ANAVEX LIFE SCIENCES CORP. 10-Q

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS There have been no material changes to the risk factors discussed in “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on December 23, 2024 except the following: Risks Related to the Discovery and Development of Our Current and Future Product Candidates The marketing approval process for pharmaceutical products is a lengthy, complex and highly regulated process and we cannot predict the outcome of any interactions with the regulatory authorities or when we will receive marketing approval, if at all. The regulatory approval processes of the EMA, the FDA, and other comparable foreign authorities are lengthy, time-consuming and inherently unpredictable, and the approval process can vary significantly depending on the regulatory authority. Relevant health authorities may, at the time of the filing of the application for a marketing authorization, or later during their review, impose requirements that can evolve over time, including requiring additional clinical trials, and such authorities may delay or refuse to grant approval. A finding that our Phase 2b/3 ANAVEX2-73-AD-004 clinical trial is insufficient to support the current marketing authorization in Alzheimer’s disease could lead us to decide, after consultation with regulatory authorities, to voluntarily withdraw our MAA for blarcamesine. In recent years, health authorities have become increasingly focused on product safety and on the risk/benefit profile of pharmaceutical products, which could lead to more burdensome and costly approval processes and negatively affect our ability to obtain regulatory approval for products under development. For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) and the European Medicines Agency (the “EMA”), have been implementing strict requirements for approval, particularly in terms of the volume of data needed to demonstrate a product’s efficacy and safety. Obtaining and maintaining regulatory approval of blarcamesine or any future product candidates in one jurisdiction does not mean that we will be successful in obtaining regulatory approval of those product candidates in other jurisdictions. Obtaining and maintaining regulatory approval of blarcamesine and any future product candidates in one jurisdiction does not guarantee that we will be able to obtain or maintain regulatory approval in any other jurisdiction, while a failure or delay in obtaining regulatory approval in one jurisdiction may have a negative effect on the regulatory approval process in others. Approval procedures vary among jurisdictions and can involve requirements and administrative review periods different from each other, including additional preclinical studies or clinical trials, as clinical trials conducted in one jurisdiction may not be accepted by regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions. In many jurisdictions outside the U.S., including Canada, and certain jurisdictions in the EU, a product candidate must be approved for reimbursement before it can be approved for sale in that jurisdiction. In some cases, the price that we intend to charge for our products is also subject to approval. Regulatory authorities in jurisdictions outside of the U.S. have requirements for approval of product candidates with which we must comply prior to marketing in those jurisdictions and such regulatory requirements can vary widely from country to country. Obtaining other regulatory approvals and compliance with other regulatory requirements could result in significant delays, difficulties and costs for us and could require additional preclinical studies or clinical trials, which could be costly and time-consuming and could delay or prevent the introduction of our products in certain countries. The foreign regulatory approval process involves all of the risks associated with FDA approval. We do not have experience in obtaining regulatory approval in international markets or within the United States. If we fail to comply with the regulatory requirements in international or domestic markets and/or obtain and maintain applicable marketing approvals, our target market will be reduced and our ability to realize the full market potential of blarcamesine or any future product candidates will be harmed. 40 Risks Related to Our Business Our business could be affected by litigation, government investigations and enforcement actions. We currently operate in a number of jurisdictions in a highly regulated industry and we could be subject to litigation, government investigation and enforcement actions on a variety of matters in the United States or foreign jurisdictions, including, without limitation, intellectual property, regulatory, product liability, environmental, whistleblower, false claims, privacy, anti-kickback, anti-bribery, securities, commercial, employment and other claims and legal proceedings which may arise from conducting our business. In the ordinary course as a public company, the SEC and other U.S. and foreign regulatory and governmental agencies have initiated and may in the future initiate requests, comments and/or investigations regarding legal, regulatory and compliance matters of the Company. We have cooperated, and will in the future cooperate, on any such matters with such regulatory and governmental agencies, and such matters could require us to expend significant time, attention and resources. Any determination that our operations or activities are not in compliance with existing laws or regulations could result in the imposition of fines, civil and criminal penalties, equitable remedies, including disgorgement, injunctive relief and/or other sanctions against us, and remediation of any such findings could have an adverse effect on our business operations. Legal proceedings, government investigations and enforcement actions can be expensive and time-consuming. An adverse outcome resulting from any such proceedings, investigations or enforcement actions could result in significant damages, awards, fines, penalties, exclusion from the federal healthcare programs, healthcare debarment, injunctive relief, product recalls, reputational damage and modifications of our business practices, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Even if such a proceeding, investigation or enforcement action is ultimately decided in our favor, the investigation and defense thereof could require substantial financial and management resources. Changes in U.S. and international trade policies may adversely impact our business and operating results. The U.S. government has made statements and taken actions that have led to certain changes and may lead to additional changes to U.S. and international trade policies. For example, President Trump has imposed or signaled to impose a series of tariffs on certain products manufactured outside the United States, including pharmaceutical products and raw materials and components for pharmaceutical products, and it is unknown whether and to what extent additional tariffs (or other new laws or regulations) will be adopted, or the effect that any such actions would have on us or our industry. Such unfavorable government policies on international trade, such as export controls, capital controls or tariffs, may affect the import and export of materials and products used in our drug development. For example, we have already faced increased costs associated with our imports of drug products due to newly imposed tariffs on Canada. These policies may also affect the demand for our product candidates, the competitive position of our product candidates, and clinical manufacturing and future commercial activities. If any new tariffs, export controls, legislation and/or regulations are implemented, or if existing trade agreements are renegotiated or if the U.S. government takes retaliatory trade actions due to the ongoing trade tensions, such changes could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.