Our internal information technology systems, or those of our third-party CROs, CMOs, or other contractors or consultants, may fail or suffer security breaches, which could result in a material disruption of our drug candidates’ development programs and our commercialization of any products for which we receive regulatory approval.
Despite the implementation of security measures, our internal information technology systems and those of our third-party CROs, CMOs, and other contractors and consultants are vulnerable to damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, cyber-attacks or cyber-intrusions over the Internet, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures. Although we have been the targets of cyber-attacks and cyber-intrusions, the impact on our operations and financial condition has not been material. We expect such cybersecurity threats to continue and become more sophisticated, even more so due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. A significant cyber-attack or cyber-intrusion could cause our systems to fail, leakage of confidential information, or business interruption, which could result in a material disruption of our operations, financial loss, or reputational harm. For example, the loss of clinical trial data for our drug candidates could result in delays in our regulatory approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data. We have invested in protections and monitoring practices of our data and information technology systems to reduce these risks and expect to continue do so as our information technology systems increase in magnitude and complexity. However, there can be no assurance that our efforts and investments will prevent breakdowns or breaches in our systems that could adversely affect our business.
Unfavorable global economic conditions could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Our results of operations could be adversely affected by general conditions in the global economy and in the global financial markets. Key national economies, including the United States, have been affected from time to time by economic downturns or recessions, supply chain constraints, rising inflation, restricted credit, poor liquidity, reduced corporate profitability, debt, equity and foreign exchange market volatility, bankruptcies, rising interest rates, unemployment rates, and overall uncertainty with respect to the economy. Increasing interest rates in the United States to respond to inflationary pressures and market volatility, as well as the government closure of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank and liquidity concerns at other financial institutions, could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, increased interest rates or a general economic downturn or recession could reduce our ability to raise additional capital when needed on acceptable terms, if at all. A weak or declining economy, supply disruptions or international trade disputes could also strain our third-party suppliers, possibly resulting in supply disruption.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused extreme volatility and disruptions in the capital and credit markets. Likewise, the capital and credit markets may be adversely affected by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the possibility of a wider European or global conflict, and global sanctions imposed in response thereto. Other international events such as trade disputes, separatist movements, leadership changes and political and military conflicts could also adversely affect global financial activity and markets and could negatively affect the U.S. economy. These conditions could result in decreased economic activity, heightened risk of cyberattacks, and inflation, as well as impact our ability to raise capital. Additionally, the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) and other major central banks have begun the process of removing or reducing monetary accommodation, increasing the risk of recession and may also negatively impact asset values and credit spreads that were impacted by extraordinary monetary stimulus. A severe or prolonged economic downturn could result in a variety of risks to our business, including, weakened demand for our drug candidates and our ability to raise additional capital when needed on acceptable terms, if at all. A weak or declining economy could also strain our suppliers, possibly resulting in supply disruption, or cause our customers to delay making payments for our marketed product and services. We cannot anticipate all of the ways in which the foregoing, and the current economic climate and financial market conditions, could adversely impact our business.
Our employees, principal investigators, CROs, CMOs and consultants may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including non-compliance with regulatory standards and requirements and insider trading, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We are exposed to the risk that our employees, principal investigators, CROs, CMOs, and consultants may engage in fraudulent conduct or other illegal activity. Misconduct by these parties could include intentional failures to comply with FDA regulations, provide accurate information to the FDA, comply with manufacturing standards we have