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Journey Medical Corp (DERM) Business

Verbatim Item 1 Business section from Journey Medical Corp's latest 10-K. Filing date: 2026-03-26. Accession: 0001104659-26-034629.

This page reproduces the company's own Item 1 Business text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.

Informational only - not investment advice. See Disclaimer.

Extracted from Item 1 Business to the first Item 1A/1B/1C/2 boundary after HTML sanitization. Confidence: high. Source form: 10-K. Character span: 32416-121390.

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Item 1. Business

OVERVIEW

We are a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company that primarily focuses on the selling and marketing of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved prescription pharmaceutical products for the treatment of dermatological conditions. Our current product portfolio includes eight FDA-approved prescription drugs for dermatological conditions that are marketed in the U.S. We acquire rights to products and product candidates by licensing or otherwise acquiring an ownership interest in, funding the research and development of, and eventually commercializing the products through our field sales organization. We are a controlled subsidiary of Fortress Biotech, Inc. (“Fortress” or “Parent”).

2025 Highlights and Events

On November 1, 2024, the FDA approved Emrosi for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea in adults. Emrosi was developed by Journey in collaboration with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. (“DRL”). Our initial supply became available in March 2025. We began sales promotion of Emrosi beginning in April 2025, and we are commercializing Emrosi in the U.S. with our existing commercial team.

Effective after the close of U.S. equity markets on June 27, 2025, we joined the small cap Russell 2000® Index and the broad-market Russell 3000® Index as a result of the 2025 annual Russell Index reconstitution.

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Journey Medical Corporation was incorporated in Delaware in 2014. Our executive offices are located at 9237 E Via de Ventura Blvd. Suite 105, Scottsdale, AZ 85258. Our telephone number is 480-434-6670, and our e-mail address is info@jmcderm.com or ir@jmcderm.com.

We maintain a website with the address www.jmcderm.com. We make available free of charge through our website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). We are not including the information on our website as a part of, nor incorporating it by reference into, this report. Additionally, the SEC maintains a website that contains annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other information that issuers (including us) file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s website address is http://www.sec.gov.

Our Market, Products and Relevant Disease States

Our major actively marketed products, which have been approved by the FDA for sale in the United States, include:

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EmrosiTM (Minocycline Hydrochloride Extended Release Capsules, 40 mg for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea in adults), approved by the FDA in November 2024, sales promotion began in April 2025.
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Qbrexza® (a medicated cloth towelette for the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis in patients nine years of age and older), acquired and launched in May 2021;
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Accutane® (an oral isotretinoin drug for the treatment of severe recalcitrant nodular acne), licensed in July 2020 and launched in March 2021;
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Amzeeq® (minocycline) topical foam, 4% (a topical formulation of minocycline for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of non-nodular moderate to severe acne vulgaris in adults and children nine years and older), acquired and launched in January 2022;
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Zilxi® (minocycline) topical foam, 1.5% (a topical minocycline treatment for inflammatory lesions of rosacea in adults), acquired and launched in January 2022;

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In addition to our actively marketed products, we also have a portfolio of legacy products that we continue to sell, including: Exelderm® Cream and Solution (a broad-spectrum antifungal intended for topical use), Targadox® (an oral doxycycline drug for adjunctive therapy for severe acne), and Luxamend® (a water-based emulsion formulated to provide an optimally moist healing environment for superficial wounds; minor cuts or scrapes; dermal ulcers; donor sites; first- and second-degree burns, including sunburns; and radiation dermatitis).

Rosacea and the Current Standard of Care

Rosacea is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin condition that most commonly presents with symptoms such as deep facial redness, acne-like inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules) and spider veins (telangiectasia). According to The National Rosacea Society, it is estimated that rosacea affects well over 16 million Americans and as many as 415 million people worldwide. Rosacea is most frequently seen in adults between 30 and 50 years of age. Surveys conducted by The National Rosacea Society report more than 90% of rosacea patients said their condition had lowered their self-confidence and self-esteem, and 41% reported that it had caused them to avoid public contact or cancel social engagements. Among rosacea patients with severe symptoms, 88% said the disorder had adversely affected their professional interactions, and 51% said they had missed work because of their condition.

The tetracycline class of antibiotics (minocycline and doxycycline) are considered to be effective options for the treatment of papulopustular rosacea. Oral doxycycline (40mg) has been approved for the treatment of only inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules) of rosacea and is available under the proprietary name Oracea® (Galderma L.P.) in the U.S. Oracea was the most prescribed oral doxycycline brand for rosacea for the last 20 years. Minocycline is widely believed to be the most effective tetracycline agent due to its high lipophilicity, which is anticipated to permit greater permeation into, and accumulation in, the sebaceous follicles and layers of the epidermis.

Emrosi for the Treatment of Rosacea

Emrosi (previously referred to as DFD-29) is a 40mg minocycline hydrochloride extended release capsule for oral use indicated to treat inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules) of rosacea in adults. Emrosi 40mg is now the lowest-dose approved oral minocycline hydrochloride approved by the FDA. It was developed using Multiple Unit Pellet System technology, which combines Immediate Release (10mg) and Extended Release (30mg) Minocycline pellets for uniform drug release. Emrosi has shown statistical superiority to Oracea and Placebo on the co-primary endpoints and all secondary endpoints in two phase 3 studies and was well-tolerated. The New Drug Application (the “NDA”) was filed under Section 505(b)(2) of the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”) in January 2024 and was approved in November 2024 by the FDA. Emrosi has three Orange Book-listed patents that extend through January of 2039.

The oral rosacea market had more than 1.5 million prescriptions in 2025 according to Symphony Health.

Zilxi for the Treatment of Rosacea

Zilxi (1.5% minocycline foam) was approved by the FDA in May 2020 and became available in pharmacies nationwide in October 2020. Zilxi is a once-daily novel antibiotic foam formulation of minocycline for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea in adults. Similar to Amzeeq, Zilxi leverages MST™ technology and is the first minocycline product of any form to be approved by the FDA for use in rosacea. We believe the anti-inflammatory properties of minocycline delivered in our innovative foam technology make Zilxi a highly appealing treatment option for rosacea patients. Zilxi has nine Orange Book-listed patents that extend through October of 2030.

The topical rosacea market had more than 4.7 million prescriptions in 2025 according to Symphony Health.

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Excessive Underarm Sweating and the Current Standard of Care

Excessive underarm sweating, commonly referred to as primary axillary hyperhidrosis (“PAH”), is a disorder characterized by excessive sweating in the armpits. The exact cause of PAH is not known, and the disorder affects males and females equally. When excessive sweating occurs as part of some other disorder, it is said to be secondary hyperhidrosis, which is a more commonly encountered condition than primary hyperhidrosis. According to a 2016 article published in the Archives of Dermatological Research, there are approximately 10 million people who suffer from PAH in the United States. The symptoms of PAH typically begin during childhood or puberty and may often, although not always, persist throughout a person’s life. Affected individuals may experience a heightened reaction to certain stimuli that can cause sweating such as anxiety, pain, exercise, tension, caffeine, and/or nicotine. The symptoms of this disorder develop due to overactivity of certain sweat glands, and incidences may be precipitated by social and/or physical stress. Some people with PAH experience relief from the symptoms during adulthood without treatment or obvious reason for the remission.

Pharmacological treatment options for PAH include topical, oral and iontophoretic treatments.

Qbrexza (glycopyrronium 2.4% cloth) for the Treatment of Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis

Our Qbrexza (glycopyrronium 2.4%) product is a topical, once-daily anticholinergic cloth that was approved by the FDA in June 2018 for the treatment of PAH in adult and pediatric patients nine years of age and older. Anticholinergics are a class of pharmaceutical products that exert their effect by blocking the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that transmits signals within the nervous system that are responsible for the activation of sweat glands. Qbrexza is applied directly to the skin and is designed to block underarm sweat production by inhibiting sweat gland activation. Qbrexza has eight Orange Book-listed patents that extend through February of 2033.

The PAH market had approximately 560,000 prescriptions in 2025 according to Symphony Health, excluding over-the-counter (“OTC”) clinical strength anti-perspirants.

Acne and the Current Standard of Care

Acne, also known as acne vulgaris, is a common skin disorder characterized by a blockage of hair follicles, which are clogged with oil and dead skin cells. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin condition in the U.S., affecting up to 50 million individuals annually.

Approximately 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 experience at least a minor form of acne. The disease is classified as mild, moderate or severe based on the severity of the disease progression, which is useful in identifying an appropriate treatment regimen. Mild acne is characterized by clogged hair follicles (known as comedones) that are either exposed to air (blackheads) or closed (whiteheads), with occasional inflammatory lesions which occur primarily on the face. Moderate acne is characterized by a higher presence of inflammatory lesions known as papules and pustules across the face and extending to the trunk. Severe acne is characterized by painful, deep lesions called nodules across the face, with extensive involvement of the trunk frequently.

Treatment options are based on the severity of disease, with certain drugs being reserved for more severe forms of the disease. Mild acne is addressed with dietary and lifestyle changes, along with OTC and prescription topical agents. Other therapies with varying degrees of success include dermabrasion and chemical peels, light therapy and hormonal therapy such as birth control pills or spironolactone. Moderate acne is treated with more aggressive therapy including topical and oral antibiotics such as tetracyclines, which are particularly effective due to their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and other topical agents including benzoyl peroxide and retinoids. Severe acne is treated with combination therapies, often including oral antibiotics. For resistant cases, physicians may use a potent drug known as isotretinoin (a vitamin A analog), which requires Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (“REMS”) (safety) monitoring with regard to pregnancy. The current U.S. market size for treatment of acne is considerable and estimated at approximately $3 billion annually, according to the American Medical Association.

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Accutane for the Treatment of Severe Recalcitrant Nodular Acne

Accutane (isotretinoin 10mg, 20mg, 30mg, and 40mg capsules USP) is indicated for the treatment of severe recalcitrant nodular acne. Accutane is used to treat a type of severe recalcitrant nodular acne that has not been helped by other treatments, including antibiotics. Severe recalcitrant nodular acne occurs when many red, swollen, tender lumps form in the skin. Patients with severe nodular acne are at higher risk of scarring. Accutane belongs to a class of drugs that affects all four major pathogenic processes in acne: increased sebum production, irregular follicular desquamation, propionibacterium acnes proliferation and inflammation. Accutane has achieved a strong market position and is well known in the dermatology community.

The oral isotretinoin market had just over 2.3 million prescriptions in 2025 according to Symphony Health.

Targadox for the Treatment of Severe Acne

Targadox (doxycycline hyclate immediate release 50mg tablets) is indicated as adjunctive therapy for severe acne, which is part of a class of oral antibiotics known as tetracyclines. The tetracycline class, which includes minocycline, doxycycline, sarecycline and tetracycline, is particularly effective in treatment for more severe forms of acne due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Targadox is gluten-free, lactose-free, animal byproduct-free, and GMO-free.

The oral doxycycline market had more than 28.5 million prescriptions in 2025 according to Symphony Health.

Amzeeq for the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Acne

Amzeeq (4% minocycline foam) was approved by the FDA in October 2019 and became available in pharmacies nationwide in January 2020. Amzeeq is a once-daily novel topical antibiotic foam formulation of minocycline for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of non-nodular moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris in patients nine years of age and older. Amzeeq utilizes proprietary MST™ technology and is the first topical minocycline to be approved by the FDA for any condition. We believe that the combination of a well-established antibiotic in a well-tolerated, easy to use foam makes Amzeeq a very attractive treatment option for patients. As the first topical minocycline to be approved by the FDA for any condition, we believe that Amzeeq may provide a new treatment alternative for patients and healthcare providers who are unsatisfied with their current therapies. Amzeeq has 12 Orange Book-listed patents that extend through September of 2037.

The topical acne market had more than 24.8 million prescriptions in 2025 according to Symphony Health, presenting significant unmet needs of patients and healthcare providers to be addressed.

Fungal Infections of the Skin and the Current Standard of Care

Fungal skin infections, collectively referred to as dermatomycoses, are common infections caused by ringworms (tinea) and include conditions such as athlete’s foot, jock itch and ringworm of the body. Tinea pedis, commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a form of ringworm that usually develops between the toes. Symptoms include peeling, cracking and scaly feet, blisters, and skin that is red, softened, itching, or burning. Tinea cruris, commonly known as jock itch, is a form of ringworm that affects the groin. Tinea corporis, commonly known as ringworm of the body, is a fungal infection that appears on the body in which the outer part of the sore might be raised while the skin in the middle appears normal. Fungal infections caused by ringworm cause skin rashes that present as itchy, red, raised and scaly rings. These infections are easily transmissible between people, pets or contaminated objects or surfaces but are usually not serious in nature.

Treatment options typically involve topical OTC and prescription antifungal medications. Where difficult to administer topically, oral options (such as for toenail fungus or oral thrush) or suppositories (such as for vaginal yeast infections) have proven to be more effective. OTC products typically include known antifungal ingredients such as clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine or ketoconazole. Prescription treatments are often reserved for more serious infections or for those in hard-to-treat areas. In conjunction with OTC or prescription medications, lifestyle adjustments, including daily washing of bedding and clothing during an infection, drying thoroughly after bathing, wearing loose clothing in affected areas and actively treating infected areas, can all contribute to disinfecting your surroundings and preventing a prolongation or recurrence of infection.

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Exelderm for the Treatment of Fungal Skin Infections

Exelderm (sulconazole nitrate 1%, cream and solution) is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent indicated for the treatment of ringworm-caused fungal infections including tinea pedis, tinea cruris, tinea corporis and tinea versicolor. The active pharmaceutical ingredient (sulconazole) acts by inhibiting fungal cell division and growth and has been shown to have broad activity against candida species, aspergillus species and dermatophytes. Exelderm cream or solution is administered externally only, whereby a small amount of cream or solution is gently massaged into the affected and surrounding areas and only requires a convenient once or twice daily application. However, when used to treat tinea pedis, for which Exelderm cream is also indicated, twice daily application is required.

The topical antifungal market had more than 13.2 million prescriptions in 2025 according to Symphony Health.

Pruritus (Itch) and the Current Standard of Care

Pruritus or itch is defined as an unpleasant sensation of the skin that provokes the urge to scratch. It is a characteristic feature of many skin diseases and an unusual sign of some systemic diseases. Pruritus may be localized or generalized and can occur as an acute or chronic condition. Itch can be caused by a number of conditions, including skin conditions such as dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, scabies, parasites, burns, scars, insect bites and hives. Depending on the cause of itchiness, skin may appear normal, red, rough or bumpy. Repeated scratching can cause raised thick areas of skin that might bleed or become infected.

Treatment for itch may include moisturizing daily, using gentle cleansers, and bathing with lukewarm water. Long-term relief requires identifying and treating the underlying cause of itchy skin. Common treatments are prescription medicated creams and lotions, moist dressings, and oral anti-itch medicines.

Anti-Itch Product for the Treatment of Pruritus

Our acquired anti-itch product is indicated to treat pruritus, scabies, and other skin itch conditions (“Anti-itch Product”). Our Anti-itch Product delivers prescription relief and is non-steroidal and antihistamine free. Topical steroids are effective against itch because they reduce inflammation that can cause itch. However, they are not recommended for long-term use. Antihistamines are also effective in treating some types of itch, but they too have drawbacks with continued use. We plan on launching our Anti-itch Product through our field sales force during the first half of 2026.

Luxamend for Wound Healing

Luxamend is a water-based wound cream formulated for the dressing and management of superficial wounds; minor abrasions; dermal ulcers; donor sites; 1st and 2nd degree burns, including sunburns; and radiation dermatitis. Luxamend contains purified water, white mineral oil, ethylene glycol monostearate, stearic acid, propylene glycol, paraffin wax, squalane, avocado oil, trolamine/sodium alginate, triethanolamine, cetyl palmitate, sodium sulfate (anhydrous), potassium sorbate, methylparaben sodium, propylparaben sodium, sodium hexametaphosphate, sulfamic acid, and allergen-free fragrance. When applied properly to a wound, Luxamend provides an optimum moist environment for the healing process. It is approved as a prescription medical device and is supplied in a 114-gram tube.

Our Strategy

We are a highly focused, pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing therapies for the treatment of dermatologic conditions that seeks to deliver value to patients, physicians and the healthcare system, as well as to our stakeholders. Our strategic priorities include continuing to augment and grow our product portfolio and organization in order to maximize long-term value creation. This will consist of both commercial execution on our existing product portfolio, including lifecycle management, out-licensing of our current branded products, intellectual property and/or technologies in global markets, as well as investing in additional growth strategies through product and company acquisitions, licensing, or developing new products.

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An important part of our growth strategy is to identify new business development opportunities, including development stage and commercial drugs that we may acquire from other pharmaceutical companies. We are in various stages of discussion for other opportunities, both commercial and development stage, that could drive additional growth in the business. Successful development and commercialization of any future in-licensed development stage or commercial drugs will require us to navigate the many laws and regulations of governmental authorities and regulatory agencies around the world, including the FDA, relating to the manufacture, development, approval and commercialization of investigational drugs, if approved. For development stage drugs, we may require financial resources significantly in excess of our current cash on hand, and it may take many years for us to receive marketing approval, if ever, for any in-licensed or acquired product candidate.

Competitive Strengths

To successfully execute our strategy, we must continue to capitalize on our following core strengths:

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Commercial leadership of our management team with a track record of commercial execution. We have a highly skilled and customer-focused management team in critical leadership positions across our Company. Our senior management team has over 135 years of collective sales and marketing experience in the pharmaceutical industry and a proven track record of developing businesses and creating value. Members of our management team have developed, launched, commercialized, and managed brands generating over $3 billion in aggregate peak sales, collectively, at leading dermatology organizations. This experience includes improving business performance through organic revenue growth, maximizing operational efficiencies and through the identification, consummation and integration of licensing and acquisition opportunities. Our senior management team has extensive roots in the dermatology industry, with many of them having worked at and held senior positions with Medicis Pharmaceutical, Inc. leading up to the company’s acquisition by Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (now Bausch Health Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) for $2.6 billion in 2012. Our strategic approach leverages our management team’s experience with the capabilities of our field sales force to drive performance based on prescribing habits, brand preferences, promotional strategies and profit optimization while focusing on customer service excellence for our providers and their patients.
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Performance and experience of our accomplished field sales force. Our current seasoned field sales force has deep-rooted and longstanding customer relationships in their respective territories. We have strategically optimized our sales outreach to cover over 80% of dermatologists in the top 50 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas and over 70% of the overall dermatology prescribing market. We are able to leverage the experience of our field sales force to create a tailored and entrepreneurial compensation plan that incentivizes our field sales force and aligns their activities with our corporate performance and growth objectives. We intend to continue to build a team of committed, experienced employees and to engage with patients and members of the dermatology community. Additionally, we believe that consolidation in the medical dermatology industry has resulted in an enhanced opportunity for a medical dermatology-focused company to build relationships with these stakeholders and has made available a large and growing talent pool of experienced individuals who can make significant contributions to our Company.
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Specialized and differentiated access and distribution model. We have a specialized and differentiated access and distribution network of over 600 specialty pharmacies and wholesalers, where we directly sell our products, with limited distribution through traditional national wholesalers. This decentralized approach allows us to maximize our brand equity across our product portfolio with pharmacies and allows us to provide exceptional customer service and access to patients and physicians.
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Active business development initiative. Business development plays a vital role in our growth strategy as we look to build scale. We consistently evaluate both synergistic acquisitions that leverage our existing infrastructure, as well as more transformative assets that would require building out or restructuring our field sales force. We have extensive relationships in the industry that help us stay informed of developments in our space and continually monitor new opportunities. We believe that we are an ideal partner for development stage companies with limited or no commercial capabilities, as well as established pharmaceutical companies looking to deprioritize their dermatology products that are no longer a strategic fit for their portfolio. We regularly engage in discussions with an array of companies, both domestic and international, including traditional large pharma, mid-size specialty pharma companies and smaller companies that focus on research and development, although we have not entered into any definitive agreements or arrangements. Another important part of our business development strategy is to continue to out-license our branded products, intellectual property and/or proprietary technologies in global markets.

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Major Customers

We primarily sell our prescription products to specialty pharmacies, independent wholesalers, and distributors with limited sales through the traditional national wholesaler channels. Our wholesalers and distributors purchase products from us and, in turn, supply products to retail drug store chains, independent pharmacies and managed care organizations. Customers in the managed care market include health maintenance organizations, group purchasing organizations, nursing homes, clinics, pharmacy benefit management companies and mail order customers.

License & Collaboration Agreements and Acquisitions

We continue to seek to enhance our product line and develop a portfolio of differentiated products through product acquisitions and in-licensing or acquiring rights to products and technologies from third parties. We intend to enter into strategic alliances and collaborative arrangements with third parties, which will give us rights to develop, manufacture, market and/or commercialize pharmaceutical products, the rights to which are primarily owned by these third parties. These alliances and arrangements can take many forms, including licensing arrangements, co-development and co-marketing agreements, co-promotion arrangements, research collaborations and joint ventures. Such alliances and arrangements will potentially enable us to share the risk of incurring all research and development expenses that do not lead to revenue-generating products. However, because profits from alliance products are shared with the counterparties to the collaborative arrangement, the gross margins on alliance products are generally lower, sometimes substantially so, than the gross margins that could be achieved had we not opted for a development partner. From time to time, we may also seek to grant licenses or sublicenses of rights to develop, sell and distribute our products to third parties in exchange for the payment of license fees, royalty payments and/or milestone payments.

Environmental Matters

Our operations are subject to substantial federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations concerning, among other matters, the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of, and exposure to, hazardous substances. Violation of these laws and regulations, which may change, can lead to substantial fines and penalties. Many of our third-party operations require environmental permits and controls to prevent and limit pollution of the environment. We believe that the facilities of our third-party service providers are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, and we do not believe that future compliance costs will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Employees and Human Capital Management

As of March 18, 2026, we had 58 employees, all of whom are full-time employees. 39 of these employees are in sales and marketing and 19 employees in general and administrative positions. Additionally, we have retained a number of expert advisors and consultants that help us navigate through different aspects of our business. We consider our relations with our employees to be good and have not experienced any work stoppages, slowdowns or other serious labor problems that have materially impeded our business operations.

Our human capital management objectives include, as applicable, identifying, recruiting, retaining, incentivizing, and integrating our new and existing employees. The principal purpose of our equity incentive plan is to attract, retain, and motivate selected employees, consultants, and directors through the granting of share-based compensation awards and cash-based bonus awards.

Geographic Areas

In general, all of our product revenues are generated from operations or otherwise earned within the U.S. During 2025, we began supplying Cutia Therapeutics (HK) Limited (“Cutia”) with Amzeeq for sale in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”). We recognized Other revenue during 2025 associated with the supply of Amzeeq to Cutia and royalties earned on net sales made by Cutia in the PRC.

Seasonality of Business

Our business is affected by the standard annual insurance deductible resets, as well as the purchasing patterns and concentration of our customers; however, our business is not materially impacted by seasonality. There are no assurances that these historical trends will continue in the future.

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Relationship with Fortress

Fortress is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to acquiring, developing and commercializing pharmaceutical and biotechnology products and product candidates at its majority-owned and majority-controlled subsidiaries and joint ventures, and at entities founded by Fortress and in which it maintains significant minority ownership positions. So long as it holds shares of our Class A Common Stock, of which it is currently the sole holder, Fortress will at all times have voting control of us. Fortress has a talented and experienced business development team, comprised of scientists, doctors, and finance professionals, who identify, evaluate, and propose for our consideration.

In-licensing Agreements and Asset Acquisitions

Amzeeq, Zilxi, FCD105 and the Molecule Stabilizing Technology Platform

On January 12, 2022, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Vyne APA”) with Vyne Therapeutics Inc. (“Vyne”) to acquire Vyne’s Molecule Stabilizing Technology™ franchise (the “Acquisition”) for an upfront payment of $20.0 million, with an additional $5.0 million payment due on the one-year anniversary of the closing of the Acquisition. The Vyne APA also provides for contingent net sales milestone payments: in the first calendar year in which annual sales reach each of $100 million, $200 million, $300 million, $400 million and $500 million, we will be required to make a one-time payment of $10 million, $20 million, $30 million, $40 million and $50 million, respectively, in that year only, per product, totaling up to $450.0 million. In addition, Journey will pay Vyne 10% of any upfront payment received by Journey from a licensee or sublicensee of the products in any territory outside of the U.S., subject to exceptions for certain jurisdictions as detailed in the Vyne APA. There are no subsequent milestone payments or royalties beyond the aforementioned payments. The Acquisition included two FDA-approved products (Amzeeq and Zilxi), and a development-stage dermatology program (FCD105), along with the Molecule Stabilizing Technology proprietary platform.

Emrosi (formerly DFD-29)

On June 29, 2021, we entered into a license, collaboration, and assignment agreement with DRL to obtain the global rights for the development and commercialization of Emrosi, a late-stage development modified release oral minocycline that is being evaluated for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea (the “Emrosi Agreement”). We acquired global rights to Emrosi, including in the U.S. and Europe, except that DRL has retained certain rights to the program in select markets including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brazil, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the PRC, Russia, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Pursuant to the Emrosi Agreement, we agreed to make an upfront payment of $10.0 million, comprised of a $2.0 million payment upon execution and $8.0 million which was paid on September 29, 2021, 90 days following execution. In addition, we paid two developmental milestones in 2024. In January 2024 we paid a $3.0 milestone to DRL, based on FDA acceptance of the NDA application for Emrosi, and in December of 2024 we paid a $15.0 million milestone payment to DRL, which was triggered by the November 1, 2024 FDA approval of Emrosi. Upon the $15.0 million milestone payment, the assets related to Emrosi, including the NDA, regulatory documentation and intellectual property, transferred to us. Pursuant to the Emrosi Agreement we may be required to pay additional contingent regulatory, commercial, and corporate-based milestone payments, totaling up to $150.0 million. Royalties ranging from ten percent to fourteen percent are payable on net sales of the product. Royalties are payable in each country until the last-to-expire patent in such country expires. Royalties are subject to a 50% reduction in the event that a generic competitor launches in an applicable country where we market and sell the product.

Qbrexza

On March 31, 2021, we executed an asset purchase agreement for Qbrexza (the “Qbrexza APA”) with Dermira Inc. (“Dermira”), pursuant to which we acquired global ownership to Qbrexza (glycopyrronium), a prescription cloth towelette approved to treat primary axillary hyperhidrosis in people nine years of age and older. The transaction closed on May 14, 2021, and pursuant to the Qbrexza APA, we made an upfront $12.5 million cash payment to Dermira. We are obligated to make payments to Dermira of up to $144.0 million in the aggregate upon the achievement of certain milestones. We are required to pay royalties on Qbrexza net sales ranging from the lower teen digits to the upper teen digits, which are payable for a period of eight years ending in 2029, subject to certain reductions. The Qbrexza APA contains customary representations, warranties, and indemnities. Each party may also terminate the Qbrexza APA for material breach by the other party.

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As part of the Qbrexza APA, we were assigned an exclusive license agreement with Rose University (“Rose U”) pursuant to which we obtained a worldwide exclusive license within a field of use including hyperhidrosis to practice, enforce and otherwise exploit certain patent rights, know-how and data related to Qbrexza. The license agreement with Rose U includes a sublicense of certain data and an assignment of certain regulatory filings which Rose U had obtained from Stiefel Laboratories (“Stiefel”). In connection with the license agreement, we assumed Rose U’s obligations to Stiefel to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize products using the licensed patent rights, know-how and data.

Pursuant to these agreements with Rose U and the related agreement with Stiefel with respect to Qbrexza, we are obligated to pay Rose U low-to-mid single-digit royalties on net product sales and low double-digit royalties on sublicense fees and certain milestone, royalty and other contingent payments received from sublicensees, to the extent such amounts are in excess of the milestone and royalty payments we are obligated to pay Rose U directly upon the events or sales triggering such payments.

We are permitted to grant sublicenses to the licensed rights and may assign the agreements upon our acquisition or that of our assets that relate to the license agreement. We may terminate the license agreement if Rose U experiences certain insolvency events or if Rose U commits a material breach of the license agreement, subject to applicable cure provisions. Rose U may terminate the license in certain circumstances if we experience certain insolvency events or if we commit a material breach of the license agreement or if we cause Rose U to be in material breach of its license agreement with Stiefel, subject in each case to applicable cure provisions. Subject to earlier termination, the license agreement remains in effect until 15 years following the first commercial sale of a licensed product has elapsed or, if later, the date that the last patent or patent application in the licensed patent rights has expired or been revoked, invalidated or abandoned. As of December 31, 2025, the last-to-expire issued patent relating to Qbrexza that we license under the license agreement with Rose U expires in 2029.

Accutane

On July 29, 2020, we entered into a license and supply agreement for Accutane (the “Accutane Agreement”) with DRL. Pursuant to the Accutane Agreement, we agreed to pay $5.0 million, comprised of an upfront payment of $1.0 million paid upon execution, with additional milestone payments totaling $4.0 million due over time. To date, we have paid all of the additional milestone payments. Three additional milestone payments totaling $17.0 million are contingent upon the achievement of certain net sales milestones. Royalties in the low-double digits based on net sales, subject to specified reductions, are also due.

The term of the Accutane Agreement is ten years and renewable upon mutual agreement. The agreement contains customary representations, warranties, and indemnities. Each party may also terminate the Accutane Agreement for material breach by the other party or for certain bankruptcy or insolvency related events and we may terminate the Accutane Agreement upon 180 days written notice to the other party. We commenced sales of this product in April 2021.

Anti-Itch Product

On December 18, 2020, we entered into an asset purchase agreement for our Anti-itch Product (the “Anti-itch APA”) with Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. (“Sun”). Pursuant to the Anti-itch APA, total consideration is $4.0 million, comprised of an upfront payment of $2.0 million, payable upon execution. Through December 31, 2025, we have paid $4.0 million and have no additional payment obligations. The Anti-itch APA contains customary representations, warranties, and indemnities. There are no subsequent milestone payments or royalties beyond the aforementioned payments. We intend to launch this product during the first half of 2026.

Exelderm

On August 31, 2018, we entered into an asset purchase agreement for Exelderm (the “Exelderm APA”) with Sun. Pursuant to the Exelderm APA, total consideration is $1.6 million, comprised of an upfront payment of $1.2 million, which was payable within 60 days after execution on October 31, 2018. The remaining milestone payment was contingent upon net sales reaching a certain threshold, at which point a $0.4 million payment became due. This threshold was achieved in 2020 and paid in early 2021. We were obligated to pay royalties in the low-double digits based on net sales of Exelderm until the end of 2023, and no additional licensing or milestone payments are required. We commenced sales of this product in August 2018.

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Targadox

On May 21, 2025, we entered into a Manufacturing and Supply Agreement for Targadox (the “Targadox Agreement”) with Epic Pharma, LLC (“Epic”). No royalties or upfront payment was made. The term of the Targadox Agreement is three years and automatically renews for two-year periods unless either party provides notice of its intent not to renew at least 120 days prior to the expiration of the applicable term. The Targadox Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, and indemnities. Each party may also terminate the Targadox Agreement for material breach by the other party or for certain bankruptcy or insolvency related events. We commenced sales of this product under a previous agreement with an affiliated entity of Epic, PuraCap International LLC n/k/a Caribe Holdings, Inc., in October 2016. We commenced sales of this product in September 2025 under the Targadox Agreement.

Out-licensing Agreements

Maruho License Agreement

On August 31, 2023, we entered into the New License Agreement with Maruho Co. Lts. (“Maruho”), whereby we granted an exclusive license to Maruho to develop and commercialize Qbrexza for the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis in South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. Under the terms of the New License Agreement, in exchange for the exclusive rights to Qbrexza in Japan, Maruho paid $19.0 million as a non-refundable upfront payment.

Cutia License Agreement

In January 2022, as a part of the Vyne APA, we assumed a license agreement with Cutia, a Hong Kong biopharmaceutical company with experience in developing pharmaceutical products in the greater China region (the “Cutia Agreement”). Pursuant to the agreement, Cutia was granted an exclusive license to obtain regulatory approval of and commercialize Amzeeq (topical 4% minocycline foam) and Zilxi (topical 1.5% minocycline foam) in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. We have agreed to supply the finished Licensed Products to Cutia for clinical and commercial use at an agreed price. On November 11, 2024, Cutia received marketing approval for topical 4% minocycline foam from the National Medical Products Administration (the “NMPA”) of the PRC. The approval triggered a $1.0 million dollar milestone payment to us. Additionally, during 2025, we began supplying Amzeeq to Cutia and earning a royalty on net sales of Amzeeq made by Cutia.

Research and Development

As discussed above, on June 29, 2021, we obtained the global rights from DRL for the development and commercialization of Emrosi, then known as DFD-29, a modified release oral minocycline we developed for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea. Through this collaboration, the parties were required to work together to complete the development of the product, which included conducting two Phase 3 studies to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of oral Emrosi for the treatment of rosacea and the January 4, 2024 regulatory submission of an NDA under Section 505(b)(2) of the FDCA. DRL provided development support, including responding to any requests for information or clarification from FDA regarding the NDA. On November 1, 2024, Emrosi received approval by the FDA for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea in adults and is being manufactured for commercialization.

Intellectual Property

General

We rely on a combination of contractual provisions, confidentiality policies and procedures and patent, trademark, copyright and trade secrecy laws to protect the proprietary aspects of our technology and business. Three of our marketed products, Accutane, Targadox, and Exelderm, do not have patent protection and/or are not otherwise eligible for patent protection. As part of our development and acquisition strategy, we place a strong emphasis on the patent protection for potential products.

Four of our FDA approved products, Emrosi, Qbrexza, Amzeeq, and Zilxi currently have patent protection with patents listed in the FDA Orange Book.

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Emrosi Patents

With regard to Emrosi, we own three issued U.S. patents, one allowed application, and one U.S. continuation application, as well as four issued foreign patents (one in each of Australia, Japan, Korea, and Mexico) and eight foreign pending patent applications (one in each of Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan, and South Africa; and two in New Zealand) covering methods and/or compositions for treating an inflammatory skin condition by selecting and administering an oral composition comprising reduced dose of minocycline and the relevant pharmacokinetic parameters. We have also filed an additional patent application directed to methods and compositions for treating rosacea which is currently pending as a U.S. patent application and an International Patent Application (PCT). The three issued U.S. patents will expire in 2039.

Qbrexza Patents

We own or have an exclusive license to 20 issued U.S. patents and 38 issued foreign patents, which include granted European patent rights that have been validated in selected European Patent Office (“EPO”) member states (Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, Great Britain (UK), Ireland, Italy), Australia, Canada, Mexico, Israel, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Africa, as well as two pending U.S. patent applications, and one pending foreign patent application, all relating to Qbrexza.

We own 16 of the issued U.S. patents, the one pending U.S. patent application, 29 of the issued foreign patents, and the pending foreign application, and have exclusively licensed from Rose U worldwide rights to four of the issued U.S. patents, and nine issued foreign patents. The issued Qbrexza patents contain claims directed to individually packaged wipes for the treatment of hyperhidrosis where the wipes contain a composition comprising Qbrexza or other related compounds, and methods of alleviating hyperhidrosis using such compositions and contain claims directed to compositions comprising Qbrexza or other related compounds, individually packaged wipes comprising such compositions, absorbent pads comprising Qbrexza pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating hyperhidrosis with topical administration of Qbrexza or other related formulations. The issued U.S. and foreign patents and applications relating to Qbrexza will expire between 2028 and 2033.

Amzeeq, Zilxi and the Molecular Stabilizing Technology Platform Patents

We own 30 issued U.S. patents and 17 issued foreign patents, and five pending U.S. patent applications, and two pending foreign patent applications. Of these patents and patent applications:

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There are 14 issued U.S. patents, 14 issued foreign patents (Australia, Canada, Europe, Israel, Mexico, United Kingdom, South Africa), two pending U.S. patent applications and one pending foreign application (Canada), all relating to Amzeeq. The issued Amzeeq patents contain claims directed to compositions and use of the compositions (method claims). The issued U.S. and foreign patents relating to Amzeeq will expire between 2030 and 2037 and the pending U.S. and foreign patent applications relating to Amzeeq will expire between 2030 and 2037.
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There are 11 issued U.S. patents, 14 issued foreign patents (Australia, Canada, Europe, Israel, Mexico, United Kingdom, South Africa), and two pending U.S. patent applications, all relating to Zilxi. The issued Zilxi patents contain claims directed to compositions and use of the compositions (method claims). The issued U.S. and foreign patents relating to Zilxi will expire between 2030 and 2037 and the pending U.S. and foreign patent applications relating to Zilxi will expire between 2030 and 2037.
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The other patents related to molecular stabilizing platform but not products directly are 13 issued U.S. patents, two pending U.S. patent applications, three issued foreign patents (Canada, Israel, and Mexico), and one pending foreign application (Europe).

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Additional Intellectual Property and Proprietary Right Protection

We also use other forms of protection, such as trademark, copyright, and trade secret protection, to protect our intellectual property, particularly where we do not believe patent protection is appropriate or obtainable. We aim to take advantage of all of the intellectual property rights that are available to us and believe that this comprehensive approach will provide us with proprietary positions for our product candidates, where available. Patents extend for varying periods according to the date of patent filing or grant and the legal term of patents in various countries where patent protection is obtained. The actual protection afforded by a patent, which can vary from country to country, depends on the type of patent, the scope of its coverage and the availability of legal remedies in the country.

Our goal is to obtain, maintain and enforce patent protection for our products, formulations, processes, methods and other proprietary technologies, to preserve our trade secrets, and to operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of other parties, both in the United States and in other countries. Our policy is to actively seek to obtain, where appropriate, the broadest intellectual property protection possible for any product candidates, proprietary information and proprietary technology through a combination of contractual arrangements and patents, both in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world.

Patents and other proprietary rights are crucial to the development of our business. We will be able to protect our proprietary technologies from unauthorized use by third parties only to the extent that our proprietary rights are covered by valid and enforceable patents, supported by regulatory exclusivity, or are effectively maintained as trade secrets.

Generally, patent applications in the U.S. are maintained in secrecy for a period of 18 months or more. The patent positions of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are highly uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. Therefore, we cannot predict the breadth of claims allowed in biotechnology and pharmaceutical patents, or their enforceability. To date, there has been no consistent policy regarding the breadth of claims allowed in biotechnology patents. Third parties or competitors may challenge or circumvent our patents or patent applications, if issued. If our competitors prepare and file patent applications in the U.S. that claim technology also claimed by us, we may have to participate in derivation proceedings declared by the USPTO to determine proper inventorship of a claim of invention, which could result in substantial cost, even if the eventual outcome is favorable to us. Because of the extensive time required for development, testing and regulatory review of a potential product, it is possible that before we commercialize any of our products, any related patent may expire or remain in existence for only a short period following commercialization, thus reducing any advantage of the patent. However, the life of a patent covering a product that has been subject to regulatory approval may be extended through the patent term restoration program, although any such extension could still be minimal.

If a patent is issued to a third party containing one or more preclusive or conflicting claims, and those claims are ultimately determined to be valid and enforceable, we may be required to obtain a license under such patent or to develop or obtain alternative technology, neither of which may be possible. In the event of litigation involving a third-party claim, an adverse outcome in the litigation could subject us to significant liabilities to such third party, require us to seek a license under the disputed rights of such third party, and/or require us to cease use of the technology. Moreover, our breach of an existing license or failure to obtain a license for technology required to commercialize our products may seriously harm our business. We also may need to commence litigation to enforce any patents issued to us or to determine the scope and validity of third-party proprietary rights. Litigation could involve substantial costs.

Other Intellectual Property Rights

We depend upon trademarks, trade secrets, and continuing technological advances to develop and maintain our competitive position. We also depend upon the skills, knowledge and experience of our scientific and technical personnel, as well as that of our advisors, consultants and other contractors. This knowledge and experience we call “know-how.” To help protect our proprietary know-how that is not patentable, and for inventions for which patents may be difficult to enforce, we rely on trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements to protect our interests. To this end, we require all employees, scientific advisors, consultants, collaborators and other contractors, upon commencement of a relationship with us, to enter into confidentiality agreements, which prohibit the disclosure of confidential information and, in the case of parties other than our research and development collaborators, require disclosure and assignment to us of the ideas, developments, discoveries and inventions important to our business. These agreements are designed to protect our proprietary information and to grant us ownership of technologies that are developed in connection with their relationship with us. These agreements may not, however, provide protection for our trade secrets in the event of unauthorized disclosure of such information.

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There can be no assurance that any of our patents, licenses or other intellectual property rights will afford us any protection from competition, that our confidentiality agreements will not be breached, that we will have adequate remedies for any breach, that others will not independently develop equivalent proprietary information or that other third parties will not otherwise gain access to our trade secrets and other intellectual property.

We may find it necessary to initiate litigation to enforce our patent rights, to protect our intellectual property or trade secrets or to determine the scope and validity of the proprietary rights of others. Litigation is costly and time-consuming and there can be no assurance that our litigation expenses will not be significant in the future or that we will prevail in any such litigation. See “Item 3 - Legal Proceedings” for additional information.

Competition

Pharmaceutical Industry

Our competitors include pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies, as well as universities and public and private research institutions. In addition, companies that are active in different but related fields represent substantial competition for us. Many of our competitors have significantly greater capital resources, larger research and development staffs and facilities and greater experience in drug development, regulation, manufacturing and marketing than we do. These organizations also compete with us to recruit qualified personnel, attract partners for joint ventures or other collaborations, and license technologies that are competitive with ours. To compete successfully in this industry, we must identify novel and unique drugs or methods of treatment and then complete the development of those drugs as treatments in advance of our competitors.

Dermatology Sector

The dermatology competitive landscape is highly fragmented, with a large number of midsize and smaller companies competing in both the prescription sector and the OTC sector. Our competitors are pursuing the development and/or acquisition of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and OTC products that target the same diseases and conditions that we are targeting in dermatology. Competitive factors vary by product line and geographic area in which our products are sold. The principal methods of competition for our products include quality, efficacy, market acceptance, price, and marketing and promotional efforts.

Branded products often must compete with therapeutically similar branded or generic products or with generic equivalents. Such competition frequently increases over time. For example, if competitors introduce new products, delivery systems or processes with therapeutic or cost advantages, our products could be subject to progressive price reductions and/or decreased volume of sales. To successfully compete for business, we must often demonstrate that our products offer not only medical benefits, but also cost advantages as compared with other forms of care. Accordingly, we face pressure to continually seek out technological innovations and to market our products effectively.

Our major competitors, including Galderma Laboratories, Almirall, Leo Pharma, Mayne Pharma, Botanix Pharmaceuticals, and Ortho Dermatologics, among others, vary depending on therapeutic and product category, dosage strength and drug-delivery systems, among other factors.

Generic Competition

We face increased competition from manufacturers of generic pharmaceutical products, who may submit applications to the FDA seeking to market generic versions of our products. In connection with these applications, the generic drug companies may seek to challenge the validity and enforceability of our patents through litigation. When patents covering certain of our products (if applicable) expire or are successfully challenged through litigation or in USPTO proceedings, if a generic company launches a competing product “at risk,” or when the regulatory or licensed exclusivity for our products (if applicable) expires or is otherwise lost, we may face generic competition as a result. Generic versions are generally significantly less expensive than branded versions, and, where available, may be required to be utilized before or in preference to the branded version under third-party reimbursement programs, or substituted by pharmacies. Accordingly, when a branded product loses its market exclusivity, it normally faces intense price competition from generic forms of the product. To successfully compete for business with managed care and pharmacy benefits management organizations, we must often demonstrate that our products offer not only medical benefits, but also cost advantages as compared with other forms of care. Generic products generally face intense competition from other generic equivalents (including authorized generics) and therapeutically similar branded or generic products. See “Item 3 - Legal Proceedings” for additional information.

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Supply and Manufacturing

We have limited experience in manufacturing products for clinical or commercial purposes, and we currently do not have any internal manufacturing capabilities. We currently rely upon multiple contract manufacturers to produce our products and clinical supply of product candidates, some of which are located outside of the U.S., and will continue to rely upon contract manufacturers for any current or future product candidates under current Good Manufacturing Practice (“cGMP”) regulations for use in pre-clinical and clinical activities. Due to the risks associated with reliance on third-party manufacturing, as part of our current and future strategy of licensing, acquiring, or the future development of assets, we currently, and will continue to, secure manufacturing agreements with either a counterparty to a transaction, with one or more of our contract manufacturers or additional contract manufacturers. As with any supply program, obtaining raw materials of the correct quality cannot be guaranteed, and we cannot ensure that we will be successful. Our third-party manufacturers have a limited number of facilities in which our product candidates can be produced and may have limited experience in manufacturing our product candidates in quantities sufficient for commercialization. Our third-party manufacturers will have other clients and may have other priorities that could affect their ability to perform the work satisfactorily and/or on a timely basis. Both of these occurrences would be beyond our control. We expect to similarly rely on contract manufacturing relationships for any products that we may in-license or acquire in the future. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully contract with such manufacturers on terms acceptable to us, or at all.

Contract manufacturers are subject to ongoing periodic and unannounced inspections by the FDA, the Drug Enforcement Administration and corresponding state and European agencies to ensure strict compliance with cGMPs and other state and federal regulations. We do not have control over third-party manufacturers’ compliance with these regulations and standards, other than through contractual obligations. If they are deemed out of compliance with cGMPs, product recalls could result, inventory could be destroyed, production could be stopped, and supplies could be delayed or otherwise disrupted.

If we need to change manufacturers during the clinical or development stage for product candidates or after commercialization for our approved products, the FDA and corresponding foreign regulatory agencies must approve these new manufacturers in advance, which will involve testing and additional inspections to ensure compliance with FDA regulations and standards and may require significant lead times and delay. Furthermore, switching manufacturers may be difficult because the number of potential manufacturers is limited. It may be difficult or impossible for us to find a replacement manufacturer quickly or on terms acceptable to us, or at all.

Government and Industry Regulations - Overview

FDA Regulations

Numerous governmental authorities, principally the FDA and corresponding state and foreign regulatory agencies, impose substantial regulations upon any potential clinical development and the manufacture and marketing of our products. Before marketing in the U.S., any drug that we may develop must undergo rigorous pre-clinical testing and clinical trials and an extensive regulatory approval process implemented by the FDA under the FDCA. The FDA regulates, among other things, the pre-clinical and clinical testing, safety, efficacy, approval, manufacturing, record keeping, lot traceability, individual serialization, adverse event reporting, packaging, labeling, storage, advertising, promotion, export, sale and distribution of biopharmaceutical products.

The regulatory review and approval process is lengthy, expensive and uncertain. In the event that we acquire or develop a clinical stage asset, we will be required to submit extensive pre-clinical and clinical data and supporting information to the FDA for each indication or use to establish a product candidate’s safety and efficacy before we can secure FDA approval to market or sell a product in the U.S. The approval process may take many years, depending on the stage of development of a target asset, and requires the expenditure of substantial resources and may involve ongoing requirements for post-marketing studies or surveillance.

Clinical testing must meet requirements for institutional review board oversight, informed consent and good clinical practices, and must be conducted pursuant to an Investigational New Drug (“IND”) Application unless exempted.

For purposes of NDA approval, clinical trials are typically conducted in the following sequential phases:

Phase 1:

➢The drug is administered to a small group of humans, either healthy volunteers or patients, to test for safety, dosage tolerance, absorption, metabolism, excretion and clinical pharmacology.

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Phase 2:

➢Studies are conducted on a larger number of patients to assess the efficacy of the product, to ascertain dose tolerance and the optimal dose range, and to gather additional data relating to safety and potential adverse events.

Phase 3:

➢Studies establish safety and efficacy in an expanded patient population.

Phase 4:

➢The FDA may require Phase 4 post-marketing studies to find out more about the drug’s long-term risks, benefits, and optimal use, or to test the drug in different populations.

The length of time necessary to complete clinical trials varies significantly and may be difficult to predict. Clinical results are frequently susceptible to varying interpretations that may delay, limit or prevent regulatory approvals. Additional factors that can cause delay or termination in future clinical trials, or that may increase the costs of these trials, include:

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slow patient enrollment due to the nature of the clinical trial plan, the proximity of patients to clinical sites, the eligibility criteria for participation in the study or other factors;
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inadequately trained or insufficient personnel at the study site to assist in overseeing and monitoring clinical trials or delays in approvals from a study site’s review board;
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longer treatment time required to demonstrate efficacy or determine the appropriate product dose;
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insufficient supply of the drug candidates;
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adverse events in treated patients; and
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ineffectiveness of the drug candidates.

In addition, the FDA, equivalent foreign regulatory authority, or a data safety monitoring committee for a trial may place a clinical trial on hold or terminate it if it concludes that subjects are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk, or for futility. Any drug is likely to produce some toxicity or undesirable adverse events in animals and in humans when administered at sufficiently high doses and/or for a sufficiently long period of time. Unacceptable toxicity or adverse events may occur at any dose level at any time in the course of studies in animals designed to identify unacceptable effects of a drug candidate, known as toxicological studies, or clinical trials of drug candidates. The appearance of any unacceptable toxicity or adverse event could cause us or regulatory authorities to interrupt, limit, delay or abort the development of any of our drug candidates and could ultimately prevent approval by the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities for any or all targeted indications.

Sponsors of drugs may apply for a special protocol assessment (“SPA”) from the FDA. The SPA process is a procedure by which the FDA provides official evaluation and written guidance on the design and size of proposed protocols that are intended to form the basis for an NDA. However, final marketing approval depends on the results of efficacy, the adverse event profile and an evaluation of the benefit/risk of treatment demonstrated in the Phase 3 trial. The SPA agreement may only be changed through a written agreement between the sponsor and the FDA, or if the FDA becomes aware of a substantial scientific issue essential to product safety or efficacy.

Before receiving FDA approval to market a product, we must demonstrate that the product is safe and effective for its intended use by submitting to the FDA an NDA, Abbreviated NDA (“ANDA”), 510(K) or Biologics License Application (“BLA”) containing the pre-clinical and clinical data that have been accumulated, together with chemistry and manufacturing and controls specifications and information, and proposed labeling, among other things. The FDA may refuse to accept an NDA, ANDA, 510(K) or BLA for filing if certain content criteria are not met and, even after accepting an NDA, ANDA, 510(K) or BLA, the FDA may often require additional information, including clinical data, before approval of marketing a product.

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Section 505(b)(2) NDAs may provide an alternate path to FDA approval for new or improved formulations or new uses of previously approved products. Section 505(b)(2) permits the filing of an NDA where at least some of the information required for approval comes from clinical trials not conducted by, or for, the applicant and for which the applicant has not obtained a right of reference. The FDA may then approve the new product candidate for all, or some, of the label indications for which the referenced product has been approved, as well as for any new indication sought by the Section 505(b)(2) applicant.

To the extent that the Section 505(b)(2) applicant is relying on the FDA’s findings of safety and effectiveness for an already approved product, the applicant is required to certify to the FDA concerning any patents listed for the approved product in the Orange Book to the same extent that an ANDA applicant would. Thus approval of a Section 505(b)(2) NDA can be stalled until all the listed patents claiming the referenced product have expired; until any non-patent exclusivity, such as exclusivity for obtaining approval of a New Chemical Entity, listed in its publication “Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations,” also referred to as the “Orange Book,” for the referenced product has expired; and, in the case of a Paragraph IV certification and subsequent patent infringement suit, until the earlier of 30 months, settlement of the lawsuit or a decision in the infringement case that is favorable to the Section 505(b)(2) applicant. In the interim period, the FDA may grant tentative approval. Tentative approval indicates that the FDA has determined that the applicant meets the standards for approval as of the date that the tentative approval is granted. Final regulatory approval can only be granted if the FDA is assured that there is no new information that would affect final regulatory/ approval.

The FDA may request a REMS, as part of an NDA, ANDA, 510(K) or BLA. The REMS typically contains some combination of post-marketing obligations of the sponsor to train prescribing physicians, monitor drug use, including off-label use, and conduct sufficient Phase 4 follow-up studies and registries to ensure the continued safe use of the drug.

As part of the approval process, the FDA must inspect and approve each manufacturing facility. Among the conditions of approval is the requirement that a manufacturer’s quality control and manufacturing procedures conform to cGMP. Manufacturers must expend significant time, money and effort to ensure continued compliance, and the FDA conducts periodic inspections to certify compliance. It may be difficult for our manufacturers or us to comply with the applicable cGMPs, as interpreted by the FDA, and other FDA regulatory requirements. If we, or our contract manufacturers, fail to comply, then the FDA may not allow us to market products that have been affected by the failure.

If the FDA grants approval, the approval will be limited to those conditions and patient populations for which the product is safe and effective, as demonstrated through clinical studies. Further, a product may be marketed only in those dosage forms and for those indications approved in the NDA, ANDA, 510(K), or BLA. Certain changes to an approved BLA, including, with certain exceptions, any significant changes to labeling, require approval of a supplemental application before the drug may be marketed as changed. Any products that we manufacture or distribute pursuant to FDA approvals are subject to continuing monitoring and regulation by the FDA, including compliance with cGMP and the reporting of adverse experiences with the drugs. The nature of marketing claims that the FDA will permit us to make in the labeling and advertising of our products will generally be limited to those specified in FDA approved labeling, and the advertising of our products will be subject to comprehensive monitoring and regulation by the FDA. Drugs whose review was accelerated may carry additional restrictions on marketing activities, including the requirement that all promotional materials are pre-submitted to the FDA. Claims not consistent with approved labeling will constitute a violation of the FDCA. Violations of the FDCA or regulatory requirements at any time during the product development process, approval process, or marketing and sale following approval may result in agency enforcement actions, including withdrawal of approval, recall, seizure of products, warning letters, untitled letters, Form 483s, injunctions, fines and/or civil or criminal penalties. Any agency enforcement action could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Pharmaceutical Coverage, Pricing and Reimbursement

The ability to successfully commercialize any product candidate that receives marketing authorization depends in part on the extent to which coverage and reimbursement for these products and related treatments will be available from government health administration authorities, private health insurers and other organizations. Government authorities and other third-party payors, such as private health insurers and health maintenance organizations, decide which medications they will pay for and establish reimbursement levels. A primary trend in the healthcare industry in the United States and elsewhere is cost containment.

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The United States and many foreign jurisdictions have enacted or proposed legislative and regulatory changes affecting the healthcare system, including implementing cost-containment programs to limit the growth of government-paid healthcare costs, including price controls, restrictions on reimbursement and requirements for substitution of generic products for branded prescription drugs. In the United States, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (the “Affordable Care Act”) was intended to broaden access to health insurance, reduce or constrain the growth of healthcare spending, enhance remedies against fraud and abuse, add transparency requirements for the healthcare and health insurance industries, impose new taxes and fees on the health industry and impose additional health policy reforms. There have been significant ongoing judicial, administrative, executive and legislative efforts to modify or eliminate the Affordable Care Act.

Changes to and under the Affordable Care Act remain possible but it is unknown what form any such changes or any law proposed to replace or revise the Affordable Care Act would take, and how or whether it may affect our business in the future. We expect that changes to the Affordable Care Act, the Medicare and Medicaid programs, changes allowing the federal government to directly negotiate drug prices and changes stemming from other healthcare reform measures, especially with regard to healthcare access, financing or other legislation in individual states, could have a material adverse effect on the healthcare industry. We also expect that the Affordable Care Act, as well as other healthcare reform measures that have and may be adopted in the future, may result in more rigorous coverage criteria and in additional downward pressure on the price that can be charged for drug products. Any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid, or other government programs may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payers.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IRA”) contains substantial drug pricing reforms, including the establishment of a drug price negotiation program within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) that would require manufacturers to charge a negotiated “maximum fair price” for certain selected drugs or pay an excise tax for noncompliance, the establishment of rebate payment requirements on manufacturers of certain drugs payable under Medicare Parts B and D to penalize price increases that outpace inflation, and requires manufacturers to provide discounts on Part D drugs. Orphan drugs that treat only one rare disease are exempt from the IRA’s drug negotiation program. Substantial penalties can be assessed for noncompliance with the drug pricing provisions in the IRA.

In May 2025, President Trump issued an executive order implementing the concept of most-favored nation pricing. Under this order, the HHS, in coordination with other federal agencies, is directed to take actions to ensure that the price of prescription drugs paid by federal health insurers, including Medicare and Medicaid, is in line with the prices paid in comparably developed nations.

As an alternative to the Affordable Care Act, President Trump recently announced the Great Healthcare Plan. As presented, the plan is intended to lower drug prices by increasing competition and benchmarking U.S. drug prices to other countries, reduce insurance premiums by redirecting subsidies from insurers to individuals, increase accountability and transparency from insurers, and promote consumer choice by giving individuals more direct control over how healthcare dollars are spent. Legislative and regulatory action will be required to fully implement the plan. It is unclear how these proposed changes will impact our business and the pharmaceutical industry in general.

At the state level, legislatures have increasingly passed legislation and implemented regulations designed to control pharmaceutical product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain product access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures, and, in some cases, designed to encourage importation from other countries and bulk purchasing. Additional federal, state and foreign healthcare reform measures will be adopted in the future, any of which could limit the amounts that federal and state governments will pay for healthcare products and services, which could result in limited coverage and reimbursement and reduced demand or additional pricing pressures.

These and other healthcare reform measures that may be adopted in the future may result in more rigorous coverage criteria and in additional downward pressure on the price that we receive for any current product or future product candidate. Any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare or other government healthcare programs may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payors. The implementation of cost containment measures or other healthcare reforms may prevent us from being able to generate revenue, attain profitability or commercialize our products. Legislative and regulatory proposals have been made to expand post-approval requirements and restrict sales and promotional activities for drugs. It is uncertain whether additional legislative changes will be enacted, or whether the FDA regulations, guidance or interpretations will be changed, or what the impact of such may be. In addition, increased Congressional scrutiny of the FDA’s approval process may significantly delay or prevent marketing approval, as well as subject the industry to more stringent product labeling and post-marketing testing and other requirements. It is also unclear what impact any changes made by the new presidential administration will have on the industry. Such actions may impact the development and commercialization of drug products.

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International Regulations

In addition to regulations in the United States, there are a variety of foreign regulations governing clinical trials and commercial sales and distribution of any product candidates. The approval process varies from country to country, and the time may be longer or shorter than that required for FDA approval.

Failure to comply with applicable federal, state and foreign laws and regulations would likely have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, federal, state and foreign laws and regulations regarding the manufacture and sale of new drugs are subject to future changes.

PHRMA Code and April 3, 2003 Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, OIG Compliance Program for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers

We have established and implemented a corporate compliance program designed to prevent, detect and correct violations of state and federal healthcare laws, including laws related to advertising and promotion of our products that are in compliance with the PHRMA Code and the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) Compliance Program requirements for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers.

Healthcare Fraud, Waste and Abuse

We are subject to various federal, state and local laws targeting fraud and abuse in the healthcare industry, violations of which can lead to civil and criminal penalties, including fines, imprisonment and exclusion from participation in federal healthcare programs.

These laws are applicable to us as both a manufacturer and a supplier of products reimbursed by federal healthcare programs, and they also apply to physicians and other potential purchasers of our products.

The federal Anti-Kickback Statute (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b) prohibits persons from knowingly and willfully soliciting, receiving, offering or providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, to induce either the referral of an individual, or the furnishing, recommending or arranging for a good or service, for which payment may be made under a federal healthcare program such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Remuneration is not defined in the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and has been broadly interpreted to include anything of value, including for example, gifts, discounts, coupons, the furnishing of supplies or equipment, credit arrangements, payments of cash, waivers of payments, ownership interests and providing anything at less than its fair market value. Under the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and the applicable criminal healthcare fraud statutes contained within 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b, a person or entity need not have actual knowledge of this statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation. In addition, the government may assert that a claim, including items or services resulting from a violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b, constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the civil False Claims Act (discussed below) or the civil monetary penalties statute, which imposes fines against any person who is determined to have presented or caused to be presented claims to a federal healthcare program that the person knows or should know is for an item or service that was not provided as claimed or is false or fraudulent. The federal Anti-Kickback Statute and implementing regulations provide for certain exceptions for “safe harbors” for certain discounting, rebating or personal services arrangements, among other things. However, the lack of uniform court interpretation of the Anti-Kickback Statute, coupled with novel enforcement theories by government authorities, make compliance with the law difficult. Violations of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute can result in significant criminal fines, exclusion from participation in Medicare and Medicaid and follow-on civil litigation, among other things, for both entities and individuals.

The civil False Claims Act and similar state laws impose liability on any person or entity who, among other things, knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment by a federal healthcare program. The qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act and similar state laws allow a private individual to bring civil actions on behalf of the federal or state government and to share in any monetary recovery. The Federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act and similar state laws impose reporting requirements for various types of payments to physicians and teaching hospitals. Failure to comply with reporting requirements under these laws could subject manufacturers and others to substantial civil money penalties.

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The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) imposes criminal liability and amends provisions on the reporting, investigation, enforcement, and penalizing of civil liability for, among other things, knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program, or knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false statement in connection with the delivery of, or payment for healthcare benefits, items or services by a healthcare benefit program, which includes both government and privately funded benefits programs; similar to the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, 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.

Other Healthcare Laws and Compliance Requirements

In the United States, our activities are potentially subject to regulation by various federal, state and local authorities in addition to the FDA, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (formerly the Health Care Financing Administration), other divisions of the HHS, the U.S. Department of Justice and individual U.S. Attorney offices within the Department of Justice, and state and local governments.

Drug Quality and Security Act (“DQSA”)

DQSA was enacted by Congress on November 27, 2013. Title II of DQSA, the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (“DSCSA”), outlines steps to build an electronic, interoperable system to identify and trace certain prescription drugs as they are distributed in the United States. This is intended to enhance the FDA’s ability to help protect consumers from exposure to drugs that may be counterfeit, stolen, contaminated, or otherwise harmful. The system is also intended to improve detection and removal of potentially dangerous drugs from the drug supply chain to protect U.S. consumers.

Additionally, the DSCSA directs FDA to establish national licensure standards for wholesale distributors and third-party logistics providers, and requires these entities report licensure and other information to FDA annually. The implementation and enforcement of complete unit level traceability of verifiable return serialization, including aggregation throughout the whole supply chain is also required. Although the rule regarding wholesale distributor verification of saleable returned products does not directly apply to our Company, we are required to assist our wholesale distributor customers by setting in place mechanics that would allow for traceability of returns in the supply chain. If we are not able to come into compliance of this rule, our wholesale distributor customers may not accept our returns on our behalf.

We are subject to, and required to be in compliance with, the DQSA. Our Company remains in compliance with the requirements promogulated by the DSCSA and intends on remaining vigilant with regards to any potential modifications to the act. For purposes of our business, we are considered both manufacturers and re-packagers under the act. Currently, we are in compliance with the DSCSA as it relates to our business and operations.