562
Unrealized loss on marketable securities - - - - - - - - - (41 ) - (41 )
Net loss - - - - - - - - - - (83,724 ) (83,724 )
Balances as of December 31, 2024 - $ - - $ - 137,138 $ 2,931 37,440,510 $ 37 $ 463,018 $ (41 ) $ (83,724 ) $ 382,221
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ORUKA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
Period from
February 6,
(Inception) to
December 31,
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $ (83,724 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense 14,919
Net accretion of premiums and discounts on marketable securities (2,245 )
Non-cash interest expense 1,468
Non-cash lease expense
Depreciation expense
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (1,128 )
Other non-current assets (43 )
Accounts payable 3,462
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 3,292
Operating lease liability (14 )
Related party accounts payable and other current liabilities 6,022
Net cash used in operating activities (57,837 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (189 )
Purchases of marketable securities (329,938 )
Net cash used in investing activities (330,127 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock, net of issuance costs paid 2,931
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable to related party, net of issuance costs paid 24,980
Proceeds from the Pre-Closing Financing, net 227,953
Proceeds from the PIPE Financing, net 188,681
Cash acquired in connection with the reverse recapitalization 4,940
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
Net cash provided by financing activities 449,539
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 61,575
Cash at beginning of period -
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 61,575
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash operating and financing activities:
Operating lease liability arising from obtaining operating right-of-use asset $ 982
Assets acquired in connection with the reverse capitalization $ 114
Other liabilities assumed in connection with the reverse recapitalization $ (54 )
Non-cash accrued interest on convertible note converted to common stock $ 1,468
Non-cash exchange of Pre-Merger Oruka Series A preferred stock for Series B convertible preferred stock $ 2,931
Conversion of Series A non-voting convertible preferred stock to common stock $ 52,834
Reclassification of the Paruka warrant from liability to equity $ 10,357
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
ORUKA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Nature of the Business and Basis of Presentation
Background and Basis of Presentation
Oruka Therapeutics, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), formerly known as ARCA biopharma, Inc. (“ARCA”), is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that is the result of the reverse recapitalization discussed below. Prior to the reverse recapitalization, the private company Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. (“Pre-Merger Oruka”) was established and incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware on February 6, 2024 (referred to in the Notes as the inception of the Company). The Company is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. The Company is focused on developing novel monoclonal antibody therapeutics for psoriasis (“PsO”) and other inflammatory and immunology (“I&I”) indications.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the operations of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative GAAP as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).
Reverse Recapitalization and Pre-Closing Financing
On August 29, 2024 (the “Merger Closing”), the Company completed the acquisition (the “Merger”) of Pre-Merger Oruka pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of April 3, 2024 (the “Merger Agreement”). Following the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Pre-Merger Oruka merged with and into Atlas Merger Sub Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of ARCA and following that, Pre-Merger Oruka then merged with and into Atlas Merger Sub II, LLC (“Second Merger Sub”), with Second Merger Sub being the surviving entity. Second Merger Sub changed its corporate name to “Oruka Therapeutics Operating Company, LLC.” On August 29, 2024, the Company changed its name from “ARCA biopharma, Inc.” to “Oruka Therapeutics, Inc.” and its Nasdaq ticker symbol from “ABIO” to “ORKA”.
Following consummation of the Merger, the Company effected a 1-for-12 reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (“Company Common Stock”), which became effective on September 3, 2024. The Company Common Stock commenced trading on a post-Reverse Stock Split, post-Merger basis at the opening of trading on September 3, 2024. The Company is led by the Pre-Merger Oruka management team and remains focused on developing biologics to optimize the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.
Immediately prior to the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement on April 3, 2024, certain new and existing investors of Pre-Merger Oruka entered into a subscription agreement with Pre-Merger Oruka (the “Subscription Agreement”), pursuant to which, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of which, immediately prior to the Closing, those investors purchased shares of common stock of Pre-Merger Oruka (“Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock”) and Pre-Merger Oruka pre-funded warrants for gross proceeds of approximately $275.0 million (which includes $25.0 million of proceeds previously received from the issuance of the Convertible Note (as defined in Note 7) and accrued interest on such note which converted to shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock) (the “Pre-Closing Financing”). The Company incurred transaction costs of $20.5 million which was recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated financial statements. At the Merger Closing, the shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock and Pre-Merger Oruka pre-funded warrants issued pursuant to the Subscription Agreement were converted into shares of Company Common Stock and pre-funded warrants of Company Common Stock in accordance with the Exchange Ratio (defined below).
In accordance with an Exchange Ratio determined by terms of the Merger Agreement and upon the effective time of the First Merger (the “First Effective Time”), (i) each then-issued and outstanding share of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock including outstanding and unvested Pre-Merger Oruka restricted stock and shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock issued in connection with the Subscription Agreement, were converted into the right to receive a number of shares of Company Common Stock, equal to the Exchange Ratio of 6.8569 shares of Company Common Stock, which were subject to the same vesting provisions as those immediately prior to the Merger, (ii) each share of Pre-Merger Oruka Series A convertible preferred stock, par value $0.0001 (“Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock”), outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time was converted into the right to receive a number of shares of ARCA Series B non-voting convertible preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Company Series B Preferred Stock”), which are convertible into shares of Company Common Stock, at a conversion ratio of approximately 83:3332:1 (iii) each outstanding option to purchase Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock was converted into an option to purchase shares of Company Common Stock, (iv) each outstanding warrant to purchase shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock was converted into a warrant to purchase shares of Company Common Stock, and (v) each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding at the First Effective Time remain issued and outstanding in accordance with its terms and such shares. Subsequent to the close of the merger, the common stock shares were then subject to the reverse stock split of 1-for-12 effected on September 3, 2024.
As part of the Pre-Closing Financing and the Merger Closing, investors in the Pre-Closing Financing received 22,784,139 shares of Company Common Stock in exchange for 39,873,706 shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock (which includes the issuance of 2,722,207 shares of Company Common Stock in exchange for 4,764,032 shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock on the conversion of Convertible Note along with the accrued interest through the conversion date) and 5,522,207 Company pre-funded warrants in exchange for 9,664,208 Pre-Merger pre-funded warrants.
The Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, Pre-Merger Oruka was deemed to be the accounting acquirer for financial reporting purposes. This determination was primarily based on the fact that, immediately following the Merger: (i) Pre-Merger Oruka stockholders own a substantial majority of the voting rights in the combined company; (ii) Pre-Merger Oruka’s largest stockholders retain the largest interest in the combined company; (iii) Pre-Merger Oruka designated a majority of the initial members of the board of directors of the combined company; and (iv) Pre-Merger Oruka’s executive management team became the management team of the combined company. Accordingly, for accounting purposes: (i) the Merger was treated as the equivalent of Pre-Merger Oruka issuing stock to acquire the net assets of ARCA, and (ii) the reported historical operating results of the combined company prior to the Merger are those of Pre-Merger Oruka. Additional information regarding the Merger is included in Note 3.
Reverse Stock Split
On September 3, 2024, the Company effected the Reverse Stock Split, a 1-for-12 reverse stock split of Company Common Stock. The par value per share and the number of authorized shares were not adjusted as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. The shares of Company Common Stock underlying outstanding stock options, common stock warrants and other equity instruments were proportionately reduced and the respective exercise prices, if applicable, were proportionately increased in accordance with the terms of the agreements governing such securities. All references to common stock, options to purchase common stock, outstanding common stock warrants, common stock share data, per share data, and related information contained in the consolidated financial statements have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the effect of the Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented, unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires.
PIPE Financing
On September 11, 2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement for a private placement (the “PIPE Financing”) with certain institutional and accredited investors. The closing of the PIPE Financing occurred on September 13, 2024.
Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the investors purchased an aggregate of 5,600,000 shares of Company Common Stock at a purchase price of $23.00 per share, an aggregate of 2,439 shares of the Company’s Series A non-voting convertible preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Company Series A Preferred Stock”), at a purchase price of $23,000.00 per share (each Company Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into 1,000 shares of Company Common Stock), and pre-funded warrants to purchase an aggregate of 680,000 shares of Company Common Stock at a purchase price of $22.999 per pre-funded warrant, for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $188.7 million (net of issuance costs of $11.9 million).
Liquidity and Going Concern
Since its inception, the Company has devoted substantially all of its resources to advancing the development of its portfolio of programs, organizing and staffing the Company, business planning, raising capital, and providing general and administrative support for these operations. Current and future programs will require significant research and development efforts, including preclinical and clinical trials, and regulatory approvals to commercialization. Until such time as the Company can generate significant revenue from product sales, if ever, the Company expects to finance its operating activities through a combination of equity offerings and debt financings.
The Company has not generated any revenue from product sales or other sources and has incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception. For the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, the Company has incurred a net loss of $83.7 million and used net cash of $57.8 million for its operating activities.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $393.7 million. The Company’s management expects that the existing cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund the Company’s operating plans for at least twelve months from the date these consolidated financial statements were issued. The Company expects that its research and development and general and administrative costs will continue to increase significantly, including in connection with conducting future pre-clinical activities and clinical trials and manufacturing for its existing product candidates and any future product candidates to support commercialization and providing general and administrative support for its operations, including the costs associated with operating as a public company. The Company’s ability to access capital when needed is not assured and, if capital is not available to the Company when, and in the amounts needed, the Company may be required to significantly curtail, delay, or discontinue one or more of its research or development programs or the commercialization of any product candidate, or be unable to expand its operations or otherwise capitalize on the Company’s business opportunities, as desired, which could materially harm the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected within these consolidated financial statements include but are not limited to research and development expenses and related prepaid or accrued costs and the valuation of stock-based compensation awards and related expenses. The Company bases its estimates on known trends and other market-specific or other relevant factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, as there are changes in circumstances, facts, and experience. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates or assumptions.
Concentrations of Credit Risk and Other Risks and Uncertainties
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. The Company’s investment policy limits investments to high credit quality securities issued by the U.S. government, U.S. government-sponsored agencies, highly rated banks, and corporate issuers, subject to certain concentration limits and restrictions on maturities. The Company’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities are held by financial institutions that management believes are of high credit quality. The financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash deposits. Accounts at the Company’s U.S. banking institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000 per depositor. As of December 31, 2024, the balance at the Company’s U.S. banking institution exceeded the FDIC limits. The Company has not experienced any losses on its deposits of cash and cash equivalents and its accounts are monitored by management to mitigate risk. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of default by the financial institutions holding its cash and cash equivalents, and bond issuers.
The Company is dependent on third-party organizations to research, develop, manufacture, and process its product candidates for its development programs, including its two most advanced programs, ORKA-001 and ORKA-002. The Company expects to continue to be dependent on a small number of manufacturers to supply it with its requirements for all products. The Company’s research and development programs could be adversely affected by a significant interruption in the supply of the necessary materials. A significant amount of the Company’s research and development activities are performed under its agreements with Paragon Therapeutics, Inc. (“Paragon”) (see Note 12).
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of initial purchase to be cash equivalents. The cash equivalents were comprised of investments in money market funds, U. S. treasury securities, U.S. government agency securities, and debt securities and are stated at fair value.
Marketable Securities
The Company invests in marketable securities, primarily securities issued by the U.S. government and its agencies, commercial paper and corporate debt securities. The Company’s marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss.
For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value and recognized in other income (expense) in the results of operations. For available-for-sale debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, an allowance is recorded for the difference between the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis of the security. Impairment losses attributable to credit loss factors are charged against the allowance when management believes an available-for-sale security is uncollectible or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.
Any unrealized losses from declines in fair value below the amortized cost basis as a result of non-credit loss factors are recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of unrealized gains. Realized gains and losses and declines in fair value, if any, on available-for-sale securities are included in other income, net, in the results of operations.
Marketable securities with stated maturities of greater than three months from the date of purchase but less than one year from the consolidated balance sheet date are classified as current, while marketable securities with maturities in one year or beyond one year from the consolidated balance sheet date are classified as long-term. The cost of securities sold is determined using the specific-identification method. Interest earned and adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on investments are included in interest income on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with the Convertible Note (see Note 7) are recorded as a reduction of the carrying value of the notes payable liability on the Company’s balance sheet and are amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan using the effective interest method. At the effective time of the Merger the Converted Note was converted to common stock and is no longer on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2024.
Subscription Receivable
The Company accounts for any notes received in exchange for common stock as a subscription receivable, provided the note underlying the receivable is paid prior to the date the financial statement is available to be issued.
Fair Value Measurements
Certain assets and liabilities are carried at fair value under U.S. GAAP. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three levels of the fair value hierarchy, of which the first two are considered observable and the last is considered unobservable:
● Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets that are identical assets or liabilities.
● Level 2 - Observable inputs (other than Level 1 quoted prices), such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
● Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity that are significant to determining the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, and similar techniques.
The Company’s cash equivalents and marketable securities are carried at fair value, determined according to the fair value hierarchy described above (see Note 4). The carrying values of the Company’s prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate their fair values due to their relatively short maturity period.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is recognized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of each asset as follows:
Estimated
Useful Life
Furniture and fixtures 3-5 years
Computer and office equipment 3-5 years
Classification of Convertible Preferred Stock
Prior to the reverse recapitalization, the Company had classified its Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock outside of stockholders’ equity on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet because the holders of such stock have certain liquidation rights in the event of a deemed liquidation event that, in certain situations, is not solely within the control of the Company and would require the redemption of the then-outstanding convertible preferred stock.
Upon the closing of the Merger, the Company converted its Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock to Company Series B Preferred Stock and has classified the Company Series B Preferred Stock within stockholders’ equity on its consolidated balance sheet because the Company Series B Preferred Stock is not redeemable or puttable to the Company by the holder under any circumstances.
In connection with the PIPE Financing (see Note 1) the Company issued Company Series A Preferred Stock, and has classified the Company Series A Preferred Stock outside of stockholders’ equity on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet because the holders of such stock have certain rights (see Note 8) that, in certain situations, is not solely within the control of the Company and would require the redemption of the then-outstanding convertible preferred stock. In November 2024, the Company Series A Preferred Stock shares were converted to common stock, and as of December 31, 2024, there were no shares of Company Series A Preferred Stock outstanding.
Note Payable to Related Party
The Company accounted for the Convertible Note (as defined in Note 7) at amortized cost. The Company considered if optional conversion features are required to be bifurcated and separately accounted for as a derivative. Costs related to the issuance of the Convertible Note were recorded as a debt discount, amortized over the term of the Convertible Note (see Note 7) and were accounted for as interest expense in other income (expenses) within the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss using the effective interest method. At the effective time of the Merger, shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock issued pursuant to the conversion of the Convertible Note (including accrued interest) automatically converted into shares of Company Common Stock (see Note 1).
Research and Development Contract Costs Accruals
The Company records the costs associated with research studies and manufacturing development as incurred. These costs are a significant component of the Company’s research and development expenses, with a substantial portion of the Company’s ongoing research and development activities conducted by third-party service providers, including contract research organizations (“CROs”) and contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”), and the Company’s related-party Paragon (see Note 12).
The Company accrues for expenses resulting from obligations under its two antibody discovery and option agreements (the “Option Agreements”) (see Note 12), by and among Paragon, Paruka Holding LLC (“Paruka”), an entity formed by Paragon as a vehicle to hold equity in the Company, and the Company as well as agreements with CROs, CMOs, and other outside service providers for which payment flows do not match the periods over which materials or services are provided to the Company. Accruals are recorded based on estimates of services received and efforts expended pursuant to agreements established with Paragon, CROs, CMOs, and other outside service providers. These estimates are typically based on contracted amounts applied to the proportion of work performed and determined through analysis with internal personnel and external service providers as to the progress or stage of completion of the services. The Company makes significant judgments and estimates in determining the accrual balance in each reporting period. If advance payments are made to Paragon, a CRO, CMO, or outside service provider, the payments will be recorded as a prepaid asset which will be expensed as the contracted services are performed. Changes in these estimates that result in material changes to the Company’s accruals could materially affect the Company’s results of operations. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has not experienced any material deviations between accrued and actual research and development expenses.
Leases
At the lease commencement date, when control of the underlying asset is transferred from the lessor to the Company, the Company classifies a lease as either an operating or finance lease and recognizes a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a current and non-current lease liability, as applicable, in the balance sheet if the lease has a term greater than one year. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise its option.
At the lease commencement date, operating lease liabilities and their corresponding ROU assets are recorded at the present value of future minimum lease payments over the expected remaining lease term. The Company determines the present value of lease payments using the implicit rate, if it is readily determinable, or the risk-free discount rate for a period comparable with that of the lease term. For operating leases, lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For finance leases, lease expense includes amortization expense of the ROU asset recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and interest expense recognized on the finance lease liability. In addition, certain adjustments to the ROU asset may be required for items such as lease prepayments, incentives received or initial direct costs. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has one operating lease and no finance leases.
The Company accounts for lease and non-lease components related to operating leases as a single lease component. The Company has elected that costs associated with leases having an initial term of 12 months or less are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term and are not recorded on its consolidated balance sheets. Variable lease expense is recognized as incurred and consists primarily of real estate taxes, utilities, and other office space related expenses.
Segment Reporting
The Company operates as a single reportable and operating segment. Its Chief Executive Officer, serving as the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), oversees operations on an aggregated basis to allocate resources effectively. In assessing the Company’s financial performance, the CODM regularly reviews total operating expenses and consolidated net loss.
Research and Development Costs
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs include salaries and bonuses, stock-based compensation, employee benefits, and external costs of vendors and consultants engaged to conduct research and development activities, as well as allocated human resource costs, information technology costs, and facility-related costs, including rent, maintenance, utilities, and depreciation.
Nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services to be received in the future for use in research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The prepaid amounts are expensed as the related goods are delivered or the services are performed, or when it is no longer expected that the goods will be delivered, or the services rendered. If nonrefundable advance payments represent a one-time cost for obtaining goods or services, with anticipated benefits to be utilized within a year of period end, the payment is expensed immediately.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and bonuses, stock-based compensation, employee benefits, finance and administration costs, patent and intellectual property costs, professional fees, as well as allocated human resource costs, information technology costs, and facility-related costs, including rent, maintenance, utilities and depreciation.
Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is subject to contingent liabilities, such as legal proceedings and claims, that arise in the ordinary course of business activities. The Company accrues for loss contingencies when losses become probable and are reasonably estimable. If the reasonable estimate of the loss is a range and no amount within the range is a better estimate, the minimum amount of the range is recorded as a liability on the balance sheet. The Company does not accrue for contingent losses that, in its judgment, are considered to be reasonably possible, but not probable; however, it discloses the range of reasonably possible losses. As of December 31, 2024, no liabilities were recorded for loss contingencies (see Note 13).
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company estimates the fair value of its stock awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which uses as inputs the fair value of the Company’s common stock, and certain management estimates, including the expected stock price volatility, the expected term of the award, the risk-free interest rate, and expected dividends. Expected volatility is calculated based on reported volatility data for a representative group of publicly traded companies for which historical information is available. The Company selects companies with comparable characteristics with historical share price information that approximates the expected term of the equity-based awards. The Company computes the historical volatility data using the daily closing prices for the selected companies’ shares during the equivalent period that approximates the calculated expected term of the stock options. The Company will continue to apply this method until a sufficient amount of historical information regarding the volatility of its stock price becomes available. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant commensurate with the expected term assumption. For employee and non-employee awards (except the Paruka warrant) the Company uses the simplified method, under which the expected term is presumed to be the midpoint between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term. The Company utilizes this method due to lack of historical exercise data. For the Paruka warrant, the contractual term is used for the expected term. The expected dividend yield is assumed to be zero as the Company has no current plans to pay any dividends on common stock.
The Company measures restricted common stock awards (“RSAs”) using the difference, if any, between the purchase price per share of the award and the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant.
The Company grants stock options, restricted stock awards, and warrants that are subject to service or performance-based vesting conditions. Compensation expense for awards to employees and directors with service-based vesting conditions is recognized using the straight-line method over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective award. Compensation expense for awards to non-employees with service-based vesting conditions is recognized in the same manner as if the Company had paid cash in exchange for the goods or services, which is generally over the vesting period of the award. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. As of each reporting date, the Company estimates the probability that specified performance criteria will be met and does not recognize compensation expense until it is probable that the performance-based vesting condition will be achieved.
The Company has issued stock options, warrants, and RSAs with service-based and performance-based vesting conditions.
The Company recognizes the compensation expense for the option to purchase common stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), based on the fair value of the common stock estimated using the closing price of the Company’s common stock as reported on the date of offering, less the purchase discount percentage provided for in the plan.
The Company classifies stock-based compensation expense in its consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss in the same manner in which the award recipient’s payroll costs are classified or in which the award recipient’s service payments are classified, as applicable.
Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss includes net loss as well as other changes in stockholders’ equity that result from transactions and events other than those with stockholders. The Company’s unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities represent the only component of other comprehensive loss that are excluded from the reported net loss and that are presented in the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss.
Net Loss per Share Attributable to Stockholders
Basic and diluted net loss attributable to stockholders per share is presented in conformity with the two-class method required for participating securities (Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock). Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to each class of shares by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock and participating securities outstanding during the period. Pre-funded warrants were included as the exercise price is negligible and these warrants are fully vested and exercisable. Company Series A Preferred Stock and Company Series B Preferred Stock share the same characteristics as Common Stock and have no substantive preference attributed to them and, accordingly, have been considered as classes of Common Stock in the computation of net loss per share regardless of their legal form.
Net loss is allocated to common stock based on its proportional ownership on an as-converted basis. Net loss is not allocated to participating securities as they do not have an obligation to fund losses. The weighted-average number of shares outstanding of common stock reflects changes in ownership over the periods presented. See Note 8 - Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Equity.
Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to stockholders adjusted for income (expenses), net of tax, related to any diluted securities, by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock and potentially dilutive securities outstanding for the period. For purposes of this calculation, stock options to purchase common stock, employee warrants to purchase common stock, and unvested RSAs are considered potential dilutive common shares.
The Company generated a net loss for the periods presented. Accordingly, basic and diluted net loss per share is the same because the inclusion of the potentially dilutive securities would be anti-dilutive.
Other income, net
Other income, net, consists of interest earned on the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities; interest expense on the convertible note from a related party and foreign currency transactions gains and losses.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or in the Company’s tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded in the provision for income taxes. The Company assesses the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and, to the extent it believes, based upon the weight of available evidence, that it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is established through a charge to income tax expense. The potential for recovery of deferred tax assets is evaluated by estimating the future taxable profits expected and considering prudent and feasible tax planning strategies.
The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the consolidated financial statements by applying a two-step process to determine the amount of tax benefit to be recognized. First, the tax position must be evaluated to determine the likelihood that it will be sustained upon external examination by the taxing authorities. If the tax position is deemed more likely than not to be sustained, the tax position is then assessed to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the consolidated financial statements. The amount of the benefit that may be recognized is the largest amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The provision for income taxes includes the effects of any resulting tax reserves, or unrecognized tax benefits, that are considered appropriate as well as the related net interest and penalties. The Company had accrued no amounts for interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2024.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”), which enhances the segment disclosure requirements for public entities on an annual and interim basis. Under this standard, public entities will be required to disclose significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss. Additionally, current annual disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets will be required on an interim basis. Entities will also be required to disclose information about the CODM’s title and position at the Company along with an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures of segment profit or loss in their assessment of segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. Finally, ASU 2023-07 requires all segment disclosures for public entities that have only a single reportable segment. The amendments in ASU 2023-07 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 in 2024 and additional required disclosures have been included in Note 10.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This ASU expands disclosures in an entity’s income tax rate reconciliation table and disclosures regarding taxes paid both in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. This update is effective beginning with the Company’s 2025 fiscal year annual reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. This ASU requires more detailed disclosures, on an annual and interim basis, about specified categories of expenses (including employee compensation, depreciation, and amortization) included in certain expense captions presented on the face of the income statement. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. This ASU may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.
3. Reverse Recapitalization and Pre-Closing Financing
As described within the Reverse Recapitalization and Pre-Closing Financing section in Note 1, on August 29, 2024, the reverse recapitalization between Pre-Merger Oruka and ARCA was consummated. The Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. At the effective time of the Merger, substantially all of the assets of ARCA consisted of cash and cash equivalents and other nominal non-operating assets and liabilities. No goodwill or intangible assets were recognized.
As part of the recapitalization, the Company acquired the assets and liabilities listed below (in thousands):
August 29,
Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,940
Other current assets
Accrued liabilities (54 )
Net assets acquired $ 5,000
4. Fair Value Measurements
The following tables present the Company’s fair value hierarchy for financial assets measured as of December 31, 2024 (in thousands):
December 31, 2024
Level Level Level Total
Cash equivalents
Money market funds $ 6,350 $ - $ - $ 6,350
U.S. treasury securities - 19,660 - 19,660
U.S. government agency securities - 3,988 - 3,988
Commercial papers - 22,177 - 22,177
Total cash equivalents 6,350 45,825 - 52,175
Marketable securities
Marketable securities, current
U.S. treasury securities - 190,792 - 190,792
U.S. government agency securities - 12,966 - 12,966
Commercial papers - 34,811 - 34,811
Corporate debt securities - 75,504 - 75,504
Total marketable securities, current - 314,073 - 314,073
Marketable securities, long-term
U.S. treasury securities - 13,607 - 13,607
U.S. government agency securities - 4,462 - 4,462
Total marketable securities, long-term - 18,069 - 18,069
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities $ 6,350 $ 377,967 $ - $ 384,317
There were no transfers in or out of Level 3 during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024.
5. Cash equivalents and marketable Securities
Cash equivalents and marketable securities, which are classified as available-for-sale, consisted of the following as of December 31, 2024 (in thousands):
December 31, 2024
Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value
Cash equivalents
Money market funds $ 6,350 $ - $ - $ 6,350
U.S. treasury securities 19,656 - 19,660
U.S. government agency securities 3,988 - - 3,988
Commercial papers 22,180 - (3 ) 22,177
Total cash equivalents 52,174 (3 ) 52,175
Marketable securities
Marketable securities, current
U.S. treasury securities 190,748 (11 ) 190,792
U.S. government agency securities 12,967 (2 ) 12,966
Commercial papers 34,808 - 34,811
Corporate debt securities 75,537 (40 ) 75,504
Total marketable securities, current 314,060 (53 ) 314,073
Marketable securities, long-term
U.S. treasury securities 13,639 - (32 ) 13,607
U.S. government agency securities 4,485 - (23 ) 4,462
Total marketable securities, long-term 18,124 - (55 ) 18,069
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities $ 384,358 $ 70 $ (111 ) $ 384,317
The following table summarizes the available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position, aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position, for which an allowance for credit losses was not recorded as of December 31, 2024, (in thousands):
December 31, 2024
Less than 12 months
months or longer
Total
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Cash equivalents
Commercial papers
$ 18,199
$ (3 )
$ -
$ -
$ 18,199
$ (3 )
Marketable securities
Marketable securities, current
U.S. treasury securities
49,904
(11 )
-
-
49,904
(11 )
U.S. government agency securities
4,713
(2 )
-
-
4,713
(2 )
Corporate debt securities
39,468
(40 )
-
-
39,468
(40 )
Marketable securities, long-term
-
-
U.S. treasury securities
13,607
(32 )
-
-
13,607
(32 )
U.S. government agency securities
4,462
(23 )
-
-
4,462
(23 )
Total
$ 130,353
$ (111 )
$ -
$ -
$ 130,353
$ (111 )
The Company evaluated its securities for credit losses and considered the decline in market value to be primarily attributable to current economic and market conditions and not to a credit loss or other factors. Additionally, the Company does not intend to sell the securities in an unrealized loss position and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the securities before recovery of the unamortized cost basis, which may be at maturity. There were no material realized gains or realized losses on marketable securities for the period presented. Given the Company’s intent and ability to hold such securities until recovery, and the lack of significant change in credit risk of these investments, the Company does not consider these marketable securities to be impaired as of December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, the Company did not record an allowance for credit losses.
The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of the Company’s marketable securities at estimated fair value (in thousands):
December 31,
Due in one year or less $ 314,073
Due in 1-2 years 18,069
Total $ 332,142
6. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
Accrued employee compensation and benefits $ 2,041
Accrued professional and consulting
Accrued research and development 1,084
Total $ 3,346
7. Note Payable with Related Party
In March 2024, Pre-Merger Oruka entered into a Series A Preferred Stock and Convertible Note Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Fairmount Healthcare Fund II, L.P. (“Fairmount”), whereby Pre-Merger Oruka issued a convertible note (the “Convertible Note”), with an initial principal amount of $25.0 million that, at the time of issuance, could be converted into Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock (or a series of preferred shares that is identical in respect to the shares of preferred shares issued in its next equity financing) or shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock in exchange for aggregate proceeds of $25.0 million. The Convertible Note accrued interest at a rate of 12.0% per annum. At issuance, the Convertible Note required all unpaid interest and principal to mature on December 31, 2025 (the “Maturity Date”) and prepayment was not permitted without prior written consent of Fairmount.
The Company assessed all terms and features of the Convertible Note in order to identify any potential embedded features that would require bifurcation. As part of this analysis, the Company assessed the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded features. The Company determined that the share settled redemption feature was clearly and closely related to the debt host and did not require separate accounting. The Company determined that the conversion options of the Convertible Note were not clearly and closely associated with a debt host. However, these features did not meet the definition of a derivative under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and as a result, did not require separate accounting as a derivative liability.
The Company paid debt issuance costs of less than $0.1 million in relation to the Convertible Note. The debt issuance costs were reflected as a reduction of the carrying value of Convertible Note on the consolidated balance sheet and were being amortized as interest expense over the term of the Convertible Note using the effective interest method. For the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, the Company recognized interest expenses related to the Convertible Note of $1.5 million, which includes non-cash interest expense related to the amortization of debt issuance.
Immediately prior to the completion of the Merger (see Note 1), the Convertible Note was converted into shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock based on the aggregate principal amount of $25.0 million, plus unpaid accrued interest of $1.5 million divided by the conversion price which was determined based upon the Company’s fully-diluted capitalization immediately prior to the Merger. At the effective time of the Merger, the Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock issued upon the conversion of the Convertible Note (including accrued interest) automatically converted into 2,722,207 shares of Company Common Stock. As of December 31, 2024, the Convertible Note is not outstanding.
8. Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Equity
Pre-Funded Warrants
In August 2024, pursuant to the Subscription Agreement and immediately prior to the Closing, certain new and current investors purchased pre-funded warrants, which, at the effective time of the Merger, were exercisable for 5,522,207 shares of Company Common Stock at a purchase price of approximately $9.70 per warrant. After the Merger, there are 5,522,207 pre-funded warrants outstanding and are exercisable for 5,522,207 shares of the Company Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share.
In September 2024, in connection with the PIPE Financing, the Company issued and sold 680,000 pre-funded warrants, at a purchase price of $22.999 per warrant, exercisable for 680,000 shares of Company Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.001 per share.
The pre-funded warrants were recorded as a component of stockholders’ equity within additional paid-in-capital and have no expiration date. As of December 31, 2024, none of the pre-funded warrants have been exercised and 6,202,207 pre-funded warrants remain outstanding.
Employee Warrants
In July 2024, Pre-Merger Oruka entered into a Subscription Agreement that provided for, among other things, the issuance of warrants to certain of Pre-Merger Oruka’s employees and directors immediately prior to the closing of the Merger. During the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, 3,054,358 employee warrants were issued at an exercise price of $7.80 per warrant. These warrants vest over a period of four years. Per the terms of the Employee Warrant Agreement, the holders of the Company’s warrants shall not have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company in respect of any shares purchasable upon the exercise of the warrant or any portion thereof unless and until a certificate or certificates representing such shares have been issued or a book entry representing such shares has been made and such shares have been deposited with the appropriate registered book-entry custodian. The Company recognizes compensation cost related to warrants on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the period in which the related services are received. As of December 31, 2024, none of the warrants have been exercised and 3,054,358 warrants remain outstanding.
Convertible Preferred Stock
In March 2024, Pre-Merger Oruka issued and sold an aggregate of 20,000,000 shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock to Fairmount (see Note 15), at a purchase price of approximately $0.15 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $3.0 million. Pre-Merger Oruka incurred less than $0.1 million of issuance costs in connection with this transaction. Upon the issuance of the Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock, the Company assessed the embedded conversion and liquidation features of the securities as described below and determined that such features did not require the Company to separately account for these features.
In August 2024, upon the closing of the Merger, the Company converted the Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock to 137,138 shares of Company Series B Preferred Stock.
In September 2024, in connection with the PIPE Financing, the Company issued and sold an aggregate of 2,439 shares of the Company Series A Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $23,000.00 per share. In November 2024, the 2,439 shares of the Company Series A Preferred Stock were converted to 2,439,000 shares of Company Common Stock. As of December 31, 2024, there are no outstanding shares of Company Series A Preferred Stock.
As of December 31, 2024, convertible preferred stock consisted of the following (in thousands, except share data):
December 31, 2024
Preferred
Stock
Authorized
Preferred
Stock Issued
and
Outstanding Carrying
Value Common Stock
Issuable
Upon
Conversion
Series B convertible preferred stock 251,504 137,138 2,931 11,428,149
Pursuant to the Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Certificate of Designation”) filed in connection with the PIPE Financing, holders of Company Series A Preferred Stock were entitled to receive dividends on shares of Company Series A Preferred Stock equal to, on an as-if-converted-to-Company Common Stock basis, and in the same form as, dividends actually paid on shares of Company Common Stock. Except as provided in the Series A Certificate of Designation or as otherwise required by law, the Company Series A Preferred Stock did not have voting rights. The Company Series A Preferred Stock shall rank on parity with the Company Common Stock and Company Series B Preferred Stock upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company. Subject to the terms and limitations contained in the Series A Certificate of Designation, the Company Series A Preferred Stock issued in the PIPE Financing will not become convertible until the Company’s stockholders approve the conversion of the Company Series A Preferred Stock into shares of Company Common Stock in accordance with the listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market (the “Stockholder Approval”), which, on issuance, resulted in the Company Series A Preferred Stock being classified outside of stockholders’ equity on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Following the Stockholder Approval in November 2024, each share of Company Series A Preferred Stock was automatically converted into 1,000 shares of Company Common Stock.
Pursuant to the Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Certificate of Designation”) filed in connection with the Merger, holders of Company Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive dividends on shares of Company Series B Preferred Stock equal to, on an as-if-converted-to-Company Common Stock basis, and in the same form as, dividends actually paid on shares of Company Common Stock. Except as provided in the Series B Certificate of Designation or as otherwise required by law, the Company Series B Preferred Stock does not have voting rights. The Company Series B Preferred Stock shall rank on parity with the Company Common Stock as to the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of the Company. Each share of Company Series B Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holder, at any time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder. As of December 31, 2024, each outstanding share of Company Series B Preferred Stock was convertible into common stock at a ratio of approximately 83.3332:1.
Paruka Warrant
On December 31, 2024, the Company settled its 2024 obligations under the Paruka Warrant Obligation (defined below) by issuing Paruka a warrant to purchase 596,930 shares of Company Common Stock at an exercise price of $19.39 per share. The warrant has a term of 10 years, is fully vested, and is exercisable in part or full at any time during the term of the warrant. As of December 31, 2024, the warrant issued under the Paruka Warrant Obligation is outstanding and unexercised. See Note 9 for additional information on the Paruka Warrant Obligation.
Common Stock
As of December 31, 2024, the Certificate of Incorporation provides for 545,000,000 authorized shares of Company Common Stock. As of December 31, 2024, 37,440,510 shares of Company Common Stock were issued and outstanding, including 2,207,553 shares of RSAs issued and outstanding.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had common stock reserved for future issuance as follows:
December 31,
Shares issuable on conversion of Company Series B Preferred Stock 11,428,149
Shares issuable upon exercise of pre-funded warrants 6,202,207
Shares issuable upon exercise of warrant under the Paruka Warrant Obligation 596,930
Outstanding and issued stock options 1,567,760
Outstanding and issued employee warrants 3,054,358
Shares available for grant under 2024 Stock Incentive Plan 4,246,324
Shares available for grant under 2024 Employee Stock Purchase Plan 460,529
Total shares of common stock reserved 27,556,257
9. Stock-Based Compensation
Equity Incentive Plan
The 2024 Equity Incentive Plan (“2024 Plan”) was adopted by the board of directors of Pre-Merger Oruka on February 6, 2024. The 2024 Plan provided for Pre-Merger Oruka to grant stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and other stock-based awards to employees, officers, directors, consultants, and advisors. Equity Incentive Stock options granted under the 2024 Plan generally vest over four years, subject to the participant’s continued service, and expire after ten years, although two non-employee stock options were granted with vesting terms less than four years. As of December 31, 2024, there are no shares of common stock available for issuance.
Stock Incentive Plan
On August 22, 2024, the 2024 Stock Incentive Plan (“2024 Stock Plan”) was approved by the Company’s stockholders and on August 29, 2024, the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) ratified the 2024 Stock Plan. The 2024 Stock Plan allows for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, other stockholder-based awards and incentive bonuses. The 2024 Stock Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) or another committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan. The initial share pool under the 2024 Stock Plan is 4,634,891 shares of Company Common Stock. During the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, 388,567 shares were subject to outstanding stock options, and as of December 31, 2024, there were 4,246,324 shares available in the pool. The shares that may be issued under the 2024 Stock Plan will be automatically increased on January 1 of each year beginning in 2025 and ending with a final increase on January 1, 2034 in an amount equal to 5% of the diluted stock (including Company Common Stock, preferred stock and unexercised pre-funded warrants) on the preceding December 31, unless a lower, or no, increase is determined by the Compensation Committee. Current or prospective employees, officers, non-employee directors, and other independent service providers of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the 2024 Stock Plan.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The 2024 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) became effective on August 29, 2024, at which time 463,489 shares of Company Common Stock were reserved for issuance. Eligible employees may purchase shares of Company Common Stock under the ESPP at 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the Company Common Stock as of the first or the last day of each offering period. Employees are limited to contributing 15% of the employee’s eligible compensation and may not purchase more than $25,000 of stock during any calendar year. The ESPP will terminate ten years from the first purchase date under the plan, unless terminated earlier by the board of directors.
The shares that may be issued under the ESPP will be automatically increased on January 1 of each year beginning in 2025 and ending with a final increase on January 1, 2034 in an amount equal to 1% of the diluted stock (including Company Common Stock, preferred stock and unexercised pre-funded warrants) on the preceding December 31, unless a lower, or no increase is determined by the Compensation Committee. During the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, 2,960 shares of Company Common Stock were issued out of the ESPP and as of December 31, 2024, there were 460,529 shares of Company Common Stock available in the pool.
For the period February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, stock-based compensation expense related to the ESPP was less than $0.1 million.
Stock Option Valuation
The following table summarizes the weighted-average assumptions used in calculating the fair value of the awards for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024:
Period from
February 6,
(Inception) to
December 31,
Expected term (in years) 6.1
Expected volatility 100.21 %
Risk-free interest rate 4.26 %
Expected dividend yield -
Stock Options
The following table summarizes the stock option activities under the 2024 Plan and 2024 Stock Plan for the period of February 6, 2024 (inception) through December 31, 2024:
Number of
Stock
Options
Outstanding Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price Per
Share Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in Years) Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in Thousands)
Balance as of February 6, 2024 (inception) - $ - - $ -
Granted 1,567,760 $ 11.39
Exercised - $ -
Forfeited - $ -
Balance as of December 31, 2024 1,567,760 $ 11.39 9.4 $ 15,470
Vested and expected to vest, December 31, 2024 1,567,760 $ 11.39 9.4 $ 15,470
Exercisable, December 31, 2024 - $ - - $ -
The weighted average grant-date fair value per share of stock options granted during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024 was $9.12 per share. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the estimated fair value of the underlying Company Common Stock and the exercise price of outstanding, in-the-money employee stock options.
Restricted Stock Awards
In February 2024 and March 2024, the Company issued 2,207,553 shares of RSAs to certain employees, directors, and consultants at a price of $0.0001 per share, the then par value of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock. Such RSAs have service-based vesting conditions only and vest over a four-year period, during which time all unvested shares are subject to forfeiture in the event the holder’s service with the Company voluntarily or involuntarily terminates. As of December 31, 2024, none of the RSAs had vested. For the period February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, stock-based compensation expense related to RSAs was less than $0.1 million.
The following table summarizes the RSA activity for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) through December 31, 2024:
Number of
RSAs Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Unvested balance as of February 6, 2024 (inception) - $ -
Granted 2,207,553 $ -
Unvested balance as of December 31, 2024 2,207,553 $ -
Option Agreements and the Paruka Warrant Obligation
As part of the Option Agreements, on December 31, 2024 the Company granted and on December 31, 2025, will grant Paruka a warrant to purchase a number of shares equal to 1.00% of outstanding shares as of the date of the grant on a fully-diluted basis, with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying shares on the grant date (the “Paruka Warrant Obligation”).
The grant dates for the issuance of warrants were expected to be December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025 as all terms of the award, including number of shares and exercise price, will be known by all parties. The Company determined that the 2024 and 2025 grants are two separate grants, as there would be no obligation for the 2025 grant had the Company exercised or terminated all of the options under the Option Agreements prior to December 31, 2024. The service inception period for the grant precedes the grant date, with the full award being vested as of the grant date with no post-grant date service requirement. Accordingly, the warrant expected to be granted to Paruka was accounted for as a liability on the balance sheet on the service inception date and, after the initial recognition, the liability is adjusted to fair value at the end of each reporting period, with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss as stock-based compensation expenses under research and development expenses. Accordingly, the Company measured the grant date fair value of the warrant granted on December 31, 2024 at $10.4 million. For the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, $10.4 million was recognized as stock-based compensation expense related to the Paruka Warrant Obligation in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. As of December 31, 2024, there was no unamortized expense related to the December 31, 2024 Paruka Warrant Obligation. On issuance of the warrant to Paruka, the fair value of the warrant was reclassified from liability to equity on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024.
Employee Warrants
As stated above, on July 3, 2024, the Subscription Agreement was amended and restated, among other things, for employee warrants to be issued to certain Pre-Merger Oruka employees and directors immediately prior to the closing of the Merger. Pursuant to this amendment, during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, the Company issued 3,054,358 warrants at an exercise price of $7.80 per warrant, which are accounted as equity in the consolidated financial statements. The employee warrants were subject to performance and service based vesting requirements and upon completion of the Merger the performance-based requirements had been achieved.
The following table summarizes the warrant activity for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) through December 31, 2024:
Number of
Employee
Warrants
Outstanding Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price Per
Share Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in Years) Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in Thousands)
Balance as of February 6, 2024 (inception) - $ - - $ -
Granted 3,054,358 $ 7.80
Exercised - $ -
Forfeited - $ -
Balance as of December 31, 2024 3,054,358 $ 7.80 9.5 $ 35,400
Vested and expected to vest, December 31, 2024 3,054,358 $ 7.80 9.5 $ 35,400
Exercisable, December 31, 2024 - $ - - $ -
The weighted average grant-date fair value per share of warrants granted during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024 was $6.27 per share. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the estimated fair value of the underlying Company Common Stock and the exercise price of outstanding, in-the-money warrants.
The following table summarizes the weighted-average assumptions used in calculating the fair value of the warrants for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024:
Period from
February 6,
(Inception) to
December 31,
Expected term (in years) 6.1
Expected volatility 99.02 %
Risk-free interest rate 4.15 %
Expected dividend yield -
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
The following table summarizes the classification of the Company’s stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss (in thousands):
Period from
February 6,
(Inception) to
December 31,
Research and development $ 11,992
General and administrative 2,927
Total $ 14,919
As of December 31, 2024, total unrecognized compensation cost related to the unvested stock options was $12.7 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3.2 years. As of December 31, 2024, total unrecognized compensation cost related to the unvested RSAs was less than $0.1 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.1 years. As of December 31, 2024, the unrecognized compensation cost related to the employee warrants was $16.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.3 years.
The following table summarizes the award types of the Company’s stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss (in thousands):
Period from
February 6,
(Inception) to
December 31,
Paruka Warrant Obligation $ 10,357
Employee warrants 2,899
Stock options 1,626
Employee stock purchase plan
Total $ 14,919
10. Segment disclosures
The Company operates and manages its business activities on a consolidated basis and operates in one reportable segment.
The Company operates as a single reportable and operating segment. Its Chief Executive Officer, serving as the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), oversees operations on an aggregated basis to allocate resources effectively. In assessing the Company’s financial performance, the CODM regularly reviews total operating expenses and consolidated net loss.
The measure of segment assets is reported on the balance sheet as total consolidated assets. The Company’s long-lived assets consist primarily of property and equipment, net. As of December 31, 2024 all of long-lived assets were in the U.S.
The table below is a summary of the segment loss from operations, including significant segment expenses (in thousands):
Period from
February 6,
(Inception) to December 31,
Research and development personnel-related (excluding stock-based compensation) $ 3,959
General and administrative personnel-related (excluding stock-based compensation) 5,054
Research and development stock-based compensation 11,992
General and administrative stock-based compensation 2,927
External research and development 57,680
Other research and development 1,429
General and administrative, excluding personnel-related and stock-based compensation 5,082
Total operating expenses 88,123
Loss from operations $ (88,123 )
11. Income Taxes
No provision for income taxes was recorded for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024.
The following table summarizes the loss before income tax expense by jurisdiction for the periods indicated:
Period from
February 6,
(Inception) to
December 31,
Domestic $ (83,724 )
Foreign -
Loss before income tax expense $ (83,724 )
For the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, the Company recognized no provision or benefit from income taxes. The difference between the Company’s provision for income taxes and the amounts computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes is as follows:
Period from
February 6,
(Inception) to
December 31,
Tax benefit derived by applying the federal statutory rate to income before income taxes (21.00 )%
Permanent differences (0.18 )
Research and development credits (3.41 )
Other (0.87 )
Change in the valuation allowance 25.46
Income tax (benefit) expense 0.00 %
The components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
Deferred tax assets
Net operating loss carryforwards $ 2,260
Research and development credits 3,080
Stock-based compensation 3,063
Accruals and other
Lease liability
Intangibles 1,477
Capitalized R&D expenses 10,994
Total deferred tax assets 21,501
Deferred tax liabilities
Right- of- use asset (184 )
Total deferred tax liabilities (184 )
Less valuation allowance (21,317 )
Deferred tax assets, net $ -
The Company has established a full federal and state valuation allowance equal to the net deferred tax assets due to uncertainties regarding the realization of the deferred tax asset based on the Company’s lack of earnings history. The valuation allowance increased by $21.3 million primarily due to continuing loss from operations.
December 31,
Beginning balance as of February 6, 2024 $ -
Change in valuation allowance 21,317
Ending balance as of December 31, 2024 $ 21,317
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had U.S. net operating loss carryforwards (“NOL”) of $10.8 million. The federal NOL carryforwards do not expire and can be utilized to offset up to 80% of the taxable income in any tax year. For the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024 the Company had federal tax credit carryforwards and state tax credit carryforwards of $3.8 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The federal credits will expire starting in 2044 if not utilized, and the state research credit can be carried forward indefinitely.
The Tax Reform Act of 1986 limits the use of net operating loss carryforwards in certain situations where changes occur in the stock ownership of a company. The annual limitation may result in the expiration of net operating losses and credits before utilization. The Company has not performed a Section 382 analysis through December 31, 2024. To the extent that an assessment is completed in the future, the Company’s ability to utilize tax attributes could be restricted on a year-by-year basis and certain attributes could expire before they are utilized. The Company will examine the impact of any potential ownership changes in the future.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
Period from
February 6,
(Inception) to
December 31,
Beginning balance as of February 6, 2024 $ -
Changes related to tax positions taken in the current year 1,047
Ending balance as of December 31, 2024 $ 1,047
The Company includes penalties and interest expense related to income taxes as a component of income tax expense, as necessary. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
The Company will be filing initial year income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and state jurisdictions. Due to net operating loss carryforwards, the statute of limitations will remain open for income tax examination.
12. Option Agreements and License Agreements
In March 2024, the Company entered into two antibody discovery and option agreements (“Option Agreements”) with Paragon and Paruka. Under the terms of each agreement, Paragon identifies, evaluates, and develops antibodies directed against certain mutually agreed therapeutic targets of interest to the Company. From time to time, the Company can choose to add additional targets to the collaboration upon agreement with Paragon and Paruka. Under the Option Agreements, the Company has the exclusive option to, on a research program-by-research program basis, be granted an exclusive, worldwide license to all of Paragon’s right, title, and interest in and to the intellectual property resulting from the applicable research program to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the antibodies and products directed to the selected target(s) (each, an “Option”). The Company has initiated certain research programs with Paragon that generally focus on discovering, generating, identifying and/or characterizing antibodies directed to a particular target (each, a “Research Program”), including for IL-23 and IL-17A/F for ORKA-001 and ORKA-002, respectively. The exclusive option with respect to each Research Program is exercisable at the Company’s sole discretion at such time as specified in the Option Agreements (the “Option Period”). There is no payment due upon exercise of an Option pursuant to the Option Agreements. For each of these agreements, once the Company enters into the corresponding license agreements, it will be required to make non-refundable milestone payments to Paragon of up to $12.0 million under each respective agreement upon the achievement of certain clinical development milestones, up to $10.0 million under each respective agreement upon the achievement of certain regulatory milestones, as well as a low single-digit percentage royalty for antibody products beginning on the first commercial sale in each program.
The Company may terminate any Option Agreement or any Research Program at any time for any or no reason upon 30 days’ prior written notice to Paragon, provided that it must pay certain unpaid fees due to Paragon upon such termination, as well as any non-cancellable obligations reasonably incurred by Paragon in connection with its activities under any terminated Research Program. Paragon may terminate any Option Agreement or a Research Program immediately upon written notice to the Company if, as a result of any action or failure to act by the Company or its affiliates, such Research Program or all material activities under the applicable Research Plan are suspended, discontinued or otherwise delayed for a certain consecutive number of months. Each party has the right to terminate the Option Agreements or any Research Program upon material breach that remains uncured or the other party’s bankruptcy.
Paragon Therapeutics - License Agreements
In September 2024, the Company exercised the Option to acquire certain rights to ORKA-001, and in December 2024, it entered into the corresponding license agreement with Paragon (the “ORKA-001 License Agreement”), pursuant to which Paragon granted the Company a royalty-bearing, world-wide, exclusive license to develop, manufacture, commercialize or otherwise exploit certain antibodies and products targeting IL-23 in all fields other than the field of inflammatory bowel disease (“ORKA-001 Field”). In December 2024, the Company exercised the Option with respect to ORKA-002 for the IL-17A/F program, and in February 2025, it entered into the corresponding license agreement with Paragon (the “ORKA-002 License Agreement” and together with the ORKA-001 License Agreement, the “License Agreements”), pursuant to which Paragon granted the Company a royalty-bearing, world-wide, exclusive license to develop, manufacture, commercialize or otherwise exploit certain antibodies and products targeting IL-17A/F in all fields (“ORKA-002 Field” and together with the ORKA-001 Field, the “Fields”).
The License Agreements provide the Company with exclusive licenses in the Fields to Paragon’s patent applications covering the related antibodies, their method of use and their method of manufacture and Paragon has agreed not to conduct any new campaigns that generate anti-IL-23 monospecific antibodies or anti-IL-17A/F monospecific antibodies for the ORKA-001 Field or the ORKA-002 Field, respectively, for at least five years. Each of the ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 License Agreements may be terminated on 60 days’ notice to Paragon, on material breach without cure, and on a party’s insolvency or bankruptcy to the extent permitted by law.
Pursuant to the terms of each of the ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 License Agreements, the Company is obligated to pay Paragon non-refundable milestone payments of up to $12.0 million under each respective agreement upon the achievement of certain clinical development milestones and up to $10.0 million under each respective agreement upon the achievement of certain regulatory milestones, including a $1.5 million fee for nomination of a development candidate (or initiation of an IND-enabling toxicology study) and a further milestone payment of $2.5 million upon the first dosing of a human patient in a Phase 1 trial for each of ORKA-001 and ORKA-002. In addition, the Company is obligated to pay Paragon a low single-digit percentage royalty for antibody products for each of ORKA-001 and ORKA-002. For each of the License Agreements, the royalty term ends on the later of (i) the last-to-expire licensed patent or our patent directed to the manufacture, use or sale of a licensed antibody in the country at issue or (ii) 12 years from the date of first sale of a Company product. There is also a royalty step-down if there is no Paragon patent in effect during the royalty term for each program.
Additionally, as part of the Option Agreements, on December 31, 2024 the Company granted and on December 31, 2025, will grant Paruka a warrant to purchase a number of shares equal to 1.00% of outstanding shares as of the date of the grant on a fully-diluted basis, with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying shares on the grant date.
Pursuant to the Option Agreements, on a research program-by-research program basis following the finalization of the research plan for each respective research program, the Company was required to pay Paragon a one-time, nonrefundable research initiation fee of $0.8 million related to the ORKA-001 program. This amount was recognized as a research and development expense during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024. In June 2024, pursuant to the Option Agreements with Paragon, the Company completed the selection process of its development candidate for IL-23 antibody for ORKA-001 program. The Company was responsible for 50% of the development costs incurred through the completion of the IL-23 selection process. The Company received the rights to at least one selected IL-23 antibody in June 2024. During the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, the Company exercised its option for ORKA-001 and recorded a $1.5 million milestone payment related to the achievement of development candidate as research and development expense in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. In addition, during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, the Company recorded a $2.5 million milestone payment related to the first dosing of a human subject in a Phase 1 trial of ORKA-001 in December 2024 as research and development expense in its consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company’s share of development costs incurred for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024 was $13.5 million (excluding research initiation fee and milestones), which were recorded as research and development expenses. An amount of $2.8 million related to ORKA-001 is included in related party accounts payable and other current liabilities as of December 31, 2024.
The Company was also required to reimburse Paragon $3.3 million for development costs related to ORKA-002 incurred by Paragon through December 31, 2023 and certain other development costs incurred by Paragon between January 1, 2024 and March 6, 2024 as stipulated by the Option Agreements. This amount was recognized as a research and development expense during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024. The Company is also responsible for the development costs incurred by Paragon from January 1, 2024 through the completion of the IL-17 selection process. The Company recognized an amount of $0.8 million payable to Paragon for the research initiation fee related to ORKA-002 following the finalization of the ORKA-002 research plan. This was recognized as research and development expenses in the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024. During the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, the Company exercised its option for ORKA-002 and recorded a $1.5 million milestone payment related to the achievement of development candidate as research and development expense in its consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company accounted for development costs of $7.8 million (excluding research initiation fee, milestone, and reimbursements of development costs through December 31, 2023) for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024 as research and development expenses. An amount of $2.7 million related to ORKA-002 is included in related party accounts payable and other current liabilities as of December 31, 2024.
The Company expenses the service fees as the associated costs are incurred when the underlying services are rendered. Such amounts are classified within research and development expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
The Company concluded that the rights obtained under the Option Agreements represent an asset acquisition whereby the underlying assets comprise in-process research and development assets with no alternative future use. The Option Agreements did not qualify as a business combination because substantially all of the fair value of the assets acquired was concentrated in the exclusive license options, which represent a group of similar identifiable assets. The research initiation fee represents a one-time cost on a research program-by-research program basis for accessing research services or resources with benefits that are expected to be consumed in the near term, therefore the amounts paid are expensed as part of research and development costs immediately. Amounts paid as reimbursements of ongoing development cost, monthly development cost fee and additional development expenses incurred by Paragon due to work completed for selected targets prior to the effective date of the Option Agreements that is associated with services being rendered under the related Research Programs are recognized as research and development expense when incurred.
For the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, the Company recognized $42.0 million of expenses in connection with services provided by Paragon and Paruka under the Option Agreements.
13. Commitment and Contingencies
Leases
In April 2024, the Company entered into an operating lease agreement for the Company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California, which commenced on June 15, 2024 with an initial term of 39.5 months. The Company leases office space under this noncancelable operating lease agreement. Lease liabilities are based on the net present value of the remaining lease payments over the remaining lease term. In determining the present value of lease payments, the Company used its incremental borrowing rate when measuring operating lease liabilities as discount rates were not implicit or readily determinable.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $0.9 million of operating lease right-of-use assets, operating lease liability, current of $0.2 million, and operating lease liability, noncurrent of $0.8 million on its consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2024, the operating lease arrangement had a remaining lease term of 33 months and a discount rate of 17.95%. For the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, the Company recorded operating and variable lease expense of $0.3 million in general and administrative expenses in its consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
The following table presents the Company’s supplemental cash flow information related to leases (in thousands):
Period from
February 6,
(Inception) to
December 31,
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities $ 116
The following table summarizes a maturity analysis of the Company’s operating lease liabilities showing the aggregate lease payments as of December 31, 2024 (in thousands):
Year ending December 31,
Amount
$
Total undiscounted lease payments
1,243
Less: imputed interest
(275 )
Total discounted lease payments
Less: current portion of lease liability
(213 )
Non-current portion of lease liability
$
Cell Line License Agreement
In March 2024, the Company entered into the Cell Line License Agreement (the “Cell Line License Agreement”) with WuXi Biologics Ireland Limited (“WuXi Biologics”). Under the Cell Line License Agreement, the Company received a non-exclusive, worldwide, sublicensable license to certain of WuXi Biologics’ know-how, cell line, biological materials (the “WuXi Biologics Licensed Technology”) and media and feeds to make, have made, use, sell and import certain therapeutic products produced through the use of the cell line licensed by WuXi Biologics under the Cell Line License Agreement (the “WuXi Biologics Licensed Products”). Specifically, the WuXi Biologics Licensed Technology is used in certain manufacturing activities in support of the ORKA-001 and ORKA-002 programs.
In consideration for the license, the Company agreed to pay WuXi Biologics a non-refundable license fee of $150,000, which was recognized as a research and development expense during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024. Additionally, to the extent that the Company manufactures its commercial supplies of bulk drug product with a manufacturer other than WuXi Biologics or its affiliates, the Company is required to make royalty payments to WuXi Biologics at a rate of less than one percent of net sales of WuXi Biologics Licensed Products manufactured by the third-party manufacturer. Pursuant to an amendment to the Cell Line License Agreement effective in November 2024, a provision was added that permits the royalties owed under the agreement to be bought out on a product-by-product basis for a lump-sum payment.
The Cell Line License Agreement will continue indefinitely unless terminated (i) by the Company upon six months’ prior written notice and its payment of all undisputed amounts due to WuXi Biologics through the effective date of termination, (ii) by WuXi Biologics for a material breach by the Company that remains uncured for 60 days after written notice, (iii) by WuXi Biologics if the Company fails to make a payment and such failure continues for 30 days after receiving notice of such failure, or (iv) by either party upon the other party’s bankruptcy.
14. Net Loss per Share
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to stockholders were calculated as follows (in thousands, except share and per share data):
Period from February 6, 2024
(Inception) to
December 31, 2024
Loss
Allocation Weighted
Average
Shares
Outstanding Loss Per
Share,
Basic and
Diluted
Common Stock $ (65,037 ) 16,789,362 $ (3.87 )
Company Series A Preferred Stock (1) (1,918 ) $ (3,873.25 )
Company Series B Preferred Stock (2) (16,769 ) 51,946 $ (322.81 )
Net loss $ (83,724 )
(1) The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted Company Series A Preferred Stock used in the loss allocation was 495,191 for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024.
(2) The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted Company Series B Preferred Stock used in the loss allocation was 4,328,844 for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024.
For the computation of basic net loss per share attributable to stockholders, the amount of weighted-average shares outstanding excludes all shares of unvested restricted common stock as such shares are not considered outstanding for accounting purposes until vested. The amount of weighted-average shares outstanding includes the pre-funded warrants as the exercise price is negligible and these warrants are fully vested and exercisable.
The potential shares of common stock that were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share attributable to stockholders for the periods presented because including them would have had an anti-dilutive effect were as follows:
December 31,
Outstanding employee warrants to purchase common stock 3,054,358
Outstanding unvested restricted stock awards 2,207,553
Outstanding and issued common stock options 1,567,760
Outstanding and issued warrant to Paruka 596,930
Total 7,426,601
15. Related Party Transactions
Paragon and Paruka each beneficially own less than 5% of the Company’s capital stock through their respective holdings of Company Common Stock.
Fairmount beneficially owns more than 5% of the Company’s capital, currently has one representative appointed to the Board, and beneficially owns more than 5% of Paragon. Fairmount appointed Paragon’s board of directors and has the contractual right to approve the appointment of any executive officers of Paragon.
The following is a summary of related party accounts payable and other current liabilities (in thousands):
December 31,
Paragon reimbursable Option Agreements’ fees $ 1,482
Paragon milestone payments for Option Agreement 4,000
Paragon reimbursable other research expenses
Paragon reimbursable patent expenses
Total $ 6,022
16. Subsequent Events
In February 2025, the Company entered into a lease agreement for an office space located in Waltham, Massachusetts. The lease is for an initial period of 54 months. The Company expects to pay approximately $1.6 million over the lease term.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and our Principal Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2024. Based on the foregoing evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2024. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and our management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
● pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of our assets;
● provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
● provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in its 2013 Internal Control - Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment, our management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2024, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. For as long as we remain a “smaller reporting company” as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and report less than $100 million of annual revenues in our most recent fiscal year, we intend to take advantage of the exemption permitting us not to comply with the requirement that our independent registered public accounting firm provide an attestation on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, no director or Section 16 officer (as defined in Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) adopted or terminated any Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements (in each case, as defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K).

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Executive Officers and Directors
The following table sets forth the names, ages as of March 6, 2025, and positions of the individuals who currently serve as executive officers and directors of the Company.
Name
Age
Position
Executive Officers and Employee Director
Lawrence Klein, Ph.D.
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Arjun Agarwal
Senior Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
Joana Goncalves, MBChB
Chief Medical Officer
Paul Quinlan
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Non-Employee Directors
Samarth Kulkarni, Ph.D.(2)(3)
Chair and Director
Kristine Ball(1)(3)
Director
Carl Dambkowski, M.D.(1)
Director
Peter Harwin(2)(3)
Director
Cameron Turtle, D.Phil.(1)(2)
Director
(1) Member of the Audit Committee.
(2) Member of the Compensation Committee.
(3) Member of the Nominating and Governance Committee (the “Governance Committee”).
Our business affairs are managed under the direction of our Board, which currently consists of six members. Our Board is divided into three classes, with members of each class holding office for staggered three-year terms. There are currently two Class I directors, who are up for election at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders for a term expiring at the 2028 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; two Class II directors, whose terms expire at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and two Class III directors, whose terms expire at the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Each executive officer serves at the discretion of the of the Board and holds office until their successor is duly appointed and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal.
Biographical and other information regarding our executive officers and directors is set forth below. There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.
Executive Officers and Employee Director
Lawrence Klein, Ph.D. Dr. Klein has served as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the board of directors of the Company since the Merger Closing and of Pre-Merger Oruka from February 2024 through the Merger Closing. Prior to joining Pre-Merger Oruka, Dr. Klein was a Partner at Versant Venture Management, LLC, a healthcare and biotechnology venture capital firm, from January 2023 to February 2024, where he invested in and helped to grow early-stage biotechnology companies. Prior to Versant, Dr. Klein served in various positions at CRISPR Therapeutics AG (Nasdaq: CRSP), a biopharmaceutical company, including Chief Operating Officer from January 2020 to October 2022, Chief Business Officer from January 2019 to January 2020, Senior Vice President, Business Development and Strategy from November 2017 to December 2018 and as Vice President, Strategy from February 2016 to November 2017, where he helped to initiate and execute on several transformative partnerships, establish the strategic direction of the company, oversee important pipeline programs and led several functions, including program and portfolio management. Before joining CRISPR, Dr. Klein was an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, from October 2014 to February 2016. Dr. Klein served as a member of the board of directors of Dyne Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: DYN) from September 2019 to May 2023 and of Jasper Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: JSPR) from September 2021 to June 2023. Dr. Klein received his B.S. in biochemistry and physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his Ph.D. in biophysics from Stanford University.
We believe Dr. Klein is qualified to serve as a member of the Board because of his business development, operational and senior management experience in the biotechnology industry and his academic expertise and accomplishments.
Joana Goncalves, MBChB. Dr. Goncalves has served as the Chief Medical Officer of the Company since the Merger Closing and of Pre-Merger Oruka from April 2024 through the Merger Closing. Prior to joining Pre-Merger Oruka, Dr. Goncalves served as Chief Medical Officer of Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CARA), a biopharmaceutical company, from October 2018 to April 2024, where she was responsible for representing Cara Therapeutics in interactions with regulatory agencies, the investor and scientific communities and the board of directors, building multifunctional terms and developing the clinical development strategy in dermatological conditions. Prior to Cara, Dr. Goncalves held various positions at Celgene Corporation, a pharmaceutical company, which was later acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, from April 2014 to October 2018, where she most recently served as Vice President, Medical Affairs for Dermatology and Neurology and was instrumental in planning and executing medical support activities for a number of programs, including OTEZLA® for psoriasis. Prior to Celgene, Dr. Goncalves served as Vice President, Medical Strategy and Scientific Affairs at LEO Pharma Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of LEO Pharma A/S, a global healthcare company specializing in dermatology and critical care, from February 2012 to April 2014. She began her pharmaceutical career at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, working on a range of products across various therapeutic areas from 2001 to 2012. Dr. Goncalves received her MBChB from the University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Paul Quinlan. Mr. Quinlan has served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company since the Merger Closing and of Pre-Merger Oruka since April 2024 through the Merger Closing. Prior to joining Pre-Merger Oruka, Mr. Quinlan served as General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary of CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from October 2020 to March 2024, where he was responsible for the general supervision of the company’s legal affairs. From December 2017 to February 2020, he served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of CymaBay, where he was responsible for the general supervision of the company’s legal affairs. Prior to CymaBay, Mr. Quinlan served as General Counsel and Secretary, from 2010 to January 2018, and Chief Legal Officer from 2016 to January 2018, of TerraVia Holdings, Inc., a biotechnology company, where he was responsible for the general supervision of the company’s legal affairs. Prior to joining TerraVia, Mr. Quinlan served as General Counsel of Metabolex, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from 2005 to 2010. Prior to joining Metabolex, Mr. Quinlan held various positions at Maxygen, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from 2000 to 2005. Prior to Maxygen, Mr. Quinlan practiced law at Cooley LLP and Cravath, Swaine, & Moore LLP. Mr. Quinlan received a law degree from Columbia Law School and an M.Sc. in Medical Biophysics from the University of Toronto.
Arjun Agarwal. Mr. Agarwal has served as the Senior Vice President of Finance of the Company since the Merger Closing and of Pre-Merger Oruka from March 2024 through the Merger Closing, where he is responsible for overseeing the company’s finance and accounting functions. Prior to joining Pre-Merger Oruka, Mr. Agarwal served as VP of Finance at Jasper Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: JSPR), a biotechnology company, from June 2021 to March 2024, including through multiple financings and the company’s successful transition to become a publicly traded entity. Before joining Jasper, Mr. Agarwal served as Vice President, Corporate Controller at Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTGX), a biotechnology company, from August 2019 to June 2021, where he was responsible for overseeing the company’s finance and accounting functions. Prior to joining Protagonist, Mr. Agarwal served in various roles of increasing responsibility at McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK), an international healthcare services company, from 2009 to 2019. Prior to McKesson, Mr. Agarwal worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he managed a portfolio of audit clients. He is a graduate of Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics at Mumbai University, India. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Accountant accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
Non-Employee Directors
Samarth Kulkarni, Ph.D. Dr. Kulkarni has served as Chair and a member of the board of directors of the Company since the Merger Closing and as a member of the board of directors of Pre-Merger Oruka from February 2024 through the Merger Closing. Dr. Kulkarni has served as the Chief Executive Officer of CRISPR Therapeutics AG (Nasdaq: CRSP), a biopharmaceutical company, since December 2017, where he has also served as a member and chair of the board of directors since June 2018 and September 2023, respectively. Previously, Dr. Kulkarni served as CRISPR’s President and Chief Business Officer from May 2017 to November 2017 and as Chief Business Officer from August 2015. Prior to joining CRISPR, Dr. Kulkarni was at McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, from 2006 to 2015, with various titles, his most recent being Partner within the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology practice. Dr. Kulkarni has also served as a member of the boards of directors of Black Diamond Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: BDTX), Repare Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: RPTX), and Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: CNTA). Dr. Kulkarni received a Ph.D. in Bioengineering and Nanotechnology from the University of Washington and a B. Tech. from the Indian Institute of Technology. Dr. Kulkarni has authored several publications in leading scientific and business journals.
We believe that Dr. Kulkarni is qualified to serve as a member of the Board because of his experience as a consultant and an executive in the biopharmaceutical industry and his academic expertise and accomplishments.
Kristine Ball. Ms. Ball has served as a member of the board of directors of the Company since the Merger Closing and of Pre-Merger Oruka since May 2024 through the Merger Closing. Ms. Ball has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Antiva Biosciences, Inc., a private biopharmaceutical company, since April 2023. Prior to Antiva, Ms. Ball served as Chief Executive Officer of Soteria Biotherapeutics, Inc., a private biotechnology company, from September 2020 to August 2022. Prior to joining Soteria, Ms. Ball served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Chief Financial Officer of Menlo Therapeutics, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed biopharmaceutical company, which later became VYNE Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: VYNE), from September 2017 to March 2020, where she was responsible for leading all non-R&D functions, including strategic planning, corporate development, commercial, human resources, legal, finance and information technology. Prior to joining Menlo, Ms. Ball served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Relypsa, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed pharmaceutical company, which was later acquired by Galenica Group, from November 2012 to October 2016. Prior to Relypsa, Ms. Ball held various other finance roles in the life sciences industry, including Senior Vice President of Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer of KAI Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, and Vice President of Finance at Exelixis, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXEL), a biotechnology company. Prior to that, Ms. Ball served as a senior manager in the life sciences audit practice of Ernst & Young LLP. Ms. Ball has previously served on the boards of directors of Atreca, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCEL), a biopharmaceutical company, from 2020 to 2024, Soteria from 2020 to 2022 and Forty Seven, Inc. (Nasdaq: FTSV), a Nasdaq-listed biotechnology company, which was acquired by Gilead Sciences, Inc., from 2018 to 2020. Ms. Ball received a B.S. from Babson College.
We believe Ms. Ball is qualified to serve as a member of the Board because of her experience as an executive officer and director of life sciences companies and her background in finance, corporate development and strategic planning.
Carl Dambkowski, M.D. Dr. Dambkowski has served as a member of the board of directors of the Company since the Merger Closing and of Pre-Merger Oruka from February 2024 through the Merger Closing. Dr. Dambkowski has served as the Chief Medical Officer of Apogee Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: APGE), a biotechnology company, since September 2022. Prior to joining Apogee, Dr. Dambkowski served as a strategic and clinical leader for a variety of companies, including as Chief Medical Officer of QED Therapeutics, Inc., a private biotechnology company, from July 2021 to September 2022; Chief Strategy Officer and EVP of Operations of Origin Biosciences, Inc., a private bioecology company, from March 2018 to June 2021; and Chief Medical Officer of Navire Pharma, Inc., a private biotechnology company, from January 2020 to September 2022, where he served as the clinical lead starting prior to IND for BBP-398 through the out licensing of the compound to Bristol-Myers Squibb based on initial clinical data and for low-dose infigratinib in achondroplasia through initial proof-of-concept data. He was part of the core team that brought TRUSELTIQ® (infigratinib) and NULIBRY® (fosdenopterin) through regulatory review and FDA approval at QED Therapeutics and Origin Biosciences, respectively. From July 2016 to March 2018, Dr. Dambkowski was an associate at McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, where he advised biotech and pharmaceutical companies across the world on a range of research and development activities. Dr. Dambkowski co-founded Novonate, Inc., a private medical device company focused on building life-saving devices for neonates, in January 2015. Dr. Dambkowski has coauthored numerous peer-reviewed publications and scientific abstracts and is a named inventor on multiple published and granted patents. Dr. Dambkowski was trained as a physician at Stanford University, where he also received his M.D. with a concentration in bioengineering. He also received a B.A. (with honors) from Stanford University and an M.A. from Columbia University.
We believe Dr. Dambkowski is qualified to serve as a member of the Board because of his significant experience and innovations in the biotechnology industry and his academic expertise and accomplishments.
Peter Harwin. Mr. Harwin has served as a member of the board of directors of the Company since the Merger Closing and of Pre-Merger Oruka from February 2024 through the Merger Closing. Mr. Harwin is a Managing Member at Fairmount Funds Management, a healthcare investment firm he co-founded in April 2016. Prior to Fairmount Funds Management, Mr. Harwin was a member of the investment team at Boxer Capital, LLC, an investment fund that was part of the Tavistock Group, based in San Diego. Mr. Harwin also serves as chairman of the board of directors of Cogent Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: COGT) and is a member of the board of directors of Apogee Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: APGE), Viridian Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRDN) and Spyre Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly Aeglea BioTherapeutics, Inc.) (Nasdaq: SYRE). Mr. Harwin received a B.B.A. from Emory University.
We believe Mr. Harwin is qualified to serve as a member of the Board because of his experience serving as a director of biotechnology companies and as a manager of funds specializing in the area of life sciences.
Cameron Turtle, D.Phil. Dr. Turtle has served as a member of the board of directors of the Company since the Merger Closing and of Pre-Merger Oruka from February 2024 through the Merger Closing. Dr. Turtle has served as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of Spyre Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly Aeglea BioTherapeutics, Inc.) (Nasdaq: SYRE), a biotechnology company, since November 2023 and, before that, as Chief Operating Officer from June 2023 to November 2023. Prior to joining Spyre, Dr. Turtle was an advisor to Spyre Therapeutics, Inc., a private biotechnology company, from May 2023 to June 2023. Previously, he served as Venture Partner at Foresite Labs, a life sciences investment firm, from July 2022 to May 2023; Chief Strategy Officer of BridgeBio Pharma (Nasdaq: BBIO), a biotechnology company, from January 2021 to April 2022; and Chief Business Officer of Eidos Therapeutics (Nasdaq: EIDX), a biopharmaceutical company, from November 2018 to January 2021, where he led business development, investor relations, and multiple operational functions as the company advanced an investigational medicine for a form of heart failure. Prior to joining BridgeBio and Eidos, he was a consultant at McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, where he worked with pharmaceutical and medical device companies on topics including M&A, growth strategy, clinical trial strategy, and sales force optimization. Dr. Turtle received his B.S. with honors in Bioengineering from the University of Washington and his D.Phil. in Cardiovascular Medicine from the University of Oxford, St. John’s College. He is the recipient of several awards, including a Rhodes Scholarship, Goldwater Scholarship, Forbes 30 Under 30, San Francisco Business Times 40 Under 40, and the Biocom Life Sciences Catalyst Award.
We believe Dr. Turtle is qualified to serve as a member of the Board because of his experience as a leader in building, financing, and shaping biopharmaceutical organizations from preclinical development to late-stage clinical trials and commercialization.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that establishes the standards of ethical conduct applicable to all our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, or persons performing similar functions. It addresses, among other matters, compliance with laws and policies, conflicts of interest, corporate opportunities, regulatory reporting, external communications, confidentiality requirements, insider trading, proper use of assets and how to report compliance concerns. A copy of the code is available on our website located at https://ir.oruka.com/corporate-governance under “Governance Documents.” We intend to disclose any amendments to the code, or any waivers of its requirements, on our website to the extent required by applicable rules. The Audit Committee is responsible for applying and interpreting the code in situations where questions are presented to it. Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference into this report, and you should not consider information on the Company’s website to be part of this report.
Insider Trading Policy
We have adopted insider trading policies and procedures governing the purchase, sale and other transactions in Company securities by our directors, officers and employees, and other covered persons, as well as the Company itself, that we believe are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) listing rules, as applicable.
As part of these policies and procedures, we prohibit any employee, director or other covered person from engaging in short sales, transactions involving publicly traded options or other derivative securities based on the Company’s securities, hedging transactions, margin accounts, pledges, or other inherently speculative transactions with respect to the Company’s securities at any time.
Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert
We have a separately designated standing Audit Committee. The members of our Audit Committee are Ms. Ball, Dr. Dambkowski, and Dr. Turtle, each of whom qualifies as an “independent” director for audit committee purposes as defined under Nasdaq listing rules and the rules and regulations established by the SEC. Ms. Ball chairs the Audit Committee and qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined under the rules and regulations established by the SEC, and all members of the Audit Committee are financially literate under Nasdaq listing rules.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and other equity securities. To our knowledge, based solely on our review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed with the SEC or written representations that no Form 5 was required, during the year ended December 31, 2024, we believe that all of our directors, officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities timely filed all reports required under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.
Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations for 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
We will hold our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) on Monday, June 2, 2025.
Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, stockholders who wish to submit proposals for inclusion in the proxy statement for the Annual Meeting must send such proposals to our Corporate Secretary at the address 855 Oak Grove Avenue, Suite 100, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Such proposals must be received by us a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials and must comply with Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act. The submission of a stockholder proposal does not guarantee that it will be included in the proxy statement.
On August 29, 2024, in connection with the Merger Closing, the Board adopted an amendment and restatement of our Bylaws, effective as of such date, as described in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 5, 2024. As set forth in our Bylaws, if a stockholder intends to make a nomination for director election or present a proposal for other business (other than pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act) at the Annual Meeting, the stockholder’s notice must be received by our Corporate Secretary at the address 855 Oak Grove Avenue, Suite 100, Menlo Park, CA 94025 no earlier than the 120th day and no later than the close of business on the 90th day before the anniversary of the last annual meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, the stockholder’s notice must be delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the date on which the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is made by the Company. Therefore, notice of proposed nominations or proposals (other than pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act) must be received by our Corporate Secretary no later than the close of business on March 16, 2025. Any such director nomination or stockholder proposal must be a proper matter for stockholder action and must comply with the terms and conditions set forth in our Bylaws (which includes the timing and information required under Rule 14a-19 of the Exchange Act). If a stockholder fails to meet these deadlines or fails to satisfy the requirements of Rule 14a-4 of the Exchange Act, we may exercise discretionary voting authority under proxies we solicit to vote on any such proposal as we determine appropriate. We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order or take other appropriate action with respect to any nomination or proposal that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
This section provides information regarding the compensation of our principal executive officer (Dr. Klein), and our two other highest paid executive officers who were serving as executive officers on December 31, 2024 (Dr. Goncalves and Mr. Quinlan). This section also includes compensation information for certain former executives of the Company (then known as ARCA). The individuals listed below are collectively referred to herein as the “NEOs” or “Named Executive Officers.”
Name
Title
Lawrence Klein, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer(1)
Joana Goncalves, MBChB
Chief Medical Officer(1)
Paul Quinlan
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary(1)
Michael Bristow, M.D.
Former President and Chief Executive Officer(2)
Thomas A. Keuer
Former President and Chief Operating Officer(3)
C. Jeffrey Dekker
Former Chief Financial Officer(3)
(1) Drs. Klein and Goncalves and Mr. Quinlan were appointed to these positions in connection with the consummation of the Merger. Prior to the Merger, they each served in these positions at Pre-Merger Oruka.
(2) Dr. Bristow’s employment with the Company terminated on April 3, 2024. Following his termination, Dr. Bristow provided transition services as a consultant.
(3) Mr. Keuer’s and Mr. Dekker’s employment with the Company terminated in connection with the Merger. Following the Merger, Mr. Dekker provided transition services as a consultant.
A Year of Transition
was a year of transition for the Company as we completed the Merger, shifted our drug candidate pipeline to focus on novel biologics designed to set a new standard for the treatment of chronic skin diseases and transformed our management team. Our mission is to offer patients suffering from chronic skin diseases like plaque psoriasis the greatest possible freedom from their condition by achieving high rates of complete disease clearance with dosing as infrequently as once or twice per year. The compensation described below reflects both compensatory decisions necessary to engage a new leadership team that is critical to lead the advancement of the Company’s pipeline of novel biologics and improve the standard of care for the treatment of chronic skin diseases and compensatory decisions made by ARCA prior to the consummation of the Merger with respect to the former executive officers.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table shows information regarding the compensation earned by the NEOs during the fiscal years ending December 31, 2024 and 2023, by our named executive officers.
Name and Principal Position(1) Year Salary
($)(2) Bonus
($)(3) Option Awards
($)(4)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(5) All Other
Compensation
($) Total
($)
Lawrence Klein, Ph.D. 203,288 - - 317,623 - 520,911
Chief Executive Officer
Joana Goncalves, MBChB 155,854 - - 162,132 - 317,986
Chief Medical Officer
Paul Quinlan 155,854 - - 154,591 - 310,445
General Counsel
Michael Bristow, M.D. 96,865 - 39,676 - 373,875 (6) 510,416
Former President and Chief Executive Officer 345,000 - - - 13,800 358,800
Thomas A. Keuer 235,385 165,000 22,484 - 430,651 (7) 853,520
Former President and Chief Operating Officer 340,000 - - - 60,802 400,802
C. Jeffrey Dekker 206,923 165,000 24,947 - 359,734 (8) 756,604
Former Chief Financial Officer 270,000 - - - 53,072 323,072
(1) The amounts reflected herein for Drs. Klein and Goncalves and Mr. Quinlan do not include any compensation they received from Pre-Merger Oruka prior to the Merger.
(2) Includes $157,595 of consulting fees for Dr. Bristow and $20,000 of consulting fees for Mr. Keuer, in each case, pursuant to their respective consulting agreements as described in more detail under “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table-ARCA Arrangements” below.
(3) Amounts reported in this column represent retention bonuses, as described in more detail under “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table-ARCA Arrangements” below.
(4) Amounts reported in this column represent the incremental fair value under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“ASC 718”) resulting from the acceleration of the Named Executive Officer’s stock options in the Merger, as described in more detail under “Narrative to Summary Compensation Table-ARCA Arrangements” below.
(5) Amounts reported in this column represent the annual bonuses earned under the 2024 annual bonus program, as described in more detail under “Narrative to Summary Compensation Table-Elements of Compensation-Annual Bonus Program” below.
(6) Includes $3,875 of Company contributions under the ARCA 401(k) plan and $370,000 of severance payments and benefits, as described in more detail under “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table-ARCA Arrangements” below.
(7) Includes $16,800 of Company contributions under the ARCA 401(k) plan, $340,000 of severance payments and $69,715 in COBRA continuation premiums, as described in more detail under “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table-ARCA Arrangements” below, and $4,136 for group term life insurance premiums.
(8) Includes $14,687 of Company contributions under the ARCA 401(k) plan, $270,000 of severance payments and $69,715 in COBRA continuation premiums, as described in more detail under “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table-ARCA Arrangements” below, $2,692 for group term life insurance premiums and $2,640 for healthcare reimbursements.
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
In December 2024, our Compensation Committee adopted a compensation philosophy to frame future compensation decisions for the Company. Under this philosophy, compensation positioning is used to attract and retain key employees for the Company’s continued success and growth. While market data is helpful to the Compensation Committee in setting compensation framework and guiding decisions, other factors such as Company strategy, stockholder feedback, tenure, performance and criticality are also considered. The compensation philosophy serves as the foundation to reinforce the Company’s business strategy and desired culture, while balancing internal and external alignment.
Peer Group
In July 2024, Pre-Merger Oruka, in consultation with Alpine, the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant, established a peer group that focuses on U.S.-based, pre-clinical or early clinical biopharma companies (with priority placed on companies with a similar therapeutic focus) with a market capitalization ranging from $250 million to $2 billion and less than 100 employees. The peer group, which was used in making compensation decisions in connection with establishing post-Merger executive compensation for 2024, includes the following companies (the “Peer Group”):
Apogee Therapeutics
Astria Therapeutics
Cabaletta Bio
CARGO Therapeutics
Celldex Therapeutics
Contineum Therapeutics
Entrada Therapeutics
Janux Therapeutics
Kymera Therapeutics
Kyverna Therapeutics
Lexeo Therapeutics
Longboard Pharmaceuticals
Lyell Immunopharma
Pliant Therapeutics
Prime Medicine
Spyre Therapeutics
Structure Therapeutics
Third Harmonic Bio
Elements of Compensation
Base Salaries
Our Compensation Committee recognizes the importance of base salary as an element of compensation to provide our executive officers with steady cash flow during the year that is not contingent on short-term variations in our corporate performance. The setting of base salaries also includes an evaluation of each individual’s job duties, responsibilities, performance and experience, as well as internal pay equity among the executive officer team. The Compensation Committee reviews base salaries at least annually and may recommend adjustment from time to time based on the results of that review. The Compensation Committee determines salary increases using a combination of relevant competitive market data, scope of responsibilities and assessment of individual performance.
For 2024, the annual base salaries of Drs. Klein and Goncalves and Mr. Quinlan were established in connection with the consummation of their employment with Pre-Merger Oruka as a result of negotiations in the context of a competitive recruitment process. The annual base salaries as of December 31, 2024 for each of our continuing NEOs were as follows: $600,000 for Dr. Klein and $460,000 for each of Dr. Goncalves and Mr. Quinlan.
Annual Bonus Program
We have an annual cash incentive plan under which cash incentives may be paid to each of our employees, including our executive officers, after the end of each calendar year. The Compensation Committee generally determines target bonuses based on Peer Group practices and each individual’s job duties. For 2024, the target bonuses for each NEO (excluding the former ARCA executive officers), which were established by Pre-Merger Oruka in connection with the consummation of their employment with Pre-Merger Oruka, were as follows: 50% of base salary for Dr. Klein and 40% of base salary for each of Dr. Goncalves and Mr. Quinlan, in each case, pro-rated based on their respective start dates with Pre-Merger Oruka.
Pre-Merger Oruka established the corporate goals and targets for the 2024 bonus program, which were heavily weighted towards the preclinical development of ORKA-001 and ORKA-002, progress towards the commencement of their respective Phase 1 clinical studies and regulatory progress. In addition, the corporate goals included measures designed to ensure adequate funding for the Company.
The Board, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, reviewed our achievement against our 2024 corporate goals and determined the achievement to have been 125% of target, based on the achievement of substantially all the goals, with overperformance on several of the goals.
Based on our corporate performance, the 2024 annual bonuses awarded to our continuing NEOs were as follows: $317,623 for Dr. Klein, $162,132 for Dr. Goncalves and $154,591 for Mr. Quinlan.
Long-Term Incentives
We intend our equity incentive program to reward longer-term performance and to align the interests of our executive officers with those of our stockholders. We also believe that our equity incentive program, which currently consists predominantly of time-based stock options (or, for certain grants by Pre-Merger Oruka, time-based compensatory warrants), is an important retention tool for our employees, including our NEOs. The Compensation Committee believes that stock options, which require increased stock price performance for value realization, create a key connection between the interests of the NEOs and stockholders. Each of the grants described below are presented after giving effect to the share conversion completed in the Merger and the subsequent 1-for-12 reverse stock split.
In connection with his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Pre-Merger Oruka, Dr. Klein purchased 852,338 shares of restricted stock at fair market value, which vests as to 25% on February 26, 2025 and in equal monthly installments thereafter through February 26, 2028. In accordance with the anti-dilution provisions of his offer letter, as described in more detail below, on July 15, 2024, Dr. Klein received a compensatory warrant to purchase 1,628,513 shares of our common stock, which vests as to 25% on April 3, 2025 and in equal monthly installments thereafter through April 3, 2028.
In connection with her appointment as Chief Medical Officer of Pre-Merger Oruka, Dr. Goncalves was granted stock options to purchase 228,563 shares of our common stock, which vests as to 25% on April 18, 2025 and in equal monthly installments thereafter through April 18, 2028. On July 15, 2024, Dr. Goncalves was granted a compensatory warrant to purchase 199,992 shares of our common stock, which vests on the same schedule as her initial stock option grant.
In connection with his appointment as General Counsel of Pre-Merger Oruka, Mr. Quinlan was granted stock options to purchase 228,563 shares of our common stock, which vests as to 25% on April 30, 2025 and in equal monthly installments thereafter through April 30, 2028. On July 15, 2024, Mr. Quinlan was granted a compensatory warrant to purchase 99,996 shares of our common stock, which vests on the same schedule as his initial stock option grant.
None of the former ARCA executive officers received grants of equity incentive awards during 2024.
Offer Letters
In connection with their appointments, we entered into offer letters with each of Dr. Klein, Dr. Goncalves and Mr. Quinlan, each of which was amended and restated as of October 3, 2024 (for Dr. Klein) or October 1, 2024 (for Dr. Goncalves and Mr. Quinlan) following the Merger (collectively, the “Offer Letters”). The Offer Letters provided for each NEO’s initial base salary, target annual bonus and initial equity incentive award. The Offer Letter with Dr. Klein also provided for periodic grants of stock options sufficient to maintain Dr. Klein’s ownership at approximately 5% on a fully-diluted basis until Oruka raised an aggregate of $200 million in financing, which obligations were fully satisfied prior to the consummation of the Merger through the warrant issued on July 15, 2024. The Offer Letter with Dr. Goncalves also provided for a sign-on bonus of $100,000, which is subject to repayment in the event of a termination for cause or resignation without good reason prior to April 18, 2025.
Under the Offer Letters, the NEOs are eligible for certain payments or benefits upon certain terminations of employment, as described under “Additional Narrative Disclosure-Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” below. Each of Dr. Klein, Dr. Goncalves and Mr. Quinlan is also party to our standard employee invention assignment, confidentiality and non-competition agreement, which, among other things, provides standard protections regarding our ownership of intellectual property, the confidentiality of our proprietary information, non-competition and non-solicitation.
ARCA Arrangements
Michael Bristow, M.D. Dr. Bristow served as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer through April 3, 2024. In connection with his separation, the Company (then known as ARCA) and Dr. Bristow entered into a separation agreement pursuant to which Dr. Bristow provided a release of claims in favor of the Company and the Company paid Dr. Bristow a lump sum severance payment of $370,000.
The Company and Dr. Bristow also entered into a consulting agreement, effective April 3, 2024, pursuant to which Dr. Bristow provided certain consulting services to the Company through the Merger. Under the consulting agreement, Dr. Bristow continued to vest in his outstanding equity awards during the consulting term.
Thomas A. Keuer and C. Jeffrey Dekker. Mr. Keuer served as the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer and Mr. Dekker served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, in each case, through the consummation of the Merger. Pursuant to retention bonus letters approved by the ARCA Compensation Committee prior to the Merger, each of Messrs. Keuer and Dekker were paid a retention bonus upon consummation of the Merger of $165,000.
As a result of the Merger and the accompanying termination of their employment, the Company and each of Mr. Keuer and Mr. Dekker entered into a separation agreement, pursuant to which Mr. Keuer and Mr. Dekker each provided a release of claims in favor of the Company and the Company provided the following severance payments and benefits, in accordance with the terms of their employment agreement: (i) a lump sum cash severance payment equal to 12 months of their respective annual base salary ($340,000 and $270,000, respectively) and (ii) a lump sum cash payment of $69,715 in lieu of 12 months of group health plan continuation premiums.
Treatment of ARCA Equity Awards. In connection with the Merger, all outstanding ARCA stock options held by the NEOs were accelerated and cashed out for an amount equal to the difference between $3.9489 and the applicable per share exercise price; however, any ARCA stock options having an exercise price in excess of $3.9489 were cancelled for no consideration.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table presents information regarding outstanding stock options, compensatory warrants and restricted stock held by each NEO as of December 31, 2024. The equity awards reflected below give effect to the share conversion completed in the Merger and the subsequent 1-for-12 reverse stock split. None of the former ARCA executive officers held any outstanding equity awards as of December 31, 2024.
Option Awards Stock Awards
Name Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable Option
Exercise Price
($) Option Expiration
Date Number of
Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested
(#) Market Value
of Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested
($)(1)
Lawrence Klein, Ph.D. - 1,628,513 (2) 7.80 7/14/2034
852,338 (3) 16,526,834
Joana Goncalves, MBChB - 228,563 (4) 6.84 10/30/2034
- 199,992 (4) 7.80 7/14/2034
Paul Quinlan - 228,563 (5) 6.84 10/30/2034
- 99,996 (5) 7.80 7/14/2034
Michael Bristow, M.D. - - - - - -
Thomas A. Keuer - - - - - -
C. Jeffrey Dekker - - - - - -
(1) The market value was determined by multiplying the numbers of shares by $19.39, the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2024.
(2) These compensatory warrants vest as to 25% on April 3, 2025 and in equal monthly installments thereafter through April 3, 2028, subject to Dr. Klein’s continued services to us.
(3) These restricted shares vest as to 25% on February 26, 2025 and in equal monthly installments thereafter through February 26, 2028, subject to Dr. Klein’s continued services to us.
(4) These stock options and compensatory warrants vest as to 25% on April 18, 2025 and in equal monthly installments thereafter through April 18, 2028, subject to Dr. Goncalves’ continued services to us.
(5) These stock options and compensatory warrants vest as to 25% on April 30, 2025 and in equal monthly installments thereafter through April 30, 2028, subject to Mr. Quinlan’s continued services to us.
Additional Narrative Disclosures
Employee Benefits and Perquisites
Our NEOs are eligible to participate in our employee benefit plans, including our health and welfare plans, term life insurance, disability insurance and a 401(k) plan, in each case on the same basis as all our other employees. During 2024, following the Merger, we did not provide any Company contributions under the 401(k) plan; however, in 2025, the Company will make matching contributions of 100% of the first 3% of eligible compensation deferred by participants, subject to legal maximum contributions.
Following the Merger, we generally do not provide perquisites or personal benefits to our NEOs, except in limited circumstances.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
Pursuant to the terms of the Offer Letters, in the event each NEO that is a current executive officer is terminated by the Company without “cause” or as a result of a resignation for “good reason” (collectively, an “Involuntary Termination”), such NEO will, subject to the execution of a release in favor of the Company, receive: (i) severance payments equal to 12 months of base salary; (ii) Company-paid continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plans for up to 12 months; and (iii) in the case of Dr. Klein, accelerated vesting of 30% of any outstanding time-based equity. However, if the Involuntary Termination is within three months before or 12 months after a change in control of the Company, the NEO will instead receive: (A) severance payments equal to 1.0 times (or, for Dr. Klein, 1.5x times) the sum of the NEO’s base salary and target bonus; (B) Company-paid continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plans for up to 12 months (or, for Dr. Klein, up to 18 months); and (C) full acceleration of all equity awards. In addition, upon severance due to the death or disability of the named executive officer, the officer’s equity awards shall accelerate in full.
As used in the Offer Letters:
“Cause” generally means the NEO’s (i) dishonest statements or acts with respect to the Company or any affiliate of the Company, or any current or prospective customers, suppliers, vendors or other third parties with which such entity does business that results in or is reasonably anticipated to result in material harm to the Company; (ii) conviction or plea of no contest to a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud; (iii) failure to perform his or her duties or responsibilities, subject to a 30-day cure period; (iv) gross negligence, willful misconduct that results in or is reasonably anticipated to result in material harm to the Company; or (v) violation of any material provision of any agreement with the Company or any written Company policies.
“Good reason” generally means (i) a material diminution in the named executive officer’s base salary or target bonus (excluding across-the-board reductions of less than 10%); (ii) a material geographic relocation or requirement to change the named executive officer’s remote work location; (iii) a material reduction in the named executive officer’s duties, authority or responsibilities; (iv) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of the Offer Letter by a successor; or (v) the material breach of any agreement between the NEO and the Company, in each case, subject to standard notice and cure periods.
Clawback Policy
We maintain a Compensation Recoupment (Clawback) Policy, which is intended to comply with the requirements of Nasdaq Listing Standard 5608 implementing Rule 10D-1 under the Exchange Act. In the event the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement of the Company’s financial statements due to material non-compliance with any financial reporting requirement under the federal securities laws, the Company will recover, on a reasonably prompt basis, the excess incentive-based compensation received by any covered executive, including the NEOs, during the prior three fiscal years that exceeds the amount that the executive otherwise would have received had the incentive-based compensation been determined based on the restated financial statements.
Equity Grant Practices
Following the Merger, we generally grant annual equity awards, including stock options, in January of each year. We also grant stock options as new hire awards as of their date of employment commencement. Employees, including the NEOs, may enroll to purchase shares under the terms of our 2024 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (the “ESPP”), with purchase dates generally occurring during open trading windows in June and December of each year using payroll deductions accumulated during the prior six-month period. During 2024, the Compensation Committee did not take material nonpublic information into account when determining the timing and terms of stock options, and the Company did not time the disclosure of material nonpublic information for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation.
Director Compensation
The following table provides information for the year ended December 31, 2024 regarding all compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to each person who served as a non-employee director for some portion of 2024. Employees who served on our Board during 2024 did not receive additional compensation for such service:
Name(1)(2) Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash
($) Option Awards
($)(3) Total
($)
Kristine Ball 20,548 - 20,548
Carl Dambkowski, M.D. 16,267 - 16,267
Peter Harwin 19,178 - 19,178
Samarth Kulkarni, Ph.D. 27,740 - 27,740
Cameron Turtle, D.Phil.(4) 20,377 - 20,377
Dan Mitchell 30,810 - 30,810
Raymond Woosley 27,500 - 27,500
Robert Conway 197,916 2,739 200,655
James Flynn 71,042 12,620 83,662
Linda Grais 168,124 2,739 170,863
Anders Hove 159,583 2,739 162,322
Jacob Ma-Weaver 119,167 8,215 127,382
(1) The amounts reflected herein for directors who served on the Pre-Merger Oruka board of directors do not include any compensation they received from Pre-Merger Oruka prior to the Merger.
(2) Messrs. Woosley and Mitchell resigned from our Board effective as of February 2, 2024. In connection with the Merger on August 29, 2024, Drs. Hove and Grais as well as Messrs. Conway, Ma-Weaver and Flynn resigned from our Board and Drs. Turtle, Dambkowski and Kulkarni as well as Ms. Ball and Mr. Harwin were appointed to our Board.
(3) In connection with the Merger, all outstanding ARCA stock options held by Drs. Hove and Grais and Messrs. Conway, Ma-Weaver and Flynn were accelerated and cashed out for an amount equal to the difference between $3.9489 and the applicable per share exercise price; however, any ARCA stock options having an exercise price in excess of $3.9489 were cancelled for no consideration. Amounts reported in this column represent the incremental fair value under ASC Topic 718 resulting from the acceleration of the stock options in the Merger. As of December 31, 2024, each of Drs. Turtle and Dambkowski and Ms. Ball held outstanding options or compensatory warrants to purchase 94,282 shares of our common stock (which were assumed by the Company in connection with the Merger), Dr. Kulkarni held outstanding options or compensatory warrants to purchase 199,992 shares of our common stock (which were assumed by the Company in connection with the Merger), and no other non-employee directors held any outstanding options or compensatory warrants.
(4) Prior to the Merger, Dr. Turtle purchased 85,233 shares (after giving effect to the share conversion completed in the Merger and the subsequent 1-for-12 reverse stock split) of restricted common stock that vest as to 25% on March 1, 2025 and in and in equal monthly installments thereafter through March 1, 2028. All of such restricted shares were outstanding as of December 31, 2024.
Non-Employee Director Compensation Program
Non-employee members of the Board are eligible to receive cash and equity compensation in accordance with our non-employee director compensation program. This program provides for the following annual cash retainers:
Pre-Merger Post-Merger
Annual Cash Retainer $ 40,000 $ 40,000
Annual Board Chair Retainer $ 30,000 $ 30,000
Audit Committee Retainers:
Chair $ 15,000 $ 15,000
Non-Chair Member $ 7,500 $ 7,500
Compensation Committee Retainers:
Chair $ 10,000 $ 12,000
Non-Chair Member $ 5,000 $ 6,000
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Retainers
Chair $ 10,000 $ 10,000
Non-Chair Member $ 5,000 $ 5,000
In connection with the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders, each member of the Board will receive an annual grant of stock options to purchase 17,500 shares of common stock, which will vest in equal monthly installments over 12 months so long as such director joined the Board prior to January 1 of the year in which such annual meeting occurs. Prior to the Merger, the annual grant of stock options was for 6,000 shares of common stock.
In addition, in connection with a non-employee director’s initial appointment to the Board, they will receive an initial grant of stock options to purchase 35,000 shares of common stock, which will vest in equal monthly installments over 36 months. Prior to the Merger, the initial grant of stock options was for 12,000 shares of common stock.
All members of the Board are also reimbursed for reasonable and documented out-of-pocket travel and lodging expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings and activities of the Board and its committees.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth information, to the extent known by us or ascertainable from public filings, with respect to the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock as of February 15, 2025.
● each person or group of affiliated persons, who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of Common Stock;
● each of our directors;
● each of our named executive officers; and
● all of our current directors and executive officers as a group.
The column entitled “Percentage of Shares Outstanding Beneficially Owned” is based on a total of 37,440,510 shares of our Common Stock outstanding as of February 15, 2025.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the Common Stock. Shares of Common Stock subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of this table are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the options for the purpose of calculating the percentage ownership of that person but not for the purpose of calculating the percentage ownership of any other person. Except as otherwise noted, the persons and entities in this table have sole voting and investing power with respect to all the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws, where applicable. Except as otherwise indicated in the table below, addresses of named beneficial owners are in care of Oruka Therapeutics, Inc., 855 Oak Grove Ave., Suite 100, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
Name of Beneficial Owner Number of Shares
Beneficially
Owned Percentage
of Shares
Outstanding
Beneficially
Owned
5% Stockholders:
Entities affiliated with Fairmount Funds Management LLC(1) 8,511,824 19.99 %
FMR LLC(2) 5,561,808 14.86 %
Entities affiliated with Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners(3) 4,148,428 11.08 %
Entities affiliated with RTW Investments, LP(4) 2,058,147 5.50 %
Named Executive Officers and Directors:
Lawrence Klein(5) 1,522,440 4.02 %
Arjun Agarwal(6) 61,068 *
Joana Goncalves(7) 10,347 *
Paul Quinlan(8) 10,156 *
Michael R. Bristow(9) *
Thomas A. Keuer(10) 3,394 *
C. Jeffrey Dekker(11) 3,333 *
Cameron Turtle(12) 110,579 *
Samarth Kulkarni(13) 35,713 *
Peter Harwin(1) 8,511,824 19.99 %
Carl Dambkowski(14) 25,058 *
Kristine Ball - *
All current executive officers and directors as a group (9 persons)(15) 10,287,185 24.69 %
* Less than 1%.
(1) Consists of (i) (A) 798,614 shares of common stock, (B) 409,326 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of pre-funded warrants and (C) 4,730,576 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of 56,767 shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by Fairmount Healthcare Fund II L.P. (“Fairmount Fund II”) and (ii) 2,573,308 shares of common stock held by Fairmount Healthcare Co-Invest III L.P. (“Fairmount Fund III”). Excludes (i) 4,888,338 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the pre-funded warrants and (ii) 6,697,573 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of 80,371 shares of Series B Preferred Stock. The pre-funded warrants are subject to a beneficial ownership limitation of 9.99% and the shares of Series B Preferred Stock are subject to a beneficial ownership limitation of 19.99%, which such limitations restrict Fairmount Funds Management LLC (“Fairmount”) and its affiliates from exercising that portion of the warrants and converting those shares of preferred stock that would result in Fairmount and its affiliates owning, after exercise or conversion, a number of shares of common stock in excess of the applicable ownership limitation. At such time as Fairmount and its affiliates beneficially own 9.0% or less of the shares of common stock, the beneficial ownership limitation applicable to the shares of Series B Preferred Stock will automatically reduce to 9.99%. Fairmount serves as investment manager for Fairmount Fund II and Fairmount Fund III. Fairmount Fund II and Fairmount Fund III have delegated to Fairmount the sole power to vote and the sole power to dispose of all securities held in Fairmount Fund II and Fairmount Fund III’s portfolios. Because Fairmount Fund II and Fairmount Fund III have divested themselves of voting and investment power over the securities they hold and may not revoke that delegation on less than 61 days’ notice, Fairmount Fund II and Fairmount Fund III disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities they hold. As managers of Fairmount, Peter Harwin and Tomas Kiselak may be deemed to have voting and investment power over the shares held by Fairmount Fund II and Fairmount Fund III. Fairmount, Peter Harwin and Tomas Kiselak disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein. The address of the entities and individuals listed is 200 Barr Harbor Drive, Suite 400, West Conshohocken, PA 19428.
(2) All of the shares listed in the table above are owned by funds or accounts managed by direct or indirect subsidiaries of FMR LLC, all of which shares are beneficially owned, or may be deemed to be beneficially owned, by FMR LLC, certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates, and other companies. Abigail P. Johnson is a Director, the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer of FMR LLC. Members of the Johnson family, including Abigail P. Johnson, are the predominant owners, directly or through trusts, of Series B voting common shares of FMR LLC, representing 49% of the voting power of FMR LLC. The Johnson family group and all other Series B shareholders have entered into a shareholders’ voting agreement under which all Series B voting common shares will be voted in accordance with the majority vote of Series B voting common shares. Accordingly, through their ownership of voting common shares and the execution of the shareholders’ voting agreement, members of the Johnson family may be deemed, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, to form a controlling group with respect to FMR LLC. The address of FMR LLC is 245 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210.
(3) Consists of (i) 3,205,865 shares of common stock held by Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners EG, L.P. (“VHCPEG”), (ii) 856,747 shares of common stock held by Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners III, L.P. (“VHCP3”), and (iii) 85,816 shares of common stock held by VHCP Co-Investment Holdings III, LLC (“VHCPCo3”). Excludes 405,980, 107,788 and 10,775 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the pre-funded warrants held by VHCPEG, VHCP3 and VHCPCo3, respectively. The pre-funded warrants are subject to a beneficial ownership limitation of 9.99%, which such limitations restrict Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners and its affiliates from exercising that portion of the warrants that would result in Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners and its affiliates owning, after exercise, a number of shares of common stock in excess of the applicable ownership limitation. VHCP Management III, LLC (“VHCPM3”) is the sole general partner of VHCP3 and the sole manager of VHCPCo3. VHCP Management EG, LLC (“VHCPM EG”) is the sole general partner of VHCPEG. As voting members of VHCPM3 and VHCPM EG, Dr. Bong Koh and Nimish Shah may be deemed beneficial owners of any securities beneficially owned by VHCPM3 and VHCPM EG. The principal business address of each of these persons and entities is 7 Bryant Park, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10018.
(4) Consists of 2,058,147 shares of common stock held in the aggregate by RTW Master Fund, Ltd. (“RTW Master Fund”), RTW Innovation Master Fund, Ltd. (“RTW Innovation Master Fund”), and RTW Biotech Opportunities Operating Ltd. (“RTW Biotech” and together with RTW Master Fund and RTW Innovation Fund, the “RTW Funds”). RTW Investments, LP (“RTW”), in its capacity as the investment manager of the RTW Funds, has the power to vote and the power to direct the disposition of the shares held by the RTW Funds. Accordingly, RTW may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such securities. Roderick Wong, M.D., as the Managing Partner of RTW, has the power to direct the vote and disposition of the securities held by RTW. Dr. Wong disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by the RTW Funds, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. The principal business address of RTW Investments, LP is 40 10th Avenue, Floor 7, New York, NY 10014, and the address of Dr. Wong and each of the RTW Funds is c/o RTW Investments, LP, 40 10th Avenue, Floor 7, New York, NY 10014.
(5) Includes (i) 852,338 shares of common stock, (ii) 421,503 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that will vest within 60 days of the date of this table and (iii) 248,599 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock awards that will vest within 60 days of the date of this table.
(6) Includes 61,068 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that will vest within 60 days of the date of this table.
(7) Includes (i) 191 shares of common stock and (ii) 10,156 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that will vest within 60 days of the date of this table
(8) Includes 10,156 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that will vest within 60 days of the date of this table
(9) Includes (i) 92 shares owned by Investocor Trust, of which Dr. Bristow is the sole trustee and (ii) 117 shares owned by NFS as Custodian for Michael Bristow’s IRA. Dr. Bristow and ARCA mutually agreed to conclude Dr. Bristow’s employment effective April 3, 2024.
(10) Mr. Keuer resigned as named executive officer at the Merger Closing and his last day of employment was September 1, 2024, which termination was considered to be without “cause” related to a change in control for purposes of his employment agreement with ARCA.
(11) Mr. Dekker resigned as named executive officer at the Merger Closing and his last day of employment was September 1, 2024, which termination was considered to be without “cause” related to a change in control for purposes of his employment agreement with ARCA.
(12) Includes (i) 85,233 shares of common stock held by the Turtle Family Trust, for which Mr. Turtle serves as Trustee, (ii) 2,262 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that will vest within 60 days of the date of this table and (iii) 23,084 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock awards that will vest within 60 days of the date of this table.
(13) Includes 35,713 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that will vest within 60 days of the date of this table
(14) Includes 25,058 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that will vest within 60 days of the date of this table
(15) See notes (1), (5), (6), (7), (8), (12), (13) and (14) above.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table provides information with respect to all our equity compensation plans in effect as of December 31, 2024.
Number of
Securities to be Issued
upon Exercise of
Outstanding
Options Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding
Options Number of
Securities
Remaining
Available for
Future Issuances
under Equity
Compensation Plans
(excluding
securities
reflected in
column
(a))
Plan Category (a) (b) (c)
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders:
Stock Incentive Plan 388,567 $ 26.91 4,246,324 (1)
Employee Stock Purchase Plan - - 460,529 (2)
Equity Incentive Plan(3) 1,179,193 $ 6.27 -
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders:
Non-Plan Compensatory Warrants(4) 3,054,358 $ 7.80 -
Total 4,622,118 $ 9.02 4,706,853
(1) The 2024 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2024 SIP”) provides for an automatic increase in the number of shares reserved for issuance thereunder on January 1 of each year through and including January 1, 2034 equal to (a) 5% of number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock plus outstanding preferred stock and shares underlying unexercised pre-funded warrants on an as-converted basis) (collectively, “Shares Outstanding”) on December 31 of the immediately preceding year, or (b) a lesser amount as approved by the Board each year. Pursuant to this provision, the number of shares available for issuance under the 2024 SIP increased by 2,753,543 shares on January 1, 2025.
(2) The ESPP provides for an automatic annual increase in the number of shares reserved for issuance thereunder on January 1 of each year through and including January 1, 2034 equal to (a) 1% of the number of Shares Outstanding on December 31 of the immediately preceding year, or (2) a lesser amount as approved by the Board each year. Pursuant to this provision, the number of shares available for issuance under the ESPP increased by 550,709 shares on January 1, 2025.
(3) Stock options granted by Pre-Merger Oruka under the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan were assumed by the Company in connection with the Merger. No further awards may be made under the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan.
(4) Non-plan compensatory warrants granted by Pre-Merger Oruka were assumed by the Company in connection with the Merger. No further non-plan compensatory warrants are expected to be granted following the Merger.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Other than the compensation agreements and other arrangements disclosed above under “Executive Compensation,” below we describe the transactions to which we or Pre-Merger Oruka were or are a party since January 1, 2023, in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our or Pre-Merger Oruka’s total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years and in which our or Pre-Merger Oruka directors, executive officers, holders of more than 5% of our common stock, or members of their immediate family had a direct or indirect material interest.
ARCA Transactions
Transactions With ARCA’s Former President and Chief Executive Officer
ARCA previously entered into unrestricted research grants with its former President and Chief Executive Officer’s academic research laboratory at the University of Colorado. Funding of any unrestricted research grants was contingent upon ARCA’s financial condition, and could be deferred or terminated at ARCA’s discretion. There was no expense under these arrangements for the year ended December 31, 2024. Total expense under these arrangements for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $(91,000). In December 2023, ARCA made a payment of $125,000 for the grant period July 2022 through December 2023 under these arrangements. In April 2024, the President and Chief Executive Officer resigned.
Pre-Merger Oruka Transactions
Private Placements of Securities
Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock and Convertible Note Financing
On March 6, 2024, Oruka entered into a Convertible Note Purchase Agreement with Fairmount Healthcare Fund II, L.P. (“Fairmount Fund II”), whereby Oruka issued and sold to Fairmount Fund II (i) an aggregate of 20,000,000 shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $0.15 per share and (ii) a convertible note (the “Convertible Note”) with an initial principal amount of $25.0 million at an interest rate of 12% per annum, for aggregate gross proceeds of $28 million. Fairmount Fund II contributed the aggregate principal amount of $25.0 million and all accrued interest under the Convertible Note (unpaid accrued interest of $1.5 million divided by the conversion price of $66.62 ($5.55 prior to the impact of the Reverse Stock Split) per share) in exchange for Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock and Pre-Merger Oruka pre-funded warrants in connection with the Pre-Merger Closing Financing (as defined below), immediately prior to the completion of the Merger. Fairmount Funds Management (“Fairmount”) is the investment manager of Fairmount Fund II. Peter Harwin, one of our directors, is a managing member of Fairmount.
Pre-Merger Oruka Pre-Merger Closing Financing
On April 3, 2024, in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Pre-Merger Oruka entered into the Subscription Agreement to consummate the Pre-Merger Closing Financing. Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, the Financing Investors purchased 39,873,706 shares of Pre-Merger Oruka common stock and 9,664,208 Pre-Merger Oruka pre-funded warrants for gross proceeds of approximately $275.0 million (which includes $25.0 million of proceeds previously received from the issuance of the Convertible Note and accrued interest on such note, which converted to 4,764,032 shares of Pre-Merger Oruka common stock), immediately prior to the Merger Closing and before the effect of the Reverse Stock Split. Three of the investors or their affiliates were beneficial holders of more than 5% of Pre-Merger Oruka’s capital stock, and the table below sets forth the number of shares of Pre-Merger Oruka common stock and Pre-Merger Oruka pre-funded warrants purchased by such holders at the closing of the Pre-Merger Closing Financing.
Participant Shares of
Pre-Merger
Oruka
Common
Stock Pre-funded
Warrants of
Pre-Merger
Oruka Total
Purchase
Price
Entities affiliated with Fairmount 5,139,797 9,271,241 $ 79,907,282 (1)
Entities affiliated with Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners 5,011,172 392,967 $ 29,996,067
Entities affiliated with FMR LLC 4,503,445 - $ 24,999,974
(1) Includes $25.0 million of proceeds previously received by Pre-Merger Oruka from the issuance of the Convertible Note and accrued interest on such note, with the remainder of the purchase price paid in cash.
Company Transactions
September 2024 Private Placement
On September 11, 2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) with certain selling stockholders to consummate a private placement (the “Private Placement”). Pursuant to the SPA, the selling stockholders purchased (i) an aggregate of 5,600,000 shares of Common Stock, at a price per share of $23.00, (ii) an aggregate of 2,439 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, at a price per share of $23,000.00, and (iii) pre-funded warrants to purchase an aggregate of 680,000 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $22.999 per pre-funded warrant, which represents the per share purchase price of the Private Placement Common Shares less the $0.001 per share exercise price for each pre-funded warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $200.5 million. Three of the selling stockholders or their affiliates were beneficial holders of more than 5% of the Company’s capital stock, and the table below sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock and pre-funded warrants purchased by such holders at the closing of the Private Placement.
Participant Shares of
Common
Stock Series A
Preferred
Stock Pre-Funded
Warrants Total
Purchase
Price
Entities affiliated with FMR LLC 2,105,000 - $ 67,505,000
Entities affiliated with Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners 150,000 300,000 $ 14,949,700
Entities affiliated with Fairmount 275,000 - $ 10,005,000
Our Relationship with Paragon and Paruka
We are party to a number of agreements with Paragon and Paruka. Paragon and Paruka do not beneficially own more than 5% of our capital stock through their joint holdings of our Common Stock. Fairmount beneficially owns more than 5% of our capital, one of Fairmount’s employees serves on our Board, and Fairmount beneficially owns more than 5% of Paragon. Fairmount appointed Paragon’s board of directors and has the contractual right to approve the appointment of any executive officers of Paragon, but is not the beneficial owner of Paragon’s securities. Paruka is an entity formed by Paragon as a vehicle to hold equity in our Company in order to share profits with certain employees of Paragon.
In March 2024, Pre-Merger Oruka entered into the Option Agreements with Paragon and Paruka. Under the terms of the Option Agreements, Paragon identifies, evaluates and develops antibodies directed against certain mutually agreed therapeutic targets of interest to us. The Option Agreements include two selected targets, IL-23 (ORKA-001) and IL-17A/F (ORKA-002). Under each of the Option Agreements, we have the exclusive option to, on a research program-by-research program basis, be granted an exclusive, worldwide license to all of Paragon’s right, title and interest in and to the intellectual property resulting from the applicable research program to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the antibodies and potential products directed to the selected targets (each, an “Option”), with the exception of pursuing ORKA-001 for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. In September 2024, we exercised our Option to acquire the rights to ORKA-001 and executed the corresponding license agreement (the “IL-23 License Agreement”) on December 17, 2024. In December 2024 we exercised our Option to acquire the rights to ORKA-002 and executed the corresponding license agreement (the IL-17A/F License Agreement) on February 4, 2025. Under each license agreement we are required to make non-refundable milestone payments to Paragon of up to $12.0 million under each respective agreement upon the achievement of certain clinical development milestones, up to $10.0 million under each respective agreement upon the achievement of certain regulatory milestones, as well as a low single-digit percentage royalty for antibody products beginning on the first commercial sale in each program. From time to time, we can choose to add additional targets to the collaboration by mutual agreement with Paragon. During 2024, we accrued two $1.5 million milestone payments related to the achievement of development candidates as research and development expense in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, this amount is included under related party accounts payable and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
Pursuant to the terms of the Option Agreements, the parties initiated certain Research Programs. Each Research Program is aimed at discovering, generating, identifying and/or characterizing antibodies directed to the respective target. For each Research Program, the parties established a Research Plan (each, a “Research Plan”) that sets forth the activities that will be conducted, and the associated research budget. We and Paragon agreed on initial Research Plans that outlined the services that were performed commencing at inception of the arrangement related to IL-17 and IL-23. Our exclusive option with respect to each Research Program was exercisable at our sole discretion at any time during the period beginning on the initiation of activities under the associated Research Program and ending a specified number of days following the delivery of the data package from Paragon related to the results of the Research Plan activities. There is no payment due upon exercise of an Option pursuant to the Option Agreements.
Pursuant to the Option Agreements, on a research program-by-research program basis following the finalization of the Research Plan for each respective research program, the Company was required to pay Paragon a one-time nonrefundable research initiation fee of $0.8 million related to the ORKA-001 program. This amount was recognized as a research and development expense during the period from February 6 (inception) to December 31, 2024. In June 2024, pursuant to the Option Agreements with Paragon, the Company completed the selection process of its development candidate for IL-23 antibodies for the ORKA-001 program. The Company was responsible for 50% of the development costs incurred through the completion of the IL-23 selection process. The Company received the rights to at least one selected IL-23 antibody in June 2024. During 2024, the Company exercised its option for ORKA-001 and recorded a $1.5 million milestone payment related to the achievement of development candidate as research and development expense in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. In addition, during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, the Company recorded a $2.5 million milestone payment related to the first dosing of a human subject in a Phase 1 trial of ORKA-001 in December 2024 as research and development expense in its consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company’s share of development costs incurred during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024 was $13.5 million, which was recorded as research and development expenses. An amount of $2.8 million related to ORKA-001 is included in related party accounts payable and other current liabilities as of December 31, 2024.
The Company is also required to reimburse Paragon $3.3 million for development costs related to ORKA-002 incurred by Paragon through December 31, 2023 and certain other development costs incurred by Paragon between January 1, 2024 and March 6, 2024 as stipulated by the Option Agreements. This amount was recognized as a research and development expense during the period from February 6 (inception) to December 31, 2024. The Company is also responsible for development costs incurred by Paragon from January 1, 2024 through the completion of the IL-17 selection process. The Company recognized an amount of $0.8 million payable to Paragon for the research initiation fee related to ORKA-002 following the finalization of the ORKA-002 research plan. This was recognized as research and development expenses in the period from February 6 (inception) to December 31, 2024. During the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024, the Company exercised its option for ORKA-002 and recorded a $1.5 million milestone payment related to the achievement of development candidate as research and development expense in its consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company accounted for development costs of $7.8 million during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to December 31, 2024 as research and development expenses. An amount of $2.7 million related to ORKA-002 is included in related party accounts payable and other current liabilities as of December 31, 2024.
Furthermore, the Option Agreements provide for an annual equity grant of warrants to purchase a number of shares equal to 1.00% of the then outstanding shares of our stock, on a fully diluted basis, on each of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025, during the term of the Option Agreements, at the fair market value determined by our Board.
Indemnification Agreements and Insurance
We have entered into an indemnification agreement with each of our directors and senior officers and purchased directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. The indemnification agreements require us to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law.
Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Parties
Prior to the Merger Closing, Pre-Merger Oruka did not have a formal policy regarding approval of transactions with related parties. All disclosable transactions with related parties that occurred prior to the Merger Closing were approved by the directors not interested in such transactions, pursuant to Section 144(a)(1) of the DGCL.
Our Board has adopted a written related person transactions policy. Under this policy, our executive officers, directors, nominees for election as a director, beneficial owners of more than 5% of our Common Stock, and any members of the immediate family of and any entity affiliated with any of the foregoing persons, are not permitted to enter into a material related person transaction with us without the review and approval of our Audit Committee, or a committee composed solely of independent directors in the event it is inappropriate for our Audit Committee to review such transaction due to a conflict of interest. The policy provides that, subject to limited exceptions, any transaction, arrangement or relationship or series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships in which (1) the aggregate amount involved since the beginning of the Company’s last completed fiscal year exceeds or is expected to exceed $120,000, (2) the Company or any of our subsidiaries is a participant, and (3) any related person has or will have a direct or indirect interest, will be presented to our Audit Committee for review, consideration and approval. In approving or rejecting any such proposal, our Audit Committee will consider the material facts and other factors it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction.
Director Independence
Our Board has reviewed the independence of all directors in light of each director’s (or any family member’s, if applicable) affiliations with the Company and members of management, as well as significant holdings of our securities and all other facts and circumstances that the Board has deemed relevant in determining the independence of each director. The Board has determined that each of the directors other than Lawrence Klein, our current President and Chief Executive Officer, including Kristine Ball, Carl Dambkowski, Peter Harwin, Samarth Kulkarni and Cameron Turtle, qualify as “independent directors” as defined by the Nasdaq listing rules.
Nasdaq listing rules have objective tests and a subjective test for determining who is an “independent director.” The subjective test states that an independent director must be a person who lacks a relationship that, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The Board has not established categorical standards or guidelines to make these subjective determinations but considers all relevant facts and circumstances.
In addition, ARCA’s board of directors determined that former directors Drs. Linda Grais, Anders Hove and Raymond Woosley, and Messrs. Robert Conway, Daniel Mitchell and James Flynn were independent during the period each served on the Board in 2024. ARCA’s board of directors determined Dr. Michael R. Bristow, ARCA’s former President and Chief Executive Officer, was not an independent director in 2024 by virtue of his employment relationship with ARCA.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following is a summary of the audit fees billed and expected to be billed for the indicated fiscal year to Oruka by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), Pre-Merger Oruka’s independent registered public accounting firm and Oruka’s independent registered public accounting firm on and after August 30, 2024, and the fees billed by PwC for all other services rendered during the indicated fiscal year. All services associated with such fees on and after August 30, 2024 were pre-approved by our Audit Committee in accordance with the “Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures” described below.
Fiscal Year ended
December 31,
Audit Fees(1) $ 1,928,000
Audit-Related Fees -
Tax Fees -
All Other Fees(2) 2,000
Total $ 1,930,000
(1) Audit Fees consisted of fees and expenses covering the audit of our consolidated financial statements, reviews of our interim quarterly reports, accounting and financial reporting consultations, and the issuance of consents and comfort letters in connection with registration statement filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
(2) All Other Fees consist of all other services and fees billed for an annual subscription to PwC’s online resource library.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
In connection with the Merger Closing, our Board and Audit Committee adopted a policy and procedures for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm. These procedures generally approve the performance of specific services subject to a cost limit for all such services. This general approval is reviewed, and if necessary modified, at least annually. Management must obtain the specific prior approval of the Audit Committee for each engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm to perform other audit-related or non-audit services. The Audit Committee does not delegate its responsibility to pre-approve services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm to any member of management. The Audit Committee has delegated authority to the Audit Committee chair to pre-approve audit and non-audit services to be provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm provided that the fees for such services do not exceed $100,000. Any pre-approval of services by the Audit Committee chair pursuant to this delegated authority must be reported to the Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report:
(1) Financial Statements
See Index to Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report.
(2) Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
(3) List of Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K
Incorporation By Reference
Exhibit
Number
Description
Form
Exhibit
No.
Filing Date
2.1†
Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of April 3, 2024, by and among ARCA biopharma, Inc., Atlas Merger Sub Corp., Atlas Merger Sub II, LLC and Oruka Therapeutics, Inc.
8-K
2.1
4/3/2024
3.1
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
8-K
3.5
9/5/2024
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws
8-K
3.6
9/5/2024
3.3
Form of Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
S-1/A
3.1(b)
5/24/2013
3.4
Certificate of Elimination of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, dated August 29, 2024
8-K
3.8
9/5/2024
3.5
Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock
8-K
3.9
9/5/2024
3.6
Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock
8-K
3.1
9/13/2024
4.1
Description of Securities
Filed herewith
4.2
Investors’ Rights Agreement by and among Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. and certain investors, dated March 6, 2024
S-4
4.3
5/14/2024
4.3
Form of Pre-Funded Warrant, dated August 29, 2024
Filed herewith
4.4
Form of Pre-Funded Warrant, dated September 13, 2024
8-K
4.1
9/13/2024
10.1#
Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. 2024 Stock Incentive Plan
8-K
10.10
9/5/2024
10.2#
Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. 2024 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
8-K
10.11
9/5/2024
10.3#
Amended and Restated 2024 Equity Incentive Plan
S-4
10.40
5/14/2024
10.4#
Second Amendment to the Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2024 Equity Incentive Plan
8-K
10.13
9/5/2024
10.5#
Form of Employee Warrant Agreement
8-K
10.16
9/5/2024
10.6#
Form of Grant Notice for Nonqualified Stock Option and Standard Terms and Conditions for Stock Options (Directors)
S-8
99.2
11/14/2024
10.7#
Form of Grant Notice for Stock Option and Standard Terms and Conditions for Stock Options (Employees)
S-8
99.3
11/14/2024
10.8#
Form of Stock Option Agreement under the Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2024 Equity Incentive Plan
S-4
10.42
5/14/2024
10.9#
Separation Agreement and Release by and between Michael Bristow and ARCA biopharma, Inc., dated April 3, 2024
8-K
10.1
4/4/2024
10.10#
Second Amendment to Retention Bonus Letter by and between ARCA biopharma, Inc. and Thomas A. Keuer, dated April 22, 2024
8-K
10.1
4/23/2024
10.11#
Second Amendment to Retention Bonus Letter by and between ARCA biopharma, Inc. and C. Jeffrey Dekker
8-K
10.2
4/23/2024
10.12†#
Consulting Agreement, effective as of August 30, 2024, by and between the Company and Jeff Dekker
8-K
10.25
9/5/2024
10.13#
Amended and Restated Director Offer Letter, dated March 22, 2024, by and between Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. and Samarth Kulkarni
S-4
10.43
5/14/2024
10.14#
Director Offer Letter, dated April 24, 2024, by and between Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. and Kristine Ball
S-4
10.44
5/14/2024
10.15#
Amended and Restated Employment Letter Agreement by and between Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. and Lawrence Klein, dated October 3, 2024
8-K
10.1
10/4/2024
10.16#
Amended and Restated Employment Letter Agreement by and between Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. and Arjun Agarwal, dated October 3, 2024
8-K
10.2
10/4/2024
10.17*#
Amended and Restated Employment Letter Agreement by and between Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. and Paul Quinlan, dated October 1, 2024
Filed herewith
10.18*#
Amended and Restated Employment Letter Agreement by and between Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. and Joana Goncalves, dated October 1, 2024
Filed herewith
10.19*#
Form of Indemnification Agreement
Filed herewith
10.20*
Non-Employee Directors Compensation Program
Filed herewith
10.21
Form of Lock-Up Agreement
8-K
10.4
4/3/2024
10.22
Form of Amendment to Subscription Agreement
8-K
10.1
7/9/2024
10.23
Form of Amended & Restated Subscription Agreement
8-K
10.2
7/9/2024
10.24
Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 29, 2024
10-Q
10.4
11/13/2024
10.25†
Securities Purchase Agreement by and between Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. and each of the entities listed on Exhibit A thereto, dated September 11, 2024
8-K
10.1
9/13/2024
10.26
Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 13, 2024
8-K
10.2
9/13/2024
10.27
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated August 14, 2024, by and between ARCA biopharma, Inc. and Genvara Biopharma, Inc.
8-K
10.1
8/15/2024
10.28†
Amended and Restated Antibody Discovery and Option Agreement (IL-17) by and among Paragon Therapeutics, Inc., Paruka Holding, LLC, and Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. dated March 28, 2024
S-4/A
10.50
6/18/2024
10.29*†
IL-17 License Agreement by and between Paragon Therapeutics, Inc. and Oruka Therapeutics, Inc., dated February 4, 2025
Filed herewith
10.30†
Amended and Restated Antibody Discovery and Option Agreement (IL-23) by and among Paragon Therapeutics, Inc., Paruka Holding, LLC, and Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. dated March 28, 2024
S-4/A
10.51
6/18/2024
10.31*†
IL-23 License Agreement by and between Paragon Therapeutics, Inc. and Oruka Therapeutics, Inc., dated December 17, 2024
Filed herewith
10.32*†
Cell Line License Agreement by and between WuXi Biologics Ireland Limited and Oruka Therapeutics, Inc., dated March 4,
Filed herewith
10.33*†
Amendment No. 1 to the Cell Line License Agreement by and between WuXi Biologics Ireland Limited and Oruka Therapeutics, Inc., dated November 20, 2024
Filed herewith
14.1
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
8-K
14.1
9/5/2024
16.1
Letter from KPMG LLP, dated September 5, 2024
8-K
16.1
9/5/2024
19.1*
Insider Trading Policy
Filed herewith
21.1*
List of subsidiaries of the Registrant
Filed herewith
23.1*
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Filed herewith
24.1*
Power of Attorney (Incorporated by reference to the signature page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K)
Filed herewith
31.1*
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed herewith
31.2*
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed herewith
32.1**
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and Rule 13a-14(B) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Furnished herewith
97.1*
Incentive Compensation Clawback Policy
Filed herewith
101.INS*
Inline XBRL Instance Document
Filed herewith
101.SCH*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema with Embedded Linkbases Document
Filed herewith
101.CAL*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
Filed herewith
101.DEF*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
Filed herewith
101.LAB*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
Filed herewith
101.PRE*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
Filed herewith
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith. The certifications on Exhibit 32.1 hereto are deemed not “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liability of that Section. Such certifications will not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
# Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.
† Exhibits and/or schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby undertakes to furnish supplementally copies of any of the omitted exhibits and schedules upon request by the SEC; provided, however, that the Company may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Exchange Act for any exhibits or schedules so furnished. Certain portions of this exhibit (indicated by “[***]”) have been omitted because they are both (i) not material and (ii) is the type of information that the registrant both customarily and actually treats as private and confidential.