12/17/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/17/2025 09:49
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
We are a late clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel medicines for the treatment of cardiometabolic and inflammatory diseases. Our drug development program consists of two late-stage new chemical entities, enobosarm and sabizabulin. Enobosarm, an oral selective androgen receptor modulator ("SARM"), is being developed as a next generation drug that makes weight reduction by GLP-1 RA drugs more tissue selective for loss of fat and preservation of lean mass. This activity leads to improved body composition and physical function with expected clinically meaningful incremental weight reduction versus GLP-1 RA monotherapy. Sabizabulin, a microtubule disruptor, is being developed for the treatment of inflammation in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. On December 30, 2024, the Company sold its FDA-approved commercial product, the FC2 Female Condom® (Internal Condom), for the dual protection against unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (the "FC2 Business").
Obesity Program - Enobosarm
Currently approved GLP-1 RA in patients with obesity exhibited significant weight loss composed of reductions in both fat and lean (muscle) mass. Of the total weight loss reported in certain third party clinical trials, 20-50% of the total weight loss was attributable to lean mass (muscle) loss. Patients who have sarcopenic obesity have both obesity and low muscle mass and are potentially at the greatest risk for developing critically low muscle mass when taking a currently approved GLP-1 RA. We therefore believe there is an urgent unmet need for a drug that prevents the loss of muscle and increases the loss of fat for greater weight loss in at-risk sarcopenic obese and overweight older patients receiving GLP-1 RA for weight reduction.
Enobosarm is being developed as a treatment to preserve muscle/physical function and reduce fat to cause incremental weight loss in patients with obesity receiving a GLP-1 RA for weight reduction. A Phase 2b, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, dose-finding QUALITY clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of enobosarm 3mg, enobosarm 6mg, or placebo as a treatment to augment fat loss and to prevent muscle loss in 168 patients with obesity (≥60 years of age) receiving semaglutide (Wegovy®) for weight reduction. The primary endpoint was the percent change from baseline in total lean body mass, and the key secondary endpoints were the percent change from baseline in total body fat mass, total body weight, and physical function as measured by stair climb test at 16 weeks. After completing the efficacy dose-assessment portion of the Phase 2b QUALITY clinical trial, the participants continued into a Phase 2b extension maintenance trial where all patients stopped treatment with semaglutide (Wegovy), but continue taking placebo, enobosarm 3mg, or enobosarm 6mg in a blinded fashion for 12 additional weeks. The Phase 2b extension clinical trial evaluated whether enobosarm can maintain muscle and prevent the fat regain that generally occurs after discontinuing a GLP-1 RA.
In January 2025, the Company announced topline results for the Phase 2b QUALITY clinical trial. The trial met its prespecified primary endpoint with a statistically significant and a clinically meaningful benefit in the preservation of total lean body mass in all patients receiving enobosarm 3mg + semaglutide versus placebo + semaglutide at 16 weeks (100% relative reduction in lean mass loss, p<0.001).
As for secondary clinical endpoints, enobosarm + semaglutide treatment resulted in dose dependent greater loss of fat mass compared to placebo + semaglutide with the enobosarm 6mg dose having a 42% greater relative loss of fat mass compared to placebo + semaglutide group at 16 weeks (p=0.017) and the enobosarm 3mg having a 12% greater fat loss. Although enobosarm + semaglutide significantly preserved lean mass, the additional loss of fat mass caused by enobosarm treatment was able to replace the lean mass preserved to allow a similar net mean weight loss measured by a DEXA scan with semaglutide at 16 weeks. Accordingly, the tissue composition of the total weight loss shifted to greater and selective loss of fat with enobosarm treatment. The mean percentage of total body mass loss in the placebo + semaglutide group that was due to lean mass was 34% and estimated fat loss was 66%. In contrast, in the enobosarm 3mg + semaglutide group, the total weight loss due to lean mass was 0% and estimated fat loss was 100%. Physical function was measured by the Stair Climb Test. Climbing stairs is an activity of daily living, and the Stair Climb Test measured functional muscle strength, balance and agility. Declines in performance measured by Stair Climb Test predicts in older patients a higher risk for mobility disabilities, gait difficulties, falls and bone fractures, hospitalizations, and mortality. As a point of reference, stair climb power declines by -1.38% annually with aging according to Van Roie E. PLOS ONE 14:e0210653, 2019.
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Phase 2b QUALITY clinical trial is the first human study to demonstrate that older patients who are overweight or have obesity receiving semaglutide GLP-1 RA are at higher risk for accelerated loss of lean mass with physical function decline. A responder analysis was conducted using a greater than 10% decline in stair climb power as the cut off at 16 weeks which represents an approximate 7 to 8 year loss of stair climb power that naturally occurs with aging. In our study, the loss of lean mass mattered as 44.3% of patients on placebo + semaglutide group had at least a 10% decline in stair climb power physical function at 16 weeks. |
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Enobosarm treatment preserved lean mass (muscle) which translated into a reduction in the proportion of patients that had a clinically significant stair climb physical function decline versus subjects receiving semaglutide alone. The all enobosarm 3mg + semaglutide group had a statistically significant and clinically meaningfully 59.8% relative reduction in the proportion of subjects that lost at least 10% stair climb power compared to placebo + semaglutide group (p=0.0006). In enobosarm 6mg + semaglutide, there was a 44.1% relative reduction in the proportion of patients with at least a 10% decline in stair climb power from baseline vs. placebo + semaglutide group (p=0.051). |
Enobosarm is a novel drug candidate that improves GLP-1 RA therapy resulting in tissue selective quality weight reduction, that is, enobosarm + semaglutide improved changes in body composition which resulted in more selective and greater loss of adiposity (fat mass) than in subjects receiving placebo + semaglutide alone.
On May 28, 2025, we announced positive topline safety results for the Phase 2b QUALITY clinical study that showed the enobosarm + semaglutide combination had a positive safety profile compared to semaglutide alone. There were no increases in gastrointestinal side effects, no evidence of drug induced liver injury (as defined by Hy's law), and no increases in obstructive sleep apnea at any dose of enobosarm compared to placebo (semaglutide alone). There were no adverse events of increases in prostate specific antigen in men. There were no adverse events related to masculinization in women. There were no reports of suicidal ideation observed (Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale). Enobosarm 3mg + semaglutide combination had the added benefit of fewer gastrointestinal side effects (diarrhea, nausea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease) compared to semaglutide alone. There were five non-treatment related serious adverse events equally distributed between the treatment groups.
Phase 2b Extension Maintenance Portion of the Phase 2b QUALITY Study
After completing the efficacy dose-finding and active weight reduction portion of the Phase 2b QUALITY clinical trial, participants continued into a Phase 2b maintenance extension study where all patients discontinued semaglutide treatment, but continued receiving placebo, enobosarm 3mg, or enobosarm 6mg as monotherapy in a double-blind fashion for 12 weeks. On June 24, 2025, we announced positive results from the Maintenance Extension portion of the Phase 2b QUALITY clinical study.
At the end of the Phase 2b QUALITY study active weight loss period of 16 weeks, body weight loss was similar across treatment groups with the semaglutide + placebo group losing an average of 11.88 lbs. After the 12-week Maintenance and Extension study period (Day 112 to Day 196) where all treatment groups discontinued the use of semaglutide, the placebo monotherapy group regained 43% of body weight that was previously lost during the Phase 2b QUALITY for a mean percent change of 2.57% (5.06 lbs) in body weight, compared to 1.41% (2.73 lbs) for the 3mg enobosarm group (p=0.038) and 2.87% (5.29lbs) for the 6mg enobosarm group. The 3mg enobosarm monotherapy significantly reduced the body weight regained by 46%. On average, the placebo monotherapy group regained 2.27% in fat mass, while the enobosarm monotherapy cohorts had a loss of fat mass of -0.27% for the 3mg and -0.50% for the 6mg doses. The mean tissue composition of body weight regained was 28% fat and 72% lean mass in the placebo group, versus 0% fat and 100% lean mass in both the 3mg and the 6mg enobosarm groups. By the end of the study at 28 weeks (Day 1 to Day 196), the placebo + semaglutide followed by placebo monotherapy group experienced a loss of lean mass, while both enobosarm + semaglutide followed by enobosarm monotherapy groups (3 mg and 6 mg doses) significantly preserved more than 100% of lean mass (enobosarm 3mg p<0.001 and enobosarm 6mg p=0.004). The enobosarm + semaglutide followed by enobosarm monotherapy patients had a 58% greater loss of fat with enobosarm 3mg (p=0.085) and a 93% greater loss of fat with enobosarm 6mg (p=0.008) compared to placebo + semaglutide followed by placebo monotherapy.
In the double-blind Phase 2b QUALITY Maintenance Extension clinical trial (Day 112-196), enobosarm monotherapy had a positive safety profile. After discontinuation of semaglutide, there were essentially no gastrointestinal side effects, no evidence of drug induced liver injury (by Hy's law), and no increases in obstructive sleep apnea observed at any dose of enobosarm compared to placebo monotherapy. There were no adverse events of increases in prostate specific antigen in men. There were no adverse events related to masculinization in women. There were no reports of suicidal ideation observed (Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale). The proposed Phase 3 clinical program dose of enobosarm 3mg continued to have a positive safety profile in the Phase 2b maintenance extension clinical trial.
The Phase 2b QUALITY and Maintenance Extension clinical trial confirmed that preserving lean mass with enobosarm plus semaglutide led to greater fat loss during the active weight loss period, and after the use of semaglutide was discontinued, enobosarm monotherapy significantly prevented the regain of both weight and fat mass during the maintenance period such that by end of study there was greater loss of fat mass while lean mass was preserved for a higher quality weight reduction compared to the placebo group.
Novel Modified Release Oral Enobosarm Formulation is on Track to be Available for Phase 3 Clinical Studies and Commercialization
Veru is currently developing a novel, patentable, modified release oral formulation for enobosarm. In a pilot pharmacokinetic study, the new modified release formulation resulted in a 25-33% reduction in maximum plasma contraction (Cmax), a delayed time to maximum plasma concentration (Tmax), a distinct secondary peak, and similar extent of absorption (AUC) compared to historical values for enobosarm immediate release capsules. The actual formulation, pharmacokinetic release profile(s), and method of manufacturing are the subjects of pending patent applications. If issued, the expiry for the new modified release oral enobosarm formulation patent is expected to be 2046. The expectation is that this novel modified release oral enobosarm formulation will be available for the Phase 3 clinical studies and for commercialization.
Development Plan: Planned Clinical Trials.
The regulatory landscape continues to evolve for muscle preservation drugs in the treatment of obesity. Based on FDA feedback on Veru's clinical development program for enobosarm, the FDA now guides that incremental weight loss with enobosarm added to GLP-1 RA treatment over the GLP-1 RA treatment alone is an acceptable primary endpoint to support approval. The FDA also confirmed that enobosarm 3mg is an acceptable dosage for future Veru clinical development. Further, the FDA has encouraged Veru to expand the enobosarm development program to include a younger population with obesity as younger patients could also benefit from a muscle preservation drug like enobosarm.
The weight loss plateau occurs when the patient with obesity stops losing weight while on a GLP-1 RA. In the SURMOUNT-1 clinical study conducted by Eli Lilly and Company, about 88% of patients with obesity receiving tirzepatide reached the weight loss plateau by 72 weeks. Unfortunately, 62.6% of these patients are still clinically overweight or have obesity at 72 weeks. We believe treatment with tirzepatide when combined with enobosarm, will lead to additional fat loss by preserving muscle and physical function, especially in older patients. Enobosarm's ability to directly and indirectly cause additional fat loss is expected to reset the weight loss plateau leading to incremental weight reduction, thereby increasing the number of patients who achieve and maintain a normal weight.
The evolving FDA thinking for the development of muscle preservation drugs for obesity and the critical changes in the current FDA guidance related to the acceptable primary endpoint of incremental weight loss, have necessitated the change in Veru's clinical development plan. The clinical development program of enobosarm will take advantage of both the FDA regulatory clarity on the acceptable primary endpoint and on enobosarm's key attributes, preservation of muscle and physical function, and greater selective fat loss (100% fat loss and 0% lean mass weight loss), that were demonstrated in Veru's Phase 2 QUALITY study at 16 weeks.
Planned Phase 2b PLATEAU clinical study
Veru's planned Phase 2b PLATEAU clinical study will evaluate the effect of enobosarm 3mg on total body weight, physical function, and safety in approximately 200 patients who have obesity (BMI ≥ 35) and are initiating GLP-1 RA treatment for weight reduction. The primary efficacy endpoint of the study is the percent change from baseline in total body weight at 72 weeks. An interim analysis will be conducted at 36 weeks to assess the percent change from baseline in lean body mass and fat mass, as measured by DEXA scans. The key secondary endpoints are total fat mass, total lean mass, physical function (stair climb test), bone mineral density, and patient reported outcome questionnaires for physical function (SF-36 PF-10, and IWQOL-lite CT physical function).
The Phase 2b PLATEAU clinical study is designed to assess the ability of enobosarm treatment to break through the weight loss plateau observed in patients with obesity receiving GLP-1 RA treatment to achieve clinically meaningful incremental weight reduction and preserve muscle mass and physical function by 72 weeks. The clinical study is expected to begin in the first quarter of calendar 2026.
The proposed Phase 2b PLATEAU clinical trial design is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in approximately 200 patients with BMI ≥ 35 and age ≥ 65 who are eligible for treatment with GLP-1 RA. The GLP-1 RA may be either WEGOVY (semaglutide) and/or Zepbound® (tirzepatide). Patients will be randomized to oral daily enobosarm or matching placebo. All subjects will start and receive GLP-1 RA during the study. The proposed primary objective will be the effect of enobosarm on total body weight. Proposed key secondary objectives will be to assess the effect of enobosarm on total lean mass, total fat mass, bone mineral density, physical function (stair climb assessment), HOMA-IR, and select patient reported outcome measures.
Novel Modified Release Oral Enobosarm Formulation is on Track to be Available for Phase 3 Clinical Studies and Commercialization
Veru is currently developing a novel, patentable, modified release oral formulation for enobosarm. The actual formulation, pharmacokinetic release profile(s), and method of manufacturing will be the subjects of future patent applications. If issued, the expiry for the new modified release oral enobosarm formulation patent is expected to be 2045. The new enobosarm formulation has completed the initial Phase 1 bioavailability clinical trial in July 2025. The expectation is that this novel modified release oral enobosarm formulation will be available for the Phase 3 clinical studies and for commercialization.
In a pilot pharmacokinetic study, the new modified release formulation resulted in a significant reduction in maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), a delayed time to maximum plasma concentration (Tmax), a distinct secondary peak, and similar extent of absorption (AUC) compared to historical values for enobosarm immediate release capsules.
Atherosclerosis Inflammation Program
Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Inflammation and high cholesterol jointly contribute to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It appears that the pathogenesis and progression of coronary artery disease, however, is largely driven by inflammation in response to atheromatous plaques containing cholesterol in the arterial wall. In fact, inflammation mediates all stages of atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease: plaque initiation, plaque progression, and plaque rupture and the resulting thrombotic complications. Even with cholesterol reduction therapies, there remains a major and largely untreated residual inflammatory risk. Using high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) blood levels to assess the contribution of inflammation, a recent analysis of 31,245 patients receiving statin lipid lowering therapy showed that inflammation was a stronger predictor for risk of future major cardiovascular events and death than cholesterol by LDL-C. The realization that the combined use of aggressive lipid-lowering and inflammation-inhibiting therapies might be needed to further reduce atherosclerotic risk has sparked the search for anti-inflammatory medications that could lower the risk of atherosclerotic events in patients with CAD.
An old drug, colchicine, inhibits tubulin polymerization to disrupt microtubules resulting in broad anti-inflammatory activity. Recent randomized controlled trials assessing the role of low-dose colchicine to treat inflammation to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including COLCOT (Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose colchicine after Myocardial Infarction), LoDoCo (Low-dose colchicine for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease) and LoDoCo-2 (Colchicine in Patients with Chronic Coronary Disease) trials, had promising results demonstrating significant cardiovascular risk reduction. Colchicine lowered major adverse cardiovascular events by 31% among those with stable CAD and by 23% in patients following a recent myocardial infarction. This magnitude of benefit is greater than what has been observed in contemporary trials of lipid lowering medications including those with proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK-9) inhibitors.
To gain mechanistic insight, Vaidya et al. (2018) conducted a prospective open label single center clinical study to evaluate the effects of colchicine on modifying the atheromatous coronary artery plaques by coronary CT angiography (CCTA) imaging. Eighty patients who had recent acute coronary syndrome received either low dose colchicine plus optimal medical therapy or optimal medical therapy alone for 12 months. The primary endpoint was low attenuation plaque volume (LAPV), a marker of plaque instability on CCTA and a strong predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events. High sensitivity CRP blood levels, a biomarker of inflammation, was also measured. The study results showed that colchicine + optimal medical therapy versus optimal medical therapy alone significantly reduced the primary endpoint of LAPV by -40.9% and high sensitivity CRP by -37.3%. (Vaidya 2018). This was an important milestone for the treatment of CAD as colchicine therapy was able to directly modify coronary arterial plaque independent of high dose statins that lower LDL. Further, because of the reduction of high sensitivity CRP, the improvements in plaque morphology were most likely driven by colchicine's anti-inflammatory effects.
Data from these trials led the FDA in June 2023 to approve colchicine for reducing cardiovascular events in adults with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), making colchicine the first anti-inflammatory drug with such an indication. Furthermore, the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association, European Society of Cardiology as well as national guidelines in Canada and South America have endorsed the use of low-dose colchicine (0.5 mg/d orally) in patients with coronary artery disease, especially among those with uncontrolled risk factors or recurrent events despite optimal medical therapy.
Unfortunately, colchicine has well known serious safety concerns. Colchicine has high potential for drug-drug interactions as it is a substrate for CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein. Consequently, commonly used cardiovascular drugs including almost all statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) may interact with colchicine resulting in erratic or higher blood levels of colchicine. Colchicine has a narrow therapeutic index and extreme care must be taken to avoid accidental overdoses, which may be fatal. Accordingly, patients receiving regular colchicine therapy require close clinical supervision. Common side effects are gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping) and myalgia. Blood dyscrasias which may be fatal, neurotoxicity, and rhabdomyolysis may also rarely occur (LODOCO FDA PI 2023). Colchicine may be first-in-class and the first FDA approved treatment for this significant indication to treat atherosclerotic inflammation, but unfortunately colchicine has significant safety concerns that may limit its expected widespread use and therefore may not adequately address the current unmet medical need of atherosclerotic inflammation.
We believe there is compelling scientific evidence and rationale to evaluate sabizabulin as a treatment for the inflammation associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Sabizabulin is a new molecular entity, small molecule that targets the colchicine binding site on β-tubulin. Like colchicine, sabizabulin inhibits microtubule polymerization and has demonstrated the ability to reduce the most important inflammatory mediators that play a role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic CAD. Overall preclinical data from in vitro and in vivo inflammation studies show that sabizabulin treatment suppressed all cytokines and chemokines tested which includes IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, Interferon-γ, and IP-10 (CXCL-10). In Phase 2 and 3 pulmonary inflammation COVID-19 clinical studies, sabizabulin has demonstrated broad anti-inflammatory activity. The safety database consists of 266 dosed patients from the sabizabulin clinical development program comprised of the Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies in hospitalized COVID-19 patients for acute use (149 patients at 9 mg daily for ≤ 21 days), as well as data from the Phase 1b/2 and Phase 3 studies in prostate cancer for chronic use (117 patients treated at up to 32 mg daily for up to 3 years). Further, because sabizabulin has a different chemical structure than colchicine, it is not a substrate for CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein thereby potentially eliminating drug-drug interactions concerns associated with colchicine. In contrast to colchicine, sabizabulin has stable pharmacokinetics and low potential for drug-drug interactions; thus, sabizabulin may be administered potentially more safely as a secondary therapy in combination with statin therapy for the reduction of inflammation to slow the progression or promote regression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
With the FDA's 2023 approval of colchicine for reducing cardiovascular events in subjects with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, we believe a novel clinical pathway is now open to develop anti-inflammatory drugs with a potentially better efficacy and safety profile like sabizabulin as a secondary treatment in combination with lipid lowering statin drugs to prevent and treat atherosclerotic CAD. As a consequence, Veru has evolved its drug development strategy for sabizabulin and is exploring the possibility of the clinical development of sabizabulin, a novel oral broad anti-inflammatory agent, for the treatment of inflammation in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The Company's decision to explore this major cardiometabolic indication was based on the significant unmet medical need to treat inflammation in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the large global market opportunity, current clinical and safety sabizabulin database of 266 patients, high probability of success of the drug's mechanism of action which is similar to colchicine, and strong intellectual property position.
Development Plan: Planned Clinical Trials.
Veru had a pre-IND meeting with the FDA Division of Cardiology and Nephrology Center for Drug Evaluation and Research on December 26, 2024. The indication for discussion was the use of sabizabulin to slow progression or promote regression of atherosclerotic disease in patients with a history of coronary artery disease. The FDA agreed that there remains an unmet medical need based on disease pathophysiology. Initially, we plan to evaluate sabizabulin in a small Phase 2 dose finding proof of concept study to assess whether sabizabulin reduces blood levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein, a important measurement of inflammation, in patients with stable CAD. Veru currently has sufficient drug substance to supply the proposed Phase 2 clinical study in patients with stable CAD to measure levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein.
FC2 Business Sale and Discontinued Operations
On December 30, 2024, the Company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (collectively, the "Sellers") entered into a Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with Clear Future, Inc. (the "Purchaser"). Pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Purchase Agreement, the Purchaser purchased substantially all of the assets (the "FC2 Business Sale") related to the Company's FC2 female condom business ® (internal condom), including the stock of the Company's U.K. and Malaysian operating subsidiaries. The Purchaser assumed certain liabilities relating to the FC2 Business that are specified in the Purchase Agreement. The transaction closed on December 30, 2024. The Sellers and the Purchaser made customary representations and warranties, and agreed to certain customary covenants, in the Purchase Agreement. Subject to certain exceptions and limitations, each party agreed to indemnify the other for breaches of representations, warranties and covenants and for certain other matters. The Purchase Agreement also specifies that, subject to a $54,000 retention amount, a representations and warranties insurance policy (the "R&W Policy") issued to the Purchaser would be the sole and exclusive remedy for breach of representations and warranties (other than certain specified representations and warranties) by the Sellers except in the case of fraud.
The purchase price for the FC2 Business Sale was $18.0 million in cash, including adjustments to the purchase price in the Purchase Agreement, which included a customary working capital adjustment subsequent to closing based on the amount by which certain working capital items at closing are greater or less than a target set forth in the Purchase Agreement. In September 2025, an accounting firm delivered its final determination with respect to a dispute between the Sellers and the Purchaser as to the amount of the purchase price adjustments, resolving all disputed matters in favor of the Sellers. As a result of the final determination, the Purchaser paid additional purchase price of approximately $150,000 to the Company and approximately $300,000 was released from an escrow account to the Company. Net proceeds from the FC2 Business Sale were $16.5 million, which is the $18.0 million purchase price per the Purchase Agreement after purchase price adjustments, net of costs incurred of $1.4 million, and amounts allocated to the related transition services agreement of $150,000 but excluding the change of control payment pursuant to the Residual Royalty Agreement of $4.2 million (see Note 8 for additional information). The loss on sale of the FC2 Business is $4.1 million, which is the difference between estimated net proceeds of $16.5 million and the total carrying value of the FC2 Business of $20.6 million. The carrying value of the FC2 Business at December 30, 2024 primarily included deferred income tax assets of $12.3 million, accounts receivable of $4.6 million, and inventory of $3.4 million, partially offset by accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $1.5 million. In addition, due to the FC2 Business Sale, liabilities associated with the Residual Royalty Agreement, which totaled $9.9 million at September 30, 2024, were extinguished.
The FC2 Business Sale represented a strategic shift, which had a major effect on our operations and financial results. We have classified all direct revenues, costs and expenses related to the FC2 Business within loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented. We have not allocated any amounts for shared general and administrative operating support expense to discontinued operations. Additionally, the related assets and liabilities have been reported as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations in our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2024. The assets and liabilities sold as part of the FC2 Business Sale were written off upon the closing of the FC2 Business Sale, and therefore there are no assets and liabilities of discontinued operations in our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2025.
Sale of ENTADFI
On April 19, 2023, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement (the "Asset Purchase Agreement") to sell substantially all of the assets related to ENTADFI® (finasteride and tadalafil) capsules for oral use, a new treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia that was approved by the FDA in December 2021, with Onconetix, Inc. formerly known as Blue Water Vaccines Inc. ("ONCO"). The transaction closed on April 19, 2023. The purchase price for the transaction was $20.0 million, consisting of $6.0 million paid at closing, $4.0 million payable pursuant to a promissory note due on September 30, 2023, $5.0 million payable pursuant to a Promissory Note due on April 19, 2024 (the "April 2024 Promissory Note"), and $5.0 million payable pursuant to a Promissory Note due on September 30, 2024 (the "September 2024 Promissory Note" and, together with the April 2024 Promissory Note, the "ONCO Promissory Notes"), plus up to $80.0 million based on ONCO's net revenues from ENTADFI after closing (the "Milestone Payments"). The Company believes the probability of receiving any Milestone Payments is remote. On April 24, 2024, the Company entered into a Forbearance Agreement with ONCO, which was amended and restated as of September 19, 2024 (as amended and restated, the "Forbearance Agreement"), relating to certain defaults under the ONCO Promissory Notes.
As of September 22, 2025, an aggregate of $8.8 million was payable to the Company under the ONCO Promissory Notes and related amendments. On September 22, 2025, the Company and ONCO entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release (the "Settlement Agreement"), whereby the Company agreed to accept a cash payment of $6.3 million, 3,125 shares of ONCO's Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series D Preferred Stock") and a warrant to purchase 846,975 shares of ONCO's common stock (the "Warrant") (such cash payment, shares of Series D Preferred Stock, and the Warrant, collectively, the "Settlement Amount") in full satisfaction of all amounts due under the ONCO Promissory Notes, as amended by all preceding amendments, forbearance agreements, and waivers, in complete discharge of all obligations thereunder. The ONCO Promissory Notes and the Forbearance Agreement terminated upon payment of the Settlement Amounts. There can be no assurances as to whether and when the Company will be able to receive any cash proceeds from the shares of Series D Preferred Stock, the Warrant, or any shares of ONCO's common stock that the Company might acquire upon conversion of the Series D Preferred Stock or exercise of the Warrant.
Consolidated Operations
Operating Expenses. Conducting research and development is central to our drug development programs. The Company has several products under development and management routinely evaluates each product in its portfolio of products. Advancement is limited to available working capital and management's understanding of the prospects for each product. If future prospects do not meet management's strategic goals, advancement may be discontinued. We have invested and expect to continue to invest significant time and capital in our research and development operations. Our research and development expenses were $15.6 million and $12.8 million for fiscal 2025 and 2024, respectively. We expect to continue investing significant resources in research and development in the future in order to advance our drug candidates.
Results of Operations
YEAR ENDED September 30, 2025COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED September 30, 2024
Research and development expenses increased to $15.6 million in fiscal 2025 from $12.8 million in fiscal 2024. The increase is due to an increase in expenses incurred related to the Company's Phase 2b QUALITY clinical study for enobosarm as a treatment to augment fat loss and to prevent muscle loss, which was ongoing during fiscal 2025, partially offset by a decrease in expenditures related to the Company's other drug development programs that were terminated in previous years and a decrease in personnel costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $19.9 million in fiscal 2025, which is a decrease from $24.6 million in fiscal 2024. The decrease is due primarily to a decrease in corporate personnel costs, due to a decrease in share-based compensation expense.
The Company recorded a gain on sale of ENTADFI assets of $10.8 million in fiscal 2025, compared to $1.2 million in fiscal 2024. The Company recognizes a gain on sale of ENTADFI assets as nonrefundable consideration is received. In the current year, the Company entered into the Settlement Agreement, whereby the Company received a cash payment of $6.3 million and the Series D Preferred Stock and the Warrant, which had a combined fair value of $2.5 million. See Note 15 to the financial statements included in this report for additional information.
The Company recorded a gain on extinguishment of debt of $8.6 million in fiscal 2025, related to the termination of the Residual Royalty Agreement, in connection with the FC2 Business Sale. The gain is the difference between the change of control payment of $4.2 million and the net carrying amount of the extinguished debt of $12.8 million, which included an embedded derivative for the change of control provision at fair value of $4.7 million.
The loss associated with the change in fair value of equity securities in fiscal 2025 was $0.3 million compared with $0.2 million for fiscal 2024. This is due primarily to the change in fair value of the shares of ONCO Series A Preferred Stock and the ONCO Common Stock, which was sold during fiscal 2025.
The Company recorded a net loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, related to the FC2 Business of $7.0 million in fiscal 2025, which includes a net loss on the sale of the FC2 business of $4.1 million, compared with $2.5 million in fiscal 2024. The increase in net loss from discontinued operations during fiscal 2025 of $4.5 million is due primary to the loss on the sale of the FC2 business of $4.1 million, a reduction in gross profit of $4.3 million, and an increase in the loss from the change in fair value of derivative liabilities of $2.9 million, partially offset by a decrease in operating expenses of $5.5 million.
Liquidity and Sources of Capital
Liquidity
Our cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash on hand at September 30, 2025 was $15.8 million, compared to $24.9 million at September 30, 2024. At September 30, 2025, the Company had working capital of $11.1 million and stockholders' equity of $18.3 million compared to working capital of $23.4 million and stockholders' equity of $32.3 million as of September 30, 2024. The decrease in working capital is primarily due to the decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash of $9.1 million and a decrease in working capital of discontinued operations, related to the FC2 Business, of $6.1 million at September 30, 2024, which is partially offset by an increase in investments in equity securities of $1.8 million, a decrease in accrued compensation of $1.1 million and the extinguishment of the residual royalty agreement liability, which had a current balance of $1.0 million at September 30, 2024.
The Company is not profitable and has had negative cash flow from operations. We will need substantial capital to support our drug development and any related commercialization efforts for our drug candidates. Based upon the Company's current operating plan, it estimates that its cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as of the issuance date of the financial statements included in this report are insufficient for the Company to fund operating, investing and financing cash flow needs for the twelve months subsequent to the issuance date of the financial statements included in this report. To obtain the capital necessary to fund our operations, we expect to finance our cash needs through public or private equity offerings, debt financing transactions and/or other capital sources. Additional capital may not be available at such times and in such amounts as needed by us to fund our activities on a timely basis.
These uncertainties raise substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern for a period of twelve months subsequent to the issuance date of the financial statements included in this report. Certain elements of our operating plan to alleviate the conditions that raise substantial doubt, including but not limited to our ability to secure equity financing or other financing alternatives, are outside of our control and cannot be included in management's evaluation under the requirements of ASC 205-40, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. Accordingly, we have concluded that substantial doubt exists about our ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months subsequent to the issuance date of the financial statements included in this report.
Operating activities
Our operating activities used cash of $30.0 million in fiscal 2025. Cash used in operating activities included net loss of $22.7 million, adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities totaling an increase of $3.2 million and changes in operating assets and liabilities, totaling a decrease of $4.1 million. Adjustments to net loss consisted of share-based compensation of $8.1 million and the loss on the sale of the FC2 Business of $4.1 million. Changes in operating assets and liabilities included a decrease in accounts payable of $2.8 million and a decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $1.4 million.
Our operating activities used cash of $21.7 million in fiscal 2024. Cash used in operating activities included net loss of $37.8 million, adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities totaling an increase of $15.9 million and changes in operating assets and liabilities, which net to an immaterial amount. Adjustments to net loss primarily consisted of share-based compensation of $13.6 million and a provision for obsolete inventory of $1.6 million. Changes in operating assets and liabilities included a decrease in accounts payable of $5.4 million, partially offset by an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $3.9 million and a decrease in inventories of $1.0 million.
The cash flows related to discontinued operations have not been segregated and are included in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Total operating cash flows of discontinued operations are outflows of $0.3 million and inflows of $3.6 million in fiscal 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Investing activities
Net cash provided by investing activities was $25.1 million in fiscal 2025, due primarily to proceeds from the sale of the FC2 Business of $16.5 million and proceeds from the sale of the Company's ENTADFI® assets of $8.3 million.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $0.1 million in fiscal 2024, attributed to $0.3 million received from the sale of the Company's ENTADFI® assets, partially offset by $0.2 million in capital expenditures for property and equipment, primarily at our Malaysia location.
The cash flows related to discontinued operations have not been segregated and are included in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Total investing cash flows of discontinued operations are inflows of $16.5 million, which includes net proceeds from the sale of the FC2 Business of $16.5 million, and outflows of $0.2 million in fiscal 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Financing activities
Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2025 was $4.2 million and consisted of a change of control payment of $4.2 million to SWK pursuant to the Residual Royalty Agreement, which terminated the Residual Royalty Agreement and extinguished the related debt.
Net cash provided by financing activities in fiscal 2024 was $36.8 million and primarily consisted of proceeds from the sale of shares in a public offering, net of commissions and costs, of $35.2 million and proceeds from sale of shares under the common stock purchase agreement with Lincoln Park (see discussion below) of $1.7 million.
Sources of Capital
SWK Credit Agreement and Residual Royalty Agreement
On March 5, 2018, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (as amended, the "Credit Agreement") with the financial institutions party thereto from time to time (the "Lenders") and SWK Funding LLC, as agent for the Lenders (the "Agent"), for a synthetic royalty financing transaction. On and subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Lenders provided the Company with a term loan of $10.0 million, which was advanced to the Company on the date of the Credit Agreement. The Company repaid the loan and return premium specified in the Credit Agreement in August 2021, and as a result has no further obligations under the Credit Agreement. The Agent has released its security interest in Company collateral previously pledged to secure its obligations under the Credit Agreement.
In connection with the Credit Agreement, Veru and the Agent also entered into a Residual Royalty Agreement, dated as of March 5, 2018 (as amended, the "Residual Royalty Agreement"), which provides for an ongoing royalty payment of 5% of product revenue from net sales of FC2, which continues after the repayment of the loan and return premium under the Credit Agreement.
In connection with the closing of the FC2 Business Sale, on December 30, 2024, the Company made a change of control payment of $4.2 million pursuant to the Residual Royalty Agreement, and upon such payment, the Residual Royalty Agreement terminated in accordance with its terms. The Company recognized a gain on extinguishment of debt of $8.6 million for the difference between the change of control payment of $4.2 million and the net carrying amount of the extinguished debt, which included an embedded derivative for the change of control provision at fair value.
Excluding the change of control payment, the Company made total payments under the Residual Royalty Agreement of $0.3 million and $0.7 million during fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, respectively. The Company is not required to make any additional payments under the Residual Royalty Agreement.
Equity Offerings
On December 18, 2023, we completed an underwritten public offering of 5,270,833 shares of our common stock, which included the exercise in full of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares, at a public offering price of $7.20 per share. Net proceeds to the Company from this offering were approximately $35.2 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and costs paid by the Company. All of the shares sold in the offering were by the Company. The offering was made pursuant to the Company's shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-270606).
On October 31, 2025, we completed an underwritten public offering of (i) 1,400,000 shares of our common stock, (ii) pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 7,000,000 shares of our common stock, each representing the right to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $0.001, in lieu of common stock, (iii) accompanying Series A warrants to purchase up to 8,400,000 shares of our common stock, and (iv) accompanying Series B warrants to purchase up to 8,400,000 shares of our common stock, at a public offering price of $3.00 per share of common stock, accompanying Series A warrant and accompanying Series B warrant. Net proceeds to the Company from this offering were approximately $23.4 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and costs paid by the Company. All of the securities sold in the offering were by the Company. The offering was made pursuant to the Company's shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-270606).
Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC Purchase Agreement
On May 2, 2023, the Company entered into a common stock purchase agreement (as amended, the "Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement") with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC ("Lincoln Park") which provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth therein, the Company has the right, but not the obligation, to sell to Lincoln Park up to $100.0 million of shares (the "Purchase Shares") of the Company's common stock over the 36-month term of the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement. On the date the Company executed the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement, we also issued 80,000 shares of the Company's common stock to Lincoln Park as an initial fee for Lincoln Park's commitment to purchase shares of the Company's common stock under the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement, and we are obligated to issue $1.0 million of shares of the Company's common stock at the time Lincoln Park's purchases cumulatively reach an aggregate amount of $50.0 million (such shares, collectively, the "Commitment Shares"). On December 13, 2023, the Company entered into an amendment (the "Lincoln Park Amendment") with Lincoln Park to reduce the amount of shares of common stock subject to the registration from $100.0 million to $50.0 million until the Company has sold at least $50.0 million of shares of common stock under the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement. The Purchase Shares up to $50.0 million and Commitment Shares under the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement have been registered pursuant to the Company's effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-270606), and a related prospectus supplement that was filed with the SEC on May 3, 2023, as further supplemented on December 13, 2023 to reflect the Lincoln Park Amendment.
During the year ended September 30, 2025, we did not sell any shares under the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement. During the year ended September 30, 2024, we sold 180,000 shares of common stock to Lincoln Park under the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement, resulting in proceeds to the Company of $1.7 million. Since inception of the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement through September 30, 2025, we have sold 302,500 shares of common stock to Lincoln Park under the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement, resulting in proceeds to the Company of $3.1 million.
Open Market Sale Agreement with Jefferies LLC
On May 12, 2023, the Company entered into an Open Market Sale AgreementSM (the "Jefferies Sales Agreement") with Jefferies LLC ("Jefferies"), as sales agent, pursuant to which we may issue and sell, from time to time, through Jefferies, shares of the Company's common stock, with an aggregate value of up to $75 million (not to exceed the lesser of 3,960,907 shares of common stock or the number of authorized, unissued and available shares of common stock at any time). On August 19, 2024, the Company delivered notice to Jefferies to terminate the Jefferies Sales Agreement, which was effective on September 3, 2024. Pursuant to the terms of the Jefferies Sales Agreement, the Company could issue and sell, from time to time through or to Jefferies, shares of its common stock as set forth in the Jefferies Sales Agreement with an aggregate value of up to $75 million. As a result of the termination of the Jefferies Sales Agreement, the Company will not issue or sell any additional shares of common stock under the Jefferies Sales Agreement.
During the year ended September 30, 2025, we did not sell any shares under the Jefferies Sales Agreement. During the year ended September 30, 2024, we sold 9,016 shares of common stock under the Jefferies Sales Agreement, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $67,000. Since inception of the Jefferies Sales Agreement through the date the Jefferies Sales Agreement was terminated, we sold 136,742 shares of common stock resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $1.1 million.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The Company is required to adopt various accounting policies and to make estimates and assumptions in preparing its financial statements that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, net revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and assumptions. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience to the extent practicable and on various other assumptions that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances and at the time they are made. If the Company's assumptions prove inaccurate or if future results are not consistent with historical experience, the Company may be required to make adjustments in its policies that affect reported results. The Company's significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 1 to the financial statements included in this report.
The Company's most critical accounting estimates include: research and development costs, measurement of fair value, and valuation of goodwill and intangible assets. The Company has other key accounting policies that are less subjective and, therefore, their application is less subject to variations that would have a material impact on the Company's reported results of operations. The following is a discussion of the Company's most critical policies, as well as the estimates and judgments involved.
Research and Development Costs
Research and development costs are expensed as they are incurred and include salaries and benefits, costs to conduct clinical trials, and contract services. The Company records estimated costs of research and development activities conducted by third-party service providers, which include the conduct of preclinical studies and clinical trials and contract manufacturing activities. These costs are a significant component of the Company's research and development expenses. The Company accrues for these costs based on factors such as estimates of the work completed and in accordance with agreements established with its third-party service providers under the service agreements. The Company makes significant judgments and estimates in determining the accrued liabilities balance in each reporting period. As actual costs become known, the Company adjusts its accrued liabilities. The Company has not experienced any material differences between accrued costs and actual costs incurred. However, the status and timing of actual services performed, number of patients enrolled and the rate of patient enrollments may vary from the Company's estimates, resulting in adjustments to expense in future periods. Changes in these estimates that result in material changes to the Company's accruals could materially affect the Company's results of operations.
Fair Value Measurements
As of September 30, 2024, the Company's financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, which consisted of embedded derivatives, represents the fair value of the change of control provisions in the Residual Royalty Agreement. During the year ended September 30, 2025, the Residual Royalty Agreement was terminated and the embedded derivative was extinguished together with the debt. See Note 8 to the financial statements included in this report for additional information. The fair values of these liabilities were estimated based on unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement), which required highly subjective judgment and assumptions. The Company estimated the fair value of the embedded derivative within the Residual Royalty Agreement using a scenario-based method, whereby different scenarios are valued and probability weighted. The scenario-based valuation model incorporated transaction details such as the contractual terms of the instrument and assumptions that included projected FC2 revenues, expected cash outflows, probability and estimated dates of a change of control, risk-free interest rates and applicable credit risk. As a result, the use of different estimates or assumptions would have resulted in a higher or lower fair value and different amounts being recorded in the Company's financial statements.
The Company also has investments in equity securities consisting of the Series D Preferred Stock and the ONCO Warrant as of September 30, 2025 and the ONCO Common Stock as of September 30, 2024. The Series D Preferred Stock and the ONCO Warrant were received on September 22, 2025 as a settlement of the ONCO Promissory Notes. See Note 14 for additional information. The Company has elected to measure the Series D Preferred Stock and the ONCO Warrant at fair value in accordance with ASC 825. The investments in the Series D Preferred Stock and the ONCO Warrant are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because there is no market for these types of securities and the fair value is determined using significant unobservable inputs. The fair value of the Series D Preferred Stock and the ONCO Warrant have been determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model. This valuation model incorporates the contractual terms of the instruments and assumptions including the stock price of ONCO Common Stock, expected volatility, and a selected discount rate. Additionally, the Series D Preferred Stock and the ONCO Warrant were issued by ONCO as part of a Securities Purchase Agreement, which included the sale of 16,099 shares of Series D convertible preferred stock and warrants to purchase 4,362,827 shares of ONCO Common Stock to eleven institutional investors, for an aggregate purchase price of $12.9 million. The valuation of the Series D Preferred Stock and ONCO Warrant includes a calibration discount to the proceeds of the original transaction, which was done at arms' length. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of the financial instruments represent the Company's best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, the use of different estimates or assumptions would result in a higher or lower fair value and different amounts being recorded in the Company's financial statements. Material changes in any of these inputs could result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement at future reporting dates, which could have a material effect on our results of operations. See Note 4 to the financial statements included in this report.
Goodwill
The Company has $6.9 million recorded as goodwill at September 30, 2025 and 2024. The Company evaluates the carrying value of its goodwill on an annual basis in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or more frequently when indicators of impairment exist. An impairment of goodwill could occur if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeded the fair value of that reporting unit. The estimated fair value of a reporting unit is highly sensitive to changes in projections and assumptions; therefore, in some instances changes in these assumptions could potentially lead to impairment. We perform sensitivity analyses around our assumptions in order to assess the reasonableness of the assumptions and the results of our testing. Prior to the FC2 Business Sale, the Company's goodwill was assigned to the Research and Development reporting unit. Subsequent to the FC2 Business Sale, the Company has a single reporting unit.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 to the financial statements included in this report for additional information on recently adopted accounting pronouncements and recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
Although the Company cannot accurately determine the precise effect of inflation, the Company has experienced increased costs of product, supplies, salaries and benefits, and increased general and administrative expenses.