To the Stockholders of Gemini Therapeutics, Inc. and Disc Medicine, Inc.,

Gemini Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or Gemini, and Disc Medicine, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or Disc, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, or the Merger Agreement, on August 9, 2022, pursuant to which, among other matters, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Gemini, Gemstone Merger Sub, Inc., or Merger Sub, will merge with and into Disc, with Disc surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Gemini, and the surviving corporation of the merger, which transaction is referred to herein as the merger. The surviving corporation following the merger is referred to herein as the combined company.

At the effective time of the merger each share of Disc common stock (after giving effect to the conversion of each share of Disc’s preferred stock into Disc common stock and including all such shares that are converted into Disc common stock) will be converted into the right to receive a number of shares of Gemini common stock equal to the exchange ratio described in more detail in the section titled “The Merger Agreement—Exchange Ratio” beginning on page 176 of the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus. Based on Gemini’s and Disc’s capitalization as of August 9, 2022, the date the Merger Agreement was executed, the exchange ratio is estimated to be equal to approximately 1.1052 shares of Gemini common stock for each share of Disc capital stock, which exchange ratio does not give effect to the expected Gemini reverse stock split. The final exchange ratio is subject to adjustment prior to closing of the merger based upon Gemini’s net cash at closing and the aggregate proceeds from the sale of Disc common stock in the Disc pre-closing financing and as a result, Gemini securityholders could own more, and Disc securityholders (including, for this purpose, investors in the pre-closing financing) could own less, or vice versa, of the combined company.

In connection with the merger, each outstanding and unexercised option to purchase shares of Disc common stock that, following assumption by Gemini at the effective time, will be eligible to be registered on Form S-8, will be assumed by Gemini and will be converted into an option to purchase shares of Gemini’s common stock, with necessary adjustments to reflect the exchange ratio. All other Disc equity awards will be cancelled immediately prior to the closing of the merger.

Certain investors have agreed to purchase shares of Disc common stock at a purchase price of $2.51 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $53.5 million, referred to as the Disc pre-closing financing, immediately prior to the closing of the merger. The closing of the Disc pre-closing financing is conditioned upon the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the closing of the merger as well as certain other conditions. The shares of Disc common stock that are issued in the Disc pre-closing financing will be converted into the right to receive a number of shares of Gemini common stock equal to the exchange ratio described in more detail in the section titled “The Merger Agreement—Exchange Ratio” beginning on page 176 of the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus.

Each share of Gemini common stock, each option to purchase Gemini common stock and each award of restricted stock units over Gemini common stock that is issued and outstanding at the effective time of the merger will remain issued and outstanding in accordance with its terms and such shares, options and restricted stock units, subject to the proposed reverse stock split and any acceleration provided for in connection with the merger, will be unaffected by the merger. Immediately after the merger, Gemini securityholders as of immediately prior to the merger are expected to own approximately 24% of the outstanding shares of the combined company, former Disc securityholders, excluding shares purchased in the Disc pre-closing financing, are expected to own approximately 63% of the outstanding shares of the combined company and shares issued in the Disc pre-closing financing are expected to represent approximately 13% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the combined company, subject to certain assumptions, including, but not limited to, Gemini’s net cash as of closing being between $87.4 million to $96.6 million.

Shares of Gemini common stock are currently listed on The Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “GMTX.” Gemini has filed an initial listing application for the combined company with Nasdaq. After completion of the merger, Gemini will be renamed “Disc Medicine, Inc.” and it is expected that the common stock of the combined company will trade on Nasdaq under the symbol “IRON.” On October 6, 2022, the last trading day before the date of the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus, the closing sale price of Gemini common stock was $1.70 per share.

The closing of the Disc pre-closing financing is conditioned upon the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the closing of the merger as well as certain other conditions. The Disc pre-closing financing is more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus.

Gemini stockholders are cordially invited to attend the special meeting of Gemini stockholders. Gemini is holding its special meeting of stockholders, or the Gemini special meeting, on   , 2022, at    , unless postponed or adjourned to a later date, in order to obtain the stockholder approvals necessary to complete the merger and related matters. The Gemini special meeting will be held entirely online. Gemini stockholders will be able to attend and participate in the Gemini special meeting online by visiting www.     where they will be able to listen to the meeting live, submit questions and vote. At the Gemini special meeting, Gemini will ask its stockholders to:

As described in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus, certain Gemini stockholders who in the aggregate owned approximately 36% of the outstanding shares of Gemini as of August 9, 2022, and certain Disc stockholders who in the aggregate owned approximately 90% of the outstanding shares of Disc capital stock as of August 9, 2022, are parties to stockholder support agreements with Gemini and Disc, respectively, whereby such stockholders have agreed to vote in favor of the approval of the transactions contemplated therein, including, with respect to Disc stockholders, adoption of the Merger Agreement and approval of the merger and, with respect to such Gemini stockholders, the issuance of Gemini common stock in the merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement, subject to the terms of the support agreements. Following the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-4 of which the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus is a part and pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Disc stockholders holding a sufficient number of shares of Disc capital stock to adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the merger and related transactions will be asked to execute written consents providing for such adoption and approval.

After careful consideration, each of the Gemini and Disc boards of directors have approved the Merger Agreement and have determined that it is advisable to consummate the merger. Gemini’s board of directors has approved the proposals described in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus and unanimously recommends that its stockholders vote “FOR” the proposals described in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus.

More information about Gemini, Disc, the Merger Agreement and transactions contemplated thereby and the foregoing proposals is contained in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus. Gemini urges you to read the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus carefully and in its entirety. IN PARTICULAR, YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE MATTERS DISCUSSED UNDER “RISK FACTORS” BEGINNING ON PAGE 22 OF THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.

Gemini and Disc are excited about the opportunities the merger brings to Gemini’s and Disc’s stockholders and thank you for your consideration and continued support. Sincerely,

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The accompanying proxy statement/prospectus is dated   , 2022, and is first being mailed to Gemini’s stockholders on or about   , 2022.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a virtual special meeting of stockholders, or the Gemini special meeting, will be held on    , 2022, at      Eastern Time, unless postponed or adjourned to a later date. The Gemini special meeting will be held entirely online. You will be able to attend and participate in the Gemini special meeting online by visiting www.     where you will be able to listen to the meeting live, submit questions and vote.

Record Date: Gemini’s board of directors has fixed     , 2022 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Gemini special meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Only holders of record of shares of Gemini common stock at the close of business on the record date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Gemini special meeting. At the close of business on the record date, Gemini had     shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.

By Order of Gemini’s Board of Directors,

Dr. Georges Gemayel

Interim President and Chief Executive Officer

   , 2022

This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about Gemini Therapeutics, Inc. that is not included in or delivered with this document. You may obtain this information without charge through the Securities and Exchange Commission website (www.sec.gov) or upon your written or oral request by contacting the Corporate Secretary of Gemini Therapeutics, Inc. by calling (617) 401-4400 or via email to IR@geminitherapeutics.com.

To ensure timely delivery of these documents, any request should be made no later than      , 2022 to receive them before the Gemini special meeting.

For additional details about where you can find information about Gemini, please see the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 377 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

Except where specifically noted, the following information and all other information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus does not give effect to the proposed reverse stock split described in Proposal No. 2 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

The following section provides answers to frequently asked questions about the merger. This section, however, provides only summary information. For a more complete response to these questions and for additional information, please refer to the cross-referenced sections.

At the effective time of the merger each share of Disc common stock (after giving effect to the conversion of each share of Disc’s preferred stock into Disc common stock) will be converted into the right to receive a number of shares of Gemini common stock equal to the exchange ratio described in more detail in the section titled “The Merger Agreement—Exchange Ratio” beginning on page 176 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

In connection with the merger, each outstanding and unexercised option to purchase shares of Disc common stock will be assumed by Gemini and will be converted into an option to purchase shares of Gemini’s common stock, with necessary adjustments to reflect the exchange ratio.

Each share of Gemini common stock, each option to purchase Gemini common stock and each award of restricted stock units over Gemini common stock that is issued and outstanding at the effective time of the merger will remain issued and outstanding in accordance with its terms and such shares, options and restricted stock units, subject to the proposed reverse stock split and any acceleration provided for in connection with the merger, will be unaffected by the merger. Immediately after the merger, Gemini securityholders as of immediately prior to the merger are expected to own approximately 24% of the outstanding shares of the combined company, former Disc securityholders, excluding shares purchased in the Disc pre-closing financing, are expected to own approximately 63% of the outstanding shares of the combined company and shares issued in the Disc pre-closing financing are expected to represent approximately 13% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the combined company, subject to certain assumptions, including, but not limited to, Gemini’s net cash as of closing being between $87.4 million and $96.6 million.

Each of Proposal Nos. 1 and 2 is a condition to completion of the merger. Proposal No. 1 is referred to herein as the merger proposal. The issuance of Gemini common stock in connection with the merger and the change of control resulting from the merger, or Proposal No. 1, will not take place unless Proposal No. 1 is approved by Gemini stockholders and the merger is consummated. The amendment to the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of Gemini to effect a reverse stock split of Gemini’s issued and outstanding common stock, or Proposal No. 2, will not take place unless Proposal No. 2 is approved by the requisite Gemini stockholders and the merger is consummated.

In addition to the requirement of obtaining Gemini stockholder approval, the closing of the merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of each of the other closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. For a more complete description of the closing conditions under the Merger Agreement, please see the section titled “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Completion of the Merger” beginning on page 189 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

The presence, by accessing online or being represented by proxy, at the Gemini special meeting of the holders of a majority of the shares of Gemini common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Gemini special meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at the meeting for the purpose of approving the merger proposal.

The approval of Proposal Nos. 3, 4 and 5 are not a condition to the merger. Such proposals, together with Proposal Nos. 1 and 2, are referred to collectively in this proxy statement/prospectus as the proposals.

The presence, by accessing online or being represented by proxy, at the Gemini special meeting of the holders of a majority of the shares of Gemini common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Gemini special meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at the meeting for the purpose of approving the proposals.

Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the meeting, who will separately count “FOR” and “AGAINST” votes, abstentions and broker non-votes. Abstentions and broker non-votes will also be treated as shares present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum for the transaction of business at the special meeting. Abstentions will be counted towards the vote totals for each proposal, and will have the same effect as “AGAINST” votes. Broker non-votes will have no effect on Proposal Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 5, and will have the same effect as “AGAINST” votes for Proposal No. 2.

At or prior to the effective time of the merger, Gemini and a rights agent will enter into a Contingent Value Rights Agreement, or the CVR Agreement, pursuant to which Gemini’s stockholders of record as of immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will receive one non-transferable CVR for each outstanding share of Gemini common stock held by such stockholder on such date. A copy of the form of CVR Agreement is included as Annex F to this proxy statement/prospectus. The contingent payments under the CVR Agreement, if they become payable, will become payable to the rights agent for subsequent distribution to the holders of the CVRs. In the event that no proceeds are received, holders of the CVRs will not receive any payment pursuant to the CVR Agreement. There can be no assurance that any holders of CVRs will receive payments with respect thereto.

The right to the contingent payments contemplated by the CVR Agreement is a contractual right only and will not be transferable, except in the limited circumstances specified in the CVR Agreement. The CVRs will not be evidenced by a certificate or any other instrument and will not be registered with the SEC. The CVRs will not have any voting or dividend rights and will not represent any equity or ownership interest in Gemini or the combined company or any of its affiliates. No interest will accrue on any amounts payable in respect of the CVRs.

For a more detailed description of the CVRs and the CVR Agreement, see “Agreements Related to the Merger—Contingent Value Rights Agreement” elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

In connection with the merger, each outstanding and unexercised option to purchase shares of Disc common stock that, following assumption by Gemini at the effective time, will be eligible to be registered on Form S-8, will be converted into an option to purchase Gemini common stock, with the number of shares and exercise price being appropriately adjusted to reflect the exchange ratio between Gemini common stock and Disc common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, determined in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

For a more complete description of the treatment of Disc common stock and Disc options in the merger, please see the sections titled “The Merger Agreement—Merger Consideration” and “The Merger Agreement—Exchange Ratio” beginning on pages 176 and 176, respectively, of this proxy statement/prospectus. For a description of the effect of the Disc pre-closing financing on Gemini’s and Disc’s current securityholders, please see the section titled “Agreements Related to the Merger—Subscription Agreement” beginning on page 196 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

If you are a Gemini stockholder of record, you may provide your proxy instructions in one of four different ways:

Your vote must be received by    , 2022, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time to be counted.

If you hold your shares in “street name” (as described below), you may provide your proxy instructions via telephone or the internet by following the instructions on your vote instruction form provided by your broker. Please provide your proxy instructions only once, unless you are revoking a previously delivered proxy instruction, and as soon as possible so that your shares can be voted at the Gemini special meeting.

Your vote must be received by    , 2022, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time to be counted.

If a Gemini stockholder who owns Gemini shares in “street name” has instructed a broker to vote its shares of Gemini common stock, the stockholder must follow directions received from its broker to change those instructions.

fiduciaries who are record holders of Gemini common stock for the forwarding of solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of Gemini common stock. Gemini will reimburse these brokers, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses they incur in connection with the forwarding of solicitation materials. Gemini has retained    , or    , to assist it in soliciting proxies using the means referred to above. Gemini will pay the fees of    , which Gemini expects to be approximately $   , plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.

Gemini Therapeutics, Inc.

297 Boston Post Road #248

Wayland, MA 01778

Telephone: (617) 401-4400

Attn: Brian Piekos

Email: IR@gemtherapeutics.com

The Gemini common stock is currently listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “GMTX.”

The closing price of the Gemini common stock on August 9, 2022, the last day of trading prior to the announcement of the Merger, as reported on The Nasdaq Global Market, was $1.56 per share.

Because the market price of the Gemini common stock is subject to fluctuation, the market value of the shares of the Gemini common stock that the Disc stockholders will be entitled to receive in the Merger may increase or decrease.

Assuming approval of Proposal Nos. 1, 2 and 3 and successful application for initial listing with The Nasdaq Global Market, following the consummation of the merger, the Gemini common stock will trade on The Nasdaq Global Market under Gemini’s new name, “Disc Medicine, Inc.,” and new trading symbol “IRON.”

As of    , 2022, the Record Date for the Special Meeting, there were approximately     registered holders of record of the Gemini common stock. As of    , 2022, Disc had     holders of record of Disc common stock and    holders of record of Disc Preferred Stock. For detailed information regarding the beneficial ownership of certain Gemini and Disc stockholders, see the sections of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Principal Stockholders of Gemini” and “Principal Stockholders of Disc”.

Gemini has never declared or paid any cash dividends on the Gemini common stock and does not anticipate paying cash dividends on the Gemini common stock for the foreseeable future, except pursuant to the CVR Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any determination to pay cash dividends subsequent to the merger will be at the discretion of the combined organization’s then-current board of directors and will depend upon a number of factors, including the combined organization’s results of operations, financial condition, future prospects, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors the then-current board of directors deems relevant. Disc has never paid or declared any cash dividends on the Disc capital stock. If the merger does not occur, Disc does not anticipate paying any cash dividends on the Disc capital stock in the foreseeable future, and Disc intends to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and expansion of its business. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of the Disc board of directors and will depend upon a number of factors, including its results of operations, financial condition, future prospects, contractual restrictions, and restrictions imposed by applicable laws and other factors the Disc board of directors deems relevant.

The combined company will be faced with a market environment that cannot be predicted and that involves significant risks, many of which will be beyond its control. In addition to the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus, you should carefully consider the material risks described below before deciding how to vote your shares of Gemini common stock. You should also read and consider the other information in this proxy statement/prospectus and additional information about Gemini set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, which is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as updated by its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, in each case incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. Please see the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 377 of this proxy statement/prospectus for further information regarding the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus.

At the effective time of the merger, outstanding shares of Disc capital stock will be converted into shares of Gemini common stock. Applying the exchange ratio, the former Disc securityholders immediately before the merger, excluding shares purchased in the Disc pre-closing financing, are expected to own approximately 63% of the aggregate number of shares of Gemini common stock, shares issued in the Disc pre-closing financing are expected to represent approximately 13% of the outstanding shares of Gemini common stock and Gemini securityholders immediately before the merger are expected to own approximately 24% of the aggregate number of shares of Gemini common stock, subject to certain assumptions, including, but not limited to, Gemini’s net cash as of closing being between $87.4 million and $96.9 million. In the event Gemini’s net cash is below $87.4 million, the exchange ratio will be adjusted such that the number of shares issued to Disc’s pre-closing securityholders will be increased, and Gemini stockholders will own a smaller percentage of the combined company following the merger.

Any changes in the market price of Gemini stock before the completion of the merger will not affect the number of shares Disc stockholders will be entitled to receive pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Therefore, if before the completion of the merger, the market price of Gemini common stock increases from the market price on the date of the Merger Agreement, then Disc stockholders could receive merger consideration with substantially more value for their shares of Disc capital stock than the parties had negotiated when they established the exchange ratio. Similarly, if before the completion of the merger the market price of Gemini common stock declines from the market price on the date of the Merger Agreement, then Disc stockholders could receive merger consideration with substantially lower value. The Merger Agreement does not include a price-based termination right.

If the merger is not completed, Gemini and Disc are subject to the following risks:

If the Merger Agreement is terminated and the board of directors of Gemini or Disc determines to seek another business combination, there can be no assurance that either Gemini or Disc will be able to find another third party to transact a business combination with, yielding comparable or greater benefits.

Even if the merger is approved by the stockholders of Disc and Proposal Nos. 1 and 2 as described in this proxy statement/prospectus are approved by the Gemini stockholders, specified conditions must be satisfied or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, waived to complete the merger. These conditions are set forth in the Merger Agreement and each material condition to the completion of the merger is described in the section titled “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Completion of the Merger” beginning on page 189 of this proxy statement/prospectus. Gemini and Disc cannot assure you that all of the conditions to the consummation of the merger will be satisfied or waived. If the conditions are not satisfied or waived, the merger may not occur or the closing may be delayed.

In general, neither Gemini nor Disc is obligated to complete the merger if there is a material adverse effect affecting the other party between August 9, 2022, the date of the Merger Agreement, and the closing of the merger. However, certain types of causes are excluded from the concept of a “material adverse effect.” Such exclusions include but are not limited to changes in general economic or political conditions, industry wide changes, changes resulting from the announcement of the merger, natural disasters, pandemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic), other public health events and changes in GAAP. Therefore, if any of these events were to occur and adversely affect Gemini or Disc, the other party would still be obliged to consummate the closing of the merger notwithstanding such material adverse effect. If any such adverse effects occur and Gemini and Disc consummate the closing of the merger, the stock price of the combined company may suffer. This in turn may reduce the value of the merger to the stockholders of Gemini, Disc or both. For a more complete discussion of what constitutes a material adverse effect on Gemini or Disc, see the section titled “The Merger Agreement—Representations and Warranties” beginning on page 176 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

In August 2022, Disc entered into a subscription agreement with certain investors, including existing investors of Disc, pursuant to which the investors agreed to purchase, in the aggregate, $53.5 million in shares of common stock of Disc immediately prior to the closing of the merger, referred to as the Disc pre-closing financing. The closing of the Disc pre-closing financing is conditioned upon the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the closing of the merger as well as certain other conditions. The shares of Disc common stock issued in the Disc pre-closing financing will result in dilution to all securityholders of the combined company (i.e., both the pre-merger Gemini securityholders and former Disc securityholders). The Disc pre-closing financing is more fully described under the section titled “Agreements Related to the Merger—Subscription Agreement” beginning on page 195 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

Additional financing may not be available to the combined company when it is needed or may not be available on favorable terms. To the extent that the combined company raises additional capital by issuing equity securities, such financing will cause additional dilution to all securityholders of the combined company, including Gemini’s pre-merger securityholders and Disc’s former securityholders. It is also possible that the terms of any new equity securities may have preferences over the combined company’s common stock. Any debt financing the combined company enters into may involve covenants that restrict its operations. These restrictive covenants may include limitations on additional borrowing and specific restrictions on the use of the combined company’s assets, as well as prohibitions on its ability to create liens, pay dividends, redeem its stock or make investments. In addition, if the combined company raises additional funds through licensing arrangements, it may be necessary to grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to the combined company.

Directors and executive officers of Gemini and Disc may have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of other Gemini stockholders generally. These interests with respect to Gemini’s directors and executive officers may include, among others, acceleration of stock option or restricted stock unit vesting, retention bonus payments, extension of exercisability periods of previously issued stock option grants, severance payments if employment is terminated in a qualifying termination in connection with the merger and rights to continued indemnification, expense advancement and insurance coverage. One member of the Gemini board of directors will continue as directors of the combined company after the effective time of the merger, and, following the closing of the merger, will be eligible to be compensated as non-employee directors of the combined company. These interests with respect to Disc’s directors and executive officers may include, among others, certain of Disc’s directors and executive officers have options, subject to vesting, to purchase shares of Disc common stock which, after the effective time of the merger, will be converted into and become options to purchase shares of the common stock of the combined company; Disc’s executive officers are expected to continue as executive officers of the combined company after the effective time of the merger; and all of Disc’s directors and executive officers are entitled to certain indemnification and liability insurance coverage pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement.

In addition, certain of Gemini’s directors and Disc’s directors are affiliated with investment funds which hold an interest in the other party, and are participating in the Disc pre-closing financing. Further, certain current members of Disc’s board of directors will continue as directors of the combined company after the effective time of the merger, and, following the closing of the merger, will be eligible to be compensated as non-employee directors of the combined company pursuant to the Gemini non-employee director compensation policy that is expected to remain in place following the effective time of the merger. The directors and executive officers own options and/or, with respect to Gemini, RSUs, to purchase the shares of their respective companies.

The Gemini and Disc boards were aware of and considered those interests, among other matters, in reaching their decisions to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement, approve the merger, and recommend the approval of the Merger Agreement to Gemini and Disc stockholders. These interests, among other factors, may have influenced the directors and executive officers of Gemini and Disc to support or approve the merger.

For more information regarding the interests of Gemini and Disc directors and executive officers in the merger, please see the sections titled “The Merger—Interests of Gemini Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger” beginning on page 160 and “The Merger—Interests of Disc Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger” beginning on page 165 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

If the combined company is unable to realize the full strategic and financial benefits currently anticipated from the merger, Gemini stockholders and Disc stockholders will have experienced substantial dilution of their ownership interests without receiving any commensurate benefit, or only receiving part of the commensurate benefit to the extent the combined company is able to realize only part of the strategic and financial benefits currently anticipated from the merger.

The market price of Gemini common stock is subject to significant fluctuations. During the 12-month period ended October 6, 2022, the closing sales price of Gemini’s common stock on Nasdaq ranged from a high of $3.92 on November 16, 2021 to a low of $1.22 on May 26, 2022. Market prices for securities of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other life science companies have historically been particularly volatile. In addition, the market price of Gemini common stock will likely be volatile based on whether stockholders and other investors believe that Gemini can complete the merger or otherwise raise additional capital to support Gemini’s operations if the merger is not consummated and another strategic transaction cannot be identified, negotiated and consummated in a timely manner, if at all. The volatility of the market price of Gemini common stock is exacerbated by low trading volume. Additional factors that may cause the market price of Gemini common stock to fluctuate include:

Moreover, the stock markets in general have experienced substantial volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of individual companies. These broad market fluctuations may also adversely affect the trading price of Gemini common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, stockholders have often instituted class action securities litigation against such companies.

After the completion of the merger, the current stockholders of Gemini and Disc will generally own a smaller percentage of the combined company than their ownership of their respective companies prior to the merger. Immediately after the merger, Gemini stockholders as of immediately prior to the merger are expected to own approximately 24% of the outstanding shares of the combined company, former Disc securityholders, excluding shares purchased in the Disc pre-closing financing are expected to own approximately 63% of the outstanding shares of the combined company and shares issued in the Disc pre-closing financing are expected to represent approximately 13% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the combined company, subject to certain assumptions, including, but not limited to, Gemini’s net cash as of closing being between $87.4 million and $96.6 million. The Chief Executive Officer of Disc will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the combined company following the completion of the merger.

Covenants in the Merger Agreement impede the ability of Gemini and Disc to make acquisitions during the pendency of the merger, subject to specified exceptions. As a result, if the merger is not completed, the parties may be at a disadvantage to their competitors during that period. In addition, while the Merger Agreement is in effect, each party is generally prohibited from soliciting, seeking, initiating or knowingly encouraging, inducing or facilitating the communication, making, submission or announcement of any acquisition proposal or acquisition inquiry or taking any action that could reasonably be expected to lead to certain transactions involving a third party, including a merger, sale of assets or other business combination, subject to specified exceptions. Any such transactions could be favorable to such party’s stockholders, but the parties may be unable to pursue them. For more information, see the section titled “The Merger Agreement—Non-Solicitation” beginning on page 184 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

The terms of the Merger Agreement prohibit each of Gemini and Disc from soliciting competing proposals or cooperating with persons making unsolicited takeover proposals, except in limited circumstances as described in further detail in the section titled “The Merger Agreement—Non-Solicitation” beginning on page 184 of this proxy statement/prospectus. In addition, if Gemini terminates the Merger Agreement under specified circumstances, Gemini could be required to pay Disc a termination fee of $3.0 million, or Disc could be required to pay Gemini a termination fee of $7.8 million, plus, in each case, up to $750,000 in expense reimbursements. This termination fee may discourage third parties from submitting competing proposals to Gemini, Disc or their respective stockholders, and may cause the Gemini or Disc board of directors to be less inclined to recommend a competing proposal.

The outstanding capital stock of Disc is privately held and is not traded in any public market. The lack of a public market makes it difficult to determine the fair market value of Disc’s capital stock. Because the percentage of Gemini equity to be issued to Disc stockholders was determined based on negotiations between the parties, it is possible that the value of the Gemini common stock to be issued to Disc stockholders will be more or less than the fair market value of Disc’s capital stock.

The U.S. federal income tax treatment of the CVRs is uncertain. There is no legal authority directly addressing the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the receipt of, and distribution of shares of Gemini common stock under, the CVRs, and there can be no assurance that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position that could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders of the CVRs.

As discussed in the section titled “Agreements Related to the Merger—Contingent Value Rights Agreement—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the CVRs to Holders of Gemini Common Stock,” Gemini will treat

(i) receipt of the CVRs as a non-taxable distribution with respect to existing shares of Gemini common stock, and (ii) receipt of shares of Gemini common stock in respect of the CVRs as a non-taxable exercise of the right to receive stock under the CVRs. This position may be challenged by the IRS in which case holders of Gemini common stock could be required to recognize taxable income in respect of the receipt of the CVRs or the receipt of Gemini common stock under the CVRs, in each case, without a corresponding receipt of cash. For example, the IRS may assert that the fair market value of the CVRs, at the time of distribution, is a taxable distribution of property, which would be taxable as a dividend to the extent of the holder’s pro rata share of Gemini’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, if any, with any excess being treated as a return of capital to the extent thereof and then as capital gain. Please review the information in the section titled “Agreements Related to the Merger—Contingent Value Rights Agreement—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the CVRs to Holders of Gemini Common Stock” for a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the CVRs to holders of Gemini common stock.

The principal purpose of the reverse stock split is to increase the per-share market price of Gemini’s common stock above the minimum bid price requirement under the Nasdaq rules so that the listing of Gemini and the shares of Gemini common stock being issued in the merger on Nasdaq will be approved. It cannot be assured, however, that the reverse stock split will accomplish this objective for any meaningful period of time. While it is expected that the reduction in the number of outstanding shares of common stock will proportionally increase the market price of Gemini’s common stock, it cannot be assured that the reverse stock split will increase the market price of its common stock by a multiple of the reverse stock split ratio mutually agreed by Gemini and Disc, or result in any permanent or sustained increase in the market price of Gemini’s common stock, which is dependent upon many factors, including Gemini’s business and financial performance, general market conditions and prospects for future success. Thus, while the stock price of Gemini might meet the listing requirements for Nasdaq initially, it cannot be assured that it will continue to do so.

Although the Gemini board believes that the anticipated increase in the market price of the combined company’s common stock resulting from the proposed reverse stock split could encourage interest in its common stock and possibly promote greater liquidity for its stockholders, such liquidity could also be adversely affected by the reduced number of shares outstanding after the reverse stock split. The reduction in the number of outstanding shares may lead to reduced trading and a smaller number of market makers for the combined company’s common stock. In addition, the reverse stock split may not result in an increase in the combined company’s stock price necessary to satisfy Nasdaq’s initial listing requirements for the combined company.

Should the market price of the combined company’s common stock decline after the reverse stock split, the percentage decline may be greater, due to the smaller number of shares outstanding, than it would have been prior to the reverse stock split. A reverse stock split is often viewed negatively by the market and, consequently, can lead to a decrease in the combined company’s overall market capitalization. If the per share market price does not increase in proportion to the reverse stock split ratio, then the value of the combined company, as measured by its stock capitalization, will be reduced. In some cases, the per-share stock price of companies that have effected reverse stock splits subsequently declined back to pre-reverse split levels, and accordingly, it cannot be assured that the total market value of the combined company’s common stock will remain the same after the reverse stock split is effected, or that the reverse stock split will not have an adverse effect on the combined company’s stock price due to the reduced number of shares outstanding after the reverse stock split.

In February 2022, Gemini announced a corporate restructuring and that it initiated a process to evaluate strategic alternatives. After a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives, including identifying and reviewing potential candidates for a strategic transaction, on August 9, 2022, Gemini entered into an agreement and plan of merger and

reorganization with Disc and Merger Sub, pursuant to which, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into Disc, with Disc continuing as the surviving company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gemini. The closing of the merger is subject to approval by the stockholders of Gemini and Disc as well as other customary closing conditions, including the effectiveness of a registration statement filed with the SEC in connection with the transaction. If the merger is completed, the business of Disc will continue as the business of the combined company. Any failure to satisfy a required condition to closing may prevent, delay or otherwise materially and adversely affect the completion of the transaction, which could materially and adversely affect Gemini’s results of operations, business, financial results and/or stock price. Gemini cannot predict with certainty whether or when any of the required closing conditions will be satisfied or if another uncertainty may arise and cannot assure you that the proposed merger will be successfully consummated or that Gemini will be able to successfully consummate the proposed merger as currently contemplated under the Merger Agreement or at all.

Gemini’s efforts to complete the merger could cause substantial disruptions in, and create uncertainty surrounding, Gemini’s business, which may materially adversely affect Gemini’s results of operations and Gemini’s business. Uncertainty as to whether the merger will be completed may affect Gemini’s ability to recruit prospective employees or to retain and motivate existing employees. Employee retention may be particularly challenging while the transaction is pending because employees may experience uncertainty about their roles following the transaction. A substantial amount of Gemini’s management’s and employees’ attention is being directed toward the completion of the transaction and thus is being diverted from Gemini’s day-to-day operations. Uncertainty as to Gemini’s future could adversely affect Gemini’s business and Gemini’s relationship with collaborators, suppliers, vendors, regulators and other business partners. For example, vendors, collaborators and other counterparties may defer decisions about working with Gemini or seek to change existing business relationships with Gemini. Changes to, or termination of, existing business relationships could adversely affect Gemini’s results of operations and financial condition, as well as the market price of Gemini’s common stock. The adverse effects of the pendency of the transaction could be exacerbated by any delays in completion of the transaction or termination of the Merger Agreement.

Risks related to the failure to consummate, or delay in consummating, the proposed merger transaction with Disc include, but are not limited to, the following:

The occurrence of any of these events individually or in combination could materially and adversely affect Gemini’s results of operations, business, and Gemini’s stock price.

The consummation of the merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of various conditions, including the authorization of the merger by Gemini’s stockholders and Disc’s stockholders. Gemini cannot guarantee that the

closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement will be satisfied. If Gemini is unable to satisfy certain closing conditions or if other mutual closing conditions are not satisfied, Disc will not be obligated to complete the merger. Under certain circumstances, Gemini would be required to pay Disc a termination fee of $3,000,000, and/or expense reimbursement of Disc of up to $750,000.

If the merger is not completed, Gemini’s board of directors, in discharging its fiduciary obligations to Gemini’s stockholders, would evaluate other strategic alternatives or financing options that may be available, which alternatives may not be as favorable to Gemini’s stockholders as the merger, including a liquidation and dissolution. Any future sale or merger, financing or other transaction, including a liquidation or dissolution, may be subject to further stockholder approval. Gemini may also be unable to find, evaluate or complete other strategic alternatives, which may have a materially adverse effect on Gemini’s business.

Until the merger is completed, the Merger Agreement restricts Disc and Gemini from taking specified actions without the consent of the other party, and requires Gemini to operate in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice. These restrictions may prevent Disc and Gemini from making appropriate changes to Gemini respective businesses or pursuing attractive business opportunities that may arise prior to the completion of the merger. Further, if Gemini's net cash at closing is lower than anticipated, either because expenses exceed current estimates or due to delays prior to closing, then the pre-closing stockholders of Gemini will own less of the combined company pursuant to the exchange ratio adjustment set forth in the merger agreement.

Any delay in completing the proposed merger may materially and adversely affect the timing and benefits that are expected to be achieved from the proposed merger.

The Merger Agreement has set the exchange ratio for Disc capital stock being converted into Gemini’s common stock, and the exchange ratio is based on the outstanding capital stock of Disc and the outstanding common stock of Gemini, in each case immediately prior to the closing of the merger. Applying the exchange ratio formula in the merger agreement, the former Disc equityholders immediately before the merger are expected to own approximately 72% of the outstanding capital stock of the combined company immediately following the merger, and the equityholders of Gemini immediately before the merger are expected to own approximately 28% of the outstanding capital stock of the combined company immediately following the merger, in each case, before giving effect to the Disc pre-closing financing and subject to certain assumptions detailed in the merger agreement. Under certain circumstances further described in the merger agreement, however, these ownership percentages may be adjusted upward or downward based on the cash levels of the respective companies at the closing of the merger, and as a result, either the Gemini stockholders or the Disc stockholders could own less of the combined company than expected.

Any changes in the market price of Gemini’s common stock before the completion of the merger will not affect the number of shares of Gemini’s common stock issuable to Disc’s stockholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Therefore, if before the completion of the merger the market price of Gemini’s common stock declines from the market price on the date of the merger agreement, then Disc’s stockholders could receive merger consideration with substantially lower value than the value of such merger consideration on the date of the merger agreement. Similarly, if before the completion of the merger the market price of Gemini’s common stock increases from the market price of Gemini’s common stock on the date of the merger agreement, then Disc’s stockholders could receive merger consideration with substantially greater value than the value of such merger consideration on the date of the merger agreement. The Merger Agreement does not include a price-based termination right.

The Merger Agreement contains provisions that make it difficult for Gemini to entertain a third-party proposal for an acquisition of Gemini. These provisions include Gemini’s agreement not to solicit or initiate any additional discussions with third parties regarding other proposals for Gemini’s acquisition, as well as restrictions on Gemini’s ability to respond to such proposals, subject to fulfillment of certain fiduciary requirements of Gemini’s board of directors.

If the proposed merger is not completed and the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, Gemini may be required to pay Disc a termination fee of up to $3,000,000, and/or expense reimbursement of up to $750,000. Even if a termination fee is not payable in connection with a termination of the merger agreement, Gemini will have incurred significant fees and expenses, which must be paid whether or not the merger is completed. Further, if the proposed merger is not completed, it could significantly harm the market price of Gemini’s common stock.

In addition, if the Merger Agreement is terminated and the board of directors of Gemini determines to seek another business combination, there can be no assurance that either Gemini will be able to find a partner and close an alternative transaction on terms that are as favorable or more favorable than the terms set forth in the merger agreement.

Putative stockholder complaints, including stockholder class action complaints, and other complaints may be filed against Gemini, Gemini’s board of directors, Disc, Disc’s board of directors and others in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. The outcome of litigation is uncertain, and Gemini may not be successful in defending against any such future claims. Lawsuits that may be filed against Gemini, Gemini’s board of directors, Disc, or Disc’s board of directors could delay or prevent the merger, divert the attention of Gemini’s management and employees from Gemini’s day-to-day business and otherwise adversely affect Gemini’s financial condition.

The Merger Agreement contemplates that, at or prior to the effective time of the merger, Gemini, the holder’s representative and the rights agent (as defined in the CVR Agreement) will execute and deliver a contingent value rights agreement, or the CVR Agreement, pursuant to which each person who as of immediately prior to the effective time was a stockholder of record of Gemini or had the right to receive Gemini’s common stock will be entitled to receive a contractual contingent value right, or CVR, issued by Gemini subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the CVR Agreement. Each CVR will entitle the holder of the CVR to receive a certain number of shares of common stock of the combined company calculated based on the quotient of the gross proceeds, if any, received in connection with the sale, license, transfer, disposition or other monetizing event of any assets related to drug products, raw materials, and biological materials to which Gemini or any of its subsidiaries owned or had rights to immediately prior to the effective time and the weighted average closing market price for the five trading days prior to the date of issuance of the CVR. The right of Gemini’s stockholders to derive any value from the CVRs will be contingent solely upon the disposition of such assets within the time periods specified in the CVR Agreement.

Gemini may not be able to achieve successful results from the disposition of such assets as described above. If this is not achieved for any reason within the time periods specified in the CVR Agreement, no payments will be made under the CVRs, and the CVRs will expire valueless.

Certain officers and directors of Gemini may have interests in the proposed merger that are different from the interests of Gemini’s stockholders generally, including potentially, among others, the continued service as a director of the combined company, the acceleration of stock option vesting, and continued indemnification.

The closing of the merger will also result in the acceleration of vesting of options to purchase shares of Gemini’s common stock held by Gemini’s executive officers and directors, whether or not there is a covered termination of such officer's employment or board membership. In addition, one of Gemini’s current directors and executive officers is expected to become a director of the surviving company upon the closing of the merger, and all of Gemini’s directors and executive officers are entitled to certain indemnification and liability insurance coverage pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement. These interests, among others, may influence the officers and directors of Gemini and cause them to view the merger differently from how Gemini’s stockholders generally may view it.

For more information regarding the interests of Gemini and Disc directors and executive officers in the merger, please see the sections titled “The Merger—Interests of Gemini Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger” beginning

on page 160 and “The Merger—Interests of Disc Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger” beginning on page 165 of this proxy statement/prospectus, as well as the risk factor “Some Gemini and Disc directors and executive officers have interests in the merger that are different from yours and that may influence them to support or approve the merger without regard to your interests”.

After the completion of the merger, the current securityholders of Gemini will own a smaller percentage of the combined company than their ownership in Gemini prior to the merger. Immediately after the merger, it is currently estimated that pre-merger Gemini’s equityholders will own approximately 28% of the common stock of the combined company, and pre-merger Disc equityholders will own approximately 72% of the common stock of the combined company, in each case, before giving effect to the Disc pre-closing financing and subject to certain assumptions. These estimates are based on the anticipated exchange ratio and are subject to adjustment as provided in the merger agreement.

In addition, the nine-member board of directors of the combined company will initially include one individual with prior affiliations with Gemini. Consequently, securityholders of Gemini will not be able to exercise the same influence over the management and policies of the combined organization following the closing of the merger than they currently exercise over the management and policies of Gemini.

If the combined company is unable to realize the strategic and financial benefits currently anticipated from the proposed merger, Gemini’s stockholders will have experienced substantial dilution of their ownership interests in Gemini without receiving the expected commensurate benefit, or only receive part of the commensurate benefit to the extent the combined company is able to realize only part of the expected strategic and financial benefits currently anticipated from the proposed merger.

There can be no assurance that the merger will be completed. If the merger is not completed, Gemini’s board of directors may decide to pursue a dissolution and liquidation of Gemini. In such an event, the amount of cash available for distribution to Gemini’s stockholders will depend heavily on the timing of such decision and, ultimately, such liquidation, since the amount of cash available for distribution continues to decrease as Gemini funds its operations while pursuing the merger. In addition, if Gemini’s board of directors were to approve and recommend, and Gemini’s stockholders were to approve, a dissolution and liquidation of the company, Gemini would be required under Delaware corporate law to pay Gemini’s outstanding obligations, as well as to make reasonable provision for contingent and unknown obligations, prior to making any distributions in liquidation to stockholders. Gemini’s commitments and contingent liabilities may include obligations under Gemini’s employment and related agreements with certain employees that provide for severance and other payments following a termination of employment occurring for various reasons, including a change in control of the company, litigation against Gemini, and other various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, and other unexpected and/or contingent liabilities. As a result of this requirement, a portion of Gemini’s assets would need to be reserved pending the resolution of such obligations.

In addition, Gemini may be subject to litigation or other claims related to a dissolution and liquidation of Gemini. If a dissolution and liquidation were to be pursued, Gemini’s board of directors, in consultation with Gemini’s advisors, would need to evaluate these matters and make a determination about a reasonable amount to reserve. Accordingly, holders of Gemini’s common stock could lose all or a significant portion of their investment in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the company. A liquidation would be a lengthy and uncertain process with no assurance of any value ever being returned to Gemini’s stockholders.

As of October 6, 2022, Gemini had only four full-time employees and one part-time employee. Gemini’s ability to successfully complete the merger depends in large part on Gemini’s ability to retain certain remaining personnel. Despite Gemini’s efforts to retain these employees, one or more may terminate their employment with Gemini on short notice. The loss of the services of certain employees could potentially harm Gemini’s ability to consummate the merger, to run Gemini’s day-to-day business operations, as well as to fulfill Gemini’s reporting obligations as a public company.

Gemini has no products approved for commercial sale and has not generated any revenue to date, and Gemini continues to incur significant research and development and other expenses related to Gemini’s ongoing operations. As a result, Gemini is not profitable and has incurred significant losses in each period since Gemini’s inception in March 2015.

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, Gemini reported net losses of $71.9 million and $40.8 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, Gemini had an accumulated deficit of $184.7 million. Despite the contemplated reverse merger with Disc, the ceased Gemini's Phase 2 trials and pre-merger significant workforce restructuring, Gemini expects to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future. In the event that the merger is not consummated and it does not pursue a liquidation or dissolution or alternative strategic transaction, Gemini anticipates that Gemini’s expenses would increase substantially if, and as, Gemini:

Even if Gemini continues to pursue product development and succeeds in commercializing any product candidates, Gemini may continue to incur substantial research and development and other expenditures to develop and market additional product candidates. Gemini may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors that may adversely affect Gemini’s business for any reason, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The size of Gemini’s future net losses will depend, in part, on the rate of future growth of Gemini’s expenses and Gemini’s ability to generate revenue. Gemini’s prior losses and expected future losses have had and will continue to have an adverse effect on Gemini’s stockholders’ equity and working capital.

Gemini is a clinical-stage biotechnology company with a limited operating history. Gemini’s operations to date have been limited to organizing and staffing the company, acquiring, developing and securing Gemini’s technology and product candidates, and conducting clinical trials and preclinical studies of Gemini’s product candidates. Gemini has

not yet demonstrated Gemini’s ability to complete clinical trials, obtain regulatory approval, formulate and manufacture a commercial-scale product or conduct sales and marketing activities necessary for successful product commercialization. Investment in biotechnology product development is highly speculative because it entails substantial upfront expenditures in contract research organizations (“CROs”), and contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”), and significant risk that any potential product candidate will fail to demonstrate adequate effect or an acceptable safety profile, gain regulatory approval and become commercially viable. Consequently, any predictions you may make about Gemini’s future success or viability may not be as accurate as they could be if Gemini had a longer operating history.

To date, Gemini has not generated any revenue, and Gemini will not be able to generate product revenue unless and until any product candidate, successfully completes clinical trials, receives regulatory approval and is commercialized, if ever. If the merger is not consummated and Gemini does not decide to pursue a wind-down or dissolution or alternative strategic transaction, Gemini may seek to obtain revenue from collaboration or licensing agreements with third parties. Gemini’s ability to generate future product revenue from any product candidates also depends on a number of additional factors, including Gemini’s, or Gemini’s current and future collaborators’, ability to:

In addition, because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with biotechnology product development, including that Gemini’s product candidates may not advance through development or achieve the endpoints of applicable clinical trials, Gemini is unable to predict the timing or amount of increased expenses, or if or when Gemini would achieve or maintain profitability if Gemini continues to pursue product development. In addition, Gemini’s expenses could increase beyond expectations if Gemini decides, or is required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) or applicable foreign regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions where Gemini may pursue regulatory approval, or applicable foreign regulatory authorities, to perform nonclinical studies or clinical trials in addition to those that Gemini currently anticipates. Even if Gemini completes the development and regulatory processes described above, Gemini anticipates incurring significant costs associated with launching and commercializing any approved product.

If Gemini does achieve profitability, Gemini may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. Gemini’s failure to become and remain profitable would decrease the value of the company and could impair Gemini’s ability to raise capital, maintain Gemini’s research and development efforts, expand Gemini’s business or continue Gemini’s operations. A decline in the value of Gemini’s company also could cause you to lose all or part of your investment.

As a clinical development company, Gemini’s operations have consumed substantial amounts of cash since inception.

As of December 31, 2021, Gemini had $136.6 million of cash and cash equivalents. Subject to the outcome of Gemini’s exploration of strategic alternatives, Gemini believes that Gemini’s current cash resources will enable Gemini to fund Gemini’s operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through at least the next twelve months from the filing date of this proxy statement/prospectus. Gemini’s forecast of the period of time through which Gemini’s financial reserves will adequately support Gemini’s operations is a forward-looking statement and involves risks and uncertainties, and actual results could vary as a result of a number of factors, including the factors discussed elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section. Gemini has based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and Gemini could utilize Gemini’s available capital resources sooner than Gemini currently expects. Gemini’s future funding requirements, both short and long-term, will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to:

Gemini does not have any committed external source of funds or other support for Gemini’s development efforts, and Gemini cannot be certain that additional funding will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. To the extent Gemini continues to pursue product development, until Gemini can generate sufficient revenue to finance Gemini’s cash requirements, which Gemini may never do, Gemini expects to finance its future cash needs through a combination of public or private equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances, licensing arrangements, and other marketing or distribution arrangements. If Gemini raises additional funds through public or private equity offerings, the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect Gemini’s stockholders’ rights. Further, to the extent that Gemini raises additional capital through the sale of common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock, your ownership interest will be diluted. If Gemini raises additional capital through debt financing, Gemini could be subject to fixed payment obligations and may be subject to covenants limiting or restricting Gemini’s ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making

capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If Gemini raises additional capital through marketing and distribution arrangements or other collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties, Gemini may have to relinquish certain valuable rights to Gemini’s product candidates, technologies, future revenue streams or research programs or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to Gemini. Gemini also could be required to seek collaborators for one or more of Gemini’s product candidates at an earlier stage than otherwise would be desirable or relinquish Gemini’s rights to product candidates or technologies that Gemini otherwise would seek to develop or commercialize itself. If Gemini is unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or acceptable terms, Gemini may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue the development or commercialization of one or more of Gemini’s product candidates or one or more of Gemini’s other research and development initiatives. Any of the above events could significantly harm Gemini’s business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations and cause the price of Gemini’s common stock to decline.

Gemini currently has no products that are approved for commercial sale and may never be able to develop marketable products. If Gemini continues to pursue regulatory approval of Gemini’s product candidates, Gemini expects that a substantial portion of Gemini’s efforts and expenditures over the next several years would be devoted to Gemini’s lead product candidate, GEM103. Accordingly, Gemini’s business would depend heavily on the successful development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of GEM103. GEM103 was tested in a Phase 2a clinical trial in genetically defined patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (“AMD”) and in a Phase 2a clinical trial as an add-on to anti-VEGF therapy for the treatment of wet AMD patients at risk for progressive vision loss due to macular atrophy. Gemini announced that it was ending both of these studies in January 2022. Gemini cannot be certain that Gemini would successfully commence or complete any further clinical trials, receive regulatory approval or successfully commercialize GEM103 even if Gemini was to receive regulatory approval. If the merger is not consummated and Gemini does not decide to pursue a wind-down or dissolution or alternative strategic transaction, Gemini does not perform any future clinical development of GEM103 or if GEM103 does not receive regulatory approval or fails to achieve significant market acceptance, Gemini would be substantially delayed in Gemini’s ability to achieve profitability, if ever.

If Gemini determines to continues to pursue regulatory approval of Gemini’s product candidates, Gemini would plan to devote a majority of Gemini’s resources to the continued preclinical and clinical testing and potential approval of GEM103 for the treatment of patients with AMD. However, another key element of Gemini’s strategy could be to discover, develop and commercialize a portfolio of products. Gemini could seek to do so through its internal discovery programs, but its resources are limited. Gemini may also explore strategic collaborations for the development or acquisition of new product candidates, but Gemini may not be successful in entering into such relationships. GEM103 is Gemini’s only product candidate in clinical stages of development. Research programs to identify product candidates require substantial technical, financial and human resources, regardless of whether any product candidates are ultimately identified. Gemini’s research programs may initially show promise in identifying potential product candidates, yet fail to yield product candidates for clinical development for many reasons, including:

If Gemini continues to pursue product development and Gemini fails to develop and successfully commercialize other product candidates, Gemini’s business and future prospects may be harmed, and Gemini’s business will be more vulnerable to any problems that Gemini encounters in developing and commercializing its product candidates.

To the extent Gemini continues to pursue product development, product candidates would be subject to rigorous and extensive clinical trials and extensive regulatory approval processes implemented by the FDA and applicable foreign regulatory authorities. The approval process is typically lengthy and expensive, and approval is never certain. Gemini has limited experience in conducting the clinical trials required to obtain regulatory approval. Gemini may not be able to conduct clinical trials at preferred sites, enlist clinical investigators, enroll sufficient numbers of participants or begin or successfully complete clinical trials in a timely fashion, if at all. Gemini’s planned clinical trials may be insufficient to demonstrate that its potential products will be active, safe or effective. Additional clinical trials may be required if clinical trial results are negative or inconclusive, which will require Gemini to incur additional costs and significant delays.

Success in preclinical studies and earlier-stage clinical trials does not ensure that later clinical trials will generate the same results or otherwise provide adequate data to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of a product candidate. In addition, the design of a clinical trial can determine whether Gemini’s results will support approval of a product, and flaws in the design of a clinical trial may not become apparent until the clinical trial is well advanced. Because Gemini has limited experience designing clinical trials, Gemini may be unable to design and execute a clinical trial to support regulatory approval. In addition, there is a high failure rate for drugs and biologics proceeding through clinical trials. In fact, many companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered significant setbacks in late-stage clinical trials even after achieving promising results in nonclinical studies and earlier-stage clinical trials. Similarly, the outcome of nonclinical studies may not predict the success of clinical trials. Moreover, data obtained from nonclinical and clinical activities are subject to varying interpretations, which may delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval. For example, Gemini provided updates from Gemini’s Phase 2a studies in January 2022. Both studies were ended early, which may limit the ability of the data to support regulatory approval. In addition, Gemini may experience regulatory delays or rejections as a result of many factors, including due to changes in regulatory policy during the period of development of Gemini’s product candidates. Any such delays could negatively impact Gemini’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Gemini has published, and may from time to time in the future, publish interim “top-line” or preliminary data from Gemini’s clinical trials. Preliminary or interim data from clinical trials that Gemini may complete are subject to the risk that one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change as patient enrollment continues and more patient data become available. Preliminary or interim data also remain subject to audit and verification procedures that may result in the final data being materially different from the preliminary data Gemini previously published. As a result, interim and preliminary data should be viewed with caution until the final data are available. Adverse differences between preliminary or interim data and final data could significantly harm Gemini’s business and financial prospects.

Additionally, several of Gemini’s previous clinical trials utilized an “open-label” trial design. An “open-label” clinical trial is one where both the patient and investigator know whether the patient is receiving the investigational product candidate or either an existing approved biologic, drug, or placebo. Most typically, open-label clinical trials test only the investigational product candidate and sometimes may do so at different dose levels. Open-label clinical trials are subject to various limitations that may exaggerate any therapeutic effect as patients in open-label clinical trials are aware when they are receiving treatment. Open-label clinical trials may be subject to a “patient bias” where patients perceive their symptoms to have improved merely due to their awareness of receiving an experimental treatment. In addition, open-label clinical trials may be subject to an “investigator bias” where those assessing and reviewing the physiological outcomes of the clinical trials are aware of which patients have received treatment and

may interpret the information of the treated group more favorably given this knowledge. The results from an open-label trial may not be predictive of future clinical trial results with any of Gemini’s product candidates for which Gemini includes an open-label clinical trial when studied in a controlled environment with a placebo or active control.

Gemini has historically contracted with third party manufacturers to make new drug substance to support clinical trials and for commercial sale, if approved. Gemini’s CMOs may not be able to adopt, adapt or scale up the manufacturing process in a timely manner to support Gemini’s future clinical trials. The process of manufacturing Gemini’s products is complex, highly regulated and subject to several risks, including:

The manufacture of product candidates requires significant expertise and capital investment, including the development of advanced manufacturing techniques and process controls. Manufacturers of these products sometimes encounter difficulties in production, especially during scale-up from the manufacturing process used for pre-clinical and early clinical trials to a validated process needed for pivotal clinical studies and commercial launch. These problems include failure to meet target production costs and yields, sub-par quality control testing, including stability of the product, quality assurance system failures, operator error and shortages of qualified personnel, as well as compliance with strictly enforced federal, state and foreign regulations. Gemini cannot assure you that any product quality issues relating to the manufacture of any product candidates will not occur in the future.

Gemini does not have and does not currently plan to acquire or build the facilities or internal capabilities to manufacture bulk drug substance or filled drug product for use in pre-clinical studies, clinical trials or commercialization. To a large extent, that makes Gemini dependent on the goodwill of Gemini’s contract manufacturing partners to quickly fix deviations that will inevitably occur during the manufacturing of Gemini’s product. Any delay or interruption in the supply of clinical trial materials could delay the completion of pre-clinical studies or clinical trials, increase the costs associated with maintaining clinical trial programs and, depending upon the period of delay, require Gemini to commence new pre-clinical studies or clinical trials at additional expense or terminate pre-clinical studies or clinical trials altogether.

Gemini does not own or operate facilities for the manufacture of Gemini’s future product candidates, if any. Gemini currently has no plans to build its own manufacturing facilities for clinical or commercial operations. Gemini has in the past relied on third party manufacturers for the chemical manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredient and for the production of final product formulation and packaging for clinical trials, and expect to rely on such third party manufacturers for any future product candidate Gemini is able to advance into clinical development. Although

alternative third party suppliers with the necessary manufacturing and regulatory expertise and facilities exist, it could be expensive and take a significant amount of time to arrange for alternative suppliers should Gemini commence clinical development of any future product candidate. Gemini may encounter technical difficulties or delays in the transfer of manufacturing on a commercial scale to third party manufacturers. Gemini may be unable to enter into agreements for commercial supply with third party manufacturers, or may be unable to do so on acceptable terms. If Gemini is unable to arrange for alternative third-party manufacturing sources, or to do so on commercially reasonable terms or in a timely manner, Gemini may not be able to complete development of any future product candidates, or market or distribute them.

Reliance on third party manufacturers entails risks to which Gemini would not be subject if Gemini manufactured product candidates or products itself, including reliance on the third party for regulatory compliance and quality assurance, the possibility of breach of the manufacturing agreement by the third party because of factors beyond Gemini’s control, including a failure to manufacture Gemini’s product candidates or any products Gemini may eventually commercialize in accordance with Gemini’s specifications, and the possibility of termination or nonrenewal of the agreement by the third party, based on its own business priorities, at a time that is costly or damaging to Gemini. In addition, the FDA and other regulatory authorities require that Gemini’s product candidates and any products that Gemini may eventually commercialize be manufactured according to cGMP and similar foreign standards. Any failure by Gemini’s third-party manufacturers to comply with cGMP or failure to scale up manufacturing processes, including any failure to deliver sufficient quantities of product candidates in a timely manner, could lead to a delay in, or failure to obtain, regulatory approval of any of Gemini’s product candidates and could cause Gemini to incur higher costs and prevent Gemini from commercializing Gemini’s product candidates successfully. In addition, such failure could be the basis for the FDA to issue a warning letter, withdraw approvals for product candidates previously granted to Gemini, or take other regulatory or legal action, including recall or seizure of outside supplies of the product candidate, total or partial suspension of production, suspension of ongoing clinical trials, refusal to approve pending applications or supplemental applications, detention of products, refusal to permit the import or export of products, injunction, or imposing civil and criminal penalties.

Any significant disruption in Gemini’s supplier relationships could harm Gemini’s business. Any significant delay in the supply of a product candidate or its key materials for a clinical trial could considerably delay completion of Gemini’s clinical trials, product testing and potential regulatory approval of Gemini’s future product candidates. If Gemini’s manufacturers or Gemini is unable to purchase these key materials after regulatory approval has been obtained for Gemini’s product candidates, the commercial launch of Gemini’s product candidates would be delayed or there would be a shortage in supply, which would impair Gemini’s ability to generate revenues from the sale of Gemini’s product candidates. If Gemini’s third party manufacturers cannot manufacture sufficient quantity to meet the demand for Gemini’s product candidates after regulatory approval, there would be a shortage in supply which would negatively impact Gemini’s revenue from the sale of Gemini’s product candidates. It may take several years to establish an alternative source of supply for Gemini’s product candidates and to have any such new source approved by the FDA.

Gemini’s business could be adversely affected by health epidemics in regions where third parties on which Gemini relies, such as CROs or CMOs, have concentrations of clinical trial sites or other business operations, and could cause significant disruption in the operations of third-party manufacturers and CROs upon whom Gemini relies. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the increased prevalence of variants of the virus, and government measures taken in response, have had a significant impact, both direct and indirect, on businesses and commerce, as worker shortages have occurred; supply chains have been disrupted; facilities and production have been suspended; and demand for certain goods and services, such as medical services and supplies, has spiked, while demand for other goods and services, such as travel, has fallen. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related impacts have resulted in, and will likely continue to result in, significant disruptions to the global economy and capital markets around the world. Gemini cannot predict the future progression or full impact of the outbreak and its effects on Gemini’s business and operations.

Gemini and its third-party CMOs, CROs and clinical sites have experienced, and may continue to experience, disruptions in supply of product candidates and/or procuring items that are essential for Gemini’s research and

development activities, including raw materials used in the manufacturing of Gemini’s product candidates, medical and laboratory supplies used in Gemini’s clinical trials or preclinical studies or animals that are used for preclinical testing, in each case, for which there may be shortages because of ongoing efforts to address the pandemic.

Additionally, Gemini enrolled patients in its clinical trials at sites located both in the United States and internationally. Gemini’s clinical trial sites were located in areas that were affected by COVID-19 and, as a result, Gemini’s ability to enroll patients and complete Gemini’s trials were impacted. Gemini cannot predict how long these types of delays and impacts many continue, and whether they will similarly affect any future clinical trials. For example, even if sites are initiating and actively recruiting, Gemini may face difficulties recruiting or retaining patients in Gemini’s planned clinical trials if patients are affected by the virus or are unable to or are fearful of visiting or traveling to Gemini’s clinical trial sites because of the pandemic, or if patients are unable or unwilling to be vaccinated or tested. Prolonged delays or closure to enrollment in Gemini’s planned trials or patient discontinuations could have a material adverse impact on Gemini’s clinical trial plans and timelines. In addition, Gemini’s ability to collect and verify data requested of patients enrolled in Gemini’s clinical trials during this pandemic was impacted to varying degrees by COVID-19, and COVID-19 could similarly impact future clinical trials. Although clinical trial data collection continued for each of Gemini’s clinical trials, data was collected at a slower pace, and with challenges and interruptions in data collection, including, in some instances, disruption of collection of complete study data. This could have a material adverse impact on Gemini’s data quality and analysis. In addition, clinical trial sites for any potential future clinical trials may be unable or unwilling to initiate a new trial if factors relevant to the pandemic render doing so impracticable. These COVID-19 related issues may prolong the time required to conduct any potential clinical trials and/or impact the quality of the data obtained from one or more of Gemini’s completed or potential studies.

Gemini has not incurred impairment losses in the carrying values of Gemini’s assets as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and Gemini is not aware of any specific related event or circumstance that would require Gemini to revise its estimates reflected in its consolidated financial statements. Although the COVID-19 pandemic did not have a significant impact on Gemini’s financial results in 2021, the full extent to which the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may impact Gemini’s business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain, and the estimates of the impact on Gemini’s business may change based on new information that may emerge concerning COVID-19, including the duration of the pandemic, any potential subsequent waves or strains of COVID-19 infection, the effectiveness, distribution and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines and the actions to contain it or treat its impact and the economic impact on local, regional, national and international markets.

If Gemini does not retain key employees, Gemini’s ability to maintain its ongoing operations or execute a potential strategic option could be impaired.

On February 28, 2022, Gemini announced a workforce reduction by up to 24 positions, or approximately 80% of Gemini’s workforce. The loss of services from any of Gemini’s existing or continuing employees could substantially disrupt Gemini’s operations. To be successful and achieve Gemini’s strategic objectives, Gemini must retain qualified personnel. The continued review of Gemini’s strategic options may create continued uncertainty for Gemini’s employees and this uncertainty may adversely affect Gemini’s ability to retain key employees and to hire new talent necessary to maintain Gemini’s ongoing operations or to execute additional potential strategic options, which could have a material adverse effect on Gemini’s business.

In addition, Gemini’s current strategy and any changes to this strategy could place significant strain on Gemini’s resources and Gemini’s ability to maintain Gemini’s ongoing operations. Gemini may also be required to rely more heavily on temporary or part-time employees, third party contractors and consultants to assist with managing Gemini’s operations. These consultants are not Gemini’s employees and may have commitments to, or consulting or advisory contracts with, other entities that may limit their availability to Gemini. Gemini will have only limited control over the activities of these consultants and can generally expect these individuals to devote only limited time to Gemini’s activities. Failure of any of these persons to devote sufficient time and resources to Gemini’s business could harm its business.

Accordingly, Gemini may fail to maintain Gemini’s ongoing operations or execute Gemini’s strategic plan if Gemini is unable to retain or hire qualified personnel or to manage its employees and consultants effectively.

If Gemini pursues further clinical development and the potential commercialization of Gemini’s product candidates, Gemini will need to expand its financial, development, regulatory, manufacturing, marketing and sales capabilities or contract with third parties to provide these capabilities for Gemini. If Gemini’s operations were to expand, it would expect that it would need to manage additional relationships with various strategic collaborators, suppliers and other third parties. Gemini’s future financial performance and its ability to develop and commercialize its product candidates and to compete effectively would depend, in part, on Gemini’s ability to manage any future growth effectively. Gemini has undertaken restructurings in October 2021 and February 2022 with a substantial reduction in headcount, which would adversely impact its ability to meet any potential growth needs.

Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for Gemini to provide reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, are designed to prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation could cause Gemini to fail to meet its reporting obligations. In addition, any testing by Gemini conducted in connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“Section 404”) or any subsequent testing by Gemini’s independent registered public accounting firm, may reveal deficiencies in Gemini’s internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retroactive changes to Gemini’s financial statements or identify other areas for further attention or improvement. Inferior internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in Gemini’s reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of Gemini’s stock.

Commencing with the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, Gemini was required to perform system and process design evaluation and testing of the effectiveness of Gemini’s internal controls over financial reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of Gemini’s internal controls over financial reporting, as required by Section 404. This has required that Gemini incur substantial additional and recurring professional fees and internal costs to expand Gemini’s accounting and finance functions and that Gemini expends significant management efforts. Gemini will be required to disclose changes made in its internal controls and procedures on a quarterly basis. However, for as long as Gemini is an emerging growth company (“EGC”), its independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of its internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404. An independent assessment of the effectiveness of Gemini’s internal controls over financial reporting could detect problems that Gemini’s management’s assessment might not. Undetected material weaknesses in Gemini’s internal controls over financial reporting could lead to restatements of Gemini’s financial statements and require Gemini to incur the expense of remediation.

If Gemini is not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or it is unable to maintain proper and effective internal controls over financial reporting Gemini may not be able to produce timely and accurate financial statements. As a result, Gemini’s investors could lose confidence in its reported financial information, the market price of Gemini’s stock could decline and Gemini could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities.

Gemini’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed by Gemini in reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), is accumulated and communicated to management, recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Gemini believes that any disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by an unauthorized override of the controls. Accordingly, because of the inherent limitations in Gemini’s control system, misstatements or insufficient disclosures due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Gemini became a publicly traded company by completing a transaction with a special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”). As a result of this transaction, regulatory obligations have, and may continue, to impact Gemini differently than other publicly traded companies. For instance, the SEC and other regulatory agencies may issue additional guidance or apply further regulatory scrutiny to companies like Gemini that have completed a business combination with a SPAC. Managing this regulatory environment, which has and may continue to evolve, could divert management’s attention from the operation of Gemini’s business, negatively impact Gemini’s ability to raise additional capital when needed or have an adverse effect on the price of Gemini’s common stock.

Gemini’s employees, independent contractors, consultants, commercial partners and vendors may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including noncompliance with regulatory standards and requirements.

Gemini cannot ensure that its compliance controls, policies, and procedures will in every instance protect Gemini from acts committed by Gemini’s employees, agents, contractors, or collaborators that would violate the law or regulation, including, without limitation, healthcare, employment, foreign corrupt practices, environmental, competition, and patient privacy and other privacy laws and regulations. Such improper actions could subject Gemini to civil or criminal investigations, and monetary and injunctive penalties, and could adversely impact Gemini’s ability to conduct business, operating results, and reputation.

Gemini is exposed to the risk of employee fraud or other illegal activity by Gemini’s employees, independent contractors, consultants, commercial partners and vendors. Misconduct by these parties could include intentional, reckless and/or negligent conduct that fails to comply with the laws enforced by the FDA and applicable foreign regulatory authorities, fails to provide true, complete and accurate information to the FDA and applicable foreign regulatory authorities, fails to comply with manufacturing standards Gemini has established, fails to comply with healthcare fraud and abuse laws in the United States and similar foreign laws, or fails to report financial information or data accurately or to disclose unauthorized activities to Gemini. If Gemini obtains FDA approval of any of Gemini’s product candidates and begin commercializing those products in the United States, Gemini’s potential exposure under these laws will increase significantly, and its costs associated with compliance with these laws are also likely to increase. Additionally, Gemini is subject to the risk that a person could allege such fraud or other misconduct, even if none occurred. These laws may impact, among other things, Gemini’s current activities with principal investigators and research patients, as well as proposed and future sales, marketing and education programs. If any such actions are instituted against Gemini, and Gemini is not successful in defending itself or asserting its rights, those actions could have a significant impact on Gemini’s business, including the imposition of civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, monetary fines, possible exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, and curtailment of Gemini’s operations, any of which could adversely affect Gemini’s ability to operate Gemini’s business and Gemini’s results of operations. It is not always possible to identify and deter employee misconduct, and the precautions Gemini takes to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting Gemini from government investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to comply with these laws or regulations. If any such actions are instituted against Gemini and it is not successful in defending itself or asserting its rights, those actions could result in significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, imprisonment, exclusion from government funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, integrity oversight and reporting obligations, and the curtailment or restructuring of Gemini’s operations.

Identifying and qualifying patients to participate in Gemini’s clinical trials is critical to its success. To the extent Gemini continues to pursue product development, Gemini may encounter delays in enrolling, or be unable to enroll, a sufficient number of patients to complete any of Gemini’s clinical trials, and even once enrolled Gemini may be unable to retain a sufficient number of patients to complete any of Gemini’s trials.

Factors that may generally affect patient enrollment include:

In addition, if any significant adverse events or other side effects are observed in any of Gemini’s future clinical trials, it may make it more difficult for Gemini to recruit patients to Gemini’s clinical trials and patients may drop out of Gemini’s trials, or Gemini may be required to abandon the trials or Gemini’s development efforts of one or more product candidates altogether. Gemini’s inability to enroll a sufficient number of patients for Gemini’s clinical trials would result in significant delays, which would increase Gemini’s costs and have an adverse effect on Gemini.

The biotechnology industry is intensely competitive and subject to rapid and significant technological change. Gemini’s current competitors include multinational pharmaceutical companies, specialized biotechnology companies and universities and other research institutions. A number of pharmaceutical companies, as well as large and small biotechnology companies such as Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and IVERIC bio are pursuing the development or marketing of pharmaceuticals that target AMD. It is also probable that the number of companies seeking to develop products and therapies for the treatment of serious eye diseases, such as AMD, will increase. Many of Gemini’s competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, human and other resources than Gemini does and may be better equipped to develop, manufacture and market technologically superior products. In addition, many of these competitors have significantly greater experience than Gemini does in undertaking nonclinical studies and human clinical trials of new pharmaceutical products and in obtaining regulatory approvals of human therapeutic products. Accordingly, Gemini’s competitors may succeed in obtaining FDA approval for superior products. In addition, to the extent Gemini continues to pursue product development, many competitors have greater name recognition and more extensive collaborative relationships. Smaller and earlier-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large, established companies.

Gemini’s competitors may obtain regulatory approval of their products more rapidly than Gemini does or may obtain patent protection or other intellectual property rights that limit Gemini’s ability to develop or commercialize its product candidates. Gemini’s competitors may also develop drugs that are more effective, more convenient, more widely used and less costly or have a better safety profile than Gemini’s products and these competitors may also be more successful than Gemini is in manufacturing and marketing their products. If Gemini is unable to compete effectively against these companies, then Gemini may not be able to commercialize Gemini’s product candidates or achieve a competitive position in the market. This would adversely affect Gemini’s ability to generate revenue. Gemini’s competitors also compete with Gemini in recruiting and retaining qualified scientific, management and commercial personnel, establishing clinical trial sites and patient registration for clinical trials, as well as in acquiring technologies complementary to, or necessary for, Gemini’s programs.

Given Gemini’s limited operating history, Gemini is still in the process of implementing Gemini’s internal security measures. Gemini’s internal computer systems and those of current and future third parties on which Gemini relies may fail and are vulnerable to damage from computer viruses and unauthorized access. Gemini’s information technology and other internal infrastructure systems, including corporate firewalls, servers, leased lines and connection to the Internet, face the risk of systemic failure that could disrupt Gemini’s operations. While Gemini has not, to its knowledge, experienced any such material system failure or security breach to date, if such an event were to occur and cause interruptions in Gemini’s operations, it could result in a material disruption of Gemini’s

development programs and Gemini’s business operations. For example, the loss of clinical trial data from completed or future clinical trials could result in delays in Gemini’s regulatory approval efforts and significantly increase Gemini’s costs to recover or reproduce the data. Likewise, Gemini relies on third parties for the manufacture of Gemini’s product candidates and to conduct clinical trials, and similar events relating to their computer systems could also have a material adverse effect on Gemini’s business. To the extent that any disruption or security breach were to result in a loss of, or damage to, Gemini’s data or applications, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, Gemini could incur liability, Gemini’s competitive position could be harmed and the further development and commercialization of Gemini’s product candidates could be hindered or delayed.

The rules dealing with United States federal, state and local income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the United States Treasury Department. Changes to tax laws (which changes may have retroactive application) could adversely affect Gemini or holders of Gemini’s common stock. In recent years, many such changes have been made and changes are likely to continue to occur in the future. It cannot be predicted whether, when, in what form, or with what effective dates, new tax laws may be enacted, or regulations and rulings may be promulgated or issued under existing or new tax laws, which could result in an increase in Gemini’s or Gemini’s stockholders’ tax liability or require changes in the manner in which Gemini operates in order to minimize or mitigate any adverse effects of changes in tax law or in the interpretation thereof.

As of December 31, 2021, Gemini had federal net operating loss carryforwards of $7.6 million that are subject to expire at various dates through 2037, and net operating loss carryforwards of $156.5 million, which have no expiration date, can be carried forward indefinitely, and are limited to a deduction to 80% of annual taxable income. Gemini has state tax net operating loss carryforwards of $143.1 million, which may be available to offset future income tax liabilities and expire at various dates through 2041, and state net operating loss carryforwards of $1.0 million, which have no expiration date and can be carried forward indefinitely. Gemini also has federal and state research and development tax credit carryforwards of $5.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively, which expire at various dates through 2041. Gemini does not anticipate generating revenue from sales of products for the foreseeable future, if ever, and Gemini may never achieve profitability. These NOL and tax credit carryforwards could expire unused and be unavailable to offset future income tax liabilities. Unused losses generated in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 will not expire and may be carried forward indefinitely, and generally may not be carried back to prior taxable years, except that, under the CARES Act a 5-year carryback of NOLs arising in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2021 is permitted. Additionally, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2020, the deductibility of such U.S. federal NOLs is limited to 80% of Gemini’s taxable income in any future taxable year. In addition, under Section 382 of the Code, the amount of benefits from Gemini’s NOL carryforwards may be impaired or limited if Gemini incurs a cumulative ownership change of more than 50% over a three-year period. Gemini has not conducted a study to determine if any such changes have occurred that could limit its ability to use the net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Gemini may have experienced ownership changes in the past and the merger is expected to result in an ownership change. As a result, Gemini’s use of U.S. federal NOL carryforwards will likely be limited, and state NOL carryforwards may be similarly limited. Any such disallowances may result in greater tax liabilities than Gemini would incur in the absence of such a limitation and any increased liabilities could adversely affect Gemini’s business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Gemini’s research programs involve the use of hazardous materials and chemicals, which are currently only handled by third parties. Gemini is subject to foreign, federal, state and local environmental and health and safety laws and regulations governing, among other matters, the use, manufacture, handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials and waste products. To the extent Gemini continues to pursue product development, Gemini may incur significant costs to comply with these current or future environmental and health and safety laws and regulations. In addition, Gemini cannot completely eliminate the risk of contamination or injury from hazardous materials and may incur material liability as a result of such contamination or injury. In the event of an accident, an injured party may seek to hold Gemini liable for any damages that result. Any liability could exceed the limits or fall outside the coverage of Gemini’s workers’ compensation, property and business interruption insurance and Gemini may not be able to maintain insurance on acceptable terms, if at all. Gemini currently carries no insurance specifically covering environmental claims.

The time required to obtain approval from the FDA and applicable foreign regulatory authorities is unpredictable but typically takes many years following the commencement of nonclinical studies and clinical trials and depends upon numerous factors, including the substantial discretion of regulatory authorities. In addition, approval policies, regulations or the type and amount of clinical data necessary to gain approval may change during the course of a product candidate’s development and may vary among jurisdictions.

To the extent Gemini continues to pursue product development, its product candidates could fail to receive regulatory approval from the FDA or an applicable foreign regulatory authority for many reasons, including:

The FDA or an applicable foreign regulatory authority may require more information, including additional nonclinical or clinical data to support approval, which may delay or prevent approval and Gemini’s commercialization plans, or Gemini may decide to abandon the development program for other reasons. If Gemini was to obtain approval, regulatory authorities may approve any of Gemini’s product for fewer more limited indications than Gemini requests, may require labeling or a Risk Evaluation Mitigation Strategy (“REMS”) that includes significant use or distribution restrictions or safety warnings, precautions, or contraindications, may grant approval contingent on the performance of costly post-marketing clinical trials or may approve a product candidate with a label that does not include the labeling claims necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization of that product candidate.

Gemini does not know whether any of its potential clinical trials will be completed on schedule, if at all, as the commencement and completion of clinical trials can be delayed or prevented for a number of reasons, including, among others:

Clinical trials may also be delayed or terminated as a result of ambiguous or negative interim results. In addition, a clinical study may be suspended or terminated by Gemini, the FDA or applicable foreign regulatory authorities, the IRBs at the sites where the IRBs are overseeing a clinical study, a data and safety monitoring board (“DSMB”) overseeing the clinical study at issue or other regulatory authorities due to a number of factors, including, among others:

Any inability to successfully complete nonclinical and clinical development could result in additional costs to Gemini or impair Gemini’s ability to generate revenue. In addition, if Gemini makes changes to a product candidate, such as changes to the formulation, Gemini may need to conduct additional nonclinical studies or clinical trials to bridge or demonstrate the comparability of Gemini’s modified product candidate to earlier versions, which could delay Gemini’s clinical development plan or marketing approval for Gemini’s product candidates. Clinical trial delays could also shorten any periods during which Gemini may have the exclusive right to commercialize Gemini’s product candidates or allow Gemini’s competitors to bring products to market before Gemini does, which could impair Gemini’s ability to successfully commercialize its product candidates and may harm its business and results of operations.

As a company, Gemini has limited experience in designing, conducting or completing clinical trials and has never progressed a product candidate through to regulatory approval. In part because of this lack of experience, to the extent Gemini continues to pursue product development, Gemini’s potential clinical trials may require more time and incur greater costs than Gemini anticipates, and Gemini may not have sufficient resources to complete these trials. Gemini cannot be certain that the planned clinical trials will begin or conclude on time, if at all. Large-scale trials will require significant additional financial and management resources. Any performance failure on the part of such third parties could delay the clinical development of Gemini’s product candidates or delay or prevent Gemini from obtaining regulatory approval or commercializing Gemini’s product candidates, depriving Gemini of potential product revenue and resulting in additional losses.

The United States and many foreign jurisdictions have enacted or proposed legislative and regulatory changes affecting the healthcare system that could prevent or delay marketing approval of Gemini’s product candidates, restrict or regulate post-approval activities and affect Gemini’s ability to profitably sell any product for which Gemini obtains marketing approval. Changes in regulations, statutes or the interpretation of existing regulations could impact Gemini’s business in the future by requiring, for example: (i) changes to Gemini’s manufacturing arrangements; (ii) additions or modifications to product labeling; (iii) the recall or discontinuation of Gemini’s products; or (iv) additional record-keeping requirements.

In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively, the “Affordable Care Act”), was enacted, which includes measures that has significantly changed the way health care is financed by both governmental and private insurers. Since its enactment, there have been numerous judicial, administrative, executive, and legislative challenges to certain aspects of the Affordable Care Act. On June 17, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the most recent judicial challenge to the Affordable Care Act brought by several states without specifically ruling on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. Prior to the Supreme Court's decision, the current President of the United States issued an Executive Order to initiate a special enrollment period from February 15, 2021 through August 15, 2021 for purposes of obtaining health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. The Executive Order also instructed certain governmental agencies to review and reconsider their existing policies and rules that limit access to healthcare, including among others, reexamining Medicaid demonstration projects and waiver programs that include work requirements, and policies that create unnecessary barriers to obtaining access to health insurance coverage through Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act. It is unclear how other healthcare reform measures of the current administrations or other efforts, if any, to challenge repeal or replace the Affordable Care Act, will impact Gemini’s business.

In addition, other legislative and regulatory changes have been proposed and adopted in the United States since the Affordable Care Act was enacted:

Additionally, there has been increasing legislative and enforcement interest in the United States with respect to drug pricing practices. Specifically, there has been heightened governmental scrutiny over the manner in which manufacturers set prices for their marketed products, which has resulted in several U.S. Congressional inquiries and proposed and enacted federal and state legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to drug pricing, reduce the cost of prescription drugs under Medicare, and review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs. At a federal level, the current President of the United States signed an Executive Order on July 9, 2021 affirming the administration’s policy to (i) support legislative reforms that would lower the prices of prescription drug and biologics, including by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, by imposing inflation caps, and, by supporting the development and market entry of lower-cost generic drugs and biosimilars; and (ii) support the enactment of a public health insurance option. Among other things, the Executive Order also directs HHS to provide a report on actions to combat excessive pricing of prescription drugs, enhance the domestic drug supply chain, reduce the price that the Federal government pays for drugs, and address price gouging in the industry; and directs the FDA to work with states and Indian Tribes that propose to develop section 804 Importation Programs in accordance with the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, and the FDA’s implementing regulations. FDA released such implementing regulations on September 24, 2020, which went into effect on November 30, 2020, providing guidance for states to build and submit importation plans for drugs from Canada. On September 25, 2020, CMS stated drugs imported by states under this rule will not be eligible for federal rebates under Section 1927 of the Social Security Act and manufacturers would not report these drugs for “best price” or Average Manufacturer Price purposes. Since these drugs are not considered covered outpatient drugs, CMS further stated it will not publish a National Average Drug Acquisition Cost for these drugs. If implemented, importation of drugs from Canada may materially and adversely affect the price Gemini receives for any of Gemini’s product candidates. Further, on November 20, 2020 CMS issued an Interim Final Rule implementing the Most Favored Nation (“MFN”) Model under which Medicare Part B reimbursement rates would have been be calculated for certain drugs and biologicals based on the lowest price drug manufacturers receive in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries with a similar gross domestic product per capita. However, on December 29, 2021, CMS rescinded the Most Favored Nations rule. Additionally, on November 30, 2020, HHS published a regulation removing safe harbor protection for price reductions from pharmaceutical manufacturers to plan sponsors under Part D, either directly or through pharmacy benefit managers, unless the price reduction is required by law. The rule also creates a new safe harbor for price reductions reflected at the point-of-sale, as well as a safe harbor for certain fixed fee arrangements between pharmacy benefit managers and manufacturers. Pursuant to court order, the removal and addition of the aforementioned safe harbors were delayed, and recent legislation imposed a moratorium on implementation of the rule until January 1, 2026. Although a number of these and other proposed measures may require authorization through additional legislation to become effective, and the current administration may reverse or otherwise change these measures, both the current administration and Congress have indicated that they will continue to seek new legislative measures to control drug costs. Gemini expects that the healthcare reform measures that has been adopted and may be adopted in the future, may result in more rigorous coverage criteria and in additional downward pressure on the price that Gemini receives for any approved product and could seriously harm Gemini’s future revenues. Any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare or other government programs may result in a similar reduction in payments from private third-party payors.

Individual states in the United States have also become increasingly active in passing legislation and implementing regulations designed to control pharmaceutical and biological product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain drug access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures, and designed to encourage importation from other countries and bulk purchasing. Legally mandated price controls on payment amounts by third-party payors or other restrictions could harm Gemini’s

business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. In addition, regional healthcare authorities and individual hospitals are increasingly using bidding procedures to determine what pharmaceutical products and which suppliers will be included in their prescription drug and other healthcare programs. This could reduce the ultimate demand for Gemini’s drugs or put pressure on Gemini’s drug pricing, which could negatively affect Gemini’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

There has been, and likely will continue to be, legislative and regulatory proposals at the foreign, federal and state levels directed at broadening the availability of healthcare and containing or lowering the cost of healthcare. The implementation of cost containment measures or other healthcare reforms may prevent Gemini from being able to generate revenue, attain profitability, or commercialize Gemini’s product. Such reforms could have an adverse effect on anticipated revenue from product candidates that Gemini may successfully develop and for which Gemini may obtain regulatory approval and may affect Gemini’s overall financial condition and ability to develop product candidates.

Healthcare providers, physicians and third-party payors will play a primary role in the recommendation and prescription of any product candidates for which Gemini obtains marketing approval. Gemini’s current and future arrangements with healthcare providers, third-party payors and customers may expose Gemini to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations that may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which Gemini researches, and if approved, markets, sells and distributes Gemini’s products. Restrictions under applicable federal and state healthcare laws and regulations, include the following:

Efforts to ensure that Gemini’s business arrangements with third parties comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations will involve substantial costs. It is possible that governmental authorities will conclude that Gemini’s business practices may not comply with current or future statutes, regulations or case law interpreting applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations. If Gemini’s operations are found to be in violation of any of these laws or any other governmental regulations that may apply to Gemini, Gemini may be subject to significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, imprisonment, exclusion from government funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, integrity oversight and reporting obligations, and the curtailment or restructuring of Gemini’s operations. If any of the physicians or other healthcare providers or entities with whom Gemini expects to do business is found not to be in compliance with applicable laws, that person or entity may be subject to criminal, civil or administrative sanctions, including exclusions from government funded healthcare programs.

Gemini and any potential collaborators may be subject to federal, state, and foreign data protection laws and regulations (i.e., laws and regulations that address privacy and data security). In the United States, numerous federal and state laws and regulations, including federal health information privacy laws, state data breach notification laws, state health information privacy laws, and federal and state consumer protection laws (e.g., Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act and California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”)), that govern the collection, use, disclosure and protection of health-related and other personal information could apply to Gemini’s operations or the operations of Gemini’s collaborators. The state of California, for example, adopted the CCPA, which went into effect in 2020. The CCPA has been characterized as the first “GDPR-like” privacy statute to be enacted in the United States because it mirrors a number of the key provisions of the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (“EU GDPR”). The CCPA establishes a new privacy framework for covered businesses by creating an expanded definition of personal information, establishing new data privacy rights for consumers in the State of California, imposing special rules on the collection of consumer data from minors, and creating a new and potentially severe statutory damages framework for violations of the CCPA and for businesses that fail to implement reasonable security procedures and practices to prevent data breaches. In addition, Gemini may obtain health information from third parties (including research institutions from which Gemini obtain clinical trial data) that are subject to privacy and security requirements under HIPAA, as amended by HITECH. Depending on the facts and circumstances, Gemini could be subject to civil, criminal, and administrative penalties if Gemini knowingly obtains, uses, or discloses individually identifiable health information maintained by a HIPAA-covered entity in a manner that is not authorized or permitted by HIPAA.

Compliance with U.S. and international data protection laws and regulations, including the EU GDPR and other EU data protection laws, could require Gemini to take on more onerous obligations in Gemini’s contracts, restrict Gemini’s ability to collect, use and disclose data, or in some cases, impact Gemini’s ability to operate in certain jurisdictions. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in government enforcement actions (which could include civil, criminal and administrative penalties), private litigation, and/or adverse publicity and could negatively affect Gemini’s operating results and business. Moreover, clinical trial subjects, employees and other individuals about whom Gemini or Gemini’s potential collaborators obtain personal information, as well as the providers who share this information with Gemini, may limit Gemini’s ability to collect, use and disclose the information. Claims that Gemini has violated individuals’ privacy rights, failed to comply with data protection laws, or breached Gemini’s contractual obligations, even if Gemini is not found liable, could be expensive and time-consuming to defend and could result in adverse publicity that could harm Gemini’s business.

Gemini cannot be sure that Gemini will be able to submit INDs or similar applications for Gemini’s preclinical programs on the timelines Gemini expects, if at all. To proceed with Gemini’s development plans and ultimately commercialization, Gemini may need to conduct and meet regulatory requirements for preclinical and clinical studies. For therapeutic applications, the FDA may require additional extensive preclinical and other studies. Gemini cannot be certain of the timely completion or outcomes of Gemini’s preclinical testing and studies and cannot predict if the FDA or other regulatory authorities will accept Gemini’s proposed clinical programs or if the outcomes of Gemini’s preclinical testing and studies will ultimately support the further development of Gemini’s programs. As a result, there is no assurance that Gemini will be able to submit INDs or similar applications on the timelines Gemini expects, if at all, and Gemini cannot be sure that submission of an IND or similar applications will result in the FDA or other regulatory authorities allowing a clinical trial design to begin.

Clinical trials are conducted in representative samples of the potential patient population which may has significant variability. Even if Gemini receives regulatory approval for any of Gemini’s product candidates, Gemini will have tested them in only a small number of patients during Gemini’s clinical trials. Clinical trials are by design based on a limited number of subjects and of limited duration for exposure to the product used to determine whether, on a potentially statistically significant basis, the planned safety and efficacy of any product candidate can be achieved. As with the results of any statistical sampling, Gemini cannot be sure that all side effects of Gemini’s product candidates may be uncovered, and it may be the case that only with a significantly larger number of patients exposed to the product candidate for a longer duration, may a more complete safety profile be identified. Further, even larger clinical trials may not identify rare serious adverse effects or the duration of such studies may not be sufficient to identify when those events may occur. If Gemini’s applications for marketing are approved and more patients begin to use Gemini’s product, new risks and side effects associated with Gemini’s products may be discovered. There have been other products that have been approved by the regulatory authorities but for which safety concerns has been uncovered following approval. Such safety concerns have led to labelling changes or withdrawal of products from the market, and any of Gemini’s product candidates may be subject to similar risks. Additionally, Gemini may be required to conduct additional nonclinical and clinical trials, require additional warnings on the label of Gemini’s products, reformulate Gemini’s product or make changes, create a medication guide outlining the risks of such side effects for distribution to patients and obtain new approvals for Gemini’s and Gemini’s suppliers’ manufacturing facilities for any product candidates. Gemini might have to withdraw or recall its products from the marketplace. Gemini may also experience a significant drop in the potential sales of Gemini’s products if and when regulatory approvals for such products are obtained, experience harm to Gemini’s reputation in the marketplace or become subject to lawsuits, including class actions. Any of these results could decrease or prevent any sales of Gemini’s approved products or substantially increase the costs and expenses of commercializing and marketing Gemini’s products.

Even if Gemini obtains regulatory approval for a product candidate, regulatory authorities may still impose significant restrictions on Gemini’s product candidates, including their indicated uses or marketing, or impose ongoing requirements for potentially costly post-approval studies. Further, even if Gemini obtains regulatory approval for a product candidate, Gemini would be subject to ongoing requirements by the governing the manufacture, quality control, further development, labeling, packaging, storage, distribution, tracking and tracing, safety surveillance, import, export, advertising, promotion, recordkeeping and reporting of safety and other post-market information.

The FDA and applicable foreign regulatory authorities will continue to closely monitor the safety profile of any product even after approval. If the FDA or applicable foreign regulatory authorities become aware of new safety information after approval of Gemini’s product candidates, they may require labeling changes or establishment of a REMS or similar strategy, impose significant restrictions on a product’s indicated uses or marketing or impose ongoing requirements for potentially costly post-approval studies or post-market surveillance.

In addition, manufacturers of drug and biologic products and their facilities are subject to continual review and periodic inspections by the FDA and other regulatory authorities for compliance with current good manufacturing practice (“cGMP”) regulations and standards. If Gemini or a regulatory agency discover previously unknown problems with a product, such as adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or problems with the facility where the product is manufactured, a regulatory agency may impose restrictions on that product, the manufacturing facility or Gemini, including requiring recall or withdrawal of the product from the market or suspension of manufacturing. If Gemini, Gemini’s product candidates or the manufacturing facilities for Gemini’s product candidates fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, or undesirable side effects caused by such products are identified, a regulatory agency may:

The occurrence of any event or penalty described above may inhibit Gemini’s ability to commercialize its products and generate revenue.

Advertising and promotion of any product candidate that obtains approval in the United States will be heavily scrutinized by the FDA, the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, state attorneys general, members of Congress and the public. Violations, including promotion of Gemini’s products for unapproved (or off-label) uses, are subject to enforcement letters, inquiries and investigations, and civil and criminal sanctions by the government. Additionally, applicable foreign regulatory authorities will heavily scrutinize advertising and promotion of any product candidate that obtains approval outside of the United States.

In the United States, engaging in the impermissible promotion of Gemini’s products for off-label uses can also subject Gemini to false claims litigation under federal and state statutes, which can lead to civil and criminal penalties and fines and agreements that materially restrict the manner in which a company promotes or distributes drug and biologic products. These false claims statutes include the federal False Claims Act, which allows any individual to bring a lawsuit against a pharmaceutical company on behalf of the federal government alleging submission of false or fraudulent claims, or causing to present such false or fraudulent claims, for payment by a federal program such as Medicare or Medicaid. If the government prevails in the lawsuit, the individual will share in any fines or settlement funds. Since 2004, these federal False Claims Act lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies has increased significantly in volume and breadth, leading to several substantial civil and criminal settlements regarding certain sales practices promoting off-label product uses involving fines in excess of $1 billion. This growth in litigation has increased the risk that a pharmaceutical company will have to defend a false claim action, pay settlement fines or restitution, agree to comply with burdensome reporting and compliance obligations and be excluded from Medicare, Medicaid and other federal and state healthcare programs. If Gemini does not lawfully promote Gemini’s approved products, Gemini may become subject to such litigation and, if Gemini does not successfully defend against such actions, those actions may have a material adverse effect on Gemini’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

The FDA’s policies may change and additional government regulations may be enacted that could prevent, limit or delay regulatory approval of Gemini’s product candidates. If Gemini is slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or adopt new requirements or policies, or if Gemini is not able to maintain regulatory compliance, Gemini may lose any marketing approval that Gemini may have obtained, which would adversely affect Gemini’s business, prospects and ability to achieve or sustain profitability.

To the extent Gemini continues to pursue product development, the success of Gemini’s product candidates, if approved, depends on the availability of coverage and adequate reimbursement from third-party payors including governmental healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, commercial payors, and health maintenance organizations. Gemini cannot be sure that coverage and reimbursement will be available for, or accurately estimate the potential revenue from, Gemini’s product candidates or assure that coverage and reimbursement will be available for any product that Gemini may develop.

Patients who are provided medical treatment for their conditions generally rely on third-party payors to reimburse all or part of the costs associated with their treatment. Coverage and adequate reimbursement from third-party payors is critical to new product acceptance.

Third-party payors decide which products and treatments they will cover and the amount of reimbursement. Coverage and reimbursement by a third-party payor may depend upon a number of factors, including the third-party payor’s determination that use of a product is:

Net prices for drugs may be reduced by mandatory discounts or rebates required by government healthcare programs or private payors and by any future relaxation of laws that presently restrict imports of drugs from countries where they may be sold at lower prices than in the United States.

Increasingly, third-party payors are requiring that drug companies provide them with predetermined discounts from list prices and are challenging the prices charged for medical products. Gemini cannot be sure that reimbursement will be available for any product candidate that Gemini commercialize and, if reimbursement is available, the level of reimbursement.

In addition, many pharmaceutical manufacturers must calculate and report certain price reporting metrics to the government, such as average sales price (“ASP”) and best price. Penalties may apply in some cases when such

metrics are not submitted accurately and timely. Further, these prices for drugs may be reduced by mandatory discounts or rebates required by government healthcare programs.

In the United States, no uniform policy of coverage and reimbursement for products exists among third-party payors. As a result, obtaining coverage and reimbursement approval of a product from a third-party payor is a time consuming and costly process that could require Gemini to provide to each payor supporting scientific, clinical and cost effectiveness data for the use of Gemini’s products on a payor-by-payor basis, with no assurance that coverage and adequate reimbursement will be obtained. There is significant uncertainty related to the insurance coverage and reimbursement of newly approved products. In the United States, the principal decisions about reimbursement for new medicines are typically made by CMS, an agency within HHS, as CMS decides whether and to what extent a new medicine will be covered and reimbursed under Medicare. Private third-party payors tend to follow Medicare coverage and reimbursement limitations to a substantial degree, but also has their own methods and approval process apart from Medicare determinations. Even if Gemini obtains coverage for a given product, the resulting reimbursement payment rates might not be adequate for Gemini to achieve or sustain profitability or may require co-payments that patients find unacceptably high.

In addition, in some foreign countries, the proposed pricing for a drug must be approved before it may be lawfully marketed. The requirements governing drug pricing vary widely from country to country. For example, the European Union provides options for its Member States to restrict the range of medicinal products for which their national health insurance systems provide reimbursement and to control the prices of medicinal products for human use. To obtain reimbursement or pricing approval, some of these countries may require the completion of clinical trials that compare the cost effectiveness of a particular product candidate to currently available therapies. A Member State may approve a specific price for the medicinal product or it may instead adopt a system of direct or indirect controls on the profitability of the company placing the medicinal product on the market. There can be no assurance that any country that has price controls or reimbursement limitations for pharmaceutical products will allow favorable reimbursement and pricing arrangements for any of Gemini’s product candidates. Historically, products launched in the European Union do not follow price structures of the U.S. and generally prices tend to be significantly lower.

Even if Gemini’s products are approved for marketing in the United States, in order to market and sell Gemini’s products in other jurisdictions, Gemini must obtain separate marketing approvals and comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements. The approval procedure varies among countries and can involve additional testing. The time required to obtain approval may differ substantially from that required to obtain FDA approval. The regulatory approval process outside the United States generally includes all of the risks associated with obtaining FDA approval. In addition, in many countries outside the United States, Gemini must secure product reimbursement approvals before regulatory authorities will approve the product for sale in that country. Obtaining applicable foreign regulatory authorities and compliance with applicable foreign regulatory requirements could result in significant delays, difficulties and costs for Gemini and could delay or prevent the introduction of Gemini’s products in certain countries. Further, clinical trials conducted in one country may not be accepted by regulatory authorities in other countries and regulatory approval in one country does not ensure approval in any other country, while a failure or delay in obtaining regulatory approval in one country may has a negative effect on the regulatory approval process in others.

Also, regulatory approval for Gemini’s product candidates may be withdrawn if Gemini fails to comply with regulatory requirements, if problems occur after the product candidate reaches the market or for other reasons. If Gemini fails to comply with the regulatory requirements in international markets and fail to receive applicable marketing approvals, Gemini’s target market will be reduced and Gemini’s ability to realize the full market potential of Gemini’s product candidates will be harmed and Gemini’s business will be adversely affected. Gemini may not obtain applicable foreign regulatory approvals on a timely basis, if at all. Approval by the FDA does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries or jurisdictions. Approval by one regulatory authority outside the United States does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries or jurisdictions or by the FDA. If Gemini fails to obtain approval of Gemini’s product candidates by applicable foreign regulatory authorities, Gemini will be unable to commercialize Gemini product in that country, and the commercial prospects of that product candidate and Gemini’s business prospects could decline.

Gemini is subject to export control and import laws and regulations, including the U.S. Export Administration Regulations, U.S. Customs regulations, various economic and trade sanctions regulations administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Controls, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, the U.S. domestic bribery statute contained in 18 U.S.C. § 201, the U.S. Travel Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, and other state and national anti-bribery and anti-money laundering laws in the countries in which Gemini conducts activities. Anti-corruption laws are interpreted broadly and prohibit companies and their employees, agents, contractors, and other collaborators from authorizing, promising, offering, or providing, directly or indirectly, improper payments or anything else of value to recipients in the public or private sector. Gemini may engage third parties to sell Gemini’s products outside the United States, to conduct clinical trials, and/or to obtain necessary permits, licenses, patent registrations, and other regulatory approvals. Gemini has direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or government-affiliated hospitals, universities, and other organizations. Gemini can be held liable for the corrupt or other illegal activities of Gemini’s employees, agents, contractors, and other collaborators, even if Gemini does not explicitly authorize or has actual knowledge of such activities. Any violations of the laws and regulations described above may result in substantial civil and criminal fines and penalties, imprisonment, the loss of export or import privileges, debarment, tax reassessments, breach of contract and fraud litigation, reputational harm, and other consequences.

The ability of the FDA to review and approve new products can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding levels, ability to hire and retain key personnel and accept payment of user fees, and statutory, regulatory, and policy changes. Average review times at the agency has fluctuated in recent years as a result. In addition, government funding of the SEC and other government agencies on which Gemini’s operations may rely, including those that fund research and development activities is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable.

Disruptions at the FDA and other agencies may also slow the time necessary for new drugs to be reviewed and/or approved by necessary government agencies, which would adversely affect Gemini’s business. For example, over the last several years, including beginning on December 22, 2018, the U.S. government has shut down several times and certain regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and the SEC, has had to furlough critical FDA, SEC and other government employees and stop critical activities. If a prolonged government shutdown occurs, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA to timely review and process Gemini’s regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on Gemini’s business. Further, future government shutdowns could impact Gemini’s ability to access the public markets and obtain necessary capital in order to properly capitalize and continue Gemini’s operations.

Separately, since March 2020 when foreign and domestic inspections of facilities were largely placed on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA has been working to resume pre-pandemic levels of inspection activities, including routine surveillance, bioresearch monitoring and pre-approval inspections. Should FDA determine that an inspection is necessary for approval and an inspection cannot be completed during the review cycle due to restrictions on travel, and the FDA does not determine a remote interactive evaluation to be adequate, the agency has stated that it generally intends to issue, depending on the circumstances, a complete response letter or defer action on the application until an inspection can be completed. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, a number of companies announced receipt of complete response letters due to the FDA’s inability to complete required inspections for their applications. Regulatory authorities outside the U.S. may adopt similar restrictions or other policy measures in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and may experience delays in their regulatory activities.

If the FDA becomes unable to continue its current level of performance, Gemini could experience delays and setbacks for Gemini’s product candidates and for any approvals Gemini may seek which could adversely affect Gemini’s business.

Gemini believes that any of Gemini’s product candidates approved in the United States as a biological product under a Biologics License Application (“BLA”) should qualify for the 12-year period of regulatory exclusivity. The enactment of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (“BPCIA”) as part of the Affordable Care Act, created an abbreviated pathway for the approval of biosimilar and interchangeable biological products. The abbreviated regulatory pathway establishes legal authority for the FDA to review and approve biosimilar biologics, including the possible designation of a biosimilar as “interchangeable” based on its similarity to an existing brand product. Under the BPCIA, an application for a biosimilar product cannot be approved by the FDA until 12 years after the original branded product was approved under a BLA. Certain changes, however, and supplements to an approved BLA, and subsequent applications filed by the same sponsor, manufacturer, licensor, predecessor in interest, or other related entity do not qualify for the 12-year exclusivity period. The law is complex and is still being interpreted and implemented by the FDA. As a result, its ultimate impact, implementation, and meaning are subject to uncertainty. While it is uncertain when such processes intended to implement the BPCIA may be fully adopted by the FDA, any such processes could have a material adverse effect on the future commercial prospects for Gemini’s biological products.

However, there is also a risk that this exclusivity could be changed in the future. For example, this exclusivity could be shortened due to congressional action or through other actions, including future proposed budgets, international trade agreements and other arrangements or proposals. The extent to which a biosimilar, once approved, will be substituted for any one of its reference products in a way that is similar to traditional generic substitution for non-biological products is not yet clear, and will depend on a number of marketplace and regulatory factors that are still developing. It is also possible that payers will give reimbursement preference to biosimilars over reference biologics, even absent a determination of interchangeability.

To the extent that Gemini does not receive any anticipated periods of regulatory exclusivity for its product candidates or the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities approve any biosimilar, interchangeable, or other competing products to its product candidates, it could have a material adverse effect on Gemini’s business, financial condition, results of operations, stock price and prospects.

Gemini’s commercial success depends in part on its ability to obtain and maintain patent protection and trade secret protection for its product candidates, proprietary patient screening technologies and their uses as well as its ability to operate without infringing upon the proprietary rights of others. Gemini generally seeks to protect Gemini’s proprietary position by filing patent applications in the United States and abroad related to Gemini’s product candidates, proprietary technologies and their uses that are important to Gemini’s business. Gemini also seeks to protect its proprietary position by acquiring or in-licensing relevant issued patents or pending applications from third parties. Finally, Gemini maintains its non-patented, but proprietary technologies, as company trade secrets.

Pending patent applications cannot be enforced against third parties practicing the technology claimed in such applications unless, and until, patents issue from such applications, and then only to the extent the issued claims cover the technology. There can be no assurance that Gemini’s patent applications or the patent applications of Gemini’s licensors will result in patents being issued or that issued patents will afford sufficient protection against competitors with similar technology, nor can there be any assurance that the patents issued will not be infringed, designed around or invalidated by third parties.

Even issued patents may later be found invalid or unenforceable or may be modified or revoked in proceedings instituted by third parties before various patent offices or in courts. The degree of future protection for Gemini’s and Gemini’s licensors’ proprietary rights is uncertain. Only limited protection may be available and may not adequately protect Gemini’s rights or permit Gemini to gain or keep any competitive advantage. These uncertainties and/or limitations in Gemini’s ability to properly protect the intellectual property rights relating to Gemini’s product candidates could have a material adverse effect on Gemini’s financial condition and results of operations.

Gemini currently does not have any company-owned or in-licensed patents covering its product candidates. Gemini cannot be certain that the claims in U.S. pending patent applications, corresponding international patent applications and patent applications in certain foreign territories, or those of Gemini’s licensors, will be considered patentable by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”), courts in the United States or by the patent offices and courts in foreign countries, nor can Gemini be certain that the claims in Gemini’s issued patent or Gemini’s licensor’s issued patents will not be found invalid or unenforceable if challenged.

The patent application process is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that Gemini or any of Gemini’s potential future collaborators will be successful in protecting Gemini’s product candidates by obtaining and defending patents. These risks and uncertainties include the following:

The patent prosecution process is also expensive and time-consuming, and Gemini or Gemini’s licensors may not be able to file and prosecute all necessary or desirable patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner or in all jurisdictions where protection may be commercially advantageous. It is also possible that Gemini or Gemini’s licensors will fail to identify patentable aspects of Gemini’s research and development output before it is too late to obtain patent protection.

In addition, although Gemini enters into non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements with parties who have access to patentable aspects of Gemini’s research and development output, such as Gemini’s employees, outside scientific collaborators, CROs, third-party manufacturers, consultants, advisors and other third parties, any of these parties may breach such agreements and disclose such output before a patent application is filed, thereby jeopardizing Gemini’s ability to seek patent protection.

Given the amount of time required for the development, testing and regulatory review of new product candidates, patents protecting such candidates might expire before or shortly after such candidates are commercialized. As a result, Gemini’s intellectual property may not provide Gemini with sufficient rights to exclude others from commercializing products similar or identical to Gemini’s.

Several third parties are actively researching and seeking and obtaining patent protection in the AMD field, and there are issued third-party patents and published third-party patent applications in these fields. Although no third party has asserted a claim of patent infringement against Gemini as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, a third party may hold proprietary rights that could prevent Gemini’s product candidates from being marketed. Gemini may not be aware of all third-party intellectual property rights potentially relating to Gemini’s product candidates and technologies.

Depending on what patent claims ultimately issue and how courts construe the issued patent claims, as well as depending on the ultimate formulation and method of use of Gemini’s product candidates, Gemini may need to obtain a license under such patents. There can be no assurance that such licenses will be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If a third party does not offer Gemini a necessary license or offers a license only on terms that are unattractive or unacceptable to Gemini, Gemini might be unable to develop and commercialize one or more of Gemini’s product candidates, which would have a material adverse effect on Gemini’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, even if Gemini obtains licenses to such intellectual property, but subsequently fails to meet Gemini’s obligations under its license agreements, or such license agreements are terminated for any other reasons, Gemini may lose its rights to in-licensed technologies.

The licensing or acquisition of third-party intellectual property rights is a competitive area, and several more established companies may pursue strategies to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights that Gemini may consider attractive or necessary. These established companies may have a competitive advantage over Gemini due to their size, capital resources and greater clinical development and commercialization capabilities. In addition, companies that perceive Gemini to be a competitor may be unwilling to assign or license rights to Gemini. Gemini also may be unable to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights on terms that would allow Gemini to make an appropriate return on Gemini’s investment, or at all. If Gemini is unable to successfully obtain rights to required third-party intellectual property rights or maintain the existing intellectual property rights Gemini has, Gemini may have to abandon development of the relevant program or product candidate, which could have a material adverse effect on Gemini’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Gemini is dependent on patents, know-how and proprietary technology in-licensed from licensors. Gemini’s commercial success depends upon its ability to develop, manufacture, market and sell Gemini’s product candidates and use Gemini’s and Gemini’s licensor’s proprietary technologies without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties. Licensors may have the right to terminate the license agreement in full in the event Gemini materially breaches or defaults in the performance of any of the obligations under the license agreement. A termination of the license agreement with any licensors could result in the loss of significant rights and could harm Gemini’s ability to commercialize Gemini’s product candidates.

Disputes may also arise between Gemini and any current or future potential licensors, regarding intellectual property subject to a license agreement, including:

If disputes over intellectual property that Gemini has licensed prevent or impair Gemini’s ability to maintain Gemini’s current licensing arrangements on acceptable terms, Gemini may be unable to successfully develop and commercialize the affected product candidates.

Gemini is generally also subject to all of the same risks with respect to protection of intellectual property that Gemini licenses, as Gemini is for intellectual property that Gemini owns, which are described below. If Gemini or Gemini’s licensors fail to adequately protect this intellectual property, Gemini’s ability to commercialize products could suffer.

Patents have a limited lifespan. In the United States, if all maintenance fees are timely paid, the natural expiration of a patent is generally 20 years from its earliest U.S. non-provisional filing date. Various extensions may be available, but the life of a patent, and the protection it affords, is limited. Even if patents covering Gemini’s product candidates are obtained, once the patent life has expired, Gemini may be open to competition from competitive products. Given the amount of time required for the development, testing and regulatory review of new product candidates, patents protecting Gemini’s product candidates might expire before or shortly after Gemini or Gemini’s partners commercialize those candidates. As a result, Gemini’s owned and licensed patent portfolio may not provide Gemini with sufficient rights to exclude others from commercializing products similar or identical to Gemini’s products.

The legal protection afforded to inventors and owners of intellectual property in countries outside of the United States may not be as protective or effective as that in the United States and Gemini may, therefore, be unable to acquire and enforce intellectual property rights outside the United States to the same extent as in the United States. Whether filed in the United States or abroad, Gemini’s patent applications may be challenged or may fail to result in issued patents.

Currently, Gemini does not own or have in-licensed issued patents covering its product candidates. Any future patents Gemini obtains may not be sufficiently broad to prevent others from practicing Gemini’s technologies or from developing or commercializing competing products. Furthermore, others may independently develop or commercialize similar or alternative technologies or drugs, or design around Gemini’s patents. Gemini’s patents may be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or narrowed, or fail to provide Gemini with any competitive advantages. In many foreign countries, patent applications and/or issued patents, or parts thereof, must be translated into the native language. If Gemini’s patent applications or issued patents are translated incorrectly, they may not adequately cover Gemini’s technologies; in some countries, it may not be possible to rectify an incorrect translation, which may result in patent protection that does not adequately cover Gemini’s technologies in those countries.

Filing, prosecuting, enforcing and defending patents on product candidates in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive, and Gemini’s intellectual property rights in some countries outside the United States are less extensive than those in the United States. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as federal and certain state laws in the United States. Consequently, Gemini and Gemini’s licensor may not be able to prevent third parties from practicing Gemini’s and Gemini’s licensor’s inventions in all countries outside the United States, or from selling or importing products made using Gemini’s and Gemini’s licensor’s inventions in and into the United States or other jurisdictions. Competitors may use Gemini’s and Gemini’s licensor’s technologies in jurisdictions where Gemini has not obtained patent protection to develop their own products and, further, may export otherwise infringing products to territories where Gemini and Gemini’s licensor have patent protection, but enforcement is not as strong as that in the United States. These products may compete with Gemini’s product candidates Gemini’s and Gemini’s licensor’s patents or other intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent them from competing.

Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents and other intellectual property protection, particularly those relating to biotechnology. This could make it difficult for Gemini and Gemini’s licensor to stop the infringement of Gemini’s and Gemini’s licensor’s patents or the marketing of competing products in violation of Gemini’s and Gemini’s licensor’s proprietary rights, generally. Proceedings to enforce Gemini’s and Gemini’s licensor’s patent rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial costs and divert Gemini’s and Gemini’s licensor’s efforts and attention from other aspects of Gemini’s business, could put Gemini’s and Gemini’s licensor’s patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly, could place Gemini’s and Gemini’s licensor’s patent applications at risk of not issuing and could provoke third parties to assert claims against Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor. Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor may not prevail in any lawsuits that Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor initiates and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful.

The requirements for patentability differ in certain countries, particularly developing countries. For example, China has a heightened requirement for patentability and, specifically, requires a detailed description of medical uses of a claimed drug. In addition, India, certain countries in Europe and certain developing countries, including Thailand,

have compulsory licensing laws under which a patent owner may be compelled to grant licenses to third parties. In those countries, Gemini’s and Gemini’s licensor may have limited remedies if patents are infringed or if Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor are compelled to grant a license to a third party, which could materially diminish the value of those patents. This could limit Gemini’s potential revenue opportunities. In addition, many countries limit the enforceability of patents against government agencies or government contractors. In these countries, the patent owner may have limited remedies, which could materially diminish the value of such patent. Accordingly, Gemini’s and Gemini’s licensor’s efforts to enforce intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that Gemini owns or licenses.

Periodic maintenance and annuity fees on issued United States patents and most foreign patent applications and patents must be paid to the USPTO and foreign patent agencies, respectively, in order to maintain such patents and patent applications. The USPTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent application, examination and issuance processes. While an inadvertent lapse can, in some cases, be cured by payment of a late fee or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules, there are situations in which noncompliance can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. Non-compliance events that could result in abandonment or lapse of a patent or patent application include failure to respond to official actions within prescribed time limits, non-payment of fees and failure to properly legalize and submit formal documents. If Gemini or Gemini’s licensor fails to maintain the patents and patent applications covering Gemini’s product candidates, Gemini’s competitors might be able to enter the market with similar or identical products or technology, which would have a material adverse effect on Gemini’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Third parties may infringe on Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor’s patents or misappropriate or otherwise violate Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor’s intellectual property rights. In the future, Gemini or Gemini’s licensor may initiate legal proceedings to enforce or defend Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor’s intellectual property rights, to protect Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor’s trade secrets or to determine the validity or scope of intellectual property rights Gemini owns or controls. Also, third parties may initiate legal proceedings against Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor to challenge the validity or scope of intellectual property rights Gemini owns, controls or to which Gemini has rights. For example, generic or biosimilar drug manufacturers or other competitors or third parties may challenge the scope, validity or enforceability of Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor’s patents, requiring Gemini or Gemini’s licensor to engage in complex, lengthy and costly litigation or other proceedings. These proceedings can be expensive and time-consuming and many of Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor’s adversaries in these proceedings may have the ability to dedicate substantially greater resources to prosecuting these legal actions than Gemini can. Moreover, the outcome following legal assertions of invalidity and unenforceability is unpredictable. Accordingly, despite Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor’s efforts, Gemini or Gemini’s licensor may not be able to prevent third parties from infringing upon or misappropriating intellectual property rights Gemini owns, controls or has rights to, particularly in countries where the laws may not protect those rights as fully as in the United States. Litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of management resources, which could harm Gemini’s business and financial results. In addition, if Gemini or Gemini’s licensor initiated legal proceedings against a third party to enforce a patent covering a product candidate, the defendant could counterclaim that such patent is invalid or unenforceable. In patent litigation in the United States, defendant counterclaims alleging invalidity or unenforceability are commonplace. Grounds for a validity challenge could be an alleged failure to meet any of several statutory requirements, including lack of novelty, obviousness or non-enablement. Grounds for an unenforceability assertion could be an allegation that someone connected with prosecution of the patent withheld relevant information from the USPTO, or made a misleading statement, during prosecution. In an infringement or declaratory judgment proceeding, a court may decide that a patent owned by or licensed to Gemini is invalid or unenforceable, or may refuse to stop the other party from using the technology at

issue on the grounds that Gemini or Gemini’s licensor’s patents do not cover the technology in question. An adverse result in any litigation proceeding could put one or more of Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor’s patents at risk of being invalidated, narrowed, held unenforceable or interpreted in such a manner that would not preclude third parties from entering the market with competing products.

Third-party pre-issuance submission of prior art to the USPTO, or opposition, derivation, revocation reexamination, or inter partes review, or other pre-issuance or post-grant proceedings or other patent office proceedings or litigation in the United States or other jurisdictions provoked by third parties or brought by Gemini or Gemini’s licensor, may be necessary to determine the inventorship, priority, patentability or validity of inventions with respect to Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor’s patents or patent applications. An unfavorable outcome could leave Gemini’s technology or product candidates without patent protection, allow third parties to commercialize Gemini’s technology or product candidates and compete directly with Gemini, without payment to Gemini, or could require Gemini or Gemini’s licensor to obtain license rights from the prevailing party in order to be able to manufacture or commercialize Gemini’s product candidates without infringing third-party patent rights. Gemini’s business could be harmed if the prevailing party does not offer Gemini or Gemini’s licensor a license on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Even if Gemini or Gemini’s licensor obtains a license, it may be non-exclusive, thereby giving Gemini’s competitors access to the same technologies licensed to Gemini or Gemini’s licensor. In addition, if the breadth or strength of protection provided by Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor’s patents and patent applications is threatened, it could dissuade companies from collaborating with Gemini to license, develop or commercialize product candidates. Even if Gemini successfully defends such litigation or proceeding, Gemini may incur substantial costs and it may distract Gemini’s management and other employees. In addition, the uncertainties associated with litigation could have a material adverse effect on Gemini’s ability to raise the funds necessary to continue Gemini’s clinical trials, continue Gemini’s research programs, license necessary technology from third parties, or enter into collaborations.

Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of Gemini’s confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. In addition, many foreign jurisdictions have rules of discovery that are different than those in the United States and which may make defending or enforcing Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor’s patents extremely difficult. There could also be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a material adverse effect on the price of shares of Gemini’s Common Stock.

Gemini’s commercial success depends upon Gemini’s ability to develop, manufacture, market and sell any product candidates that Gemini may develop and use Gemini’s proprietary technologies without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the intellectual property and proprietary rights of third parties. The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are characterized by extensive litigation regarding patents and other intellectual property rights. Third parties may initiate legal proceedings against Gemini or Gemini’s licensor alleging that Gemini or Gemini’s licensor is infringing on their intellectual property rights or Gemini or Gemini’s licensor may initiate legal proceedings against third parties to challenge the validity or scope of intellectual property rights controlled by third parties, including in oppositions, revocations, reexaminations, inter partes review or derivation proceedings before the USPTO or its counterparts in other jurisdictions. These proceedings can be expensive and time-consuming and many of Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor’s adversaries in these proceedings may have the ability to dedicate substantially greater resources to prosecuting these legal actions than Gemini or Gemini’s licensor can.

An unfavorable outcome in any such proceeding could require Gemini or Gemini’s licensor to cease using the related technology or developing or commercializing Gemini’s product candidates, or to attempt to license rights to it from the prevailing party, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

Gemini could be found liable for monetary damages, including treble damages and attorneys’ fees, if Gemini is found to have willfully infringed a patent. A finding of infringement could prevent Gemini from commercializing Gemini’s product candidates or force Gemini to cease some of Gemini’s business operations, which could materially harm Gemini’s business.

Gemini performs searches of patent and scientific databases in order to identify documents that may be of potential relevance to the freedom-to-operate and/or patentability of Gemini’s product candidates. In general, such searches are conducted based on keywords, sequences, inventors/authors and assignees/entities to capture U.S. and European patents and patent applications, PCT publications and scientific journal articles.

Gemini may not be aware of all third-party intellectual property rights potentially relating to Gemini’s product candidates and technologies. Moreover, it is possible that Gemini may become aware of patents or pending patent applications that Gemini thinks do not relate to Gemini’s product candidates or that Gemini believes are invalid or unenforceable, but that may nevertheless be interpreted to encompass Gemini’s product candidates and to be valid and enforceable. As to pending third-party applications, Gemini cannot predict with any certainty which claims will issue, if any, or the scope of such issued claims. If any third party intellectual property claims are asserted against Gemini, even if Gemini believes the claims are without merit, there is no assurance that a court would find in Gemini’s favor, e.g., on questions of infringement, validity, enforceability or priority. A court of competent jurisdiction could hold that these third-party patents are valid, enforceable and infringed, which could materially and adversely affect Gemini’s ability and the ability of Gemini’s licensor to commercialize any product candidates Gemini may develop and any other product candidates or technologies covered by the asserted third-party patents. In order to successfully challenge the validity of any such U.S. patent in federal court, Gemini would need to overcome a presumption of validity. As this burden is a high one requiring Gemini to present clear and convincing evidence as to the invalidity of any such U.S. patent claim, there is no assurance that a court of competent jurisdiction would invalidate the claims of any such U.S. patent. If any such third-party patents (including those that may issue from such applications) were successfully asserted against Gemini or Gemini’s licensor or other commercialization partners and Gemini were unable to successfully challenge the validity or enforceability of any such asserted patents, then Gemini or Gemini’s licensor and other commercialization partners may be prevented from commercializing Gemini’s product candidates, or may be required to pay significant damages, including treble damages and attorneys’ fees if Gemini is found to willfully infringe the asserted patents, or obtain a license to such patents, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Even if Gemini was able to obtain a license, it could be non-exclusive, thereby giving Gemini’s competitors and other third parties access to the same technologies licensed to Gemini, and it could require Gemini to make substantial licensing and royalty payments. Defense of these claims, regardless of their merit, would involve substantial litigation expense and would be a substantial diversion of employee resources from Gemini’s business. Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation or administrative proceedings, there is a risk that some of Gemini’s confidential information could be compromised by disclosure. In addition, any uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of any litigation could have a material adverse effect on Gemini’s ability to raise additional funds or otherwise have a material adverse effect on Gemini’s business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. Any of the foregoing would have a material adverse effect on Gemini’s business, financial condition and operating results.

Many of Gemini’s employees, including Gemini’s senior management, were previously employed at other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, including Gemini’s competitors or potential competitors. Some of these employees executed proprietary rights, non-disclosure and non-competition agreements in connection with such previous employment. Gemini may be subject to claims that Gemini or these employees have used or disclosed confidential information or intellectual property, including trade secrets or other proprietary information, of any such employee’s former employer, or that third parties have an interest in Gemini’s patents as an inventor or co-inventor. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. If Gemini fails in prosecuting or defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, Gemini may lose valuable intellectual property rights or personnel or sustain other damages. Such intellectual property rights could be awarded to a third party, and Gemini could be required to obtain a license from such third party to commercialize Gemini’s technology or products. Such a license may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Even if Gemini successfully prosecutes or defends against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and distract management.

In addition, while it is Gemini’s policy to require Gemini’s employees and contractors who may be involved in the conception or development of intellectual property to execute agreements assigning such intellectual property to Gemini, Gemini may be unsuccessful in executing such an agreement with each party who, in fact, conceives or develops intellectual property that Gemini regards as Gemini’s own. The assignment of intellectual property rights

may not be self-executing, or the assignment agreements may be breached, and Gemini may be forced to bring claims against third parties, or defend claims that they may bring against Gemini, to determine the ownership of what Gemini regards as Gemini’s intellectual property. Such claims could have a material adverse effect on Gemini’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

In addition to seeking patents for some of Gemini’s technology and products, in Gemini’s activities Gemini also relies substantially on trade secrets, including unpatented know-how, technology and other proprietary materials and information, to maintain Gemini’s competitive position. Gemini seeks to protect these trade secrets, in part, by entering into non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements with parties who have access to them, such as Gemini’s employees, corporate collaborators, outside scientific collaborators, CMOs, consultants, advisors and other third parties. Gemini also enters into confidentiality and invention or patent assignment agreements with Gemini’s employees and consultants. However, these steps may be inadequate, Gemini may fail to enter into agreements with all such parties or any of these parties may breach the agreements and disclose Gemini’s proprietary information, and there may be no adequate remedy available for such breach of an agreement. Gemini cannot assure you that Gemini’s proprietary information will not be disclosed or that Gemini can meaningfully protect Gemini’s trade secrets. Enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or misappropriated a trade secret is difficult, expensive and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, some courts both within and outside the United States may be less willing, or unwilling, to protect trade secrets. If a competitor lawfully obtained or independently developed any of Gemini’s trade secrets, Gemini would have no right to prevent such competitor from using that technology or information to compete with Gemini, which could harm Gemini’s competitive position.

The degree of future protection afforded by Gemini’s intellectual property rights is uncertain because intellectual property rights have limitations and may not adequately protect Gemini’s business or permit Gemini to maintain Gemini’s competitive advantage. For example:

Should any of these events occur, they could have a material adverse effect on Gemini’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

If Gemini or Gemini’s licensing partner initiate legal proceedings against a third party to enforce a patent, if obtained, covering Gemini’s product candidates, the defendant could counterclaim that the patent covering Gemini’s product candidates, as applicable, is invalid and/or unenforceable. In patent litigation in the United States, defendant counterclaims alleging invalidity and/or unenforceability are commonplace, and there are numerous grounds upon which a third party can assert invalidity or unenforceability of a patent. Third parties may also raise similar claims before administrative bodies in the United States or abroad, even outside the context of litigation. These types of mechanisms include inter partes review, post grant review, and equivalent proceedings in foreign jurisdictions (e.g., opposition proceedings). These types of proceedings could result in revocation or amendment to Gemini’s patents such that they no longer cover Gemini’s product candidates. The outcome for any particular patent following legal assertions of invalidity and unenforceability is unpredictable. With respect to the validity question, for example, Gemini cannot be certain that there is no invalidating prior art, of which Gemini, Gemini’s patent counsel and the patent examiner were unaware during prosecution. If a defendant were to prevail on a legal assertion of invalidity and/or unenforceability, or if Gemini is otherwise unable to adequately protect Gemini’s rights, Gemini would lose at least part, and perhaps all, of the patent protection on Gemini’s product candidates. A loss of patent protection for Gemini’s product candidates could have a material adverse impact on Gemini’s ability to commercialize or license Gemini’s technology and product candidates and, resultantly, on Gemini’s business, financial condition, prospects and results of operations.

As is the case with other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, Gemini’s success is heavily dependent on intellectual property, particularly patents. Obtaining and enforcing patents in the biotechnology industry involves technological and legal complexity, and obtaining and enforcing biotechnology patents is costly, time-consuming and inherently uncertain. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on several patent cases in recent years, either narrowing the scope of patent protection available in certain circumstances, weakening the rights of patent owners in certain situations or ruling that certain subject matter is not eligible for patent protection. In addition to increasing uncertainty with regard to Gemini’s and Gemini’s licensor’s ability to obtain patents in the future, this combination of events has created uncertainty with respect to the value of patents, once obtained. Depending on decisions by Congress, the federal courts, the USPTO and equivalent bodies in foreign jurisdictions, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways that would weaken Gemini’s and Gemini’s licensor’s ability to obtain new patents or to enforce existing patents and patents Gemini and Gemini’s licensor may obtain in the future.

Patent reform laws, such as the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (“Leahy-Smith Act”), as well as changes in how patent laws are interpreted, could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of Gemini’s and Gemini’s licensor’s patent applications and the enforcement or defense of Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor’s issued patents. The Leahy-Smith Act includes a number of significant changes to U.S. patent law. These include provisions that affect the filing and prosecution strategies associated with patent applications, including a change from a “first-to-invent” to a “first-inventor-to-file” patent system, and may also affect patent prosecution and litigation, such as by allowing third-party submission of prior art to the USPTO during patent prosecution and additional procedures to attack the validity of a patent by USPTO-administered post-grant proceedings, including post-grant review, inter partes review and derivation proceedings. The USPTO has developed regulations and procedures to govern administration of the Leahy-Smith Act, and many of the substantive changes to patent law associated with the Leahy-Smith Act and, in particular, the “first-inventor-to-file” provisions, became effective in 2013. Accordingly, it is not clear what, if any, impact the Leahy-Smith Act will has on the operation of Gemini’s business. However, the Leahy-Smith Act and Gemini’s implementation could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor’s patent applications and the enforcement or defense of Gemini’s or Gemini’s licensor’s issued patents, all of which could has a material adverse effect on Gemini’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Gemini continues to depend upon third parties, including independent investigators, to conduct Gemini’s clinical trials under agreements with universities, medical institutions, CROs, strategic partners and others. Gemini continues to negotiate budgets and contracts with CROs and trial sites, which may result in delays to Gemini’s development timelines and increased costs.

Gemini continues to rely heavily on third parties over the course of Gemini’s clinical trials, and, as a result, will have limited control over the clinical investigators and limited visibility into their day-to-day activities, including with respect to their compliance with the approved clinical protocol. Nevertheless, Gemini’s reliance on third parties does not relieve Gemini of Gemini’s regulatory responsibilities and Gemini are responsible for ensuring that each of Gemini’s trials is conducted in accordance with the applicable protocol, legal and regulatory requirements and scientific standards. Gemini and these third parties are required to comply with good clinical practice (“GCP”) requirements, which are regulations and guidelines enforced by the FDA and applicable foreign regulatory authorities for product candidates in clinical development. Regulatory authorities enforce these GCP requirements through periodic inspections of trial sponsors, clinical investigators and trial sites. If Gemini or any of these third parties fail to comply with applicable GCP requirements, the clinical data generated in Gemini’s clinical trials may be deemed unreliable and the FDA or applicable foreign regulatory authorities may require Gemini to suspend or terminate these trials or perform additional nonclinical studies or clinical trials before approving Gemini’s marketing applications. Gemini cannot be certain that, upon inspection, regulatory authorities will determine that any of Gemini’s clinical trials comply with the GCP requirements. In addition, Gemini’s clinical trials must be conducted with products produced under cGMP requirements and may require a large number of patients. Gemini’s failure or any failure by these third parties to comply with these applicable regulations or to recruit a sufficient number of patients may require Gemini to repeat clinical trials, which would delay the regulatory approval process. Moreover, Gemini’s business may be implicated if any of these third parties violates federal or state fraud and abuse or false claims laws and regulations or healthcare privacy and security laws.

The third parties who may conduct Gemini’s future clinical trials will not be Gemini’s employees and, except for remedies that may be available to Gemini under Gemini’s agreements with those third parties, Gemini cannot control whether or not they devote sufficient time and resources to Gemini’s ongoing nonclinical and clinical programs. These third parties may also have relationships with other commercial entities, including Gemini’s competitors, for whom they may also be conducting clinical trials or other product development activities, which could affect their performance on Gemini’s behalf. If these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties or obligations or meet expected deadlines, if they need to be replaced or if the quality or accuracy of the clinical data they obtain is compromised due to the failure to adhere to Gemini’s clinical protocols or regulatory requirements or for other reasons, Gemini’s clinical trials may be extended, delayed or terminated and Gemini may not be able to complete development of, obtain regulatory approval of or successfully commercialize Gemini’s product candidates in a timely manner or at all. As a result, Gemini’s financial results and the commercial prospects for Gemini’s product candidates would be harmed, Gemini’s costs could increase and Gemini’s ability to generate revenue could be delayed.

If any of Gemini’s relationships with these third-party CROs or others terminate, Gemini may not be able to enter into arrangements with alternative CROs or other third parties or to do so on commercially reasonable terms. Switching or adding additional CROs involves additional cost and requires management time and focus. In addition, there is a natural transition period when a new CRO begins work. As a result, delays may occur, which can materially impact Gemini’s ability to meet Gemini’s desired clinical development timelines. Though Gemini carefully manages Gemini’s relationships with Gemini’s CROs, there can be no assurance that Gemini will not encounter similar challenges or delays in the future or that these delays or challenges will not have a material adverse impact on Gemini’s business, financial condition and prospects.

If CROs do not successfully carry out their contractual duties or obligations or meet expected deadlines or if the quality or accuracy of the clinical data they obtain is compromised due to the failure (including by clinical sites or investigators) to adhere to Gemini’s clinical protocols, regulatory requirements or for other reasons, Gemini’s clinical trials may be extended, delayed or terminated and Gemini may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for or

successfully commercialize Gemini’s product candidates. As a result, Gemini’s results of operations and the commercial prospects for Gemini’s product candidates would be harmed, Gemini’s costs could increase substantially and Gemini’s ability to generate revenues could be delayed significantly.

Gemini does not have any manufacturing facilities. Gemini currently relies, and expects to continue to rely, on third-party manufacturers for the manufacture of Gemini’s product candidates for nonclinical and clinical testing and for commercial supply of any of these product candidates for which Gemini obtains marketing approval. Reliance on third-party manufacturers may expose Gemini to different risks than if Gemini was to manufacture product candidates itself. Any disruption in supply from any supplier or manufacturing location, including on account of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, could lead to supply delays or interruptions which would damage Gemini’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. To the extent any issues arise with Gemini’s third-party manufacturers, Gemini may be unable to establish any agreements with any other third-party manufacturers or to do so on acceptable terms. Even if Gemini is able to establish agreements with third-party manufacturers, reliance on third-party manufacturers entails additional risks, including:

Third-party manufacturers may not be able to comply with cGMP regulations or applicable foreign regulatory requirements. Gemini’s failure, or the failure of third-party manufacturers, to comply with applicable regulations could result in sanctions being imposed on Gemini, including fines, injunctions, civil penalties, delays, suspension or withdrawal of approvals, license revocation, seizures or recalls of product candidates or medicines, operating restrictions and criminal prosecutions, any of which could significantly and adversely affect supplies of Gemini’s product candidates and harm Gemini’s business and results of operations.

Any product candidates that Gemini may develop may compete with other product candidates and products for access to manufacturing facilities. There are a limited number of manufacturers that operate under cGMP regulations and that might be capable of manufacturing for Gemini.

Any performance failure on the part of Gemini’s existing or future manufacturers could delay clinical development or marketing approval. Gemini does not currently have arrangements in place for redundant supply for bulk drug substances. If any one of Gemini’s current CMOs cannot perform as agreed, Gemini may be required to replace that manufacturer. Although Gemini believes that there are several potential alternative manufacturers who could manufacture Gemini’s product candidates, Gemini may incur added costs and delays in identifying and qualifying any such replacement.

Gemini’s current and anticipated future dependence upon others for the manufacture of Gemini’s product candidates may adversely affect Gemini’s future profit margins and Gemini’s ability to commercialize any product candidates that receive marketing approval on a timely and competitive basis.

The processes involved in manufacturing Gemini’s product candidates are complex, expensive, highly-regulated, and subject to multiple risks. Further, as product candidates are developed through nonclinical studies to late-stage clinical trials towards approval and commercialization, it is common that various aspects of the development program, such as manufacturing methods, are altered along the way in an effort to optimize processes and results.

Such changes carry the risk that they will not achieve these intended objectives, and any of these changes could cause Gemini’s product candidates to perform differently and affect the results of planned clinical trials or other future clinical trials.

In addition, the manufacturing process for any products that Gemini may develop is subject to FDA and other applicable foreign regulatory authority approval processes and continuous oversight, and Gemini will need to contract with manufacturers who can meet all applicable FDA and applicable foreign regulatory authority requirements, including, for example, complying with cGMPs, on an ongoing basis. If Gemini or Gemini’s third-party manufacturers are unable to reliably produce products to specifications acceptable to the FDA or other regulatory authorities, Gemini may not obtain or maintain the approvals Gemini needs to commercialize such products. Even if Gemini obtains regulatory approval for any of Gemini’s product candidates, there is no assurance that either Gemini or Gemini’s CMOs will be able to manufacture the approved product to specifications acceptable to the FDA or other regulatory authorities, to produce it in sufficient quantities to meet the requirements for the potential launch of the product, or to meet potential future demand. Any of these challenges could delay completion of clinical trials, require bridging or comparability nonclinical or clinical trials or the repetition of one or more clinical trials, increase clinical study costs, delay approval of Gemini’s product candidates, impair commercialization efforts, increase Gemini’s cost of goods, and has an adverse effect on Gemini’s business, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects.

Gemini may pursue collaborations in order to develop and commercialize its product candidates. Gemini faces significant competition in seeking appropriate collaborators. Whether Gemini reaches a definitive agreement for a collaboration will depend, among other things, upon Gemini’s assessment of the collaborator’s resources and expertise, the terms and conditions of the proposed collaboration and the proposed collaborator’s evaluation of a number of factors. Those factors may include the design or results of clinical trials, the likelihood of approval by the FDA or applicable foreign regulatory authorities, the potential market for the subject product candidate, the costs and complexities of manufacturing and delivering such product candidate to patients, the potential of competing products and the existence of uncertainty with respect to Gemini’s ownership of technology, which can exist if there is a challenge to such ownership without regard to the merits of the challenge and industry and market conditions generally. The collaborators may also consider alternative product candidates or technologies for similar indications that may be available to collaborate on and whether such a collaboration could be more attractive than the one with Gemini for Gemini’s product candidates.

Collaborations are complex and time-consuming to negotiate and document. In addition, there have been a significant number of business combinations among large pharmaceutical companies that have resulted in a reduced number of potential future collaborators.

Gemini may not be able to negotiate collaborations on a timely basis, on acceptable terms, or at all. If Gemini is unable to do so, Gemini may have to curtail the development of the product candidate for which Gemini is seeking to collaborate, reduce or delay Gemini’s development program or one or more of Gemini’s other development programs, delay Gemini’s potential commercialization or reduce the scope of any sales or marketing activities or increase Gemini’s expenditures and undertake development or commercialization activities at Gemini’s own expense. If Gemini elects to increase Gemini’s expenditures to fund development or commercialization activities on Gemini’s own, Gemini may need to obtain additional capital, which may not be available to Gemini on acceptable terms, or at all. If Gemini does not have sufficient funds, Gemini may not be able to further develop Gemini’s product candidates or bring them to market and generate product revenue.

The regulations that govern marketing approvals, pricing and reimbursement for new drugs and biologics vary widely from country to country. Current and future legislation may significantly change the approval requirements in ways that could involve additional costs and cause delays in obtaining approvals. Some countries require approval of the sale price of a product before it can be marketed. In many countries, the pricing review period begins after marketing

or product licensing approval is granted. In some foreign markets, prescription pharmaceutical pricing remains subject to continuing governmental control even after initial approval is granted. As a result, Gemini might obtain marketing approval for a product in a particular country, but then be subject to price regulations that delay or limit Gemini’s commercial launch of the product, possibly for lengthy time periods, which could negatively impact the revenue Gemini generates from the sale of the product in that particular country. Adverse pricing limitations may hinder Gemini’s ability to recoup Gemini’s investment in one or more product candidates, even if Gemini’s product candidates obtain marketing approval.

Gemini’s ability to commercialize any products successfully also will depend in part on the extent to which coverage and adequate reimbursement for these products and related treatments will be available from third-party payors such as government health administration authorities, private health insurers and other organizations. Third-party payors determine which medications they will cover and establish reimbursement levels. Third-party payors have attempted to control costs by limiting coverage and the amount of reimbursement for particular medications. Increasingly, third-party payors are requiring that drug companies provide them with predetermined discounts from list prices and are challenging the prices charged for medical products. Gemini cannot be sure that coverage and reimbursement will be available for any product that Gemini commercialize and, if reimbursement is available, what the level of reimbursement will be. Coverage and reimbursement may impact the demand for, or the price of, any product candidate for which Gemini obtains marketing approval, if any. If coverage and reimbursement are not available or reimbursement is available only to limited levels, Gemini may not be able to successfully commercialize any product candidate for which marketing approval is obtained, if any.

There may be significant delays in obtaining coverage and reimbursement for newly approved drugs and biologics, and coverage may be more limited than the purposes for which the product is approved by the FDA or applicable foreign regulatory authorities. Moreover, eligibility for coverage and reimbursement does not imply that a drug will be paid for in all cases or at a rate that covers Gemini’s costs, including research, development, manufacture, sale and distribution. Interim reimbursement levels for new drugs and biologics, if applicable, may also not be sufficient to cover Gemini’s costs and may only be temporary. Reimbursement rates may vary according to the use of the product and the clinical setting in which it is used, may be based on reimbursement levels already set for lower cost products and may be incorporated into existing payments for other services. Net prices for products may be reduced by mandatory discounts or rebates required by government healthcare programs or private payors and by any future relaxation of laws that presently restrict imports of drugs and biologics from countries where they may be sold at lower prices than in the United States. Gemini’s inability to promptly obtain coverage and profitable reimbursement rates third-party payors for any approved products that Gemini develops could have a material adverse effect on Gemini’s operating results, Gemini’s ability to raise capital needed to commercialize products and Gemini’s overall financial condition.

Gemini does not currently have an infrastructure for the sales, marketing, and distribution of pharmaceutical products. In order to market Gemini’s product candidates, if approved by the FDA or any other regulatory body, Gemini must build Gemini’s sales, marketing, managerial, and other non-technical capabilities, or make arrangements with third parties to perform these services. There are risks involved with both establishing Gemini’s own commercial capabilities and entering into arrangements with third parties to perform these services. For example, recruiting and training a sales force or reimbursement specialists is expensive and time-consuming and could delay any product launch. If the commercial launch of a product candidate for which Gemini recruits a sales force and establishes marketing and other commercialization capabilities is delayed or does not occur for any reason, Gemini would have prematurely or unnecessarily incurred these commercialization expenses. This may be costly, and Gemini’s investment would be lost if Gemini cannot retain or reposition Gemini’s commercialization personnel.

If Gemini enters into arrangements with third parties to perform sales, marketing, commercial support, and distribution services, Gemini’s product revenue or the profitability of product revenue may be lower than if Gemini was to market and sell any products Gemini may develop itself. In addition, Gemini may not be successful in entering into arrangements with third parties to commercialize Gemini’s product candidates or may be unable to do so on terms that are favorable to Gemini. Gemini may have little control over such third parties, and any of them may fail to devote the necessary resources and attention to sell and market Gemini’s products effectively and they could expose Gemini’s company to regulatory enforcement and legal risk in the execution of their sales and

commercialization activities. If Gemini does not establish commercialization capabilities successfully, either on Gemini’s own or in collaboration with third parties, Gemini will not be successful in commercializing Gemini’s product candidates if approved.

If Gemini is unable to establish adequate sales, marketing, and distribution capabilities, whether independently or with third parties, or if Gemini is unable to do so on commercially reasonable terms, Gemini’s business, results of operations, financial condition, and prospects will be materially adversely affected.

Even if Gemini’s product candidates receive regulatory approval, they may not gain adequate market acceptance among physicians, patients, third-party payors, pharmaceutical companies and others in the medical community. Demonstrating the safety and efficacy of Gemini’s product candidates and obtaining regulatory approvals will not guarantee future revenue. Gemini’s commercial success also depends on coverage and adequate reimbursement of Gemini’s product candidates by third-party payors, including government payors and private insurers, which may be difficult or time-consuming to obtain, may be limited in scope and may not be obtained in all jurisdictions in which Gemini may seek to market Gemini’s products. Third-party payors closely examine medical products to determine whether they should be covered by reimbursement and, if so, the level of reimbursement that will apply. Gemini cannot be certain that third-party payors will sufficiently reimburse sales of Gemini’s product, or enable Gemini to sell Gemini’s product at a profitable price. Similar concerns could also limit the reimbursement amounts that health insurers or government agencies in other countries are prepared to pay for Gemini’s products. In many regions outside the United States where Gemini may pursue regulatory approvals and market Gemini’s products, the pricing of prescription drugs is controlled by the government or regulatory agencies.

Regulatory agencies in these countries could determine that the pricing for Gemini’s products should be based on prices of other commercially available products for the same disease, rather than allowing Gemini to market Gemini’s products at a premium as new drugs. The degree of market acceptance of any of Gemini’s approved product candidates will depend on a number of factors, including:

Sales of medical products also depend on the willingness of physicians to prescribe the treatment, which is likely to be based on a determination by these physicians that the products are safe, therapeutically effective and cost effective. In addition, the inclusion or exclusion of products from treatment guidelines established by various physician groups and the viewpoints of influential physicians can affect the willingness of other physicians to prescribe the treatment. Gemini cannot predict whether physicians, physicians’ organizations, hospitals, other healthcare providers, government agencies or private insurers will determine that Gemini’s product is safe, therapeutically effective and cost effective as compared with competing treatments. If any product candidate is approved but does not achieve an adequate level of acceptance by such parties, Gemini may not generate or derive sufficient revenue from that product candidate and may not become or remain profitable.

Gemini faces an inherent risk of product liability exposure related to the testing of Gemini’s product candidates in human clinical trials and will face an even greater risk if Gemini commercializes any resulting products. Product liability claims may be brought against Gemini by subjects enrolled in Gemini’s clinical trials, patients, their family members, healthcare providers or others using, administering or selling Gemini’s products. If Gemini cannot successfully defend itself against claims that Gemini’s product candidates or products that Gemini may develop caused injuries, Gemini could incur substantial liabilities. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:

Gemini’s clinical trial liability insurance coverage may not adequately cover all liabilities that Gemini may incur. Gemini may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or in an amount adequate to satisfy any liability that may arise. Gemini’s inability to obtain product liability insurance at an acceptable cost or to otherwise protect against potential product liability claims could prevent or delay the commercialization of any products or product candidates that Gemini develops. Gemini intends to expand Gemini’s insurance coverage for products to include the sale of commercial products if Gemini obtains marketing approval for Gemini’s product candidates in development, but Gemini may be unable to obtain commercially reasonable product liability insurance for any products approved for marketing. Large judgments have been awarded in lawsuits based on drugs that had unanticipated side effects. If Gemini is sued for any injury caused by Gemini’s products, product candidates or processes, Gemini’s liability could exceed Gemini’s product liability insurance coverage and Gemini’s total assets. Claims against Gemini, regardless of their merit or potential outcome, may also generate negative publicity or hurt Gemini’s ability to obtain physician adoption of Gemini’s product or expand Gemini’s business.

If Nasdaq delists Gemini’s shares of common stock from trading on its exchange for failure to meet Nasdaq’s listing standards, Gemini and Gemini’s stockholders could face significant material adverse consequences including:

Gemini’s stock price has been and is likely to continue to be highly volatile. The stock market in general and the market for biopharmaceutical companies in particular have experienced periods of extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. As a result of this volatility, a holder may not be able to sell Gemini’s common stock at or above the price at which such holder acquired shares of Gemini’s common stock.

The price of Gemini’s common stock may fluctuate due to a variety of factors, including:

These market and industry factors may materially reduce the market price of Gemini’s common stock regardless of Gemini’s operating performance.

Securities research analysts may establish or discontinue coverage and may publish their own periodic projections for Gemini. These projections may vary widely and may not accurately predict the results Gemini actually achieves. Gemini’s share price may decline if Gemini’s actual results do not match the projections of these securities research analysts. Similarly, if one or more of the analysts who write reports on Gemini downgrades Gemini’s stock or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about Gemini’s business, Gemini’s share price could decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of Gemini or fails to publish reports on Gemini regularly, Gemini’s share price or trading volume could decline.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of Gemini’s Common Stock in the public market could occur at any time. If Gemini’s stockholders sell, or the market perceives that Gemini’s stockholders intend to sell, substantial amounts of Gemini’s Common Stock in the public market, the market price of Gemini’s Common Stock could decline.

Gemini expects to issue additional capital stock in the future that will result in dilution to all other stockholders. Gemini expects to grant equity awards to employees, directors, and consultants under Gemini’s stock incentive plans. Gemini may also raise capital through equity financings in the future. As part of Gemini’s business strategy, Gemini may acquire or make investments in complementary companies, products, or technologies and issue equity securities to pay for any such acquisition or investment. Any such issuances of additional capital stock may cause stockholders to experience significant dilution of their ownership interests and the per share value of Gemini’s common stock to decline.

Gemini has no current plans to pay cash dividends on Gemini’s common stock. The declaration, amount and payment of any future dividends will be at the sole discretion of Gemini’s board of directors. Gemini’s board of directors may take into account general and economic conditions, Gemini’s financial condition and operating results, Gemini’s available cash, current and anticipated cash needs, capital requirements, contractual, legal, tax and regulatory restrictions, implications on the payment of dividends by Gemini to Gemini’s stockholders or by Gemini’s subsidiary to Gemini and such other factors as Gemini’s board of directors may deem relevant. In addition, the terms of Gemini’s existing financing arrangements restrict or limit Gemini’s ability to pay cash dividends. Accordingly, Gemini may not pay any dividends on Gemini’s common stock in the foreseeable future.

In the future, Gemini may attempt to obtain financing or to further increase Gemini’s capital resources by issuing additional shares of Gemini’s common stock or offering debt or other equity securities, including commercial paper, medium-term notes, senior or subordinated notes, debt securities convertible into equity or shares of preferred stock. Future acquisitions could require substantial additional capital in excess of cash from operations. Gemini would expect to obtain the capital required for acquisitions through a combination of additional issuances of equity, corporate indebtedness and/or cash from operations.

Issuing additional shares of Gemini’s common stock or other equity securities or securities convertible into equity may dilute the economic and voting rights of Gemini’s existing stockholders or reduce the market price of Gemini’s common stock or both. Upon liquidation, holders of such debt securities and preferred shares, if issued, and lenders with respect to other borrowings would receive a distribution of Gemini’s available assets prior to the holders of Gemini’s common stock. Debt securities convertible into equity could be subject to adjustments in the conversion ratio pursuant to which certain events may increase the number of equity securities issuable upon conversion. Preferred shares, if issued, could have a preference with respect to liquidating distributions or a preference with respect to dividend payments that could limit Gemini’s ability to pay dividends to the holders of Gemini’s common stock. Gemini’s decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond Gemini’s control, which may adversely affect the amount, timing and nature of Gemini’s future offerings.

Gemini may incur costs associated with corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), as well as rules implemented by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank Act”), the SEC and Nasdaq. Gemini’s management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, Gemini expects these rules and regulations are expected to increase Gemini’s accounting, legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more time-consuming and costly. In addition, Gemini will incur additional costs associated with Gemini’s public company reporting requirements and Gemini expects those costs to increase in the future. For example, Gemini has and will continue to devote significant resources for the continuing assessment and documentation of Gemini’s internal control system and financial processes under Section 404, including an assessment of the design of Gemini’s information systems associated with Gemini’s internal controls.

Gemini may identify control deficiencies and be unable to remediate them. Furthermore, if Gemini fails to remediate any potential material weakness in Gemini’s internal control over financial reporting or if material weaknesses are

identified or arise in the future, Gemini may not detect errors on a timely basis and Gemini’s financial statements may be materially misstated. Gemini may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that Gemini has effective internal control over financial reporting, which could harm Gemini’s operating results, cause investors to lose confidence in Gemini’s reported financial information and cause the trading price of Gemini’s stock to fall. In addition, as a public company, Gemini will be required to timely file accurate quarterly and annual reports with the SEC under the Exchange Act. Any failure to report Gemini’s financial results on an accurate and timely basis could result in sanctions, lawsuits, delisting of Gemini’s shares from Nasdaq or other adverse consequences. Gemini will incur significant costs to remediate any potential material weaknesses that Gemini may identify through these efforts. The increased costs would increase Gemini’s net loss and may require Gemini to reduce costs in other areas of Gemini’s business. Gemini also expects these rules and regulations to make it more expensive for Gemini to maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, and Gemini may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for Gemini to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on Gemini’s board of directors, Gemini’s board committees or as executive officers. Gemini cannot predict or estimate the amount or timing of such costs.

New laws and regulations, as well as changes to existing laws and regulations affecting public companies, including the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act and rules adopted by the SEC and Nasdaq, would likely result in increased costs as Gemini responds to their requirements, which may adversely affect Gemini’s operating results and financial condition.

Historically, securities class action litigation has often been brought against a company following a decline in the market price of its securities. This risk is especially relevant for Gemini because biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including Gemini, have experienced significant stock price volatility in the past.

Gemini’s charter contains provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals that stockholders may consider to be in their best interests. Gemini is also subject to anti-takeover provisions under Delaware law, which could discourage, delay, defer or prevent a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or other change of control transaction that a stockholder might consider in Gemini’s best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by Gemini’s stockholders. These provisions provide for, among other things:

These anti-takeover provisions as well as certain provisions of Delaware law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire Gemini, even if the third party’s offer may be considered beneficial by many of Gemini’s stockholders. As a result, Gemini’s stockholders may be limited in their ability to obtain a premium for their shares. If prospective takeovers are not consummated for any reason, Gemini may experience negative reactions from the financial markets, including negative impacts on the price of Gemini’s Common Stock. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for Gemini’s stockholders to elect directors of their choosing and to cause Gemini to take other corporate actions that Gemini’s stockholders desire.

Gemini’s by-laws provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for:

This exclusive-forum provision would not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the Securities Act. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all such Securities Act actions. Accordingly, both state and federal courts have jurisdiction to entertain such claims. To prevent having to litigate claims in multiple jurisdictions and the threat of inconsistent or contrary rulings by different courts, among other considerations, Gemini’s by-laws provides that the federal district courts of the District of Massachusetts will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act.

These exclusive-forum provisions may make it more expensive for stockholders to bring a claim than if the stockholders were permitted to select another jurisdiction and may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with Gemini or Gemini’s directors, officers, or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits against Gemini and Gemini’s directors, officers, and other employees. If a court were to find either exclusive-forum provision in the By-laws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, Gemini may incur additional costs associated with resolving the dispute in other jurisdictions, which could harm Gemini’s business.

Disc commenced operations in 2017 and is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a limited operating history. Biopharmaceutical product development is a highly speculative undertaking and involves a substantial degree of risk. Since Disc’s inception in October 2017, Disc has devoted substantially all of its efforts to organizing and staffing its company, business planning, capital raising, establishing and maintaining its intellectual property portfolio, building its pipeline of product candidates, conducting drug discovery activities, undertaking preclinical studies, conducting early-stage clinical trials, and providing general and administrative support for these operations. Disc has not yet demonstrated its ability to successfully develop any product candidate, obtain regulatory approvals, manufacture a commercial scale product or arrange for a third party to do so on its behalf, or conduct sales and marketing activities necessary for successful product commercialization. Consequently, any predictions you make about Disc’s future success or viability may not be as accurate as they could be if Disc had a longer operating history or a history of successfully developing and commercializing products.

In addition, as Disc’s business grows, Disc may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other known and unknown factors. Disc will need to transition at some point from a company with a research and development focus to a company capable of supporting commercial activities. Disc may not be successful in such a transition.

Disc’s net losses were $20.9 million and $36.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Disc had an accumulated deficit of $84.8 million as of June 30, 2022. Substantially all of Disc’s net losses have

resulted from costs incurred in connection with Disc’s research and development programs and from general and administrative costs associated with Disc’s operations. Disc expects its research and development expenses to increase significantly in connection with the commencement and continuation of clinical trials of its product candidates. In addition, if Disc obtains regulatory approval for its product candidates, Disc will incur significant sales, marketing and manufacturing expenses. Once Disc is a public company, Disc will incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. As a result, Disc expects to continue to incur significant and increasing operating losses over the next several years and for the foreseeable future. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with developing pharmaceutical products, Disc is unable to predict the extent of any future losses or when Disc will become profitable, if at all. Even if Disc does become profitable, Disc may not be able to sustain or increase its profitability on a quarterly or annual basis.

The amount of Disc’s future losses is uncertain and Disc’s quarterly and annual operating results may fluctuate significantly in the future due to a variety of factors, many of which are outside of its control and may be difficult to predict, including the following:

The cumulative effects of these factors could result in large fluctuations and unpredictability in Disc’s quarterly and annual operating results. As a result, comparing Disc’s operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful. This variability and unpredictability could also result in Disc failing to meet the expectations of industry or financial analysts or investors for any period. If Disc’s revenue or operating results fall below the expectations of analysts or investors or below any forecasts Disc may provide to the market, or if the forecasts Disc provides to the market are below the expectations of analysts or investors, the price of Disc’s common stock could decline substantially. Such a stock price decline could occur even if Disc has met any previously publicly stated guidance it may provide.

Disc’s ability to become profitable depends upon Disc’s ability to generate revenue. To date, Disc has not generated collaborative revenue from its product candidates and has not generated revenue from product sales, and does not expect to generate any revenue from the sale of products in the near future. Disc does not expect to generate significant revenue unless and until Disc obtains regulatory approval of, and begins to sell, one or more of its product candidates. Disc’s ability to generate revenue depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, Disc’s ability to:

If Disc does not achieve one or more of these factors in a timely manner or at all, Disc could experience significant delays or an inability to successfully commercialize its product candidates, which would materially harm its business. If Disc does not receive regulatory approvals for its product candidates, it may not be able to continue its operations.

The development of pharmaceutical products is capital-intensive. Disc is currently advancing its hematologic disease programs through preclinical and clinical development. Disc expects its expenses to significantly increase in connection with its ongoing activities, particularly as Disc continues the research and development of, initiates and completes clinical trials of, and seeks regulatory approval for, its product candidates. In addition, depending on the status of regulatory approval or, if Disc obtains regulatory approval for any of its product candidates, Disc expects to incur significant commercialization expenses related to product sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution. Disc may also need to raise additional funds sooner if Disc chooses to pursue additional indications and/or geographies for its current or future product candidates or otherwise expands more rapidly than presently anticipated. Furthermore, upon the closing of the

merger, Disc expects to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. Accordingly, even if the merger is consummated, Disc will need to obtain substantial additional funding in connection with its continuing operations. If Disc is unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, Disc would be forced to delay, reduce, or eliminate certain of its research and development programs or future commercialization efforts.

Disc believes that, following the closing of the merger, Disc will have cash and cash equivalents that will enable Disc to fund operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into 2025. However, Disc has based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and Disc could exhaust its available capital resources sooner than expected. Disc’s future capital requirements will depend on and could increase significantly as a result of many factors, including:

Identifying potential product candidates and conducting preclinical development testing and clinical trials is a time-consuming, expensive and uncertain process that takes years to complete, and Disc may never generate the necessary data or results required to obtain regulatory approval and achieve product sales. In addition, Disc’s product candidates, if approved, may not achieve commercial success. Disc’s commercial revenue, if any, will be derived from sales of products that Disc does not expect to be commercially available for many years, if at all. Accordingly, Disc will need to continue to rely on additional financing to achieve its business objectives.

Any additional fundraising efforts may divert Disc’s management from their day-to-day activities, which may adversely affect Disc’s ability to develop and commercialize its product candidates. Disruptions in the financial markets in general and more recently due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may make equity and debt financing more difficult to obtain and may have a material adverse effect on Disc’s ability to meet its fundraising needs. Disc cannot guarantee that future financing will be available in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to Disc, if at all.

If Disc is unable to obtain funding on a timely basis or on acceptable terms, Disc may be required to significantly curtail, delay or discontinue one or more of its research or development programs or the commercialization of any product that has received regulatory approval or be unable to expand its operations or otherwise capitalize on its business opportunities as desired, which could materially affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.

Until such time, if ever, as the combined company, operating as Disc, can generate substantial product revenue, Disc expects to finance its cash needs through a combination of private and public equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements. Disc does not have any committed external source of funds. The terms of any financing may adversely affect the holdings or the rights of Disc’s stockholders and the issuance of additional securities, whether equity or debt, by Disc, or the possibility of such issuance, may cause the market price of Disc’s shares to decline. To the extent that Disc raises additional capital through the sale of common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock, your ownership interest will be diluted, and the terms of those securities may include liquidation or other preferences that may materially adversely affect your rights as a common stockholder. Debt financing, if available, would increase Disc’s fixed payment obligations and may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting Disc’s ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, acquiring, selling or licensing intellectual property rights, and making capital expenditures, declaring dividends or other operating restrictions that could adversely impact Disc’s ability to conduct its business. Disc could also be required to meet certain milestones in connection with debt financing and the failure to achieve such milestones by certain dates may force Disc to relinquish rights to some of its technologies or product candidates or otherwise agree to terms unfavorable to Disc which could have a material adverse effect on Disc’s business, operating results and prospects

Disc also could be required to seek funds through arrangements with collaborators or otherwise at an earlier stage than otherwise would be desirable. If Disc raises funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties, Disc may have to relinquish valuable rights to its intellectual property, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates, grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to Disc or grant rights to develop and market product candidates that Disc would otherwise prefer to develop and market itself, any of which may have a material adverse effect on Disc’s business, operating results and prospects.

Public health crises such as pandemics, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, or similar outbreaks could adversely impact Disc’s business. The extent to which the coronavirus impacts Disc’s operations or those of its third-party partners, including its preclinical studies or clinical trial operations, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration of the outbreak, the identification of new variants of the virus, new information that will emerge concerning the severity of the coronavirus and the actions to contain the coronavirus or treat its impact, among others. The global impact of COVID-19 could adversely impact Disc’s preclinical or clinical trial operations, including Disc’s ability to recruit and retain patients and principal investigators and site staff who, as healthcare providers, may have heightened exposure to COVID-19. For example, similar to other biopharmaceutical companies, Disc may experience delays in initiating preclinical studies or clinical trials, protocol deviations, enrolling its clinical trials, or dosing of patients in its clinical trials, activating new trial sites or in receiving supplies for preclinical study or clinical trial operations. For example, Disc previously experienced delays in recruiting trial participants at its clinical site for its Phase 1 clinical trial of DISC-0974, and could in the future experience similar delays in recruiting patients to its clinical trials, including BEACON, a Phase 2 open-label, parallel-dose clinical trial of bitopertin in EPP and XLP patients that is being conducted at sites in Australia, and/or AURORA, a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of bitopertin in EPP patients that will be conducted at sites in the United States.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, several vaccines for COVID-19 have received Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA and a number of those later received marketing approval. Additional vaccines may be authorized or approved in the future. The resultant demand for vaccines and potential for manufacturing facilities and materials to be commandeered under the Defense Production Act of 1950, or equivalent foreign legislation, may make it more difficult to obtain materials or manufacturing slots for the products needed for Disc’s clinical trials, which could lead to delays in these trials. COVID-19 may also affect employees of third-party CROs located in affected geographies that Disc relies upon to carry out its clinical trials. Personnel and raw materials have been

allocated preferentially to manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines and therapies, which caused delays to Disc’s Phase 1 clinical trial of DISC-0974. In addition, supply chains for reagents and equipment have similarly been disrupted requiring long lead time and additional expenses to secure necessary supplies for Disc’s clinical trials.

In addition, the patient populations that Disc’s product candidates target may be particularly susceptible to COVID-19, which may make it more difficult for Disc to identify patients able to enroll in its current and future clinical trials and may impact the ability of enrolled patients to complete any such trials. There may also be delays in necessary interactions with regulators, institutional review boards, or IRBs, or ethics committees, and other important agencies and contractors due to limitations in employee resource or forced furlough of government employees. Any negative impact COVID-19 has to patient enrollment or treatment or the supply of Disc’s product candidates could cause costly delays to clinical trial activities, which could adversely affect Disc’s ability to obtain regulatory approval for and to commercialize its product candidates, increase its operating expenses, and have a material adverse effect on its financial results.

Additionally, timely enrollment in planned and ongoing clinical trials is dependent upon clinical trial sites which could be adversely affected by global health matters, such as pandemics. Disc is currently conducting and planning to conduct clinical trials for its product candidates in geographies which are currently being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some factors from the COVID-19 pandemic that will delay or otherwise adversely affect enrollment in the clinical trials of Disc’s product candidates, as well as Disc’s business generally, include:

Further, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the extent and length of which is uncertain, Disc may be required to develop and implement additional clinical trial policies and procedures designed to help protect trial participants from the COVID-19 virus, which may include using telemedicine visits, remote monitoring of patients and clinical sites, and measures to ensure that data from clinical trials that may be disrupted as a result of the pandemic are collected pursuant to the trial protocol and consistent with Good Clinical Practice, or GCP, requirements, with any material protocol deviation reviewed and approved by the site IRB. Patients who may miss scheduled appointments, any interruption in trial drug supply or other consequence that may result in incomplete data being generated during a trial as a result of the pandemic must be adequately documented and justified.

Disc has also taken temporary precautionary measures intended to help minimize the risk of the virus to its employees, including reduced and optional on-site work hours, allowing employees to work remotely at their discretion, reduced travel for work-related meetings, and requiring all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Disc cannot presently predict the scope and severity of the planned and potential shutdowns or disruptions of businesses and government agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, or FDA.

These and other factors arising from COVID-19 could worsen. Any of these factors, and other factors related to any such disruptions that are unforeseen, could have a material adverse effect on Disc’s business and results of operation and financial condition. Further, uncertainty around these and related issues could lead to adverse effects on the economy of the United States and other economies, which could impact Disc’s ability to raise the necessary capital needed to develop and commercialize its programs and product candidates.

Disc has completed one Phase 1 clinical trial and has not yet demonstrated its continued ability to successfully complete clinical trials, including large-scale, pivotal clinical trials, obtain regulatory approvals, manufacture a commercial scale product, or arrange for a third party to do so on its behalf, or conduct sales and marketing activities necessary for successful commercialization. Disc’s programs are still in preclinical and early clinical development. Disc’s clinical programs may not advance to the next stage of clinical development, and its preclinical programs may never advance to clinical development or through clinical development, as applicable. Disc currently only has two product candidates in clinical development. In July 2022, Disc initiated BEACON, a Phase 2 open-label, parallel-dose clinical trial of bitopertin in EPP and XLP patients that is being conducted at sites in Australia. Separately, Disc is planning to initiate AURORA, a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of bitopertin in EPP patients that is being conducted at sites in the United States. Disc completed its Phase 1 clinical trial of DISC-0974 in healthy volunteers. Disc initiated a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial in June 2022 in patients with anemia of MF, and plans to initiate a separate Phase 1b/2 clinical trial by the end of 2022 in patients with anemia of CKD. Disc may not initiate the DISC-0974 Phase 1b/2 clinical trial in patients with anemia of CKD until it has submitted an IND application to the FDA or comparable submissions with equivalent regulatory authorities and received regulatory clearance. Disc may not be able to submit INDs or other regulatory filings for bitopertin or any of its other product candidates on the timelines Disc expects, if at all. For example, Disc may experience manufacturing delays or other delays with IND-enabling studies. Moreover, Disc cannot be sure that submission of regulatory filings with the FDA or other regulatory authorities will result in such regulatory authorities allowing clinical trials to begin on a timely basis or at all, or that, once begun, such trials will be completed on schedule, if at all, or that issues will not arise that require Disc to revise, postpone, suspend or terminate its clinical trials. For example, Disc filed an IND in April 2022 with the FDA to initiate the AURORA Phase 2 trial of bitopertin in EPP patients, but the FDA initially placed the initiation of this trial on clinical hold; Disc received clearance to initiate the study in July 2022 after the study design was finalized with the FDA. Commencing each of these clinical trials is subject to finalizing the trial design based on discussions with the FDA and other regulatory authorities. Any guidance Disc receives from the FDA or other regulatory authorities is subject to change. These regulatory authorities could change their position, including on the acceptability of Disc’s trial designs or the clinical endpoints selected, which may require Disc to complete additional clinical trials or result in the composition of stricter approval conditions than currently expected. For a further example, Disc relied on the data package generated by Roche to support its IND submission for bitopertin to initiate its planned Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with EPP, as well as its submission of an application with the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), for a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with EPP or XLP, and it is possible that the FDA or TGA, as applicable, may require Disc to conduct additional preclinical studies to support a future marketing application of bitopertin. Successful completion of Disc’s clinical trials is a prerequisite to submitting an NDA or a BLA, to the FDA, a Marketing Authorization Application, or MAA, to the European Medicines Agency, or EMA, or other marketing applications to regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions, for each product candidate and, consequently, the regulatory approval of each product candidate.

A single well-controlled clinical trial may not be sufficient for approval. In general, the FDA requires two well-controlled clinical trials to support registration of a new drug or biologic. Exceptions may be made in cases of a severe disease with few treatment options, and in principle this exception may appear applicable to many of the diseases that Disc seeks to treat, such as EPP, XLP, anemia of MF, DBA and others. Nonetheless, the FDA and other regulators may always require additional clinical trials to support regulatory approval.

If Disc is required to conduct additional preclinical studies or clinical trials or other testing of its product candidates beyond those that are currently contemplated, if Disc is unable to successfully complete clinical trials of its product candidates or other testing, if the results of these trials or tests are not positive or are only modestly positive or if there are safety concerns, Disc may:

The discovery and development of therapeutics for patients with hematologic diseases is an emerging field, and the scientific discoveries that form the basis for Disc’s efforts to discover and develop product candidates are relatively new. The scientific evidence to support the feasibility of developing product candidates based on these discoveries is both preliminary and limited. Although Disc believes, based on its preclinical work, that its programs have the potential to provide disease-modifying therapies, clinical results may not confirm this hypothesis or may only confirm it for certain alterations or certain indications. The patient populations for Disc’s product candidates are limited to those with specific hematologic diseases. Disc cannot be certain that the patient populations for each specific disease will be large enough to allow Disc to successfully obtain approval and commercialize its product candidates and achieve profitability.

Disc’s preclinical studies and future and ongoing clinical trials may not be successful. Currently, all of Disc’s programs are in preclinical and early clinical development. It is impossible to predict when or if any of Disc’s product candidates will prove effective and safe in humans or will receive regulatory approval. Before obtaining regulatory approval from regulatory authorities for the sale of any product candidate, Disc must complete preclinical studies and then conduct extensive clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its product candidates or the safety, purity and potency of its biological product candidates in humans. There is no guarantee that Disc’s product candidates will advance in accordance with the timelines Disc anticipates, if at all. Clinical testing is expensive, difficult to design and implement, can take many years to complete and outcomes are uncertain. A failure of one or more clinical trials can occur at any stage of testing. The outcome of preclinical development testing and early clinical trials may not be predictive of the success of later clinical trials, and interim results of a clinical trial do not necessarily predict final results. Moreover, preclinical and clinical data are often susceptible to varying interpretations and analyses, and many companies that have believed their product candidates performed satisfactorily in preclinical studies and clinical trials have nonetheless failed to obtain regulatory approval of their product candidates. Disc’s preclinical studies and future and ongoing clinical trials may not be successful.

Additionally, some of the clinical trials Disc conducts may be open-label in study design and may be conducted at a limited number of clinical sites on a limited number of patients. An “open-label” clinical trial is one where both the patient and investigator know whether the patient is receiving the investigational product candidate or either an existing approved drug or placebo. Most typically, open-label clinical trials test only the investigational product candidate and sometimes may do so at different dose levels. Open-label clinical trials are subject to various limitations that may exaggerate any therapeutic effect as patients in open-label clinical trials are aware when they are receiving treatment. Open-label clinical trials may be subject to a “patient bias” where patients perceive their symptoms to have improved merely due to their awareness of receiving an experimental treatment. In addition, open-label clinical trials may be subject to an “investigator bias” where those assessing and reviewing the physiological outcomes of the clinical trials are aware of which patients have received treatment and may interpret the information of the treated group more favorably given this knowledge. The results from an open-label clinical trial may not be predictive of future clinical trial results when studied in a controlled environment with a placebo or active control.

In May 2021, Disc entered into a License Agreement, or the Roche Agreement with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., or Roche, pursuant to which, among other things, Roche granted Disc an exclusive and sublicensable (subject to Roche’s consent, except with respect to affiliates) worldwide license under certain of Roche’s patent rights and know-how to develop and commercialize bitopertin. Although bitopertin was originally evaluated by Roche in over 4,000 individuals, Roche did not evaluate bitopertin in EPP or XLP, so the safety data generated from Roche’s clinical trials of bitopertin may not be predictive or indicative of the results of Disc’s clinical trials. Regulatory authorities may also raise questions regarding the transition in the future from Roche-manufactured drug substance to drug substance manufactured by Disc or another party, and Disc may be required to conduct comparability assessments, which could result in delays in development and additional costs.

Many of Disc’s product candidates are designed to treat diseases for which there are few available therapeutic options. For example, there are currently no therapies approved to treat anemia of MF and there is only one approved therapy to treat EPP. As a result, the design and conduct of clinical trials of product candidates for the treatment of these diseases may take longer, be more costly or be less effective as part of the novelty of development in these diseases. In some cases, Disc may use new or novel endpoints or methodologies. The FDA or other regulatory authorities may not consider the endpoints of Disc’s clinical trials to be validated or clinically meaningful and Disc may need to conduct proof-of-concept studies or additional work to refine its endpoints and inform the design of future studies before initiating pivotal studies of its product candidates. Even if applicable regulatory authorities do not object to Disc’s proposed endpoints in an earlier stage clinical trial, such regulatory authorities may require evaluation of additional or different clinical endpoints in later-stage clinical trials.

Even if the FDA does find Disc’s clinical trial success criteria to be sufficiently supported and clinically meaningful at the time, Disc may not achieve the pre-specified endpoint to a degree of statistical significance in any pivotal or other clinical trials it may conduct for its product candidates. Further, even if Disc does achieve the pre-specified criteria, its trials may produce results that are unpredictable or inconsistent with the results of the more traditional efficacy endpoints in the trial. The FDA also could change its view or give overriding weight to other efficacy endpoints over a primary endpoint, even if Disc achieves statistically significant results on that primary endpoint, if for example Disc does not do so on its secondary efficacy endpoints. The FDA also weighs the benefits of a product candidate against its risks and the FDA may view the efficacy results in the context of safety as not being supportive of approval. Other regulatory authorities in Europe and other countries may make similar findings with respect to these endpoints.

From time to time, Disc may publicly disclose interim, top-line or preliminary data from its clinical trials, which is based on a preliminary analysis of then-available data, and the results and related findings and conclusions are subject to change following a more comprehensive review of the data. Disc announced top-line results from the Phase 1 DISC-0974 clinical trial in June 2022. Disc also may make assumptions, estimations, calculations and conclusions as part of its analyses of data, and may not have received or had the opportunity to fully and carefully evaluate all data. As a result, the interim, top-line or preliminary results that Disc reports may differ from future results of the same trials, or different conclusions or considerations may qualify such results, once additional data have been received and fully evaluated. Interim data from clinical trials are subject to the risk that one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change as patient enrollment continues and more patient data become available. Interim, top-line and preliminary data also remain subject to audit and verification procedures that may result in the final data being materially different from the interim, top-line or preliminary data Disc previously published. As a result, interim, top-line and preliminary data should be viewed with caution until the final data are available. Adverse differences between interim, top-line or preliminary data and final data could significantly harm Disc’s business prospects and may cause the price of Disc’s common stock to fluctuate or decline.

Further, regulatory agencies and others, may not accept or agree with Disc’s assumptions, estimates, calculations, conclusions or analyses or may interpret or weigh the importance of data differently, which could adversely impact

the potential of the particular program, the likelihood of obtaining regulatory approval of the particular product candidate, commercialization of any approved product and the business prospects of the company in general. In addition, the information Disc chooses to publicly disclose regarding a particular study or clinical trial is derived from information that is typically extensive, and you or others may not agree with what Disc determines is material or otherwise appropriate information to include in Disc’s disclosure.

If the interim, top-line or preliminary data that Disc reports differs from actual results, or if regulatory authorities or others, disagree with the conclusions reached, Disc’s ability to obtain approval for, and commercialize, its product candidates may be significantly impaired, which could materially harm Disc’s business, operating results, prospects or financial condition.

Disc may experience delays in initiating or completing its preclinical studies or clinical trials, including as a result of delays in obtaining, or failure to obtain, the FDA’s authorization to initiate clinical trials under future INDs. Additionally, Disc cannot be certain that preclinical studies or clinical trials for its product candidates will not require redesign, will enroll an adequate number of subjects on time, or will be completed on schedule, if at all. Disc may experience numerous unforeseen events during, or as a result of, preclinical studies and clinical trials that could delay or prevent its ability to receive regulatory authorizations, regulatory approval or commercialize its product candidates, including:

Disc could encounter delays if a clinical trial is suspended or terminated by Disc, by the IRBs or ethics committees of the institutions at which such trials are being conducted, by the Data Safety Monitoring Board, or DSMB, for such trial or by the FDA or other regulatory authorities. Such authorities may impose such a suspension or termination or clinical hold due to a number of factors, including failure to conduct the clinical trial in accordance with regulatory requirements or Disc clinical protocols, adverse findings upon an inspection of the clinical trial operations or trial site by the FDA or other regulatory authorities, unforeseen safety issues or adverse side effects, failure to demonstrate a benefit from using a product, changes in governmental regulations or administrative actions or lack of adequate funding to continue the clinical trial. For example, Disc filed an IND in April 2022 with the FDA to initiate the AURORA Phase 2 trial of bitopertin in EPP patients, but the FDA initially placed the initiation of this trial on clinical hold; Disc received clearance to initiate the study in July 2022 after the study design was finalized with the FDA. Many of the factors that cause, or lead to, a delay in the commencement or completion of clinical trials may also ultimately lead to the denial of regulatory approval of Disc’s product candidates. Further, the FDA may disagree with Disc’s clinical trial design or Disc’s interpretation of data from clinical trials or may change the requirements for approval even after it has reviewed and commented on the design for Disc’s clinical trials.

Moreover, principal investigators for Disc’s current and future clinical trials may serve as scientific advisors or consultants to Disc from time to time and receive compensation in connection with such services. Under certain circumstances, Disc may be required to report some of these relationships to the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities. The FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authority may conclude that a financial relationship between Disc and a principal investigator has created a conflict of interest or otherwise affected the interpretation of the trial. The FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authority may therefore question the integrity of the data generated at the applicable clinical trial site, and the utility of the clinical trial itself may be jeopardized. This could result in a delay in approval, or rejection, of Disc’s marketing applications by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authority, as the case may be, and may ultimately lead to the denial of regulatory approval of one or more of Disc’s product candidates.

Disc’s product development costs will also increase if Disc experiences delays in testing or regulatory approvals. Disc does not know whether any of its future clinical trials will begin as planned, or whether any of its current or future clinical trials will need to be restructured or will be completed on schedule, if at all. Significant preclinical study or clinical trial delays, including those caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, also could shorten any periods during which Disc may have the exclusive right to commercialize its product candidates or allow its competitors to bring products to market before Disc does, which would impair Disc’s ability to successfully commercialize its product candidates and may significantly harm its business, operating results, financial condition and prospects.

Disc may not be able to initiate or continue clinical trials for its product candidates if Disc is unable to locate and enroll a sufficient number of eligible patients to participate in these trials as required by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities, or as needed to provide appropriate statistical power for a given trial. In particular, because Disc is focused on patients with specific rare hematologic diseases for the development of its product candidates, Disc’s ability to enroll eligible patients may be limited or may result in slower enrollment than Disc anticipate.

Disc may experience difficulties with identifying specific patient populations for any defined trial cohorts. The patient eligibility criteria defined in Disc’s trial protocols, may limit the patient populations eligible for Disc’s clinical trials. Disc will also rely on the willingness and ability of clinicians to screen their patients, such as for specific genetic hematologic conditions, to indicate which patients may be eligible for enrollment in Disc’s clinical trials.

In addition, some of Disc’s competitors have ongoing clinical trials for product candidates that are intended to treat the same indications as Disc’s product candidates, and patients who would otherwise be eligible for Disc’s clinical trials may choose instead to enroll in clinical trials of Disc’s competitors’ product candidates. Furthermore, Disc’s ability to enroll patients may be significantly delayed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and Disc cannot accurately predict the extent and scope of such delays at this point.

Additionally, the process of finding patients may prove costly. Disc also may not be able to identify, recruit or enroll a sufficient number of patients to complete its clinical trials because of the small patient populations with rare hematologic diseases, the perceived risks and benefits of the product candidates under study, the availability and efficacy of competing therapies and clinical trials, the proximity and availability of clinical trial sites for prospective patients, and the patient referral practices of physicians. If patients are unwilling to participate in Disc’s studies for any reason, the timeline for recruiting patients, conducting studies and obtaining regulatory approval of potential products may be delayed.

Patient enrollment may be affected by other factors, including:

Any results from early preclinical studies and clinical trials of bitopertin, DISC-0974, DISC-0998 or Disc’s other product candidates or programs may not necessarily be predictive of the results from later preclinical studies and clinical trials. For example, DISC-0974 has undergone testing in healthy volunteers and just begun clinical testing for anemia of MF. DISC-0974 has not yet undergone testing for anemia associated with CKD and therefore there can be no assurance that DISC-0974 will achieve the desired effects in these indications. Similarly, even if Disc is able to complete its planned preclinical studies and clinical trials of its product candidates according to its current development timeline, the results from such preclinical studies and clinical trials of its product candidates may not be replicated in subsequent preclinical studies or clinical trial results.

Many companies in the biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered significant setbacks in late-stage clinical trials after achieving positive results in early-stage development, and Disc cannot be certain that it will not face similar setbacks. These setbacks have been caused by, among other things, preclinical findings made while clinical trials were underway, or safety or efficacy observations made in preclinical studies and clinical trials, including previously unreported adverse events. Moreover, preclinical and clinical data are often susceptible to varying interpretations and analyses and many companies that believed their product candidates performed satisfactorily in preclinical studies and clinical trials nonetheless failed to obtain regulatory approval.

Before obtaining regulatory approvals for the commercial sale of any products, Disc must demonstrate through lengthy, complex and expensive preclinical studies and clinical trials that its product candidates are both safe and effective for use in each target indication. Clinical testing is expensive and can take many years to complete, and

outcomes are inherently uncertain. Failure can occur at any time during the clinical trial process. Because Disc’s programs and product candidates are in an early stage of development, there is a high risk of failure, and Disc may never succeed in developing marketable products. There is typically an extremely high rate of attrition from the failure of product candidates proceeding through clinical trials. Product candidates in later stages of clinical trials also may fail to show the desired safety and efficacy profile despite having progressed through preclinical studies and initial clinical trials. For example, Roche had previously developed bitopertin as a potential therapy for certain symptoms of schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but discontinued the program for lack of efficacy in those indications after completing over 30 clinical trials in over 4,000 individuals. If the results of Disc’s ongoing or future preclinical studies and clinical trials are inconclusive with respect to the safety and efficacy of Disc’s programs and product candidates, if Disc does not meet the clinical endpoints with statistical and clinically meaningful significance, or if there are safety concerns associated with Disc’s product candidates, Disc may be prevented from, or delayed in, obtaining regulatory approval for such product candidates. In some instances, there can be significant variability in safety or efficacy results between different clinical trials of the same product candidate due to numerous factors, including changes in trial procedures set forth in protocols, differences in the size and type of the patient populations, changes in and adherence to the clinical trial protocols and the rate of dropout among clinical trial participants. Results of Disc’s trials could reveal a high and unacceptable severity and prevalence of side effects. In such an event, Disc’s trials could be suspended or terminated, and the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities could order Disc to cease further development of or deny approval of Disc’s product candidates for any or all targeted indications. Treatment-related side effects could also affect patient recruitment or the ability of enrolled patients to complete the trial or result in potential product liability claims.

Further, Disc’s product candidates could cause undesirable side effects in clinical trials related to on-target toxicity. If on-target toxicity is observed, or if Disc’s product candidates have characteristics that are unexpected, Disc may need to abandon their development or limit development to more narrow uses or subpopulations in which the undesirable side effects or other characteristics are less prevalent, less severe or more acceptable from a risk-benefit perspective. In addition, Disc’s product candidates could cause undesirable side effects that have not yet been observed. For example, bitopertin may demonstrate toxicities in patients with hematologic diseases not previously observed by Roche when it was studied in different indications. Many compounds that initially showed promise in early-stage testing have later been found to cause side effects that prevented further development of the compound. Most product candidates that commence clinical trials are never approved as products, and there can be no assurance that any of Disc’s current or future clinical trials will ultimately be successful or support further clinical development or regulatory approval of any of Disc’s product candidates.

As is the case with many treatments for hematologic and rare diseases, it is likely that there may be side effects associated with the use of Disc’s product candidates. If significant adverse events or other side effects are observed in any of Disc’s current or future clinical trials, Disc may have difficulty recruiting patients to its clinical trials, patients may drop out of its trials, or Disc may be required to abandon the trials or development efforts of one or more product candidates altogether. Disc, the FDA or other applicable regulatory authorities, or an IRB may suspend or terminate clinical trials of a product candidate at any time for various reasons, including a belief that subjects in such trials are being exposed to unacceptable health risks or adverse side effects. Even if the side effects do not preclude the product from obtaining or maintaining regulatory approval, undesirable side effects may inhibit market acceptance of the approved product due to its tolerability versus other therapies. Any of these developments could materially harm Disc’s business, operating results, financial condition and prospects.

Some of Disc’s product candidates modulate pathways for which there are currently no approved or effective therapies, which may result in uncertainty. Disc selects programs for targets based on compelling biological rationale, including evidence of expected biological effects in humans. Disc explores new programs based on extensive preclinical data analysis which sometimes cannot predict efficacy or safety in humans. Regulatory approval of novel product candidates such as Disc’s can be more expensive, riskier and take longer than for other, more well-known or extensively studied pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical product candidates due to Disc’s and regulatory agencies’ lack of experience with them. The novelty of the mechanism of action of any of Disc’s product candidates may lengthen the regulatory review process, require Disc to conduct additional studies or clinical trials, increase Disc’s development costs, lead to changes in regulatory positions and interpretations, delay or prevent approval and commercialization of Disc’s product candidates or lead to significant post-approval limitations or restrictions. The

novel mechanism of action also means that fewer people are trained in or experienced with product candidates of this type, which may make it more difficult to find, hire and retain personnel for research, development and manufacturing positions. If Disc’s product candidates utilize a novel mechanism of action that has not been the subject of extensive study compared to more well-known product candidates, there is also an increased risk that Disc may discover previously unknown or unanticipated adverse effects during its preclinical studies and clinical trials. Disc’s product candidates may achieve lower efficacy in patients than expected. Any such events could adversely impact Disc’s business prospects, operating results and financial condition.

In July 2022, Disc initiated BEACON, a Phase 2 open-label, parallel-dose clinical trial of bitopertin in EPP and XLP patients that is being conducted at sites in Australia. In addition, Disc may in the future choose to conduct additional clinical trials outside the United States, including in Europe, Australia, or other foreign jurisdictions. The acceptance of trial data from clinical trials conducted outside the United States by the FDA may be subject to certain conditions. In cases where data from clinical trials conducted outside the United States are intended to serve as the sole basis for regulatory approval in the United States, the FDA will generally not approve the application on the basis of foreign data alone unless (i) the data are applicable to the United States population and United States medical practices, (ii) the trials were performed by clinical investigators of recognized competence and (iii) the data may be considered valid without the need for an on-site inspection by the FDA or, if the FDA considers such an inspection to be necessary, the FDA is able to validate the data through an on-site inspection or other appropriate means. Additionally, the FDA’s clinical trial requirements, including sufficient size of patient populations and statistical powering, must be met. Many foreign regulatory bodies have similar approval requirements. In addition, such foreign trials will be subject to the applicable local laws of the foreign jurisdictions where the trials are conducted. There can be no assurance that the FDA or any comparable foreign regulatory authority, including the TGA, will accept data from trials conducted outside of the United States or the applicable jurisdiction. If the FDA or any comparable foreign regulatory authority does not accept such data, it would result in the need for additional trials, which would be costly and time-consuming and delay aspects of Disc’s business plan, and which may result in Disc’s product candidates not receiving regulatory approval or clearance for commercialization in the applicable jurisdiction.

Research programs to pursue the development of Disc’s existing and planned product candidates for additional indications and to identify new product candidates and disease targets require substantial technical, financial and human resources whether or not they are ultimately successful. Disc’s research programs may initially show promise in identifying potential indications and/or product candidates, yet fail to yield results for clinical development for a number of reasons, including:

Because Disc has limited financial and human resources, Disc intends to initially focus on research programs and product candidates for a limited set of indications. As a result, Disc may forego or delay pursuit of opportunities with other product candidates or for other indications that later prove to have greater commercial potential or a greater likelihood of success. Disc’s resource allocation decisions may cause it to fail to capitalize on viable commercial products or profitable market opportunities.

Accordingly, there can be no assurance that Disc will ever be able to identify additional therapeutic opportunities for its product candidates or to develop suitable product candidates through internal research programs, which could

materially adversely affect Disc’s future growth and prospects. Disc may focus its efforts and resources on potential product candidates or other potential programs that ultimately prove to be unsuccessful.

Disc’s product candidates and the activities associated with their development and commercialization, including their design, testing, manufacture, safety, efficacy, recordkeeping, labeling, storage, approval, advertising, promotion, sale, distribution, import and export are subject to comprehensive regulation by the FDA and other regulatory agencies in the United States and by comparable foreign regulatory authorities. Before Disc can commercialize any of its product candidates, Disc must obtain regulatory approval. Currently, all of Disc’s product candidates are in discovery, preclinical or clinical development, and Disc has not received approval to market any of its product candidates from regulatory authorities in any jurisdiction. It is possible that Disc’s product candidates, including any product candidates Disc may seek to develop in the future, will never obtain regulatory approval. Disc has limited experience in filing and supporting the applications necessary to gain regulatory approvals and relies on third-party CROs and/or regulatory consultants to assist Disc in this process. Securing regulatory approval requires the submission of extensive preclinical and clinical data and supporting information to the various regulatory authorities for each therapeutic indication to establish the product candidate’s safety and efficacy. Securing regulatory approval also requires the submission of information about the product manufacturing process to, and inspection of manufacturing facilities by, the relevant regulatory authority. Disc’s product candidates may not be effective, may be only moderately effective or may prove to have undesirable or unintended side effects, toxicities or other characteristics that may preclude Disc obtaining regulatory approval or prevent or limit commercial use. In addition, regulatory authorities may find fault with Disc’s manufacturing process or facilities or that of third-party contract manufacturers. Disc may also face greater than expected difficulty in manufacturing its product candidates.

The process of obtaining regulatory approvals, both in the United States and abroad, is expensive and often takes many years. If the FDA or a comparable foreign regulatory authority requires that Disc perform additional preclinical studies or clinical trials, approval may be delayed, if obtained at all. The length of such a delay varies substantially based upon a variety of factors, including the type, complexity and novelty of the product candidate involved. Changes in regulatory approval policies during the development period, changes in or enactment of additional statutes or regulations, or changes in regulatory review policies for each submitted NDA, BLA, or equivalent application types, may cause delays in the approval or rejection of an application. The FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities have substantial discretion in the approval process and may refuse to accept any application or may decide that Disc’s data are insufficient for approval and require additional preclinical, clinical or other studies. Disc’s product candidates could be delayed in receiving, or fail to receive, regulatory approval for many reasons, including the following:

Even if Disc were to obtain regulatory approval, regulatory authorities may approve any of Disc’s product candidates for fewer or more limited indications than Disc requests, thereby narrowing the commercial potential of the product candidate. In addition, regulatory authorities may grant approval contingent on the performance of costly post-marketing clinical trials, or may approve a product candidate with a label that does not include the labeling claims necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization of that product candidate. Any of the foregoing scenarios could materially harm the commercial prospects for Disc’s product candidates.

If Disc experiences delays in obtaining, or if Disc fails to obtain, approval of its product candidates, the commercial prospects for Disc’s product candidates may be harmed and its ability to generate revenue will be materially impaired.

The development and commercialization of new products in the biopharmaceutical and related industries is highly competitive. Disc competes in the segments of the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and other related markets that develop therapies in the field of hematologic diseases. There are other companies focusing on developing therapies in the field of hematologic diseases. Disc also competes more broadly across the market for cost-effective and reimbursable treatments. Some of these competitive products and therapies are based on scientific approaches that are the same as or similar to its approach, and others are based on entirely different approaches. These companies include divisions of large pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies of various sizes. Disc faces competition with respect to its current product candidates, and will face competition with respect to any product candidates that it may seek to develop or commercialize in the future, from major pharmaceutical companies, specialty pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies worldwide. Potential competitors also include academic institutions, government agencies and other public and private research organizations that conduct research, seek patent protection and establish collaborative arrangements for research, development, manufacturing and commercialization.

Any product candidates that Disc successfully develops and commercializes will compete with currently approved therapies and new therapies that may become available in the future from segments of the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other related markets. Key product features that would affect its ability to effectively compete with other therapeutics include the efficacy, safety and convenience of its products. Disc believes principal competitive factors to its business include, among other things, its ability to successfully transition research programs into clinical development, ability to raise capital, and the scalability of the platform, pipeline, and business.

Many of the companies that Disc competes against or which Disc may compete against in the future have significantly greater financial resources and expertise in research and development, manufacturing, preclinical and clinical testing, obtaining regulatory approvals and marketing approved products than it does. Mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries may result in even more resources being concentrated among a smaller number of its competitors. Smaller or early-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large and established companies. These competitors also compete with Disc in recruiting and retaining qualified scientific and management personnel and establishing clinical trial sites and patient registration for clinical trials, as well as in acquiring technologies complementary to, or necessary for, its programs. If these or other barriers to entry do not remain in place, other companies may be able to more directly or effectively compete with Disc.

Disc’s commercial opportunity could be reduced or eliminated if its competitors develop and commercialize products that are safer, more effective, have fewer or less severe side effects, are more convenient or are less expensive than any products that Disc or its collaborators may develop. Disc’s competitors also may obtain FDA or other regulatory approval for their products sooner than Disc may obtain approval for its product candidates, which could result in

Disc’s competitors establishing a strong market position before Disc or its collaborators are able to enter the market. The key competitive factors affecting the success of all of Disc’s product candidates, if approved, are likely to be their efficacy, safety, convenience, price, level of generic competition and availability of reimbursement from government and other third-party payors.

The incidence and prevalence for the target patient populations of Disc’s programs and product candidates have not been established with precision. Disc’s lead heme biosynthesis modulation product candidate, bitopertin, is an oral, selective inhibitor of GlyT1. Disc is initially focused on developing bitopertin for the treatment of EPP and XLP, which are both diseases marked by severe photosensitivity and damage to the hepatobiliary system caused by the accumulation of PPIX. In July 2022, Disc initiated BEACON, a Phase 2 open-label, parallel-dose clinical trial of bitopertin in EPP and XLP patients that is being conducted at sites in Australia. Separately, Disc is planning to initiate AURORA, a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of bitopertin in EPP patients that is being conducted at sites in the United States. Disc completed its Phase 1 clinical trial of DISC-0974 in healthy volunteers. Disc initiated a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial in June 2022 in the United States in patients with anemia of MF, and plans to initiate a separate Phase 1b/2 clinical trial by the end of 2022 in patients with anemia of CKD. Disc’s projections of both the number of people who have these diseases, as well as the subset of people with these diseases who have the potential to benefit from treatment with its programs and product candidates, are based on its estimates.

The total addressable market opportunity will ultimately depend upon, among other things, the diagnosis criteria included in the final label, the indications for which Disc’s product candidates are approved for sale, acceptance by the medical community and patient access, product pricing and reimbursement. The number of patients with erythropoietic porphyria and anemias of inflammation for which Disc’s product candidates may be approved as treatment may turn out to be lower than expected, patients may not be otherwise amenable to treatment with its products, or new patients may become increasingly difficult to identify or gain access to, all of which would adversely affect its results of operations and its business. Disc may not be successful in its efforts to identify additional product candidates. Due to its limited resources and access to capital, Disc must prioritize development of certain product candidates, which may prove to be the wrong choice and may adversely affect its business.

Disc has never commercialized a product candidate for any indication. Even if its current product candidates and any future product candidates are approved by the appropriate regulatory authorities for marketing and sale, they may not gain acceptance among physicians, patients, third-party payors, and others in the medical community. If any product candidates for which Disc may obtain regulatory approval do not gain an adequate level of market acceptance, Disc may not generate significant revenue and may not become profitable or may be significantly delayed in achieving profitability. Market acceptance of its current product candidates and any future product candidates by the medical community, patients and third-party payors will depend on a number of factors, some of which are beyond its control. For example, physicians are often reluctant to switch their patients, and patients may be reluctant to switch, from existing therapies even when new and potentially more effective or safer treatments enter the market. If public perception is influenced by claims that the use of heme biosynthesis modulation therapies or hepcidin-targeted agents is unsafe, whether related to its or its competitors’ products, its products may not be accepted by the general public or the medical community. Future adverse events in the hematologic diseases or the biopharmaceutical industry could also result in greater governmental regulation, stricter labeling requirements and potential regulatory delays in the testing or approvals of its product candidates.

In the United States and markets in other countries, patients generally rely on third-party payors to reimburse all or part of the costs associated with their treatment. Adequate coverage and reimbursement from governmental healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, and commercial payors is critical to new product acceptance. Disc’s ability to successfully commercialize its product candidates will depend in part on the extent to which coverage and adequate reimbursement for these products and related treatments will be available from government health administration authorities, private health insurers and other organizations. Even if coverage is provided, the

approved reimbursement amount may not be high enough to allow Disc to establish or maintain pricing sufficient to realize a sufficient return on its investment. Government authorities and third-party payors, such as private health insurers and health maintenance organizations, decide which medications they will pay for and establish reimbursement levels.

Efforts to educate the medical community and third-party payors on the benefits of its current product candidates and any future product candidates may require significant resources and may not be successful. If its current product candidates or any future product candidates are approved but do not achieve an adequate level of market acceptance, Disc could be prevented from or significantly delayed in achieving profitability. The degree of market acceptance of any of Disc’s current product candidates and any future product candidates will depend on a number of factors, including:

There is also significant uncertainty related to the insurance coverage and reimbursement of newly approved products and coverage may be more limited than the purposes for which the medicine is approved by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities. In the United States, the principal decisions about reimbursement for new medicines are typically made by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. CMS decides whether and to what extent a new medicine will be covered and reimbursed under Medicare and private payors tend to follow CMS to a substantial degree. Further, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of individuals have lost or will be losing employer-based insurance coverage, which may adversely affect Disc’s ability to commercialize its products. It is unclear what effect, if any, the American Rescue Plan will have on the number of covered individuals.

Disc may not be successful in addressing these or other factors that might affect the market acceptance of its product candidates. Failure to achieve widespread market acceptance of Disc’s product candidates would materially harm its business, financial condition and results of operations.

If the FDA or a comparable foreign regulatory authority approves any of Disc’s product candidates, the manufacturing processes, labeling, packaging, distribution, import, export, adverse event reporting, storage, advertising, promotion, monitoring, and recordkeeping for the product will be subject to extensive and ongoing regulatory requirements. These requirements include submissions of safety and other post-marketing information and reports, establishment registration and listing, as well as continued compliance with cGMPs and GCPs for any clinical trials that Disc conducts post-approval. Any regulatory approvals that Disc receives for its product candidates may also be subject to limitations on the approved indicated uses for which the product may be marketed or to the conditions of approval, or contain requirements for potentially costly post-marketing studies, including Phase 4 clinical trials, and surveillance to monitor the safety and efficacy of the product. The FDA may also require a REMS in order to approve its product candidates, which could entail requirements for a medication guide, physician communication plans or additional elements to ensure safe use, such as restricted distribution methods, patient registries and other risk minimization tools. For certain commercial prescription drug and biological products, manufacturers and other parties involved in the supply chain must also meet chain of distribution requirements and build electronic, interoperable systems for product tracking and tracing and for notifying the FDA of counterfeit, diverted, stolen and intentionally adulterated products or other products that are otherwise unfit for distribution in the United States. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with a product, including adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or with its third-party manufacturers or manufacturing processes, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may result in, among other things:

The FDA’s and other regulatory authorities’ policies may change and additional government regulations may be enacted that could prevent, limit or delay regulatory approval of its product candidates. If Disc is slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or if Disc is not able to maintain regulatory compliance, Disc may lose any regulatory approval that it may have obtained, which would adversely affect its business, prospects and ability to achieve or sustain profitability.

Disc relies on third parties to conduct its Phase 2 clinical trials of bitopertin and Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of Disc-0974 and expects to rely on third parties to conduct other clinical trials for its product candidates, as well as potential investigator-sponsored clinical trials of its product candidates. If these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties, comply with regulatory requirements, or meet expected deadlines, Disc may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize its product candidates and its business could be substantially harmed.

Disc does not have the ability to independently conduct clinical trials. Disc relies and expects to continue to rely on medical institutions, clinical investigators, contract laboratories and other third parties, such as CROs, to conduct or otherwise support clinical trials for its product candidates, including its Phase 2 clinical trials of bitopertin, Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of Disc-0974 in patients with anemia of MF, as well as any other product candidates that it develops. Disc may also rely on academic and private non-academic institutions to conduct and sponsor clinical trials relating to its product candidates, as is planned for bitopertin in DBA. Disc will not control the design or conduct of any investigator-sponsored trials, and it is possible that the FDA or non-U.S. regulatory authorities will not view these investigator-sponsored trials as providing adequate support for future clinical trials, whether controlled by Disc or third parties, for any one or more reasons, including elements of the design or execution of the trials or safety concerns or other trial results.

Such arrangements will likely provide Disc certain information rights with respect to the investigator-sponsored trials, including access to and the ability to use and reference the data, including for its own regulatory filings, resulting from the investigator-sponsored trials. However, Disc would not have control over the timing and reporting of the data from investigator-sponsored trials, nor would Disc own the data from the investigator-sponsored trials. If Disc is unable to confirm or replicate the results from the investigator-sponsored trials or if negative results are obtained, Disc would likely be further delayed or prevented from advancing further clinical development of its product candidates. Further, if investigators or institutions breach their obligations with respect to the clinical development of Disc’s product candidates, or if the data proves to be inadequate compared to the first-hand knowledge Disc might have gained had the investigator-sponsored trials been sponsored and conducted by Disc, then Disc’s ability to design and conduct any future clinical trials itself may be adversely affected.

Disc relies and expects to continue to rely heavily on these parties for execution of clinical trials for its product candidates and control only certain aspects of their activities. Nevertheless, Disc is responsible for ensuring that each of its clinical trials is conducted in accordance with the applicable protocol, legal and regulatory requirements and scientific standards, and its reliance on CROs or other third parties will not relieve Disc of its regulatory responsibilities. For any violations of laws and regulations during the conduct of its clinical trials, Disc could be subject to warning letters or enforcement action that may include civil penalties up to and including criminal prosecution.

Disc, its principal investigators and its CROs are required to comply with regulations, including GCPs, for conducting, monitoring, recording and reporting the results of clinical trials to ensure that the data and results are scientifically credible and accurate, and that the trial patients are adequately informed of the potential risks of participating in clinical trials and their rights are protected. These regulations are enforced by the FDA, the Competent Authorities of the Member States of the European Economic Area, or the EEA, and comparable foreign regulatory authorities for any products in clinical development. The FDA enforces GCP regulations through periodic inspections of clinical trial sponsors, principal investigators and trial sites. If Disc, its principal investigators or its CROs fail to comply with applicable GCPs, the clinical data generated in its clinical trials may be deemed unreliable and the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may require Disc to perform additional clinical trials before approving its marketing applications. Disc cannot assure you that, upon inspection, the FDA will determine that any of its future clinical trials will comply with GCPs. In addition, Disc’s clinical trials must be conducted with product

candidates produced under current Good Manufacturing Practice, or cGMP, regulations. Disc’s failure or the failure of its principal investigators or CROs to comply with these regulations may require Disc to repeat clinical trials, which would delay the regulatory approval process, significantly increase its expenditures and could also subject Disc to enforcement action. Disc also is required to register ongoing clinical trials and post the results of completed clinical trials on a government-sponsored database, ClinicalTrials.gov, within certain timeframes. Failure to do so can result in fines, adverse publicity and civil and criminal sanctions.

Although Disc designed its Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of DISC-0974 and ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials of bitopertin and intends to design the future clinical trials for its product candidates, these trials are or will be conducted by CROs and Disc expects CROs will conduct all of its future clinical trials. As a result, many important aspects of Disc’s development programs, including their conduct and timing, are outside of Disc’s direct control. Disc’s reliance on third parties to conduct future clinical trials also results in less direct control over the management of data developed through clinical trials than would be the case if Disc were relying entirely upon its own staff. Communicating with outside parties can also be challenging, potentially leading to mistakes as well as difficulties in coordinating activities. Outside parties may:

These factors may materially adversely affect the willingness or ability of third parties to conduct Disc’s clinical trials and may subject Disc to unexpected cost increases that are beyond its control. If the principal investigators or CROs do not perform clinical trials in a satisfactory manner, breach their obligations to Disc or fail to comply with regulatory requirements, the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of its product candidates may be delayed, Disc may not be able to obtain regulatory approval and commercialize its product candidates or its development program may be materially and irreversibly harmed. If Disc is unable to rely on clinical data collected by its principal investigators or CROs, Disc could be required to repeat, extend the duration of, or increase the size of any clinical trials it conducts and this could significantly delay commercialization and require significantly greater expenditures.

If any of Disc’s relationships with these third-party principal investigators or CROs terminate, Disc may not be able to enter into arrangements with alternative CROs. If principal investigators or CROs do not successfully carry out their contractual obligations or meet expected deadlines, if they need to be replaced or if the quality or accuracy of the clinical data they obtain is compromised due to the failure to adhere to Disc’s clinical protocols, regulatory requirements or for other reasons, any clinical trials such principal investigators or CROs are associated with may be extended, delayed or terminated, and Disc may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for, or successfully commercialize, its product candidates. As a result, Disc believes that its financial results and the commercial prospects for its product candidates in the subject indication would be harmed, its costs could increase and its ability to generate revenue could be delayed.

Research, development, commercialization and/or strategic collaborations are subject to numerous risks, which include the following:

In addition, funding provided by a collaborator might not be sufficient to advance product candidates under the collaboration. If a collaborator terminates a collaboration or a program under a collaboration, including by failing to exercise a license or other option under the collaboration, whether because Disc fails to meet a milestone or otherwise, any potential revenue from the collaboration would be significantly reduced or eliminated. In addition, Disc will likely need to either secure other funding to advance research, development and/or commercialization of the relevant product candidate or abandon that program, the development of the relevant product candidate could be significantly delayed, and Disc’s cash expenditures could increase significantly if it is to continue research, development and/or commercialization of the relevant product candidates.

Any one or more of these risks, if realized, could reduce or eliminate future revenue from product candidates under Disc’s collaborations, and could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and/or growth prospects.

Disc’s product development programs and the potential commercialization of its product candidates will require substantial additional cash to fund expenses. For some of its product candidates, Disc may decide to collaborate with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for the development and potential commercialization of those product candidates.

Disc faces significant competition in seeking appropriate collaborators. Whether Disc reaches a definitive agreement for a collaboration will depend, among other things, upon its assessment of the collaborator’s resources and expertise, the terms and conditions of the proposed collaboration and the proposed collaborator’s own evaluation of a potential collaboration. Such factors a potential collaborator will use to evaluate a collaboration may include the design or results of clinical trials, the likelihood of approval by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities, the potential market for the subject product candidate, the costs and complexities of manufacturing and delivering such product candidate to patients, the potential of competing products, the existence of uncertainty with respect to Disc’s ownership of technology, which can exist if there is a challenge to such ownership without regard to the merits of the challenge and industry and market conditions generally. The collaborator may also consider alternative product candidates or technologies for similar indications that may be available to collaborate on and whether such a

collaboration could be more attractive than the one with Disc for its product candidate. The terms of any additional collaborations or other arrangements that Disc may establish may not be favorable to it.

Disc is also restricted by Roche’s right of first negotiation under its current license agreement with them and may in the future be restricted under other license or collaboration agreements from entering into future agreements on certain terms with potential collaborators. Collaborations are complex and time-consuming to negotiate and document. In addition, there have been a significant number of recent business combinations among large pharmaceutical companies that have resulted in a reduced number of potential future collaborators.

Disc may not be able to negotiate collaborations on a timely basis, on acceptable terms, or at all. If Disc is unable to do so, it may have to curtail the development of the product candidate for which it is seeking to collaborate, reduce or delay its development program or one or more of its other development programs, delay its potential commercialization or reduce the scope of any sales or marketing activities, or increase its expenditures and undertake development or commercialization activities at its own expense. If Disc elects to increase its expenditures to fund development or commercialization activities on its own, Disc may need to obtain additional capital, which may not be available to it on acceptable terms or at all. If Disc does not have sufficient funds, it may not be able to further develop its product candidates or bring them to market and generate product revenue.

In addition, any future collaborations that Disc enters into may not be successful. The success of Disc’s collaboration arrangements will depend heavily on the efforts and activities of its collaborators. Collaborators generally have significant discretion in determining the efforts and resources that they will apply to these collaborations. Disagreements between parties to a collaboration arrangement regarding clinical development and commercialization matters can lead to delays in the development process or commercializing the applicable product candidate and, in some cases, termination of the collaboration arrangement. These disagreements can be difficult to resolve if neither of the parties has final decision-making authority. Collaborations with pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies and other third parties often are terminated or allowed to expire by the other party. Any such termination or expiration would adversely affect Disc financially and could harm its business reputation.

Disc does not currently own or operate, nor does Disc have any plans to establish in the future, any manufacturing facilities. Although Disc believes it has obtained sufficient material to produce bitopertin tablets to complete its ongoing and planned Phase 2 clinical trials and DISC-0974 vials to complete its ongoing Phase 1b/2 clinical trials, it cannot be sure it has correctly estimated its drug product and API requirements or that such drug product or API will not expire before it wants to use it. While Disc has identified a contract manufacturer to produce its own GMP material, it is in the early stages of manufacturing such material. Disc relies, and expects to continue to rely, on third parties for the manufacture of its product candidates for preclinical development and clinical testing, as well as for the commercial manufacture of its products if any of its product candidates receive regulatory approval. This reliance on third parties increases the risk that Disc will not have sufficient quantities of its product candidates or products or such quantities at an acceptable cost or quality, which could delay, prevent or impair its development or commercialization efforts.

The facilities used by Disc’s contract manufacturers to manufacture its product candidates must be inspected by the FDA pursuant to pre-approval inspections that will be conducted after Disc submits its marketing applications to the FDA. Disc does not control the manufacturing process of, and will be completely dependent on, its contract manufacturers for compliance with cGMPs in connection with the manufacture of its product candidates. If its contract manufacturers cannot successfully manufacture material that conforms to its specifications and the strict regulatory requirements of the FDA or others, they will not be able to pass regulatory inspections and/or maintain regulatory compliance for their manufacturing facilities. In addition, Disc has no control over the ability of its contract manufacturers to maintain adequate quality control, quality assurance and qualified personnel. If the FDA or a comparable foreign regulatory authority finds deficiencies with or does not approve these facilities for the manufacture of its product candidates or if it finds deficiencies or withdraws any such approval in the future, Disc may need to find alternative manufacturing facilities, which would significantly impact its ability to develop, obtain regulatory approval for or market its product candidates, if approved.

If any contract development and manufacturing organization, or CDMO, with whom Disc contracts fails to perform its obligations, it may be forced to enter into an agreement with a different CDMO, which it may not be able to do on reasonable terms, if at all. In such scenario, Disc’s clinical trials supply could be delayed significantly as it establishes alternative supply sources. In some cases, the technical skills required to manufacture Disc’s products or product candidates may be unique or proprietary to the original CDMO and Disc may have difficulty, or there may be contractual restrictions prohibiting Disc from, transferring such skills to a back-up or alternate supplier, or Disc may be unable to transfer such skills at all. In addition, if Disc is required to change CDMOs for any reason, it will be required to verify that the new CDMO maintains facilities and procedures that comply with quality standards and with all applicable regulations. Disc will also need to verify, such as through a manufacturing comparability study, that any new manufacturing process will produce its product candidate according to the specifications previously submitted to the FDA or another regulatory authority. The delays associated with the verification of a new CDMO could negatively affect Disc’s ability to develop product candidates or commercialize its products in a timely manner or within budget. In addition, changes in manufacturers often involve changes in manufacturing procedures and processes, which could require that Disc conduct bridging studies between its prior clinical supply used in its clinical trials and that of any new manufacturer. Disc may be unsuccessful in demonstrating the comparability of clinical supplies which could require the conduct of additional clinical trials.

Further, Disc’s failure, or the failure of its third party manufacturers, to comply with applicable regulations could result in sanctions being imposed on it, including clinical holds, fines, injunctions, civil penalties, delays, suspension or withdrawal of approvals, license revocation, seizures or recalls of product candidates or products, if approved, operating restrictions and criminal prosecutions, any of which could significantly and adversely affect Disc’s business and supplies of its product candidates.

Disc may be unable to establish any additional agreements with third-party manufacturers or do so on acceptable terms. Reliance on third-party manufacturers entails additional risks, including:

Disc’s product candidates and any products that it may develop may compete with other product candidates and approved products for access to manufacturing facilities. There are a limited number of manufacturers that operate under cGMP regulations and that might be capable of manufacturing for Disc.

Any performance failure on the part of Disc’s existing or future manufacturers could delay clinical development or regulatory approval. If Disc’s current contract manufacturers cannot perform as agreed, it may be required to replace such manufacturers. Disc may incur added costs and delays in identifying and qualifying any such replacement.

Disc’s current and anticipated future dependence upon others for the manufacture of its product candidates or products may adversely affect its future profit margins and its ability to commercialize any products that receive regulatory approval on a timely and competitive basis.

The active pharmaceutical ingredients, or API, used in certain of Disc’s product candidates are supplied to it from single-source suppliers. Disc’s ability to successfully develop its product candidates, and to ultimately supply its commercial products in quantities sufficient to meet the market demand, depends in part on its ability to obtain the API for these products in accordance with regulatory requirements and in sufficient quantities for clinical testing and commercialization. Disc does not currently have arrangements in place for a redundant or second-source supply of any such API in the event any of its current suppliers of such API cease their operations for any reason. Disc is also unable to predict how changing global economic conditions or potential global health concerns such as the COVID-19 pandemic will affect its third-party suppliers and manufacturers. Any negative impact of such matters on

its third-party suppliers and manufacturers may also have an adverse impact on its results of operations or financial condition.

For all of Disc’s product candidates, it intends to identify and qualify additional manufacturers to provide such API prior to submission of an NDA to the FDA and/or an MAA to the EMA. Disc is not certain, however, that its single-source suppliers will be able to meet its demand for their products, either because of the nature of its agreements with those suppliers, its limited experience with those suppliers or its relative importance as a customer to those suppliers. It may be difficult for Disc to assess their ability to timely meet its demand in the future based on past performance. While Disc’s suppliers have generally met its demand for their products on a timely basis in the past, they may subordinate its needs in the future to their other customers.

Establishing additional or replacement suppliers for the API used in Disc’s product candidates, if required, may not be accomplished quickly. If Disc is able to find a replacement supplier, such replacement supplier would need to be qualified and may require additional regulatory inspection or approval, which could result in further delay. While Disc seeks to maintain adequate inventory of the API used in its product candidates, any interruption or delay in the supply of components or materials, or its inability to obtain such API from alternate sources at acceptable prices in a timely manner could impede, delay, limit or prevent its development efforts, which could harm its business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.

DISC-0974 and DISC-0998 are monoclonal antibodies. Manufacturing biologics, like monoclonal antibodies, especially in large quantities, is often complex and may require the use of innovative technologies to handle living cells. Each lot of an approved biologic must undergo thorough testing for identity, strength, quality, purity and potency. Manufacturing biologics requires facilities specifically designed for and validated for this purpose, and sophisticated quality assurance and quality control procedures are necessary. Slight deviations anywhere in the manufacturing process, including filling, labeling, packaging, storage and shipping and quality control and testing, may result in lot failures, product recalls or spoilage. When changes are made to the manufacturing process, Disc may be required to provide preclinical and clinical data showing the comparable identity, strength, quality, purity or potency of the products before and after such changes. If microbial, viral or other contaminations are discovered at the facilities of Disc’s manufacturers, such facilities may need to be closed for an extended period of time to investigate and remedy the contamination, which could delay clinical trials and adversely harm Disc’s business.

In addition, there are risks associated with large scale manufacturing for clinical trials or commercial scale including, among others, cost overruns, potential problems with process scale-up, process reproducibility, stability issues, compliance with good manufacturing practices, lot consistency and timely availability of raw materials. Even if Disc obtains regulatory approval for any of its current product candidates or any future product candidates, there is no assurance that its manufacturers will be able to manufacture the approved product to specifications acceptable to the FDA or other comparable foreign regulatory authorities, to produce it in sufficient quantities to meet the requirements for the potential commercial launch of the product or to meet potential future demand. If Disc’s manufacturers are unable to produce sufficient quantities for clinical trials or for commercialization, its development and commercialization efforts would be impaired, which would have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.

Disc’s commercial success depends in part on its ability to obtain and maintain proprietary or intellectual property protection in the U.S. and other countries for its current or future product candidates, including its current lead product candidates, bitopertin and DISC-0974, and its other current or future programs, including DISC-0998 and its Mat-2 program, as well as for their respective compositions, formulations, methods used to manufacture them, and methods of treatment, in addition to successfully defending these patents against third-party challenges. Disc seeks

to protect its proprietary and intellectual property position by, among other methods, filing patent applications in the U.S. and abroad related to its proprietary technology, inventions, and improvements that are important to the development and implementation of its business. Disc’s ability to stop unauthorized third parties from making, using, selling, offering to sell, or importing its product candidates is dependent upon the extent to which Disc has rights under valid and enforceable patents or trade secrets that cover these activities. Disc also relies on trade secrets, know-how and continuing technological innovation to develop and maintain its proprietary and intellectual property position.

Disc has in-licensed, and may in the future in-license, a portion of its intellectual property, and, if it fails to comply with its obligations under these license arrangements, Disc could lose such intellectual property rights or owe damages to the licensor of such intellectual property. In particular, Disc has exclusively licensed intellectual property rights from Roche to develop and commercialize bitopertin, including certain back-up compounds and derivatives, for all prophylactic and therapeutic uses. The Roche license covers know-how, and certain specified Roche patent rights, including a composition of matter patent for bitopertin that expires in 2025. Disc also has exclusively licensed intellectual property rights from AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, or AbbVie, to develop and commercialize DISC-0974 and DISC-0998. The AbbVie license covers know-how, and certain specified AbbVie patent rights, including composition of matter and methods of use patents and patent applications for DISC-0974 and DISC-0998.

The patent position of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies generally is highly uncertain, involves complex legal and factual questions and has in recent years been the subject of much litigation. The degree of patent protection Disc requires to successfully commercialize its current or future product candidates may be unavailable or severely limited in some cases and may not adequately protect its rights or permit it to gain or keep any competitive advantage. Disc cannot provide any assurances that any of its patents have, or that any of its pending patent applications that mature into issued patents will include, claims with a scope sufficient to protect bitopertin, DISC-0974 or Disc’s other current or future product candidates. In addition, if the breadth or strength of protection provided by Disc’s patent applications or any patents Disc may own or in-license is threatened, it could dissuade companies from collaborating with Disc to license, develop or commercialize current or future product candidates.

In addition, the laws of foreign countries may not protect Disc’s rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S. For example, in jurisdictions outside the U.S., a license may not be enforceable unless all the owners of the intellectual property agree or consent to the license. Accordingly, any actual or purported co-owner of Disc’s patent rights could seek monetary or equitable relief requiring Disc to pay it compensation for, or refrain from, exploiting these patents due to such co-ownership. Furthermore, patents have a limited lifespan. In the U.S., and most other jurisdictions in which Disc has undertaken patent filings, the natural expiration of a patent is generally twenty years after it is filed, assuming all maintenance fees are paid. Various extensions may be available, on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis; however, the life of a patent, and thus the protection it affords, is limited. Additionally, Disc’s product candidates may or may not be eligible for such extensions or Disc may not be able to obtain such protections due to procedural or other reasons. Given the amount of time required for the development, testing and regulatory review of new product candidates, patents protecting such candidates might expire before or shortly after such candidates are commercialized. As a result, patents Disc may own or in-license may not provide it with adequate and continuing patent protection sufficient to exclude others from commercializing drugs similar or identical to Disc’s current or future product candidates, including generic versions of such drugs.

Other parties have developed technologies that may be related or competitive to Disc’s own, and such parties may have filed or may file patent applications, or may have received or may receive patents, claiming inventions that may overlap or conflict with those claimed in Disc’s own patent applications or issued patents, with respect to either the same compounds, methods, formulations or other subject matter, in either case that Disc may rely upon to dominate its patent position in the market. Publications of discoveries in the scientific literature often lag behind the actual discoveries, and patent applications in the U.S. and other jurisdictions are typically not published until at least 18 months after the earliest priority date of the patent filing, or, in some cases, not at all. Therefore, Disc cannot know with certainty whether it was the first to make the inventions claimed in patents it may own or in-license patents or pending patent applications, or that it was the first to file for patent protection of such inventions. As a result, the issuance, scope, validity, enforceability and commercial value of Disc’s patent rights cannot be predicted with any certainty.

In addition, the patent prosecution process is expensive and time-consuming, and Disc may not be able to file and prosecute all necessary or desirable patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner. Further, with respect to certain pending patent applications covering Disc’s current or future product candidates, prosecution has

yet to commence. Patent prosecution is a lengthy process, during which the scope of the claims initially submitted for examination by the relevant patent office(s) may be significantly narrowed by the time they issue, if they ever do. It is also possible that Disc will fail to identify patentable aspects of its research and development output before it is too late to obtain patent protection. Prosecution could require that claim scope narrow such that a clinical or product candidate or program is not adequately protected by the patent. Moreover, in some circumstances, Disc may not have the right to control the preparation, filing and prosecution of patent applications, or to maintain the patents, covering technology that it licenses from or to third parties. Therefore, these patents and applications may not be prosecuted and enforced in a manner consistent with the best interests of Disc’s business.

Even if Disc acquires patent protection that it expects should enable it to establish and/or maintain a competitive advantage, third parties may challenge the validity, enforceability or scope thereof, which may result in such patents being narrowed, invalidated or held unenforceable. The issuance of a patent is not conclusive as to its inventorship, scope, validity or enforceability, and Disc’s patents may be challenged in the courts or patent offices in the U.S. and abroad. Disc may become involved in post-grant proceedings such as opposition, derivation, reexamination, inter partes review, post-grant review, invalidation, or interference proceedings challenging its patent rights or the patent rights of others from whom it may in the future obtain licenses to such rights, in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, the European Patent Office, or EPO, or in other countries. In addition, Disc may be subject to a third-party submission to the USPTO, the EPO, or elsewhere, that may reduce the scope or preclude the granting of claims from its pending patent applications. Competitors may allege that they invented the inventions claimed in Disc’s issued patents or patent applications prior to Disc, or may file patent applications before Disc does. Competitors may also claim that Disc is infringing their patents and that it therefore cannot practice its technology as claimed under its patents or patent applications. Competitors may also contest Disc’s patents by claiming to an administrative patent authority or judge that the invention was not patent-eligible, was not original, was not novel, was obvious, and/or lacked inventive step, and/or that the patent application filing failed to meet relevant requirements relating to description, basis, enablement, clarity, and/or support; in litigation, a competitor could claim that Disc’s patents, if issued, are not valid or are unenforceable for a number of reasons. If a court or administrative patent authority agrees, Disc would lose its protection of those challenged patents.

In addition, Disc may in the future be subject to claims by its former employees or consultants asserting an ownership right in its patents or patent applications, as a result of the work they performed on its behalf. Although Disc generally requires all of its employees, consultants and advisors and any other third parties who have access to its proprietary know-how, information or technology to assign or grant similar rights to their inventions to it, Disc cannot be certain that it has executed such agreements with all parties who may have contributed to its intellectual property, nor can Disc be certain that its agreements with such parties will be upheld in the face of a potential challenge, or that they will not be breached, for which Disc may not have an adequate remedy.

An adverse determination in any such submission or proceeding may result in loss of exclusivity or freedom to operate or in patent claims being narrowed, invalidated or held unenforceable, in whole or in part, which could limit Disc’s ability to stop others from using or commercializing similar or identical technology and drugs, without payment to it, or could limit the duration of the patent protection covering its technology and current or future product candidates. Such challenges may also result in Disc’s inability to manufacture or commercialize its current or future product candidates without infringing third-party patent rights. In addition, if the breadth or strength of protection provided by Disc’s patents and patent applications is threatened, it could dissuade companies from collaborating with it to license, develop or commercialize current or future product candidates.

Even if they are unchallenged, Disc’s issued patents and its pending patent applications, if issued, may not provide Disc with any meaningful protection or prevent competitors from designing around its patent claims to circumvent patents Disc may own or in-license by developing similar or alternative technologies or products in a non-infringing manner. For example, a third-party may develop a competitive product that provides benefits similar to one or more of Disc’s current or future product candidates but that has a different composition that falls outside the scope of its patent protection. If the patent protection provided by the patents and patent applications Disc holds or pursues with respect to its current or future product candidates is not sufficiently broad to impede such competition, its ability to successfully commercialize its current or future product candidates could be negatively affected, which would harm its business.

Furthermore, even if Disc is able to issue patents with claims of valuable scope in one or more jurisdictions, it may not be able to secure such claims in all relevant jurisdictions, or in a sufficient number to meaningfully reduce competition. Disc’s competitors may be able to develop and commercialize their products, including products

identical to its, in any jurisdiction in which Disc is unable to obtain, maintain, or enforce such patent claims. Furthermore, generic manufacturers may develop, seek approval for and launch generic versions of Disc’s products, and may challenge the scope, validity or enforceability of its patents, requiring Disc to engage in complex, lengthy and costly litigation or other proceedings.

Disc also intends to rely on regulatory exclusivity for protection of its product candidates, if approved for commercial sale. Implementation and enforcement of regulatory exclusivity, which may consist of regulatory data protection and market protection, varies widely from country to country. Failure to qualify for regulatory exclusivity, or failure to obtain or to maintain the extent or duration of such protections that Disc expects for its product candidates, if approved, could affect its decision on whether to market the products in a particular country or countries or could otherwise have an adverse impact on its revenue or results of operations.

The USPTO and foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent application process and after issuance of any patent. In addition, periodic maintenance fees, renewal fees, annuity fees and/or various other government fees are required to be paid periodically. While an inadvertent lapse can, in some cases, be cured by payment of a late fee, or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules, there are situations in which noncompliance can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. Noncompliance events that could result in abandonment or lapse of a patent include, but are not limited to, failure to respond to official actions within prescribed time limits, non-payment of fees and failure to properly legalize and submit formal documents. In such an event, Disc’s competitors might be able to enter the market with similar or identical products or platforms, which could have a material adverse effect on its business prospects and financial condition.

Disc’s trademarks or trade names may be challenged, infringed, diluted, circumvented or declared generic or determined to be infringing on other marks. Disc intends to rely on both registration and common law protection for its trademarks. Disc may not be able to protect its rights to these trademarks and trade names or may be forced to stop using these names, which it needs for name recognition by potential partners or customers in its markets of interest. During the trademark registration process, Disc may receive Office Actions from the USPTO or from comparable agencies in foreign jurisdictions objecting to the registration of its trademark. Although Disc would be given an opportunity to respond to those objections, it may be unable to overcome such rejections. In addition, in the USPTO and in comparable agencies in many foreign jurisdictions, third parties are given an opportunity to oppose pending trademark applications and/or to seek the cancellation of registered trademarks. Opposition or cancellation proceedings may be filed against Disc’s trademark applications or registrations, and its trademark applications or registrations may not survive such proceedings. If Disc is unable to obtain a registered trademark or establish name recognition based on its trademarks and trade names, it may not be able to compete effectively and its business may be adversely affected.

In addition to the protection afforded by patents Disc may own or in-license, it seeks to rely on trade secret protection, confidentiality agreements, and license agreements to protect proprietary know-how that may not be patentable, processes for which patents are difficult to enforce and any other elements of its product discovery and development processes that involve proprietary know-how, information, or technology that may not be covered by patents. Although Disc requires all of its employees, consultants, advisors, and any third parties who have access to its proprietary know-how, information, or technology to enter into confidentiality agreements, trade secrets can be difficult to protect and it has limited control over the protection of trade secrets used by its collaborators and

suppliers. Disc cannot be certain that it has or will obtain these agreements in all circumstances and it cannot guarantee that it has entered into such agreements with each party that may have or have had access to its trade secrets or proprietary information.

Moreover, any of these parties might breach the agreements and intentionally or inadvertently disclose its trade secret information and Disc may not be able to obtain adequate remedies for such breaches. In addition, competitors may otherwise gain access to Disc’s trade secrets or independently develop substantially equivalent information and techniques. Furthermore, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect proprietary rights and trade secrets to the same extent or in the same manner as the laws of the U.S. As a result, Disc may encounter significant problems in protecting and defending its intellectual property both in the U.S. and abroad. If Disc is unable to prevent unauthorized material disclosure of its intellectual property to third parties, it will not be able to establish or maintain a competitive advantage in its market, which could materially adversely affect its business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects.

Enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or misappropriated a trade secret is difficult, expensive and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. If Disc chooses to go to court to stop a third party from using any of its trade secrets, it may incur substantial costs. These lawsuits may consume Disc’s time and other resources even if it is successful. Although Disc takes steps to protect its proprietary information and trade secrets, including through contractual means with its employees and consultants, third parties may independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information and techniques or otherwise gain access to its trade secrets or disclose its technology. If any of Disc’s trade secrets were to be lawfully obtained or independently developed by a competitor or other third party, it would have no right to prevent them from using that technology or information to compete with it.

Thus, Disc may not be able to meaningfully protect its trade secrets. It is Disc’s policy to require its employees, consultants, outside scientific collaborators, sponsored researchers and other advisors to execute confidentiality agreements upon the commencement of employment or consulting relationships with it. These agreements provide that all confidential information concerning its business or financial affairs developed or made known to the individual or entity during the course of the party’s relationship with Disc is to be kept confidential and not disclosed to third parties except in specific circumstances. In addition, Disc takes other appropriate precautions, such as physical and technological security measures, to guard against misappropriation of its proprietary technology by third parties. In the case of employees, the agreements provide that all inventions conceived by the individual, and which are related to Disc’s current or planned business or research and development or made during normal working hours, on its premises or using its equipment or proprietary information, are Disc’s exclusive property. Although Disc requires all of its employees to assign their inventions to it, it may be unsuccessful in executing such an agreement with each party who, in fact, conceives or develops intellectual property that Disc regards as its own. The assignment of intellectual property rights may not be self-executing, or the assignment agreements may be ineffective or breached, and Disc may be forced to bring claims against third parties, or defend claims that they may bring against it, to determine the ownership of what Disc regards as its intellectual property. Such claims could have a material adverse effect on Disc’s business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

Competitors may infringe any patents Disc may own or in-license. In addition, any patents Disc may own or in-license also may become involved in inventorship, priority, validity or unenforceability disputes. To counter infringement or unauthorized use, Disc may be required to file infringement claims, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Disc may not prevail in any lawsuits that it initiates, and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. In addition, in an infringement proceeding, a court may decide that one or more of any patents Disc may own or in-license is not valid or is unenforceable or that the other party’s use of its technology that may be patented falls under the safe harbor to patent infringement under 35 U.S.C. § 271(e)(1). There is also the risk that, even if the validity of these patents is upheld, the court may refuse to stop the other party from using the technology at issue on the grounds that any patents Disc may own or in-license do not cover the technology in question or that such third-party’s activities do not infringe its patent applications or any patents it may own or in-license. An adverse result in any litigation or defense proceedings could put one or more of any patents Disc may own or in-license at risk of being invalidated, held unenforceable, or interpreted narrowly and could put its patent applications at risk of not issuing. Such litigation or proceedings could substantially increase Disc’s operating losses and reduce the resources available for development activities or any future sales, marketing, patient

support or distribution activities. Disc may not have sufficient financial or other resources to conduct such litigation or proceedings adequately. Some of Disc’s competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such litigation or proceedings more effectively than Disc can because of its greater financial resources and more mature and developed intellectual property portfolios. Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of patent litigation or other proceedings could have a material adverse effect on Disc’s ability to compete in the marketplace.

Post-grant proceedings provoked by third parties or brought by or before the USPTO or other patent granting authority may be necessary to determine the validity or priority of inventions with respect to Disc’s patent applications or any patents Disc may own or in-license. These proceedings are expensive and an unfavorable outcome could result in a loss of Disc’s current patent rights and could require Disc to cease using the related technology or to attempt to license rights to it from the prevailing party. Disc’s business could be harmed if the prevailing party does not offer it a license on commercially reasonable terms. In addition to potential USPTO post-grant proceedings, Disc may become a party to patent opposition proceedings in the EPO, or similar proceedings in other foreign patent offices or courts where its patents may be challenged. The costs of these proceedings could be substantial, and may result in a loss of scope of some claims or a loss of the entire patent. An unfavorable result in a post-grant challenge proceeding may result in the loss of Disc’s right to exclude others from practicing one or more of its inventions in the relevant country or jurisdiction, which could have a material adverse effect on its business. Litigation or post-grant proceedings within patent offices may result in a decision adverse to Disc’s interests and, even if Disc is successful, may result in substantial costs and distract its management and other employees. Disc may not be able to prevent, misappropriation of its trade secrets or confidential information, particularly in countries where the laws may not protect those rights as fully as in the U.S.

Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of Disc’s confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. In addition, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial adverse effect on the price of Disc’s common stock.

Disc may not be able to detect infringement against any patents it may own or in-license. Even if it detects infringement by a third party of any patents it may own or in-license, it may choose not to pursue litigation against or settlement with the third party. If Disc later sues such third-party for patent infringement, the third-party may have certain legal defenses available to it, which otherwise would not be available except for the delay between when the infringement was first detected and when the suit was brought. Such legal defenses may make it impossible for Disc to enforce any patents it may own or in-license against such third party.

Even if resolved in Disc’s favor, litigation or other legal proceedings relating to intellectual property claims may cause Disc to incur significant expenses, and could distract its technical and management personnel from their normal responsibilities. In addition, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments and if securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial adverse effect on the price of Disc’s common stock. Such litigation or proceedings could substantially increase its operating losses and reduce the resources available for development activities or any future sales, marketing, patient support or distribution activities. Disc may not have sufficient financial or other resources to conduct such litigation or proceedings adequately. As noted above, some of Disc’s competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such litigation or proceedings more effectively than Disc can because of their greater financial resources. Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of patent litigation or other proceedings could compromise Disc’s ability to compete in the marketplace, including compromising its ability to raise the funds necessary to continue its clinical trials, continue its research programs, license necessary technology from third parties, or enter into development collaborations that would help it commercialize its current or future product candidates, if approved. Any of the foregoing events would harm Disc’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

The intellectual property landscape relevant to Disc’s product candidates and programs is crowded, and third parties may initiate legal proceedings alleging that Disc is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating their intellectual property rights, the outcome of which would be uncertain and could have a material adverse effect on the success of its business. Disc’s commercial success depends upon its ability to develop, manufacture, market and sell its current and future product candidates and use its proprietary technologies without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the intellectual property rights of third parties. There is a substantial amount of litigation involving patents and other intellectual property rights in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, as well as administrative proceedings for challenging patents, including derivation, interference, reexamination, inter partes review and post grant review proceedings before the USPTO or oppositions and other comparable proceedings in foreign jurisdictions. Disc or any of its current or future licensors or strategic partners may be party to, exposed to, or threatened with, future adversarial proceedings or litigation by third parties having patent or other intellectual property rights alleging that its current or future product candidates and/or proprietary technologies infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate their intellectual property rights. Disc cannot assure you that its current or future product candidates and other technologies that it has developed, are developing or may develop in the future do not or will not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate existing or future patents or other valid intellectual property rights owned by third parties. For example, many of Disc’s employees were previously employed at other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies. Although Disc tries to ensure that its employees, consultants and advisors do not use the proprietary information or know-how of others in their work for it, it may be subject to claims that it or these individuals have used or disclosed intellectual property, including trade secrets or other proprietary information, of any such individual’s former employer. Disc may also be subject to claims that patents and applications it has filed to protect inventions of its employees, consultants and advisors, even those related to one or more of its current or future product candidates, are rightfully owned by their former or concurrent employer. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims.

While certain activities related to development and clinical testing of Disc’s current or future product candidates may be subject to safe harbor of patent infringement, such as under 35 U.S.C. §271(e)(1), upon receiving regulatory approval for such candidates Disc or any of its current or future licensors or strategic partners may immediately become party to, exposed to, or threatened with, future adversarial proceedings or litigation by third parties having patent or other intellectual property rights alleging that such product candidates infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate their intellectual property rights. Numerous U.S. and foreign issued patents and pending patent applications, which are owned by third parties, exist in the fields in which Disc is developing its current or future product candidates. As the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries expand and more patents are issued, the risk increases that Disc’s current or future product candidates may give rise to claims of infringement of the patent rights of others. Moreover, it is not always clear to industry participants, including Disc, which patents cover various types of drugs, products or their methods of use or manufacture. Thus, because of the large number of patents issued and patent applications filed in Disc’s fields, there may be a risk that third parties may allege they have patent rights encompassing its current or future product candidates, technologies or methods.

If a third party claims that Disc infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates its intellectual property rights, it may face a number of issues, including, but not limited to:

Some of Disc’s competitors may be able to sustain the costs of complex patent litigation more effectively than Disc can because they have substantially greater resources. In addition, any uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of any litigation could have a material adverse effect on Disc’s ability to raise the funds necessary to continue its operations or could otherwise have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on Disc’s business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects

Disc may choose to challenge the patentability of claims in a third party’s U.S. patent by requesting that the USPTO review the patent claims in an ex-parte re-exam, inter partes review or post-grant review proceedings. These proceedings are expensive and may consume Disc’s time or other resources. Disc may choose to challenge a third party’s patent in patent opposition proceedings in the EPO, or other foreign patent office. The costs of these opposition proceedings could be substantial, and may consume Disc’s time or other resources. If Disc fails to obtain a favorable result at the USPTO, EPO or other patent office then it may be exposed to litigation by a third party alleging that the patent may be infringed by its current or future product candidates or proprietary technologies.

Third parties may assert that Disc is employing their proprietary technology without authorization. Patents issued in the U.S. by law enjoy a presumption of validity that can be rebutted in U.S. courts only with evidence that is “clear and convincing,” a heightened standard of proof. There may be issued third-party patents of which Disc is currently unaware with claims to compositions, formulations, methods of manufacture or methods for treatment related to the use or manufacture of its current or future product candidates. Patent applications can take many years to issue. In addition, because some patent applications in the U.S. may be maintained in secrecy until the patents are issued, patent applications in the U.S. and many foreign jurisdictions are typically not published until 18 months after their earliest priority filing date, and publications in the scientific literature often lag behind actual discoveries, Disc cannot be certain that others have not filed patent applications covering its current or future product candidates or technology. If any such patent applications issue as patents, and if such patents have priority over Disc’s patent applications or patents it may own or in-license, Disc may be required to obtain rights to such patents owned by third parties which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or may only be available on a non-exclusive basis. There may be currently pending third-party patent applications which may later result in issued patents that Disc’s current or future product candidates may infringe. It is also possible that patents owned by third parties of which Disc is aware, but which Disc does not believe are relevant to its current or future product candidates or other technologies, could be found to be infringed by its current or future product candidates or other technologies. In addition, third parties may obtain patents in the future and claim that use of Disc’s technologies infringes upon these patents. Moreover, Disc may fail to identify relevant patents or incorrectly conclude that a patent is invalid, not enforceable, exhausted, or not infringed by its activities. If any third-party patents were held by a court of competent jurisdiction to cover the manufacturing process of Disc’ current or future product candidates, molecules used in or formed during the manufacturing process, or any final product itself, the holders of any such patents may be able to block Disc’ ability to commercialize the product candidate unless it obtained a license under the applicable patents, or until such patents expire or they are finally determined to be held invalid or unenforceable. Similarly, if any third-party patent were held by a court of competent jurisdiction to cover aspects of Disc’s formulations, processes for manufacture or methods of use, including patient selection methods, the holders of any such patent may be able

to block its ability to develop and commercialize the product candidate unless it obtained a license or until such patent expires or is finally determined to be held invalid or unenforceable. In either case, such a license may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If Disc is unable to obtain a necessary license to a third-party patent on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, its ability to commercialize its current or future product candidates may be impaired or delayed, which could in turn significantly harm its business. Even if Disc obtains a license, it may be nonexclusive, thereby giving its competitors access to the same technologies licensed to it.

Parties making claims against Disc may seek and obtain injunctive or other equitable relief, which could effectively block its ability to further develop and commercialize its current or future product candidates. Defense of these claims, regardless of their merit, could involve substantial litigation expense and would be a substantial diversion of employee resources from Disc’s business. In the event of a successful claim of infringement, misappropriation or other violation against it, Disc may have to pay substantial damages, including treble damages and attorneys’ fees for willful infringement, obtain one or more licenses from third parties, pay royalties or redesign its infringing products, which may be impossible or require substantial time and monetary expenditure. Disc cannot predict whether any such license would be available at all or whether it would be available on commercially reasonable terms. Furthermore, even in the absence of litigation, Disc may need or may choose to obtain licenses from third parties to advance its research or allow commercialization of its current or future product candidates. Disc may fail to obtain any of these licenses at a reasonable cost or on reasonable terms, if at all. In that event, it would be unable to further develop and commercialize its current or future product candidates, which could harm its business significantly.

Disc may not be able to pursue patent coverage of its current or future product candidates in all countries. Filing, prosecuting and defending patents on current or future product candidates in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive, and intellectual property rights in some countries outside the U.S. can be less extensive than those in the U.S. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as federal and state laws in the U.S. Consequently, Disc may not be able to prevent third parties from practicing its inventions in all countries outside the U.S., or from selling or importing products made using its inventions in and into the U.S. or other jurisdictions. Competitors may use Disc’s technologies in jurisdictions where it has not obtained patent protection to develop their own products and further, may export otherwise infringing products to territories where Disc has patent protection, but where enforcement is not as strong as that in the U.S. These products may compete with Disc’s current or future product candidates and in jurisdictions where it does not have any issued patents, its patent applications or other intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent them from competing. Much of Disc’s patent portfolio is at the very early stage. Disc will need to decide whether and in which jurisdictions to pursue protection for the various inventions in its portfolio prior to applicable deadlines.

Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property protection, particularly those relating to biopharmaceutical products and/or methods of using biopharmaceutical products, which could make it difficult for Disc to stop the infringement of any patents it may own or in-license or marketing of competing products in violation of its proprietary rights generally. Proceedings to enforce any rights Disc may have in its patent applications or any patents it may own or in-license in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial costs and divert its efforts and attention from other aspects of its business, could put any patents it may own or in-license at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and its patent applications at risk of not issuing and could provoke third parties to assert claims against it. Disc may not prevail in any lawsuits that it initiates and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. Accordingly, Disc’s efforts to enforce its intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that it develops or licenses.

Many countries have compulsory licensing laws under which a patent owner may be compelled to grant licenses to third parties. In addition, many countries limit the enforceability of patents against government agencies or government contractors. In these countries, the patent owner may have limited remedies, which could materially

diminish the value of such patent. If Disc is forced to grant a license to third parties with respect to any patents it may own or license that are relevant to its business, its competitive position may be impaired, and its business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may be adversely affected.

It may be necessary for Disc to use the patented or proprietary technology of third parties to commercialize its products, in which case it would be required to obtain a license from these third parties. The licensing of third-party intellectual property rights is a competitive area, and more established companies may pursue strategies to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights that Disc may consider attractive or necessary. More established companies may have a competitive advantage over Disc due to their size, capital resources and greater clinical development and commercialization capabilities. In addition, companies that perceive Disc to be a competitor may be unwilling to assign or license rights to it. Disc also may be unable to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights on terms that would allow it to make an appropriate return on its investment or at all. If Disc is unable to license such technology, or if it is forced to license such technology on unfavorable terms, its business could be materially harmed. If Disc is unable to obtain a necessary license, it may be unable to develop or commercialize the affected current or future product candidates, which could materially harm its business, and the third parties owning such intellectual property rights could seek either an injunction prohibiting its sales, or, with respect to its sales, an obligation on its part to pay royalties or other forms of compensation. Even if Disc is able to obtain a license, it may be non-exclusive, thereby giving its competitors access to the same technologies licensed to it. Any of the foregoing could harm its competitive position, business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Disc is party to license agreements with Roche and AbbVie and it may from time to time in the future be party to other license and collaboration agreements with third parties to advance its research or allow commercialization of current or future product candidates. Such agreements may impose numerous obligations, such as development, diligence, payment, commercialization, funding, milestone, royalty, sublicensing, insurance, patent prosecution, enforcement and other obligations on Disc and may require it to meet development timelines, or to exercise commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize licensed products, in order to maintain the licenses. See “Disc's Business—Collaborations and License Agreement” for more information regarding Disc’s license agreements with Roche and AbbVie. In spite of Disc’s best efforts, its licensors might conclude that it has materially breached its license agreements and might therefore terminate the license agreements, thereby removing or limiting its ability to develop and commercialize products and technologies covered by these license agreements.

Any termination of these licenses, or if the underlying patents fail to provide the intended exclusivity, could result in the loss of significant rights and could harm Disc’s ability to commercialize its current or future product candidates, and competitors or other third parties would have the freedom to seek regulatory approval of, and to market, products identical to Disc’s and it may be required to cease its development and commercialization of certain of its current or future product candidates. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on Disc’s competitive position, business, financial conditions, results of operations, and prospects.

Disputes may also arise between Disc and its licensors regarding intellectual property subject to a license agreement, including:

In addition, the agreements under which Disc may license intellectual property or technology from third parties are likely to be complex, and certain provisions in such agreements may be susceptible to multiple interpretations. The resolution of any contract interpretation disagreement that may arise could narrow what Disc believes to be the scope of its rights to the relevant intellectual property or technology, or increase what it believes to be its financial or other obligations under the relevant agreement, either of which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Moreover, if disputes over intellectual property that Disc may license prevent or impair its ability to maintain future licensing arrangements on acceptable terms, it may be unable to successfully develop and commercialize the affected current or future product candidates, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial conditions, results of operations and prospects.

If Disc or its licensors or strategic partners initiate legal proceedings against a third party to enforce a patent covering one of its current or future product candidates, the defendant could counterclaim that the patent covering its product candidate, as applicable, is invalid and/or unenforceable. In patent litigation in the U.S., defendant counterclaims alleging invalidity and/or unenforceability are commonplace, and there are numerous grounds upon which a third party can assert invalidity or unenforceability of a patent. Grounds for a validity challenge could be an alleged failure to meet any of several statutory requirements, including lack of patentable subject matter, lack of written description, lack of novelty, obviousness, or non-enablement. Grounds for an unenforceability assertion could be an allegation that someone connected with prosecution of the patent withheld relevant information from the USPTO that was material to patentability, or made a misleading statement, in the process of obtaining the patent during patent prosecution. Third parties may also raise similar claims before administrative bodies in the U.S. or abroad, even outside the context of litigation. Such mechanisms include re-examination, inter partes review, post grant review and equivalent proceedings in foreign jurisdictions (such as opposition proceedings). Such proceedings could result in revocation or amendment to Disc’s patent applications or any patents it may own or in-license in such a way that they no longer cover its current or future product candidates. The outcome following legal assertions of invalidity and unenforceability is unpredictable. An adverse determination in any such submission, proceeding or litigation could reduce the scope of, or invalidate or render unenforceable, any rights Disc may have from its patent applications or any patents it may own or in-license, allow third parties to commercialize its current or future product candidates or other technologies and compete directly with it, without payment to it, or result in its inability to manufacture or commercialize products without infringing third-party patent rights. Moreover, Disc may have to participate in interference proceedings declared by the USPTO to determine priority of invention or in post-grant challenge proceedings, such as oppositions in a foreign patent office, that challenge its or its current or future licensors’ priority of invention or other features of patentability with respect to its patent applications and any patents it may own or in-license. Such challenges may result in loss of patent rights, loss of exclusivity, or in patent claims being narrowed, invalidated, or held unenforceable, which could limit Disc’s ability to stop others from using or commercializing similar or identical technology and products, or limit the duration of the patent protection of Disc’s current or future product candidates and other technologies. With respect to the validity question, for example, Disc cannot be certain that there is no invalidating prior art, of which it or its current or future licensing partners and the patent examiner were unaware during prosecution. If a defendant were to prevail on a legal assertion of invalidity and/or unenforceability, or if Disc is otherwise unable to adequately protect its rights, it would lose at least part, and perhaps all, of the patent protection on its current or future product candidates. Such a loss of patent protection could have a material adverse impact on Disc’s business and its ability to commercialize or license its technology and current or future product candidates.

Such proceedings also may result in substantial cost and require significant time from Disc’s scientists and management, even if the eventual outcome is favorable to it. If Disc is unsuccessful in any such proceeding or other priority or inventorship dispute, it may be required to obtain and maintain licenses from third parties, including parties involved in any such interference proceedings or other priority or inventorship disputes. Such licenses may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or may be non-exclusive. If Disc is unable to obtain and maintain such licenses, it may need to cease the development, manufacture, and commercialization of one or more

of the current or future product candidates it may develop. The loss of exclusivity or the narrowing of Disc’s patent application claims could limit its ability to stop others from using or commercializing similar or identical technology and products. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on Disc’s business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.

As is the case with other biopharmaceutical companies, Disc’s success is heavily dependent on intellectual property, particularly patents. Obtaining and enforcing patents in the biopharmaceutical industry involve both technological and legal complexity and is therefore costly, time consuming and inherently uncertain. Recent patent reform legislation in the U.S. and other countries, including the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, or Leahy-Smith Act, signed into law on September 16, 2011, could increase those uncertainties and costs. The Leahy-Smith Act includes a number of significant changes to U.S. patent law. These include provisions that affect the way patent applications are prosecuted, redefine prior art and provide more efficient and cost-effective avenues for competitors to challenge the validity of patents. In addition, the Leahy-Smith Act has transformed the U.S. patent system into a “first inventor to file” system. The first-inventor-to-file provisions, however, only became effective on March 16, 2013. Accordingly, it is not yet clear what, if any, impact the Leahy-Smith Act will have on the operation of Disc’s business. However, the Leahy-Smith Act and its implementation could make it more difficult to obtain patent protection for its inventions and increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of its patent applications and the enforcement or defense of its issued patents, all of which could harm its business, results of operations and financial condition.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on several patent cases in recent years, either narrowing the scope of patent protection available in certain circumstances or weakening the rights of patent owners in certain situations. Additionally, there have been recent proposals for additional changes to the patent laws of the U.S. and other countries that, if adopted, could impact Disc’s ability to obtain patent protection for its proprietary technology or its ability to enforce its proprietary technology. Depending on future actions by the U.S. Congress, the U.S. courts, the USPTO and the relevant law-making bodies in other countries, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways that would weaken Disc’s ability to obtain new patents or to enforce its existing patents and patents that it might obtain in the future.

Disc cannot guarantee that any of its or its licensors’ patent searches or analyses, including the identification of relevant patents, the scope of patent claims or the expiration of relevant patents, are complete or thorough, nor can Disc be certain that it has identified each and every third-party patent and pending patent application in the U.S. and abroad that is relevant to or necessary for the commercialization of its current or future product candidates in any jurisdiction. For example, U.S. patent applications filed before November 29, 2000 and certain U.S. patent applications filed after that date that will not be filed outside the U.S. remain confidential until patents issue. As mentioned above, patent applications in the U.S. and elsewhere are published approximately 18 months after the earliest filing for which priority is claimed, with such earliest filing date being commonly referred to as the priority date. Therefore, patent applications covering Disc’s current or future product candidates could have been filed by third parties without its knowledge. Additionally, pending patent applications that have been published can, subject to certain limitations, be later amended in a manner that could cover Disc’s current or future product candidates or the use of its current or future product candidates. The scope of a patent claim is determined by an interpretation of the law, the written disclosure in a patent and the patent’s prosecution history. Disc’s interpretation of the relevance or the scope and/or validity of a patent or a pending application may be incorrect, which may negatively impact its ability to market its current or future product candidates. Disc may incorrectly determine that its current or future product candidates are not covered by a third-party patent or may incorrectly predict whether a third party’s pending application will issue with claims of relevant scope. Disc’s determination of the expiration date of any patent in the U.S. or abroad that it considers relevant may be incorrect, which may negatively impact its ability to develop and market its current or future product candidates. Disc’s failure to identify and correctly interpret relevant patents may negatively impact its ability to develop and market its current or future product candidates.

If Disc fails to identify and correctly interpret relevant patents, it may be subject to infringement claims. Disc cannot guarantee that it will be able to successfully settle or otherwise resolve such infringement claims. If Disc fails in any

such dispute, in addition to being forced to pay damages, which may be significant, it may be temporarily or permanently prohibited from commercializing any of its current or future product candidates that are held to be infringing. Disc might, if possible, also be forced to redesign current or future product candidates so that it no longer infringes the third-party intellectual property rights. Any of these events, even if Disc were ultimately to prevail, could require it to divert substantial financial and management resources that it would otherwise be able to devote to its business and could adversely affect its business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

The degree of future protection afforded by Disc’s intellectual property rights, whether owned or in-licensed, is uncertain because intellectual property rights have limitations, and may not adequately protect its business, provide a barrier to entry against its competitors or potential competitors, or permit it to maintain its competitive advantage. Moreover, if a third party has intellectual property rights that cover the practice of Disc’s technology, it may not be able to fully exercise or extract value from its intellectual property rights. The following examples are illustrative:

Should any of these events occur, they could significantly harm Disc’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Obtaining and maintaining regulatory approval of Disc’s product candidates in one jurisdiction does not guarantee that it will be able to obtain or maintain regulatory approval in any other jurisdiction, while a failure or delay in obtaining regulatory approval in one jurisdiction may have a negative effect on the regulatory approval process in others. For example, even if the FDA grants regulatory approval of a product candidate, comparable regulatory authorities in foreign jurisdictions must also approve the manufacturing, marketing and promotion of the product candidate in those countries. Approval procedures vary among jurisdictions and can involve requirements and administrative review periods different from, and greater than, those in the United States, including additional preclinical studies or clinical trials as clinical trials conducted in one jurisdiction may not be accepted by regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions. In short, the foreign regulatory approval process involves all of the risks associated with FDA approval. In many jurisdictions outside the United States, a product candidate must be approved for reimbursement before it can be approved for sale in that jurisdiction. In some cases, the price that Disc may intend to charge for its products will also be subject to approval.

Disc may also submit marketing applications in other countries. Regulatory authorities in jurisdictions outside of the United States have requirements for approval of product candidates with which Disc must comply prior to marketing in those jurisdictions. Obtaining foreign regulatory approvals and compliance with foreign regulatory requirements could result in significant delays, difficulties and costs for Disc and could delay or prevent the introduction of its products in certain countries. If Disc fails to comply with the regulatory requirements in international markets and/or receive applicable regulatory approvals, its target market will be reduced and its ability to realize the full market potential of its product candidates will be harmed.

If the FDA determines that a product candidate offers a treatment for a serious condition and, if approved, the product would provide a significant improvement in safety or effectiveness, the FDA may designate the product candidate for priority review. A priority review designation means that the goal for the FDA to review an application is six months, rather than the standard review period of ten months. Disc may request priority review for its product candidates. The FDA has broad discretion with respect to whether or not to grant priority review status to a product candidate, so even if Disc believes a particular product candidate is eligible for such designation or status, the FDA may decide not to grant it. Moreover, a priority review designation does not necessarily result in an expedited regulatory review or approval process or necessarily confer any advantage with respect to approval compared to conventional FDA procedures. Receiving priority review from the FDA does not guarantee approval within the six-month review cycle or at all.

As part of its business strategy, Disc may seek orphan drug designation for certain of its product candidates, and it may be unsuccessful. Regulatory authorities in some jurisdictions, including the United States and Europe, may designate drugs for relatively small patient populations as orphan drugs. Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may designate a drug or biologic as an orphan drug if it is a product intended to treat a rare disease or condition, which is generally defined as a patient population of fewer than 200,000 individuals annually in the United States, or a patient population of 200,000 or more in the United States where there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing the product will be recovered from sales in the United States. In the United States, orphan drug designation entitles a party to financial incentives such as opportunities for grant funding towards clinical trial costs, tax advantages and user-fee waivers.

Similarly, in Europe, the European Commission, upon the recommendation of the EMA’s Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products, grants orphan drug designation to promote the development of drugs that are intended for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of life-threatening or chronically debilitating conditions affecting not more than 5 in 10,000 persons in Europe and for which no satisfactory method of diagnosis, prevention, or treatment has been authorized (or the product would be a significant benefit to those affected). Additionally, designation is granted for

drugs intended for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a life-threatening, seriously debilitating or serious and chronic condition and when, without incentives, it is unlikely that sales of the drug in Europe would be sufficient to justify the necessary investment in developing the drug. In Europe, orphan drug designation entitles a party to financial incentives such as reduction of fees or fee waivers.

Generally, if a product with an orphan drug designation subsequently receives the first regulatory approval for the indication for which it has such designation, the product is entitled to a period of marketing exclusivity, which precludes the FDA or the EMA from approving another marketing application for the same product and indication for that time period, except in limited circumstances. The applicable period is seven years in the United States and ten years in Europe. The European exclusivity period can be reduced to six years if a product no longer meets the criteria for orphan drug designation or if the product is sufficiently profitable so that market exclusivity is no longer justified.

Even if Disc obtains orphan drug exclusivity for one of its product candidates, that exclusivity may not effectively protect its product candidate from competition because different products can be approved for the same condition. In addition, a designated orphan drug may not receive orphan drug exclusivity if it is approved for a use that is broader than the indication for which it received orphan designation. Moreover, orphan drug exclusive marketing rights in the United States may be lost if the FDA later determines that the request for designation was materially defective or if the manufacturer is unable to assure sufficient quantity of the product to meet the needs of patients with the rare disease or condition or if another product with the same active moiety is determined to be safer, more effective, or represents a major contribution to patient care. Orphan drug designation neither shortens the development time or regulatory review time of a product nor gives the product any advantage in the regulatory review or approval process. While Disc may seek orphan drug designation for its product candidates, it may never receive such designations. Even if it does receive such designations, there is no guarantee that it will enjoy the benefits of those designations.

The FDA may further reevaluate its regulations and policies under the Orphan Drug Act. Disc does not know if, when, or how the FDA may change its orphan drug regulations and policies in the future, and it is uncertain how any changes might affect its business. Depending on what changes the FDA may make to its orphan drug regulations and policies, Disc’s business could be adversely impacted.

Disc may seek rare pediatric disease designation for bitopertin in patients with EPP and XLP. The FDA defines “rare pediatric disease” as a (i) serious or life-threatening disease in which the serious or life-threatening manifestations primarily affect ages from birth to 18 years, including age groups often called neonates, infants, children, and adolescents; and (ii) a rare disease or condition within the meaning of the Orphan Drug Act. Designation of a product candidate as a product for a rare pediatric disease does not guarantee that a marketing application for such product candidate will meet the eligibility criteria for a rare pediatric disease priority review voucher at the time the application is approved. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Disc will need to request a rare pediatric disease priority review voucher in its original marketing application for its product candidates for which it has received rare pediatric disease designation. The FDA may determine that a marketing application for bitopertin, if approved, does not meet the eligibility criteria for a priority review voucher.

Under the current statutory sunset provisions, after September 30, 2024, the FDA may only award a priority review voucher for an approved rare pediatric disease product application if the sponsor has rare pediatric disease designation for the drug or biologic that is the subject of such application, and that designation was granted by September 30, 2024. After September 30, 2026, the FDA may not award any rare pediatric disease priority review vouchers. However, it is possible the authority for FDA to award rare pediatric disease priority review vouchers will be further extended by Congress. As such, if Disc does not obtain approval of a marketing application for bitopertin in patients with EPP and XLP on or before September 30, 2026, and if the priority review voucher program is not extended by Congressional action, it may not receive a priority review voucher.

Disc may seek a breakthrough therapy designation for certain of its product candidates. A breakthrough therapy is defined as a drug or biologic that is intended, alone or in combination with one or more other drugs or biologics, to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug or biologic may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints, such as substantial treatment effects observed early in clinical development. For product candidates that have been designated as breakthrough therapies, interaction and communication between the FDA and the sponsor of the trial can help to identify the most efficient path for clinical development while minimizing the number of patients placed in ineffective control regimens. Products designated as breakthrough therapies by the FDA may also be eligible for priority review and accelerated approval. Designation as a breakthrough therapy is within the discretion of the FDA. Accordingly, even if Disc believes one of its product candidates meets the criteria for designation as a breakthrough therapy, the FDA may disagree and instead determine not to make such designation. In any event, the receipt of a breakthrough therapy designation for a product candidate may not result in a faster development process, review or approval compared to therapies considered for approval under conventional FDA procedures and does not assure ultimate approval by the FDA. In addition, even if one or more of Disc’s product candidates qualify as breakthrough therapies, the FDA may later decide that such product candidates no longer meet the conditions for qualification or decide that the time period for FDA review or approval will not be shortened.

Disc may seek fast track designation for certain of its product candidates. If a drug or biologic is intended for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition and the drug or biologic demonstrates the potential to address unmet medical needs for this condition, the sponsor may apply for fast track designation. The FDA has broad discretion whether or not to grant this designation, so even if Disc believes a particular product candidate is eligible for this designation, it cannot assure you that the FDA would decide to grant it. Even if Disc does receive fast track designation, it may not experience a faster development process, review or approval compared to conventional FDA procedures. The FDA may withdraw fast track designation if it believes that the designation is no longer supported by data from Disc’s clinical development program. Fast track designation alone does not guarantee qualification for the FDA’s priority review procedures.

Disc may seek accelerated approval of its current or future product candidates using the FDA’s accelerated approval pathway. A product may be eligible for accelerated approval if it treats a serious or life-threatening condition and generally provides a meaningful advantage over available therapies. In addition, it must demonstrate an effect on a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit or on a clinical endpoint that can be measured earlier than irreversible morbidity or mortality, or IMM, that is reasonably likely to predict an effect on IMM or other clinical benefit. It is possible that at the time of submission of a marketing application, the FDA may determine that Disc’s product candidate is not eligible for accelerated approval or that accelerated approval is not warranted. Moreover, FDA may revise how it implements accelerated approval, which could negatively affect the development of Disc’s current or future product candidates.

As a condition of approval, the FDA requires that a sponsor of a drug or biologic receiving accelerated approval perform adequate and well-controlled post-marketing clinical trials. These confirmatory trials must be completed with due diligence. In addition, the FDA currently requires, unless otherwise informed by the agency, pre-approval of promotional materials for products being considered for accelerated approval, which could adversely impact the timing of the commercial launch of the product. Even if Disc does receive accelerated approval, it may not experience a faster development or regulatory review or approval process, and receiving accelerated approval does not provide assurance of ultimate full FDA approval.

Under the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, or the Hatch-Waxman Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or the FDCA, a company may file an abbreviated new drug application,

or ANDA, seeking approval of a generic version of an approved innovator product. Under the Hatch-Waxman Amendments, a company may also submit an NDA under section 505(b)(2) of the FDCA that references the FDA’s prior approval of the innovator product or preclinical studies and/or clinical trials that were not conducted by, or for, the applicant and for which the applicant has not obtained a right of reference. A 505(b)(2) NDA product may be for a new or improved version of the original innovator product. The Hatch-Waxman Amendments also provide for certain periods of regulatory exclusivity, which preclude FDA approval (or in some circumstances, FDA filing and review) of an ANDA or 505(b)(2) NDA. In addition to the benefits of regulatory exclusivity, an innovator NDA holder may have patents claiming the active ingredient, product formulation or an approved use of the drug, which would be listed with the product in the FDA publication “Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations,” known as the Orange Book. If there are patents listed in the Orange Book for the applicable, approved innovator product, a generic or 505(b)(2) applicant that seeks to market its product before expiration of the patents must include in their applications what is known as a “Paragraph IV” certification, challenging the validity or enforceability, or claiming non-infringement, of the listed patent or patents. Notice of the certification must be given to the patent owner and NDA holder and if, within 45 days of receiving notice, either the patent owner or NDA holder sues for patent infringement, approval of the ANDA or 505(b)(2) NDA is stayed for up to 30 months.

Accordingly, if any of Disc’s product candidates that are regulated as drugs are approved, competitors could file ANDAs for generic versions of these products or 505(b)(2) NDAs that reference its products. If there are patents listed for such drug products in the Orange Book, those ANDAs and 505(b)(2) NDAs would be required to include a certification as to each listed patent indicating whether the ANDA applicant does or does not intend to challenge the patent. Disc cannot predict which, if any, patents in its current portfolio or patents it may obtain in the future will be eligible for listing in the Orange Book, how any generic competitor would address such patents, whether it would sue on any such patents or the outcome of any such suit.

Disc may not be successful in securing or maintaining proprietary patent protection for products and technologies it develops or licenses, despite expending a significant amount of resources that could have been focused on other areas of its business. Moreover, if any of Disc’s owned or in-licensed patents that are listed in the Orange Book are successfully challenged by way of a Paragraph IV certification and subsequent litigation, the affected product could immediately face generic competition and its sales would likely decline rapidly and materially.

The Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009, or BPCIA, created an abbreviated approval pathway for biologic products that are biosimilar to or interchangeable with an FDA-licensed reference biologic product. Under the BPCIA, an application for a biosimilar product may not be submitted to the FDA until four years following the date that the reference product was first licensed by the FDA. In addition, the approval of a biosimilar product may not be made effective by the FDA until 12 years from the date on which the reference product was first licensed. During this 12-year period of exclusivity, another company may still market a competing version of the reference product if the FDA approves a BLA for the competing product containing the sponsor’s own preclinical data and data from adequate and well-controlled clinical trials to demonstrate the safety, purity, and potency of the other company’s product. The law is complex and is still being interpreted and implemented by the FDA. As a result, its ultimate impact, implementation, and meaning are subject to uncertainty.

Disc believes that any of its product candidates approved as a biologic product under a BLA should qualify for the 12-year period of exclusivity. However, there is a risk that this exclusivity could be shortened due to congressional action or otherwise, or that the FDA will not consider Disc’s investigational medicines to be reference products for competing products, potentially creating the opportunity for generic competition sooner than anticipated. Other aspects of the BPCIA, some of which may impact the BPCIA exclusivity provisions, have also been the subject of recent litigation. Moreover, the extent to which a biosimilar, once licensed, will be substituted for any one of Disc’s reference products in a way that is similar to traditional generic substitution for non-biologic products is not yet clear, and will depend on a number of marketplace and regulatory factors that are still developing. If competitors are able to obtain regulatory approval for biosimilars referencing Disc’s products, Disc’s products may become subject to competition from such biosimilars, with the attendant competitive pressure and consequences.

The FDA, the EMA and regulatory authorities in other countries have each expressed interest in further regulating biotechnology products. Agencies at both the federal and state level in the United States, as well as the U.S. Congressional committees and other governments or governing agencies, have also expressed interest in further regulating the biotechnology industry. Such action may delay or prevent commercialization of some or all of Disc’s product candidates. Adverse developments in clinical trials of products conducted by others may cause the FDA or other oversight bodies to change the requirements for approval of any of Disc’s product candidates. These regulatory review agencies and committees and the new requirements or guidelines they promulgate may lengthen the regulatory review process, require Disc to perform additional studies or trials, increase its development costs, lead to changes in regulatory positions and interpretations, delay or prevent approval and commercialization of its product candidates or lead to significant post-approval limitations or restrictions. As Disc advances its product candidates, it will be required to consult with these regulatory agencies and comply with applicable requirements and guidelines. If it fails to do so, it may be required to delay or discontinue development of such product candidates. These additional processes may result in a review and approval process that is longer than Disc otherwise would have expected. Delays as a result of an increased or lengthier regulatory approval process or further restrictions on the development of Disc’s product candidates can be costly and could negatively impact its ability to complete clinical trials and commercialize its current and future product candidates in a timely manner, if at all.

If any of Disc’s product candidates are approved and it is found to have improperly promoted off-label uses of those products, it may become subject to significant liability. The FDA and other regulatory agencies strictly regulate the promotional claims that may be made about prescription products, if approved. In particular, while the FDA permits the dissemination of truthful and non-misleading information about an approved product, a manufacturer may not promote a product for uses that are not approved by the FDA or such other regulatory agencies as reflected in the product’s approved labeling. If Disc is found to have promoted such off-label uses, it may become subject to significant liability. The federal government has levied large civil and criminal fines against companies for alleged improper promotion of off-label use and has enjoined several companies from engaging in off-label promotion. The FDA has also requested that companies enter into consent decrees, corporate integrity agreements or permanent injunctions under which specified promotional conduct must be changed or curtailed. If Disc cannot successfully manage the promotion of its product candidates, if approved, it could become subject to significant liability, which would materially adversely affect its business and financial condition.

The ability of the FDA to review and approve new products can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding levels, ability to hire and retain key personnel and accept the payment of user fees, and statutory, regulatory and policy changes. Average review times at the agency have fluctuated in recent years as a result. Disruptions at the FDA and other agencies may also slow the time necessary for new product candidates to be reviewed and/or approved by necessary government agencies, which would adversely affect Disc’s business. In addition, government funding of the SEC and other government agencies on which Disc’s operations may rely, including those that fund research and development activities, is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable.

Disruptions at the FDA and other agencies may also slow the time necessary for new product candidates to be reviewed and/or approved by necessary government agencies, which would adversely affect Disc’s business. For example, over the last several years the U.S. government has shut down several times and certain regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and the SEC, have had to furlough critical FDA, SEC and other government employees and stop critical activities. If a prolonged government shutdown occurs, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA to timely review and process Disc’s regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on its business. Further, future government shutdowns could impact its ability to access the public markets and obtain necessary capital in order to properly capitalize and continue its operations.

Separately, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, since March 2020 when foreign and domestic inspections of facilities were largely placed on hold, the FDA has been working to resume pre-pandemic levels of inspection activities, including routine surveillance, bioresearch monitoring and pre-approval inspections. Should FDA determine that an inspection is necessary for approval and an inspection cannot be completed during the review cycle due to restrictions on travel, and the FDA does not determine a remote interactive evaluation to be adequate, the FDA has stated that it generally intends to issue, depending on the circumstances, a complete response letter or defer action on the application until an inspection can be completed. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, a number of companies announced receipt of complete response letters due to the FDA’s inability to complete required inspections for their applications. The FDA has noted it was continuing to ensure timely reviews of applications for medical products during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in line with its user fee performance goals and conducting mission critical domestic and foreign inspections to ensure compliance of manufacturing facilities with FDA quality standards. However, the FDA may not be able to continue its current pace and review timelines could be extended, including where a pre-approval inspection or an inspection of clinical sites is required and due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, the FDA is unable to complete such required inspections during the review period. Regulatory authorities outside the U.S. may adopt similar restrictions or other policy measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and may experience delays in their regulatory activities. If a prolonged government shutdown or other disruption occurs, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA to timely review and process Disc’s regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on its business. Future shutdowns or other disruptions could also affect other government agencies such as the SEC, which may also impact Disc’s business by delaying review of its public filings, to the extent such review is necessary, and its ability to access the public markets.

The U.S. and many foreign jurisdictions have enacted or proposed legislative and regulatory changes affecting the U.S. and global healthcare systems that could prevent or delay regulatory approval of Disc’s current or future product candidates or any future product candidates, restrict or regulate post-approval activities and affect its ability to profitably sell a product for which it obtains regulatory approval. Changes in regulations, statutes or the interpretation of existing regulations could impact Disc’s business in the future by requiring, for example: (i) changes to its manufacturing arrangements, (ii) additions or modifications to product labeling, (iii) the recall or discontinuation of its products or (iv) additional record-keeping requirements. If any such changes were to be imposed, they could adversely affect the operation of Disc’s business. In the U.S., there have been and continue to be, on-going legislative initiatives to contain healthcare costs. For example, in March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or the ACA, was passed, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, which substantially changed the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private insurers, and significantly impacted the U.S. pharmaceutical industry. The ACA, among other things, subjects biological products to potential competition by lower-cost biosimilars, addresses a new methodology by which rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program are calculated for drugs that are inhaled, infused, instilled, implanted or injected, increases the minimum Medicaid rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, and extends the rebate program to individuals enrolled in Medicaid managed care organizations, establishes annual fees and taxes on manufacturers of certain branded prescription drugs, and creates a new Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program, in which manufacturers must agree to offer 50% (increased to 70% pursuant to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, effective as of 2019) point-of-sale discounts off negotiated prices of applicable brand drugs to eligible beneficiaries during their coverage gap period, as a condition for the manufacturer’s outpatient drugs to be covered under Medicare Part D. Since then, the ACA risk adjustment program payment parameters have been updated annually.

Since the ACA's enactment, there have been numerous judicial, administrative, executive, and legislative challenges to certain aspects of the ACA and we expect that there will be additional challenges and amendments to the ACA in the future. On June 17, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the most recent judicial challenge to the ACA brought by several states without specifically ruling on the constitutionality of the ACA. Prior to the Supreme Court’s decision, President Biden issued an Executive Order to initiate a special enrollment period from February 15, 2021 through August 15, 2021 for purposes of obtaining health insurance coverage through the ACA marketplace. The Executive Order also instructed certain governmental agencies to review and reconsider their existing policies and rules that limit access to healthcare, including among others, reexamining Medicaid demonstration projects and waiver programs that include work requirements, and policies that create unnecessary barriers to obtaining access to

health insurance coverage through Medicaid or the ACA. It is unclear how other healthcare reform measures of the Biden administrations or other efforts, if any, to challenge repeal or replace the ACA, will impact Disc’s business.

In addition, other legislative and regulatory changes have been proposed and adopted in the United States since the ACA was enacted:

There has been increasing legislative and enforcement interest in the U.S. with respect to specialty drug pricing practices. Specifically, there have been several recent U.S. Congressional inquiries and proposed federal and state legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to drug pricing, reduce the cost of prescription drugs under Medicare, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for drugs. At the federal level, President Biden signed an Executive Order on July 9, 2021 affirming the administration’s policy to: (i) support legislative reforms that would lower the prices of prescription drug and biologics, including by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, by imposing inflation caps, and, by supporting the development and market entry of lower-cost generic drugs and biosimilars; and (ii) support the enactment of a public health insurance option. Among other things, the Executive Order also directs HHS to provide a report on actions to combat excessive pricing of prescription drugs, enhance the domestic drug supply chain, reduce the price that the Federal government pays for drugs, and address price gouging in the industry; and directs the FDA to work with states and Indian Tribes that propose to develop section 804 Importation Programs in accordance with the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, and the FDA’s implementing regulations, as well as to continue to clarify and improve the approval framework for generic drugs and biosimilars, including the standards for interchangeability of biological products, facilitate the development and approval of biosimilar and interchangeable products, clarify existing requirements and procedures related to the review and submission of BLAs, and identify and address any efforts to impede generic drug and biosimilar competition. FDA released such implementing regulations on September 24, 2020, which went into effect on November 30, 2020, providing guidance for states to build and submit importation plans for drugs from Canada. On September 25, 2020, CMS stated drugs imported by states under this rule will not be eligible for federal rebates under Section 1927 of the Social Security Act and manufacturers would not report these drugs for “best price” or Average Manufacturer Price purposes. Since these drugs are not considered covered outpatient drugs, CMS further stated it will not publish a National Average Drug Acquisition Cost for these drugs. If implemented, importation of drugs from Canada may materially and adversely affect the price Disc receives for any of its product candidates. Further, on November 20, 2020 CMS issued an Interim Final Rule implementing the Most Favored Nation, or MFN,

Model under which Medicare Part B reimbursement rates would have been calculated for certain drugs and biologicals based on the lowest price drug manufacturers receive in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries with a similar gross domestic product per capita. However, on December 29, 2021, CMS rescinded the Most Favored Nations rule. Additionally, on November 30, 2020, HHS published a regulation removing safe harbor protection for price reductions from pharmaceutical manufacturers to plan sponsors under Part D, either directly or through pharmacy benefit managers, unless the price reduction is required by law. The rule also creates a new safe harbor for price reductions reflected at the point-of-sale, as well as a safe harbor for certain fixed fee arrangements between pharmacy benefit managers and manufacturers. Pursuant to court order, the removal and addition of the aforementioned safe harbors were delayed and recent legislation imposed a moratorium on implementation of the rule until January 1, 2026. This deadline was pushed back further to January 1, 2027 by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and could potentially be pushed back to January 1, 2032 by the Inflation Reduction Act.

On August 7, 2022 the U.S. Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which, among other things, allows for CMS to negotiate prices for certain single-source drugs and biologics reimbursed under Medicare Part B and Part D, beginning with ten high-cost drugs paid for by Medicare Part D starting in 2026, followed by 15 Part D drugs in 2027, 15 Part B or Part D drugs in 2028, and 20 Part B or Part D drugs in 2029 and beyond. The legislation would also subject drug manufacturers to civil monetary penalties and a potential excise tax for failing to comply with the legislation by offering a price that is not equal to or less than the negotiated “maximum fair price” under the law or for taking price increases that exceed inflation. The legislation would also cap Medicare beneficiaries’ annual out-of-pocket drug expenses at $2,000, and cap Medicare beneficiaries’ insulin costs at $35. President Biden is expected to sign the legislation imminently. The effect of Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 on our business and the healthcare industry in general is not yet known. Although these and other proposed measures may require authorization through additional legislation to become effective, and the Biden administration may reverse or otherwise change these measures, both the Biden administration and Congress have indicated that it will continue to seek new legislative measures to control drug costs.

At the state level, individual states are increasingly aggressive in passing legislation and implementing regulations designed to control pharmaceutical and biological 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. In addition, regional health care authorities and individual hospitals are increasingly using bidding procedures to determine what pharmaceutical products and which suppliers will be included in their prescription drug and other health care programs. These measures could reduce the ultimate demand for Disc’s products, once approved, or put pressure on its product pricing.

Disc expects that additional state and federal 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 reduced demand for its current or future product candidates or additional pricing pressures. In particular any policy changes through CMS as well as local state Medicaid programs could have a significant impact on Disc’s business.

Disc’s revenue prospects could be affected by changes in healthcare spending and policy in the U.S. and abroad. Disc operates in a highly regulated industry and new laws, regulations or judicial decisions, or new interpretations of existing laws, regulations or decisions, related to healthcare availability, the method of delivery or payment for healthcare products and services could negatively impact its business, operations and financial condition.

There have been, and likely will continue to be, legislative and regulatory proposals at the foreign, federal and state levels directed at broadening the availability of healthcare and containing or lowering the cost of healthcare. Disc cannot predict the initiatives that may be adopted in the future, including repeal, replacement or significant revisions to the ACA. The continuing efforts of the government, insurance companies, managed care organizations and other payors of healthcare services to contain or reduce costs of healthcare and/or impose price controls may adversely affect:

Any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare or other government programs may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payors, which may adversely affect Disc’s future profitability.

Although Disc does not currently have any products on the market, once it begins commercializing its product candidates, it will be subject to additional healthcare statutory and regulatory requirements and enforcement by the federal government and the states and foreign governments in which it conducts its business. Healthcare providers, physicians and third-party payors will play a primary role in the recommendation and prescription of any product candidates for which it obtains regulatory approval. Disc’s future arrangements with third-party payors and customers may expose it to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations that may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which it markets, sells and distributes its product candidates for which it obtains regulatory approval. Restrictions under applicable federal and state healthcare laws and regulations, include the following:

Disc is also subject to state and foreign equivalents of each of the healthcare laws and regulations described above, among others, some of which may be broader in scope and may apply regardless of the payor. Many U.S. states have adopted laws similar to the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act, and may apply to Disc’s business practices, including, but not limited to, research, distribution, sales or marketing arrangements and claims involving healthcare items or services reimbursed by non-governmental payors, including private insurers. In addition, some states have passed laws that require pharmaceutical companies to comply with the April 2003 Office of Inspector General Compliance Program Guidance for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and/or the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America’s Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals. Several states also impose other marketing restrictions or require pharmaceutical companies to make marketing or price disclosures to the state and require the registration of pharmaceutical sales representatives. State and foreign laws, including for example the European Union General Data Protection Regulation, which became effective May 2018 also govern the privacy and security of health information in some circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and often are not preempted by HIPAA, thus complicating compliance efforts. There are ambiguities as to what is required to comply with these state requirements and if Disc fails to comply with an applicable state law requirement it could be subject to penalties. Finally, there are state and foreign laws governing the privacy and security of health information, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and often are not preempted by HIPAA, thus complicating compliance efforts.

The scope and enforcement of each of these laws is uncertain and subject to rapid change in the current environment of healthcare reform, especially in light of the lack of applicable precedent and regulations. Federal and state enforcement bodies have recently increased their scrutiny of interactions between healthcare companies and healthcare providers, which has led to a number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions and settlements in the healthcare industry.

Ensuring that Disc’s future business arrangements with third parties comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations could involve substantial costs. It is possible that governmental authorities will conclude that Disc’s business practices do not comply with current or future statutes, regulations or case law involving applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations. If Disc’s operations, including anticipated activities to be conducted by its sales team, were to be found to be in violation of any of these laws or any other governmental regulations that may apply to it, Disc may be subject to significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties,

damages, fines, disgorgement, imprisonment, the exclusion from participation in federal and state government funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, reputational harm, and the curtailment or restructuring of its operations. It may also subject Disc to additional reporting obligations and oversight, if it becomes subject to a corporate integrity agreement, deferred prosecution agreement, or other agreement to resolve allegations of non-compliance with these laws. If any of the physicians or other providers or entities with whom Disc expects to do business is found not to be in compliance with applicable laws, they may be subject to similar criminal, civil or administrative sanctions, including exclusions from government funded healthcare programs.

Disc is subject to numerous environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, including those governing laboratory procedures and the handling, use, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes. Disc’s operations involve the use of hazardous and flammable materials, including chemicals and biological and radioactive materials. Disc’s operations also produce hazardous waste products. Disc generally contracts with third parties for the disposal of these materials and wastes. Disc cannot eliminate the risk of contamination or injury from these materials. In the event of contamination or injury resulting from Disc’s use of hazardous materials, it could be held liable for any resulting damages, and any liability could exceed its resources. Disc also could incur significant costs associated with civil or criminal fines and penalties.

Although Disc maintains workers’ compensation insurance to cover it for costs and expenses it may incur due to injuries to its employees resulting from the use of hazardous materials, this insurance may not provide adequate coverage against potential liabilities. Disc does not maintain insurance for environmental liability or toxic tort claims that may be asserted against it in connection with its storage or disposal of biological, hazardous or radioactive materials. In addition, Disc may incur substantial costs in order to comply with current or future environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. Current or future environmental laws and regulations may impair its research, development and production efforts, which could harm its business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations.

In the event Disc decides to conduct clinical trials or continue to enroll subjects in its ongoing or future clinical trials, it may be subject to additional privacy restrictions. The collection, use, storage, disclosure, transfer, or other processing of personal data regarding individuals in the EEA and the U.K., including personal health data, is subject to the EU General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (EU GDPR), the GDPR as it existed on December 31, 2020 but subject to certain U.K. specific amendments incorporated into U.K. law on January 1, 2021 under the U.K.’s European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (U.K. GDPR, collectively referred to as GDPR), and other data protection requirements, including the Swiss Federal Act of 19 June 1992 on Data Protection, the Ordinance to the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection and the revised Swiss Federal Act of 25 September 2020 on Data Protection. The GDPR applies to any company established in the EU/U.K. as well as to those outside the EU/U.K. if they collect and use personal data in connection with the offering of goods or services to individuals in the EU or the monitoring of their behavior. European data protection laws are wide-ranging in scope and impose numerous requirements on companies that process personal data, including requirements relating to processing health and other sensitive data, where required obtaining consent of the individuals to whom the personal data relates, providing information to individuals regarding data processing activities, responding to individuals’ requests to exercise their rights in respect of their personal data, implementing safeguards to protect the security and confidentiality of personal data, where required providing notification of data breaches to the competent national data protection authority and affected individuals, taking certain measures, including concluding data processing agreements, when engaging third-party processors, where required appointing data protection officers, conducting data protection impact assessments, and record-keeping.

In addition, adequate safeguards must be implemented to enable the transfer of personal data outside of the EEA or the U.K., in particular to the U.S., in compliance with European and U.K. data protection laws. On June 4, 2021, the European Commission, or EC, issued new forms of standard contractual clauses for data transfers from controllers or processors in the EU/EEA (or otherwise subject to the GDPR) to controllers or processors established outside the EU/EEA (and not subject to the GDPR). The new standard contractual clauses replace the standard contractual clauses that were adopted previously under the Data Protection Directive. The U.K. is not subject to the EC’s new

standard contractual clauses but has published a draft version of its International Transfer Agreement, which, once finalized, will enable transfers from the U.K. Disc will be required to implement these new safeguards when conducting restricted data transfers under the GDPR and doing so will require significant effort and cost.

Overall, compliance with the GDPR will be a rigorous and time-intensive process that may increase Disc’s cost of doing business or require it to change its business practices, and despite those efforts, there is a risk that it may be subject to fines and penalties, litigation, and reputational harm in connection with its European and U.K. activities. The business risk is further increased by the fact that the EU Member States have implemented national laws which may partially deviate from the GDPR and impose different and more restrictive obligations from country to country, so that Disc does not expect to operate in a uniform legal landscape in the EU.

If Disc expands its operations outside of the United States, it must dedicate additional resources to comply with numerous laws and regulations in each jurisdiction in which it plans to operate. The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, prohibits any U.S. individual or business from paying, offering, authorizing payment or offering of anything of value, directly or indirectly, to any foreign official, political party or candidate for the purpose of influencing any act or decision of the foreign entity in order to assist the individual or business in obtaining or retaining business. The FCPA also obligates companies whose securities are listed in the United States to comply with certain accounting provisions requiring the company to maintain books and records that accurately and fairly reflect all transactions of the corporation, including international subsidiaries, and to devise and maintain an adequate system of internal accounting controls for international operations.

Compliance with the FCPA is expensive and difficult, particularly in countries in which corruption is a recognized problem. In addition, the FCPA presents particular challenges in the pharmaceutical industry, because, in many countries, hospitals are operated by the government, and doctors and other hospital employees are considered foreign officials. Certain payments to hospitals in connection with clinical trials and other work have been deemed to be improper payments to government officials and have led to FCPA enforcement actions.

Various laws, regulations and executive orders also restrict the use and dissemination outside of the United States, or the sharing with certain non-U.S. nationals, of information classified for national security purposes, as well as certain products and technical data relating to those products. If Disc expands its presence outside of the United States, it will require Disc to dedicate additional resources to comply with these laws, and these laws may preclude it from developing, manufacturing, or selling certain products and product candidates outside of the United States, which could limit its growth potential and increase its development costs.

The failure to comply with laws governing international business practices may result in substantial civil and criminal penalties and suspension or debarment from government contracting. The SEC also may suspend or bar issuers from trading securities on U.S. exchanges for violations of the FCPA’s accounting provisions.

Disc is highly dependent on many of its key employees and members of its executive management team as well as the other principal members of its management, scientific and clinical teams. Although Disc has entered into employment letter agreements with certain of its executive officers, each of them may terminate their employment with Disc at any time. Disc does not maintain “key person” insurance for any of its executives or other employees. In addition, Disc relies on consultants and advisors, including scientific and clinical advisors, to assist it in formulating its research and development and commercialization strategy. Disc’s consultants and advisors may be employed by employers other than Disc and may have commitments under consulting or advisory contracts with other entities that may limit their availability to Disc. If Disc is unable to continue to attract and retain high quality personnel, its ability to pursue its growth strategy will be limited.

Recruiting and retaining qualified scientific, clinical, manufacturing and sales and marketing personnel will also be critical to Disc’s success. The loss of the services of Disc’s executive officers or other key employees, including temporary loss due to illness, could impede the achievement of its research, development and commercialization

objectives and seriously harm its ability to successfully implement its business strategy. Furthermore, replacing executive officers and key employees may be difficult and may take an extended period of time because of the limited number of individuals in Disc’s industry with the breadth of skills and experience required to successfully develop, gain regulatory approval of and commercialize products. Competition to hire from this limited pool is intense, and Disc may be unable to hire, train, retain or motivate these key personnel on acceptable terms given the competition among numerous pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for similar personnel. Disc also experiences competition for the hiring of scientific and clinical personnel from universities and research institutions. Failure to succeed in clinical trials may make it more challenging to recruit and retain qualified scientific personnel.

In particular, Disc has experienced a very competitive hiring environment in the greater Boston area of Massachusetts, where it is headquartered. Many of the other pharmaceutical companies that Disc competes against for qualified personnel have greater financial and other resources, different risk profiles and a longer history in the industry than it does. They also may provide more diverse opportunities and better chances for career advancement. Some of these characteristics may be more appealing to high-quality candidates than what Disc has to offer. If Disc is unable to continue to attract and retain high-quality personnel, the rate and success with which it can discover and develop product candidates and its business will be limited.

Disc relies on information technology systems that it or its third-party providers operate to process, transmit and store electronic information in its day-to-day operations. In connection with its product discovery efforts, Disc may collect and use a variety of personal data, such as names, mailing addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and clinical trial information. A successful cyberattack could result in the theft or destruction of intellectual property, data, or other misappropriation of assets, or otherwise compromise Disc’s confidential or proprietary information and disrupt its operations. Cyberattacks are increasing in their frequency, sophistication and intensity, and have become increasingly difficult to detect. Cyberattacks could include wrongful conduct by hostile foreign governments, industrial espionage, wire fraud and other forms of cyber fraud, the deployment of harmful malware, denial-of-service, social engineering fraud or other means to threaten data security, confidentiality, integrity and availability. A successful cyberattack could cause serious negative consequences for Disc, including, without limitation, the disruption of operations, the misappropriation of confidential business information, including financial information, trade secrets, financial loss and the disclosure of corporate strategic plans. Although Disc devotes resources to protect its information systems, it realizes that cyberattacks are a threat, and there can be no assurance that its efforts will prevent information security breaches that would result in business, legal, financial or reputational harm to it, or would have a material adverse effect on its results of operations and financial condition. Any failure to prevent or mitigate security breaches or improper access to, use of, or disclosure of Disc’s clinical data or patients’ personal data could result in significant liability under state (e.g., state breach notification laws), federal (e.g., HIPAA, as amended by HITECH), and international law (e.g., the GDPR) and may cause a material adverse impact to its reputation, affect its ability to conduct new studies and potentially disrupt its business.

Disc relies on its third-party providers to implement effective security measures and identify and correct for any such failures, deficiencies or breaches. Disc also relies on its employees and consultants to safeguard their security credentials and follow its policies and procedures regarding use and access of computers and other devices that may contain its sensitive information. If Disc or its third-party providers fail to maintain or protect its information technology systems and data integrity effectively or fail to anticipate, plan for or manage significant disruptions to its information technology systems, Disc or its third-party providers could have difficulty preventing, detecting and controlling such cyber-attacks and any such attacks could result in the losses described above as well as disputes with physicians, patients and its partners, regulatory sanctions or penalties, increases in operating expenses, expenses or lost revenue or other adverse consequences, any of which could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations, financial condition, prospects and cash flows. Any failure by such third parties to prevent or mitigate security breaches or improper access to or disclosure of such information could have similarly adverse consequences for Disc. If Disc is unable to prevent or mitigate the impact of such security or data privacy breaches, it could be exposed to litigation and governmental investigations, which could lead to a potential disruption to its business. By way of example, the California Consumer Privacy Act, or CCPA, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, creates individual privacy rights for California consumers and increases the privacy and security obligations of entities handling certain personal data. The CCPA provides for civil penalties of up to $7,500 per violation, as well as a private right of action for data breaches that is expected to increase data breach litigation. The CCPA may increase

Disc’s compliance costs and potential liability, and many similar laws have been proposed at the federal level and in other states. Colorado and Virginia have also passed omnibus privacy legislation – Colorado Privacy Act and Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act respectively – that are set to take effect in 2023. By way of example regarding foreign laws and regulations with respect to data privacy and security, the GDPR went into effect in the EU in May 2018 and introduces strict requirements for processing the personal data of EU data subjects. Companies that must comply with the GDPR face increased compliance obligations and risk, including more robust regulatory enforcement of data protection requirements and potential fines for noncompliance of up to €20 million or 4% of the annual global revenue of the noncompliant company, whichever is greater.

If Disc or third-party CDMOs, CROs or other contractors or consultants fail to comply with U.S. and international data protection laws and regulations, it could result in government enforcement actions (which could include civil or criminal penalties), private litigation, and/or adverse publicity and could negatively affect Disc’s operating results and business. Moreover, clinical trial subjects about whom Disc or its potential collaborators obtain information, as well as the providers who share this information with it, may contractually limit its ability to use and disclose the information. Claims that Disc has violated individuals’ privacy rights, failed to comply with data protection laws, or breached its contractual obligations, even if it is not found liable, could be expensive and time-consuming to defend and could result in adverse publicity that could harm its business.

As of August 9, 2022, Disc had 37 full-time employees and one part-time employee. Disc expects to experience significant growth in the number of its employees and the scope of its operations, particularly as it functions as a public company and in the areas of product development, regulatory affairs and, if any of its product candidates receives regulatory approval, sales, marketing and distribution. To manage Disc’s anticipated future growth, it must continue to implement and improve its managerial, operational and financial systems, expand its facilities and continue to recruit and train additional qualified personnel. Due to Disc’s limited financial resources, it may not be able to effectively manage the expansion of its operations or recruit and train additional qualified personnel. The expansion of Disc’s operations may lead to significant costs and may divert its management and business development resources. Any inability to manage growth could delay the execution of Disc’s business plans or disrupt its operations.

Disc may acquire additional businesses or products, form strategic alliances or create joint ventures with third parties that it believe will complement or augment its existing business. If Disc acquires businesses with promising markets or technologies, it may not be able to realize the benefit of acquiring such businesses if it is unable to successfully integrate them with its existing operations and company culture. Disc may encounter numerous difficulties in developing, manufacturing and marketing any new products resulting from a strategic alliance or acquisition that delay or prevent it from realizing their expected benefits or enhancing its business. Disc cannot assure you that, following any such acquisition, it will achieve the expected synergies to justify the transaction.

The rules dealing with U.S. federal, state and local income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, and the U.S. Treasury Department. Changes to tax laws (which changes may have retroactive application) could adversely affect Disc or holders of Disc’s common stock. In recent years, many such changes have been made and changes are likely to continue to occur in the future. It cannot be predicted whether, when, in what form or with what effective dates tax laws, regulations and rulings may be enacted, promulgated or issued, which could result in an increase in Disc’s or its stockholders’ tax liability or require changes in the manner in which Disc operates in order to minimize or mitigate any adverse effects of changes in tax law. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential consequences of changes in tax law on Disc’s business and on the ownership and disposition of Disc’s common stock.

As of December 31, 2021, Disc had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of $55.5 million and $54.9 million, respectively, which begin to expire in various amounts in 2037. As of December 31, 2021, Disc also had federal and state research and development tax credit carryforwards of $1.1 million and $0.7 million,

respectively, which begin to expire in 2032. These net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards could expire unused and be unavailable to offset future income tax liabilities. Under current law, unused U.S. federal and certain state net operating losses generated for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 are not subject to expiration and may be carried forward indefinitely. Such U.S. federal net operating losses generally may not be carried back to prior taxable years, except that, net operating losses generated in 2018, 2019 and 2020 may be carried back to each of the five tax years preceding the tax years of such losses. For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2020, the deductibility of U.S. federal net operating losses generated for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 is limited to 80% of Disc’s taxable income in any future taxable year. In addition, in general, under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, a corporation that undergoes an “ownership change” is subject to limitations on its ability to utilize its pre-change net operating losses or tax credits, or NOLs or credits, to offset future taxable income or taxes. For these purposes, an ownership change generally occurs when one or more stockholders or groups of stockholders who each owns at least 5% of a corporation’s stock increase their aggregate stock ownership by more than 50 percentage points over their lowest ownership percentage within a specified testing period. Disc’s existing NOLs or credits may be subject to limitations arising from previous ownership changes, and if Disc undergoes an ownership change in connection with or after the merger, Disc’s ability to utilize NOLs or credits could be further limited by Sections 382 and 383 of the Code. In addition, future changes in Disc’s stock ownership, many of which are outside of its control, could result in an ownership change under Sections 382 and 383 of the Code. Disc’s NOLs or credits may also be impaired under state law. Accordingly, Disc may not be able to utilize a material portion of its NOLs or credits.

Among other matters, U.S. and foreign anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, export control, sanctions, and other trade laws and regulations, which are collectively referred to as Trade Laws, prohibit companies and their employees, agents, CROs, legal counsel, accountants, consultants, contractors, and other partners from authorizing, promising, offering, providing, soliciting, or receiving directly or indirectly, corrupt or improper payments or anything else of value to or from recipients in the public or private sector. Violations of Trade Laws can result in substantial criminal fines and civil penalties, imprisonment, the loss of trade privileges, debarment, tax reassessments, breach of contract and fraud litigation, reputational harm, and other consequences. Disc has direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or government-affiliated hospitals, universities, and other organizations. Disc also expects its non-U.S. activities to increase in time. Disc currently engages, and expects to continue to engage, third parties for clinical trials and/or to obtain necessary permits, licenses, patent registrations, and other regulatory approvals and Disc can be held liable for the corrupt or other illegal activities of its personnel, agents, or partners, even if Disc does not explicitly authorize or have prior knowledge of such activities.

Disc’s results of operations could be adversely affected by general conditions in the global economy and in the global financial markets. For example, in 2008, the global financial crisis caused extreme volatility and disruptions in the capital and credit markets and the current COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant volatility and uncertainty in U.S. and international markets. See “Risks Related to the Discovery and Development of Disc’s Product Candidates—The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, or a similar pandemic, epidemic, or outbreak of an infectious disease may materially and adversely affect Disc’s business and financial results and could cause a disruption to the development of Disc’s product candidates.” Interest rates in the U.S. have recently increased to levels not seen in decades. In addition, the impact of geopolitical tension, such as a deterioration in the bilateral relationship between the United States and China or an escalation in conflict between Russia and Ukraine, including any resulting sanctions, export controls or other restrictive actions, also could lead to disruption, instability and volatility in the global markets. A severe or prolonged economic downturn could result in a variety of risks to Disc’s business, including, weakened demand for Disc’s product candidates and Disc’s ability to raise additional capital when needed on acceptable terms, if at all. A weak or declining economy could also strain Disc’s suppliers, possibly resulting in supply disruption, or cause Disc’s customers to delay making payments for Disc’s products. Any of the foregoing could harm Disc’s business and Disc cannot anticipate all of the ways in which the current economic climate and financial market conditions could adversely impact Disc’s business.

Disc is exposed to the risk that its employees, principal investigators, CROs and consultants may engage in fraudulent conduct or other illegal activity. Misconduct by these parties could include intentional, reckless and/or negligent conduct or disclosure of unauthorized activities to Disc that violate the regulations of the FDA and other regulatory authorities, including those laws requiring the reporting of true, complete and accurate information to such authorities; healthcare fraud and abuse laws and regulations in the United States and abroad; or laws that require the reporting of financial information or data accurately. In particular, sales, marketing and business arrangements in the healthcare industry are subject to extensive laws and regulations intended to prevent fraud, misconduct, kickbacks, self-dealing and other abusive practices. These laws and regulations may restrict or prohibit a wide range of pricing, discounting, marketing and promotion, sales commission, customer incentive programs and other business arrangements. Other activities subject to these laws include the improper use of information obtained in the course of clinical trials or creating fraudulent data in Disc’s preclinical studies or clinical trials, which could result in regulatory sanctions and cause serious harm to Disc’s reputation. Disc intends to adopt a code of conduct applicable to all of its employees, but it is not always possible to identify and deter misconduct by employees and other third parties, and the precautions Disc takes to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting Disc from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to comply with these laws or regulations. Additionally, Disc is subject to the risk that a person could allege such fraud or other misconduct, even if none occurred. If any such actions are instituted against Disc, and Disc is not successful in defending itself or asserting its rights, those actions could have a significant impact on Disc’s business, including the imposition of civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, monetary fines, possible exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, and curtailment of Disc’s operations, any of which could adversely affect Disc’s ability to operate its business and its results of operations.

The market price of the combined company’s common stock following the merger could be subject to significant fluctuations. Some of the factors that may cause the market price of the combined company’s common stock to fluctuate include:

Moreover, the stock markets in general have experienced substantial volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of individual companies. These broad market fluctuations may also adversely affect the trading price of the combined company’s common stock. In addition, a recession, depression or other sustained adverse market event resulting from the spread of COVID-19 or otherwise could materially and adversely affect the combined company’s business and the value of its common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, stockholders have often instituted class action securities litigation against such companies. Furthermore, market volatility may lead to increased shareholder activism if the combined company experiences a market valuation that activists believe is not reflective of its intrinsic value. Activist campaigns that contest or conflict with the combined company’s strategic direction or seek changes in the composition of its board of directors could have an adverse effect on its operating results and financial condition.

The merger involves the combination of two companies which currently operate as independent companies. Following the merger, the combined company will be required to devote significant management attention and resources to integrating its business practices and operations. The combined company may fail to realize some or all of the anticipated benefits of the merger if the integration process takes longer than expected or is more costly than expected. Potential difficulties the combined company may encounter in the integration process include the following:

In addition, Gemini and Disc have operated and, until the completion of the merger, will continue to operate, independently. It is possible that the integration process also could result in the diversion of each company’s management’s attention, the disruption or interruption of, or the loss of momentum in, each company’s ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies, any of which could adversely affect the combined company’s ability to maintain its business relationships or the ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the merger, or could otherwise adversely affect the business and financial results of the combined company.

In connection with the merger, Gemini intends to declare a dividend to each person who as of immediately prior to the effective time was a stockholder of record of Gemini or had the right to receive Gemini’s common stock of the

right to receive one non-transferable CVR for each then outstanding share of Gemini common stock, each representing the non-transferable contractual right to receive certain contingent payments from Gemini upon the occurrence of certain events within agreed time periods. See the section titled “Agreements Related to the Merger—Contingent Value Rights Agreement” beginning on page 197 of this proxy statement/prospectus. Pursuant to the terms of the CVR Agreement, if the combined company is unable to sell the assets subject to the CVR Agreement prior to the twelve-month anniversary of the closing date, the combined company will be responsible for any wind-down costs associated with the termination of such assets within the parameters contained in the CVR Agreement. Further, pursuant to the terms of the CVR Agreement, the holders of Gemini common stock prior to the closing, rather than the holders of the combined company’s common stock, are the primary recipients of any net proceeds of the disposition of the assets subject to the CVR Agreement. Absent such CVR Agreement, the combined company may have allocated such funds, time and resources to its core programs and the foregoing could be a distraction to the combined company’s management and employees. As a result, the combined company’s operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

The combined company will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses as a public company that Disc did not incur as a private company, including costs associated with public company reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The combined company’s management team will consist of the executive officers of Disc prior to the merger, some of whom have not previously managed and operated a public company. These executive officers and other personnel will need to devote substantial time to gaining expertise related to public company reporting requirements and compliance with applicable laws and regulations to ensure that the combined company complies with all of these requirements. Any changes the combined company makes to comply with these obligations may not be sufficient to allow it to satisfy its obligations as a public company on a timely basis, or at all. These reporting requirements, rules and regulations, coupled with the increase in potential litigation exposure associated with being a public company, could also make it more difficult for the combined company to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on the board of directors or on board committees or to serve as executive officers, or to obtain certain types of insurance, including directors’ and officers’ insurance, on acceptable terms.

The combined company will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, which requires, among other things, that the combined company file with the SEC, annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to the combined company’s business and financial condition as well as other disclosure and corporate governance requirements. However, as an emerging growth company the combined company may take advantage of exemptions from various requirements such as an exemption from the requirement to have the combined company’s independent auditors attest to the combined company’s internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as well as an exemption from the “say on pay” voting requirements pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. After the combined company no longer qualifies as an emerging growth company, the combined company may still qualify as a “smaller reporting company” which may allow the combined company to take advantage of some of the same exemptions from disclosure requirements including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in the combined company’s periodic reports and proxy statements. Even after the combined company no longer qualifies as an emerging growth company, it expects to still qualify as a “smaller reporting company,” as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, in at least the near term, which will allow the combined company to take advantage of many of the same exemptions from disclosure requirements, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in this proxy statement/prospectus and in the combined company’s periodic reports and proxy statements. Once the combined company is no longer an emerging growth company, a smaller reporting company or otherwise qualifies for these exemptions, the combined company will be required to comply with these additional legal and regulatory requirements applicable to public companies and will incur significant legal,

accounting and other expenses to do so. If the combined company is not able to comply with the requirements in a timely manner or at all, the combined company’s financial condition or the market price of the combined company’s common stock may be harmed. For example, if the combined company or its independent auditor identifies deficiencies in the combined company’s internal control over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses the combined company could face additional costs to remedy those deficiencies, the market price of the combined company’s stock could decline or the combined company could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial and management resources.

The unaudited pro forma financial data for Gemini and Disc included in this proxy statement/prospectus are presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the combined company’s actual financial condition or results of operations of future periods, or the financial condition or results of operations that would have been realized had the entities been combined during the periods presented. The combined company’s actual results and financial position after the merger may differ materially and adversely from the unaudited pro forma financial data included in this proxy statement/prospectus. The exchange ratio reflected in this proxy statement/prospectus is preliminary. The final exchange ratio could differ materially from the preliminary exchange ratio used to prepare the pro forma adjustments. For more information see the section titled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” beginning on page 341.

Provisions of the combined company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws could delay or prevent changes in control or changes in management without the consent of the board of directors. These provisions will include the following: