Item 1. Business
Item
1. Business.
Overview
Cocrystal
Pharma, Inc. (the “Company” or “Cocrystal”) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing
novel antiviral therapeutics as treatments for serious and/or chronic viral diseases. We employ unique structure-based technologies and
Nobel Prize winning expertise with the goal of creating viable antiviral drugs. These technologies are designed to efficiently deliver
small molecule therapeutics that are safe, effective, and convenient to administer. We have identified promising discovery, preclinical
and clinical stage antiviral compounds for unmet medical needs caused by RNA viruses including influenza virus, norovirus, coronaviruses
(including SARS-CoV-2 & MERS-CoV), respiratory virus infections and hepatitis C virus (“HCV”) infections.
The
Company operates as one business entity.
Cocrystal
Technology
We
are developing small molecule antiviral therapeutics that inhibit the essential viral replication function of RNA viruses causing acute
and chronic viral diseases. Our goals include treating and preventing influenza virus, norovirus, and coronavirus infections by discovering
and developing direct-acting antiviral drug candidates targeting required steps in the viral replication process. To discover and design
these direct-acting antiviral drug candidates, we use a proprietary platform comprising computational chemistry, medicinal chemistry,
X-ray crystallography and our extensive know-how. We determine the structures of cocrystals containing the inhibitors bound to the viral
enzyme or protein to guide our structure-based drug design. We also use advanced computational methods to screen and design product candidates
using proprietary high-resolution cocrystal structural information. In designing the candidates, we seek to anticipate and avert potential
viral mutations leading to resistance. By designing and selecting drug candidates that interrupt the viral replication process and specific
binding characteristics, we seek to develop drugs that are effective against both the virus and possible mutants of the virus and have
reduced off-target interactions that may cause undesirable clinical side effects.
The
successful application of our approach requires extensive knowledge of viruses and drug targets. In addition, knowledge and experience
in the fields of structural biology, pharmacology, virology, and enzymology are required. We developed our proprietary structure-based
drug design under the guidance of Dr. Roger Kornberg, our Chief Scientist and Chairman of both our Scientific Advisory Board (“SAB”)
and Board of Directors (the “Board”), who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2006. Our drug discovery process focuses
on the highly conserved regions of the viral drug target enzymes and inhibitor-enzyme interactions at the atomic level. Additionally,
we have developed proprietary chemical libraries consisting of non-nucleoside inhibitors, metal-binding inhibitors, and drug-like fragments.
Our drug discovery process is different from traditional, empirical, medicinal chemistry approaches that often require iterative high-throughput
compound screening and lengthy hit-to-lead processes. We will continue developing preclinical and clinical drug candidates using our
proprietary drug discovery technology.
The
Company’s proprietary technology integrates several powerful and specialized computational techniques for drug design:
(1)
Selection
of viral drug targets amenable to broad-spectrum antiviral drug development and essential for viral genome replication;
(2)
Atomic
resolution 3-D structure determination of drug-binding pockets;
(3)
In-depth
computational analysis of conserved drug-binding pockets and critical molecular interactions between antiviral inhibitors and amino
acid residues of the target molecule’s drug-binding pocket;
(4)
Cocrystal
structure determinations to inform hit identification, hit-to-lead, and lead optimization processes;
(5)
Molecular
modeling and computer-guided lead discovery to support rational chemical modifications based on structure-activity relationships,
or SAR, of candidate inhibitor compounds;
(6)
Knowledge
of enzymatic mechanisms to guide the design of drugs with exceptional affinity, specificity, and broad-spectrum activity; and
(7)
Platforms
for rapid identification of antiviral enzyme inhibitors showing broad-spectrum antiviral activity.
We
have applied these techniques to develop antiviral inhibitors of four important viruses: influenza virus, coronavirus, norovirus and
HCV.
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Market-Driven
Product Profiles
In
all of our programs our goal is to develop best-in-class broad-spectrum antiviral drugs with high-barrier-to-drug resistance. An ideal
product for an antiviral therapy would have at least the following characteristics:
(1)
High
barrier to viral resistance;
(2)
Effective
against all viral subtypes that cause disease;
(3)
Novel
mechanism of action for therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatments;
(4)
Favorable
safety and tolerability profile; and
(5)
Multiple
routes of administration including oral, inhalation, and/or injection.
Even
at the discovery stage of drug development, we select compounds with these factors in mind. Furthermore, we believe our technology is
capable of delivering therapies that satisfy all of these key factors, as detailed below.
High
barrier to drug resistance : Drug resistance is a major obstacle to developing effective antiviral therapies. Viruses can reproduce
rapidly and in enormous quantities in infected human cells. During viral replication, random changes in the viral genome, called mutations,
develop. If such a mutation occurs in a region of the viral genome that is targeted by a given antiviral therapy, that therapy may not
be effective against the mutated virus. These mutated or “resistant” viruses can freely infect and multiply even in individuals
who have received drug treatment. In some cases, resistant virus strains may even predominate. For example, in the 2009 swine influenza
pandemic, the predominant strain was resistant to the best available therapies. During the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak newly emergent
mutated coronaviruses were identified, resulting in the ineffectiveness of some vaccines and therapeutics. For example, the Omicron variant
that arose as the dominant strain of COVID-19 in late 2021 until COVID-19 diminished in the winter of 2022 displayed increased resistance
to available vaccines and treatments, resulting in the limitation or suspension of emergency use authorizations (EAU) by the FDA for
certain therapeutic products. In early 2024, a new strain of COVID-19 named JN.1 became the predominant strain of the virus in circulation
and was believed to be either more transmissible or better at evading the immune system than other circulating variants. As of late 2025,
the prevalent variants of COVID-19 were KP.3.1.1, LP.8.1, NB1.8.1, XFG, and BA.3.2, four of which emerged in 2025. These five variants
are variants under monitoring (VUM) by the World Health Organization as of February 2026 due to their increasing prevalence globally.
The
Company’s focus on viral drug targets inhibiting replication proteins can potentially overcome the obstacle of viral resistance.
We identify and target critical residues of viral drug targets that are essential for function, and therefore, sensitive to change. A
mutation in these critical residues is likely to inactivate or slow down the replication processes and, in turn, render the virus incapable
of replicating. Because such mutations cannot propagate, the virus cannot effectively develop resistance to the enzyme inhibitors we
employ. We test the effectiveness of our compounds against existing drug-resistant variants and select compounds with the highest barrier
to resistance.
Broadly
effective against major strains responsible for a viral disease and multiple indications : For any given viral disease, there are
different strains of viruses that cause the disease. For example, there are three types of influenza viruses, A, B, and C. Influenza
A and B viruses are significant human respiratory pathogens that cause seasonal flu and hospitalizations, with influenza A viruses being
solely responsible for past influenza pandemics. Influenza C is a subtype of the influenza virus that tends to cause only mild illness
and is not responsible for seasonal or pandemic infections. Our goal is to design and develop drug candidates that will be effective
on the broadest possible range of viruses causing the disease.
Many
antiviral drugs available today are effective only against certain strains of a given virus and less effective or not effective at all
against other strains. To address this problem, we are developing drug candidates that specifically target viral enzymes involved in
viral replication. Despite the various strains of virus that may exist, the active site of these enzymes required for viral replication
is essentially highly conserved among all strains of a given virus. By targeting these highly conserved regions of the replication enzymes
and proteases, our antiviral compounds are designed and tested to be effective against major virus strains. Replication enzymes and proteases
are generally conserved not only among subtypes of a given virus but also among many different viruses, creating an opportunity for the
development of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs and pan-viral drugs.
Fast
onset of action: As viruses can reproduce rapidly and in enormous quantities in human cells, antiviral drugs are needed with faster
onset of viral load reduction resulting in shorter treatment time.
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Safety
and tolerability : All drugs potentially have side effects, also referred to as adverse effects. These usually result from a drug’s
ability to interact and/or interfere the physiological functions of human proteins, causing undesirable effects. When this interaction
is intentional (i.e., part of the drug’s mechanism of action), the adverse effects are classified as on-target effects. When this
interaction is unintentional (i.e., resulting from the drug’s interaction with an unintended human molecule), the effects are called
off-target effects. Our inhibitors target viral replication enzymes, which are generally unique to viruses. Because the targets are viral,
not human, minimal adverse effects may be the result. During the discovery phase, we evaluate candidate compounds for potential cross-reactivity
with human replication enzymes and attempt to eliminate those compounds that are cross-reactive with human homologous proteins.
Ease
of administration: We select compounds for development that can be administered orally, preferably once daily in pill-form, or by
inhalation or injection.
Research
and Development Update
During
the 12 months ended December 31, 2025 the Company continued to focus its research and development efforts primarily in three areas.
Influenza
Program
We
have several candidates under development for the treatment of influenza infection. CC-42344, a novel PB2 inhibitor, was selected as
a preclinical lead as an oral or inhaled treatment of pandemic and seasonal influenza A. This candidate binds to a highly conserved PB2
site of influenza polymerase complex (PB1: PB2: PA) and exhibits a novel mechanism of action. CC-42344 showed excellent in vitro
antiviral activity against influenza A strains, including avian pandemic strains and Tamiflu® and Xofluza® resistant strains,
and has favorable pharmacokinetic and drug resistance profiles.
In
addition to oral candidate of CC-42344, inhaled CC-42344 is being developed for the potential prophylactic treatment of pandemic and
seasonal influenza infections. Dry powder inhalation development and toxicology studies have been evaluated.
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In
December 2023 we received authorization from the United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to
conduct a Phase 2a human challenge study with oral CC-42344 as a potential treatment for pandemic and seasonal influenza A. This
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, viral and clinical
measurements of healthy subjects infected with the influenza A virus dosed with oral CC-42344 treatment. While in the Phase 2a study
CC-42344 demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability profile and no serious adverse events (“SAEs”) or drug-related
discontinuations by study participants, due to unexpectedly low influenza infection among study participants, management determined
that the low infectivity obtained in this study hindered antiviral data analysis. A dispute has arisen with the United Kingdom
clinical research organization (the “CRO”) that performed the Phase 2a study. The Company contends that the CRO breached
its agreement in a number of respects and is requesting that the CRO refund the $6,309,000 it was paid or redo the study. The CRO
has implicitly denied liability and is seeking to recover an additional approximately $600,000 from the Company. As of the date of
this Report, it appears that the Company will seek to arbitrate the dispute as required under the agreement with the CRO. See the
risk factor entitled “We face significant risks and uncertainties surrounding our Influenza A program following an initial
Phase 2a study which failed to yield scientifically viable results relating to the product candidate’s efficacy”
beginning on page 14. Subject to resolution of this issue or our raising capital to conduct another study, we plan to continue
development of oral CC-42344 as a treatment for pandemic and seasonal influenza A.
In
June 2024 we reported the potential efficacy of CC-42344 against the new Texas avian flu strain from in vitro studies with the
recently published genome sequence for H5N1. Using our proprietary structure-based platform technology, the Company reported a high-resolution
cocrystal structure of this avian PB2 protein complexed with CC-42344 and confirmed that CC-42344 binds to its highly conserved PB2 region.
The in vitro data using purified Texas avian H5N1 PB2 protein further showed in vitro affinity of CC-42344 similar to that
of previous data using pandemic avian and seasonal influenza A PB proteins.
We
also continue developing novel broad-spectrum influenza antivirals targeting replication enzymes of seasonal and pandemic influenza A
and B strains.
Norovirus
and Coronavirus Programs
We
developed the novel protease inhibitor CDI-988 as an oral pan-viral treatment of noroviruses and coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2
and its variants. CDI-988 was specifically designed and developed using our proprietary structure-based drug discovery platform technology
as a broad-spectrum antiviral inhibitor to a highly conserved region in the active site of noroviruses, coronaviruses and other 3CL viral
proteases. We believe CDI-988 represents
the
only oral pan-viral antiviral in development for the treatment and prevention of viral gastroenteritis caused by noroviruses, and coronaviruses,
including SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
Oral
CDI-988 was clinically evaluated for safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics including a food-effect cohort in healthy volunteers in
a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1 study conducted in Australia.
In
July 2024 we announced favorable safety and tolerability results from the single-ascending dose (SAD) cohorts of the Phase 1 study with
CDI-988. Study participants in the SAD cohorts received CDI-988 in doses ranging from 100 mg to 600 mg. All participants completed the
study with no discontinuations. There were no serious adverse events (“SAEs”) or severe treatment-emergent adverse events.
No clinically significant observations were noted in laboratory assessments, physical exams or electrocardiograms.
In
September 2024 we initiated dosing of the first subjects in the multiple-ascending dose (MAD) portion of the Phase 1 study with CDI-988.
Topline Phase 1 study safety and tolerability SAD results and testing of 800 mg for 10 consecutive days were reported in January 2025
indicating favorable safety and tolerability results. We also announced that an additional cohort with a higher dose of 1,200 mg and
a shorter treatment duration of five consecutive days would be conducted to further assess CDI-988’s safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics.
In August 2025 we presented favorable safety and tolerability Phase 1 data from all CDI-988 doses, including the high-dose 1200 mg cohort,
at the 2025 Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS).
In
September 2025 we received a Study May Proceed Letter from the FDA to conduct a Phase 1b challenge study in the U.S. evaluating CDI-988
as a norovirus preventive and treatment. In December 2025, we received Institutional Review Board approval from Emory University School
of Medicine, the clinical study site for the Phase 1b trial, and announced that subject screening for the study was underway. In February
2026, we announced commencement of the Phase 1b challenge study at Emory University School of Medicine. The study’s primary efficacy
endpoint is to assess the reduction in incidence of clinical symptoms, while the secondary efficacy endpoint focuses on the reduction
in viral shedding and disease severity. The study will also assess the safety and pharmacokinetic profile of CDI-988.
Therapeutic
Targets
Influenza:
A worldwide public health problem, including the potential for pandemic Avian Flu.
Influenza
is a severe respiratory illness caused primarily by influenza A or B virus. Influenza A viruses are the only influenza viruses known
to cause influenza pandemics. Each year there are approximately 1 billion cases of seasonal influenza worldwide, with 3-5 million severe
illnesses and up to 650,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (“WHO”). On average about 8% of the U.S. population
contracts influenza each season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”). In addition to the
health risk, influenza is responsible for approximately $10.4 billion in direct medical costs in the U.S. annually, according to the
National Institutes of Health (“NIH”).
Currently
approved antiviral treatments for influenza are effective but burdened with significant viral resistance. Strains of influenza virus
resistant to the approved treatments oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu®), zanamavir (Relenza®) and baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza®)
have appeared and in some cases are predominant. For example, the predominant strain of the 2009 swine influenza pandemic was resistant
to oseltamivir. Oseltamivir inhibits influenza neuraminidase enzymes, which are not highly conserved between viral strains. According
to the WHO, approximately 16% of the H1N1 isolates circulating worldwide were oseltamivir resistant. Also, treatment-emergent resistance
to recently approved baloxavir has been observed during clinical trials and the potential transmission of resistant influenza variants
could significantly diminish baloxavir effectiveness.
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Coronavirus:
COVID-19 continues to be a global health concern fueled by an emergence of new strains.
COVID-19
is a global health concern responsible for more than 777 million reported cases globally, including more than 7 million deaths, as of
February 2026, according to data reported by the WHO.
Coronaviruses
(CoV) are a large family of RNA viruses that historically have been associated with illness ranging from mild symptoms similar to the
common cold to more severe respiratory disease. Infection with the novel SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with a wide range of responses,
from no symptoms to more severe disease that has included pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and death. The
incubation period for SARS-CoV-2 is believed to be within 14 days after exposure, with most illness occurring within about five days
after exposure. SARS-CoV-2, like other RNA viruses, is prone to mutate over time, resulting in the emergence of multiple variants. Adaptive
mutations in the viral genome can alter the virus’s pathogenic potential. Even a single amino acid exchange can drastically affect
a virus’s ability to evade the immune system and complicate the vaccine and antibody therapeutics development against the virus.
Based on the recent epidemiological update by the WHO, five SARS-CoV-2 VOCs (variants of concern) have been identified since the beginning
of the pandemic. Also, as demonstrated in the Delta, Omicron and other variants, some variations allow the virus to spread more easily
and make it resistant to the treatments and vaccines.
On
October 22, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved the antiviral drug Veklury® (remdesivir) for
the treatment of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. Remdesivir is a nucleotide prodrug that inhibits viral replication and was previously
evaluated in clinical trials for Ebola treatment in 2014. On May 25, 2023, the FDA approved Paxlovid™ (nirmatrelvir tablets and
ritonavir tablets, co-packaged for oral use) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at high risk for progression
to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. For certain hospitalized adults with COVID-19, the FDA has also approved Olumiant®
(baricitinib) and Actemra® (tocilizumab). In addition, the FDA issued emergency use authorization (EUA) for several antibody and
antiviral therapeutics, including and Lagevrio™ (molnupiravir).
We
continue pursuing the development of novel antiviral compounds for the treatment of coronavirus infections using our established proprietary
drug discovery platform. By targeting the viral replication enzymes and protease, we believe it is possible to develop an effective treatment
for all coronavirus diseases including COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
Norovirus:
A worldwide public health problem responsible for close to 90% of the global epidemic, non-bacterial outbreaks of gastroenteritis with
no effective treatment or vaccine.
Norovirus
is a very common and highly contagious virus that causes symptoms of acute gastroenteritis among people of all ages including nausea,
vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea as well as fatigue, fever and dehydration. Norovirus infection can be significantly more severe and
prolonged in specific risk groups including infants, children, the elderly and people with immunodeficiency. In immunosuppressed patients,
chronic norovirus infection can lead to a debilitating illness with extended periods of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Norovirus outbreaks
occur most commonly in semi-closed communities and have become notorious for their occurrence in hospitals, nursing homes, childcare
facilities, cruise ships, schools, disaster relief sites and military settings. In the U.S. alone, noroviruses are responsible for an
estimated 21 million cases annually, including 109,000 hospitalizations, 465,000 emergency department visits and an estimated 900 deaths,
according to the CDC. The NIH estimates the annual burden to the United States at $10.6 billion. Noroviruses are responsible for up to
1.1 million hospitalizations and 218,000 deaths annually in children in the developing world.
There
is currently no effective treatment or effective vaccine for norovirus, and the ability to curtail outbreaks is limited. We are developing
a novel norovirus antiviral candidate for the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of norovirus infection that is currently in a Phase
1b human challenge clinical study. A few companies have been developing vaccines and are in stages of clinical testing, including Vaxart
Pharmaceutical, Moderna, Hillevax, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical (China) and National Vaccine and Serum
Institute (China).
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By
targeting viral replication enzymes and a viral protease, we believe it is possible to develop an effective treatment for all
genogroups of norovirus. Also, because of the significant unmet medical need and the possibility of chronic norovirus infection in
immunocompromised individuals, new antiviral therapeutic and prophylactic approaches may warrant an accelerated path to market. We
are developing inhibitors of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and protease of norovirus. These enzymes are essential to viral
replication and are highly conserved between all noroviras genogroups. Therefore, an inhibitor of these enzymes might be an
effective treatment or short-term prophylactic agent, when administered during a cruise or nursing home stay, for example. We have
developed X-ray quality norovirus polymerase and protease crystals and have identified promising inhibitors. We are implementing our
proprietary drug discovery platform technology and approaches that have proven successful in our other antiviral
programs.
Hepatitis
C: A large competitive market with opportunity for shorter treatment regimens.
HCV
is a highly competitive and changing market. Since 2014, several combinations of direct-acting antiviral agents (“DAAs”)
have been approved for the treatment of HCV infection. These include Harvoni® (sofosbuvir/ledipasvir) 12 weeks of treatment, Viekira
Pak™ (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir) 12 weeks of treatment, Epclusa® (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) 12 weeks of treatment,
Zepatier™ (elbasvir/grazoprevir) 12 weeks of treatment and Mavyret® (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir) eight weeks of treatment. We
believe the next improvements in HCV treatment will be ultra-short combination oral treatments of four to six weeks, which is the goal
of our program.
We
anticipate a significant global HCV market opportunity that will persist through at least 2036, given the large prevalence of HCV infection
worldwide. The 2024 World Health Organization Global Hepatitis Report estimates that 50 million people worldwide have chronic HCV infections
with about 1 million new infections occurring per year and an estimated 3.2 million adolescents and children with chronic HCV infection.
We
are targeting the viral NS5B polymerase with a non-nucleoside inhibitor (“NNI”), which could be developed as part of an all-oral,
pan-genotypic combination regimen. Our focus is on developing what is now called ultrashort treatment regimens from four to six weeks
in length. Combining CC-31244 with different classes of approved direct-acting antivirals (“DAAs”) has the potential to change
the paradigm of treatment for HCV by shortening the duration of treatment. Combination strategies with approved drugs could allow us
to expand CC-31244 into the HCV antiviral therapeutic area globally and could lead to a high and fast cure rate, to improved compliance,
and to reduced treatment duration. To our knowledge no competing company has yet developed a short HCV treatment of less than 8 weeks
with a high (>95%) sustained virologic response (SVR) at week 12.
CC-31244,
an HCV NNI, is a potential best in class pan-genotypic inhibitor of NS5B polymerase for the treatment of HCV. We completed a randomized,
double-blinded Phase 1a/b study in healthy volunteers and HCV-infected subjects in Canada in September 2016, with favorable safety results.
We completed a Phase 2a study in HCV genotype 1 subjects in the U.S. in 2017. HCV-infected subjects treated with CC-31244 had a rapid
and marked decline in HCV RNA levels, and slow viral rebound after treatment. Results of this study suggest that CC-31244 could be an
important component in a shortened duration all-oral HCV combination therapy. In 2017, we completed the Phase 2a final study report as
filed with the FDA.
We
have been seeking a partner for further clinical development of CC-31244 since completing a Phase 2a study.
Intellectual
Property
Our
success depends, in part, upon our ability to protect our core technology. To establish and protect our proprietary rights, we rely on
a combination of patents, patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and know-how, license agreements, confidentiality
procedures, non-disclosure agreements with third parties, employee disclosure and invention assignment agreements, and other contractual
rights.
Our
patent portfolio consists of issued patents and pending applications in the areas primarily related to the treatment of disease associated
with influenza A, influenza A/B, and norovirus/coronaviruses and HCV.
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In
our influenza A program, our patent portfolio consists of several patent families, that are being prosecuted in the U.S. and various
foreign countries. We have a family that is directed to the clinical candidate, CC-42344, which has been granted in several jurisdictions,
including the US, China, EPO, India, and Taiwan, and pending in several others. Assuming all necessary annuities or maintenance fees
are paid during the lifetime of these patents, their natural term will extend to 2038, absent any available patent term extensions that
may be available. Other patent families in this program cover drug products and combination therapies, which are being prosecuted in
the U.S. and various foreign countries, including Australia, Brazil, EPO, Israel, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Taiwan. Assuming all
necessary annuities or maintenance fees are paid during the lifetime of these patents (or applications once granted), their natural term
will extend to 2039, absent any available patent term extensions that may be available.
In
our influenza A/B program, our patent portfolio consists of a number of patent families pending in the U.S. and various foreign countries.
Aspects of this program were developed in collaboration with Merck, which is legally protecting the intellectual property of the collaboration
compounds. We have at least four patent families pending for influenza A/B therapeutics, filed in various jurisdictions including the
US, Canada, EPO, Japan, Korea, and Mexico. Assuming all necessary annuities or maintenance fees are paid during the lifetime of these
patents (or applications once granted), their natural term will extend to 2039 or 2041, absent any available patent term extensions that
may be available.
In
our norovirus and coronavirus programs, our patent portfolio consists of three pending families are being prosecuted in the U.S. and
various foreign countries. We have two families that are directed to the clinical candidate CDI-988 and structural brethren, which are
pending in the U.S. and jurisdictions such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Eurasia, EPO, Indonesia, Israel, India, Japan, Korea,
Mexico, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailan, Taiwan, and South Africa. Assuming all necessary annuities or maintenance
fees are paid during the lifetime of these applications once granted, their natural term will extend to 2041 and 2042, absent any available
patent term extensions that may be available.
In
our HCV program, our patent portfolio consists of several patent families, with granted patents in the U.S. and several foreign countries.
Assuming all necessary annuities or maintenance fees are paid during the lifetime of these patents, their natural term will extend to
2036, absent any available patent term extensions that may be available.
Business-Competition
The
biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are subject to intense and rapidly changing competition as companies seek to develop new
technologies and proprietary products. We face worldwide competition from larger biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, universities
and other academic or research institutions and government agencies that are developing and commercializing pharmaceutical products similar
to our product candidates that target the viruses we are seeking to treat. We know of several companies that have marketed or are developing
products for the treatment of influenza, coronavirus, norovirus and HCV, including Roche, Gilead Sciences, Inc. (“Gilead”),
Merck, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Toyama Chemical Co., Shionogi/Roche and Abbvie, Inc. Their products are widely
considered effective. Further, in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic a number of third parties, including large biotechnology and
pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer Inc., Moderna, Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and academic institutions began conducting
research aimed at development of an effective treatment for, or a vaccine against, COVID-19. As a result of these efforts, a number of
vaccines and treatments for COVID-19 have been commercialized under FDA approval, or under the FDA’s emergency use authorization,
although certain of these approvals or authorizations are limited to specified circumstances. At least four treatments and five vaccines
for COVID-19 have received FDA approval. Many of the companies developing products for the viral diseases that are the focus of our programs
have substantially greater financial resources, including government funding, expertise and capabilities than we do and have existing
products in significantly more advanced stages of development. Additionally, viral mutations can lead to new strains or variants of a
virus that may be more resistant to products we develop when compared to those of competitors. See “Risk Factors” for more
information on the risks we face with respect to our competition.
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To
date, we have not fully developed, received regulatory approval for or commercialized any of our product candidates. Our ability to compete
will depend, to a great extent, on the speed in which we and our collaborators can develop safe and effective product candidates, complete
effective clinical testing and advance through regulatory approval processes, and coordinate with third parties to produce and distribute
the resulting products in sufficient commercial quantities to create and maintain a market for such products at favorable costs and prices.
If we do complete development of and obtain regulatory approval to market any product candidate, we anticipate that the competition we
would face with respect to such product would be based on a combination of a number of factors including efficacy, safety, reliability,
availability, price, patent position, and other factors.
Government
Regulation
Government
authorities extensively regulate the research, development, testing, manufacturing and commercialization of drug products. Any product
candidates we develop must be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) before they may be legally marketed
in the U.S., and by the appropriate foreign regulatory agencies before they may be legally marketed in other countries. The clinical
testing of product candidates to establish their safety and efficacy in humans is subject to substantial statutory and regulatory requirements
with which we must comply.
In
addition to the U.S. requirements such as those enforced by the FDA with respect to safety and efficacy of research, testing,
development and production, we also must comply with applicable laws and regulations of any foreign jurisdictions in which we
operate. For example, our research and development efforts in Australia for CDI-988, our lead norovirus and coronavirus product
candidate, subject us to the Australian government’s laws and regulations pertaining to the research and development,
including clinical testing on human subjects, of therapeutic product candidates. Further, our research and development efforts in
the United Kingdom for CC-42344 subject us to similar laws and regulations in the United Kingdom.
Our
presence in foreign countries has also subjected us to more general laws applicable to operations abroad, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act (the “FCPA”) and comparable legislation and regulation in foreign jurisdictions. In general, the FCPA prohibits
U.S. corporations and their representatives from offering, promising, authorizing or making payments to any foreign government official,
government staff member, political party or political candidate to obtain or retain business abroad. The scope of the FCPA includes interactions
with certain healthcare professionals in many countries. Other countries have enacted similar anti-corruption laws and/or regulations.
Further, because of our reliance on one or more clinical research organizations (“CROs”) and clinical manufacturing organizations
(“CMOs”) with respect to our research and development activities both in the U.S. and in foreign jurisdictions, we may have
limited control over compliance with such requirements in certain instances.
Human
Capital
As
of December 31, 2025, we employed 10 full-time employees. Of these full-time employees, eight are engaged in clinical advancement and
research and development activities. In addition, we have contracts with CROs, CMOs and consultants to provide chemistry, toxicology,
preclinical, clinical, and regulatory work on our programs, including in both preclinical and clinical studies for our product candidates.
Available
Information
Our
corporate website is www.cocrystalpharma.com. We make available on our website under “Investors – SEC Filings” access
to our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A and
amendments to those materials filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the “Exchange Act”), free of charge.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.