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BeyondSpring Inc. (BYSI)

Business Summary

BeyondSpring Inc. is a clinical-stage global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for patients with high unmet medical needs, primarily in oncology. The company's core business model revolves around the development and potential commercialization of its lead asset, Plinabulin, and a pipeline of small molecule immune agents, as well as an equity stake in SEED Therapeutics Inc., which utilizes a proprietary Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) drug discovery platform. Revenue generation is currently through collaboration arrangements and the sale of subsidiary interests, as the company has no products approved for commercial sale and has not generated any revenue from product sales to date . The primary customer segments for its potential products are cancer patients, particularly those with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and those at risk of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN).

Plinabulin, the company's first-in-class lead asset, is a novel brain-penetrant microtubule modulator with dendritic cell maturation and vasculature modulation mechanisms. It is being developed as a potential "pipeline in a drug" for various cancer indications as a direct anti-cancer agent, with the added safety benefit of reducing CIN. Plinabulin has been administered to over 700 cancer patients with generally good tolerability . The company is also developing three small molecule immune agents, BPI-002, BPI-003, and BPI-004, which are currently in preclinical stages . BPI-002 is an oral small molecule agent that increases T-cell co-stimulation, BPI-003 is a novel small molecule inhibitor of IKK, and BPI-004 induces the production of neo-antigens by tumor cells .

A significant product line is Plinabulin for the treatment of advanced and metastatic NSCLC. The DUBLIN-3 Phase 3 study, which enrolled 559 patients globally, demonstrated that the Plinabulin and docetaxel combination had statistically significant and clinically meaningful overall survival benefit compared to docetaxel alone, with doubling 2-year and 3-year OS rates . It also showed an 82% relative reduction in grade 4 neutropenia in Cycle 1 Day 8 (p<0.0001) . The median OS in the Plinabulin/docetaxel arm was 11.4 months versus 8.8 months in the docetaxel arm for the non-squamous subset (OS HR 0.72, p=0.0078) .

Another key product line is Plinabulin for the prevention of CIN. The PROTECTIVE-2 Phase 3 study, a registration superiority study, demonstrated that Plinabulin in combination with pegfilgrastim showed superior CIN prevention benefit compared to pegfilgrastim alone. The study met its primary endpoint with a statistically significant improvement in the rate of prevention of grade 4 neutropenia, increasing from 13.6% to 31.5% (p=0.0015) . It also met key secondary endpoints, including mean ANC Nadir of 0.538 x 10^9 cells/L (p=0.0002) and a rate of prevention of grade 3 neutropenia of 20.7% versus 4.6% (p=0.003) . However, the FDA issued a Complete Response Letter in November 2021, indicating that the results were not sufficiently robust and a second well-controlled trial would be required . The NDA submission for this indication was withdrawn from the NMPA in March 2023 .

The company also holds an equity stake in SEED Therapeutics Inc., which is utilizing a proprietary Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) drug discovery platform. SEED's wholly owned lead oncology asset, a novel RBM39 degrader (ST-01156), entered Phase 1 clinical studies in January 2026 . SEED has collaborations with Eli Lilly and Eisai to discover and develop new chemical entities through this TPD platform, with potential milestone payments of up to approximately $780 million from Eli Lilly and up to $1.5 billion from Eisai . As of December 31, 2025, the BYSI Entities own approximately 38.03% of the outstanding equity interest in SEED .

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the company reported a consolidated net loss of $14.2 million , compared to a net loss of $16.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 . The accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2025, was $408.4 million , up from $407.4 million as of December 31, 2024 . Net cash used for operating activities was $19.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 , compared to $16.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 . Cash and cash equivalents for continuing operations were $7.8 million at December 31, 2025 , compared to $2.9 million at December 31, 2024 . Short-term investments for continuing operations were $4.8 million at December 31, 2025, compared to nil at December 31, 2024 . The filing does not provide specific figures for total revenue, gross profit, gross margin percentage, operating income, operating margin, diluted EPS, free cash flow, total debt, or net debt for the reported fiscal period.

During the reported period, SEED's lead oncology asset, ST-01156, a novel RBM39 degrader, entered Phase 1 clinical studies in January 2026 . The IND application for ST-01156 was cleared by the FDA in August 2025 and by the NMPA in November 2025 . In September 2025, SEED completed the second close of its Series A-3 financing, selling an aggregate of 1,411,761 Series A-3 Preferred Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $6.0 million . In January 2025, the company entered into agreements to sell a portion of its Series A-1 Preferred Shares of SEED for $35.4 million, or $4.25 per share, in three installments, with the first closing of approximately $7.35 million occurring in February 2025 . The DUBLIN-3 study results were published in LANCET Respiratory Medicine journal in September 2024 .

Business Outlook & Financial Sufficiency

The company plans to use its best efforts to file an NDA with the NMPA as soon as possible for the Plinabulin regimen in second- and third-line NSCLC with EGFR wild type, based on the positive results from the DUBLIN-3 study . The company is also evaluating the feasibility of filing NDAs with regulatory agencies of other jurisdictions . Furthermore, a confirmatory global Phase 3 study in second- and third-line non-squamous NSCLC with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) wild type after progression on prior immune checkpoint inhibitors is planned, following productive discussions with the US regulatory agency .

A major growth area is the continued development of Plinabulin as a potential "pipeline in a drug" in multiple solid tumor cancer indications, particularly in combination with immuno-oncology agents and other synergistic standards of care to address severe unmet medical needs in oncology . The company believes Plinabulin's unique mechanism, involving dendritic cell maturation and T-cell activation, and tumor vasculature modulation, supports improved anti-cancer efficacy in combination with tumor antigen generators, including chemotherapy or radiation, with or without checkpoint inhibitors . Multiple ongoing investigator-initiated studies with PD-1 antibodies are being conducted at leading institutions, with the goal of advancing Plinabulin in clinical trials as an immuno-oncology agent, especially in PD-1/PD-L1 antibody progressed patients .

Another significant growth area is maximizing the value of SEED's Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) technology platform . SEED's lead candidate, ST-01156, a brain-penetrant RBM39 degrader, has entered clinical development for Ewing sarcoma and other RBM39-dependent cancers, with Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease designations from the FDA for Ewing sarcoma . The IND application for ST-01156 was cleared by the FDA in August 2025 and by the NMPA in November 2025, and the first patient was dosed in the Phase 1a dose-escalation study in January 2026 . SEED has collaborations with Eli Lilly and Eisai to discover and develop novel chemical entities through this TPD platform, with potential preclinical, clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones of up to approximately $780 million from Eli Lilly and up to $1.5 billion from Eisai . SEED's pipeline includes six internal projects and three joint development programs, targeting oncology, neurodegeneration, immunology, and antiviral indications, with additional programs in development for anti-aging applications .

The company expects to continue to incur significant and increasing operating losses and negative cash flows for the foreseeable future due to substantial research and development expenses related to ongoing and planned clinical trials . The company will need to obtain additional financing to fund future operations, including conducting additional clinical trials that may be required by the FDA for CIN prevention and to support a potential NDA filing for NSCLC, as well as to complete the development and commercialization of future product candidates . The second closing of approximately $13.19 million from the sale of SEED Series A-1 Preferred Shares is expected in 2026, and the third closing of approximately $14.88 million is scheduled to occur no later than December 15, 2026 .

The company plans to seek a co-development and commercialization partner for Plinabulin in the U.S. and the rest of the world to maximize its potential in multiple cancer indications, if approved . This strategy is driven by the belief that Plinabulin's opportunities surpass the company's current resources .

The company's strategies around Plinabulin are dependent upon its ability to obtain additional funding . General market conditions and the Complete Response Letter received from the FDA have caused and may continue to cause difficulties in seeking financing from capital markets . The company may not be able to complete financing on reasonable terms or at all, which could force delays, reductions, or elimination of research and development programs or future commercialization efforts . The ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine may require the company to avoid conducting any future clinical trials in such jurisdictions due to difficulties in enrolling patients and supply chain disruptions, although no clinical trials are currently planned there .

Management Sentiments & Priorities

Management emphasizes the company's focus as a clinical-stage global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative therapies for high unmet medical needs, particularly in oncology. A key strategic priority is the development of Plinabulin as a "pipeline in a drug" in multiple solid tumor cancer indications, exploring its potential in combination with immuno-oncology agents and other synergistic standards of care . Management highlights Plinabulin's unique mechanism, involving dendritic cell maturation and T-cell activation, and tumor vasculature modulation, as supporting its improved anti-cancer efficacy . The company is committed to advancing Plinabulin through global clinical trials and obtaining regulatory approvals, specifically noting plans to use best efforts to file an NDA with the NMPA for second- and third-line non-squamous EGFR wild type NSCLC as soon as possible, and to initiate a confirmatory global Phase 3 study for this indication based on discussions with the US regulatory agency . Another strategic priority is to maximize the value of SEED's Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) technology platform, citing ongoing collaborations with Eli Lilly and Eisai as validation of the platform's potential and the team's execution capabilities . Management also acknowledges the need for additional funding to support the execution of its business plan and to maximize shareholder value, exploring strategic options such as licensing, partnerships, asset sales, or equity/debt financing . The company's overall tone suggests a strong belief in the scientific merit and commercial potential of its pipeline, while also recognizing the significant financial and regulatory challenges inherent in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Risk Factors

The company faces significant financial risks, having incurred net losses in each period since inception, with a consolidated net loss of $14.2 million for 2025 and an accumulated deficit of $408.4 million as of December 31, 2025 . Substantial additional financing will be required to fund future operations, including clinical trials and commercialization, and the inability to obtain such financing could lead to delays or termination of development programs . Clinical development of Plinabulin is highly uncertain; the FDA's Complete Response Letter for CIN prevention, requiring a second well-controlled trial, highlights the risk of delays or failure to obtain regulatory approval . The company's reliance on a single lead asset, Plinabulin, for multiple indications means that failure in its development would materially harm the business . Regulatory approval processes are lengthy and unpredictable, with risks including disagreement with regulators on trial design, failure to demonstrate safety and efficacy, and the potential for additional studies, particularly given that a majority of patients in the DUBLIN-3 NSCLC trial (approximately 87%) were in China, which may raise concerns about applicability to the U.S. patient population . Commercialization risks include failure to achieve market acceptance, inability to establish effective sales and marketing capabilities, and intense competition from larger pharmaceutical companies with greater resources . Intellectual property risks include the possibility that pending patent applications may not issue, issued patents may be challenged or circumvented, and the difficulty of enforcing patent rights globally . The company relies heavily on third-party CROs and manufacturers, and their failure to comply with regulations, meet deadlines, or provide sufficient quantities or quality of product could severely disrupt operations . Specifically, the company relies on BASF SE as the sole supplier of Kolliphor HS15, a stabilizing agent for Plinabulin, and its unavailability would require reformulation and cause significant delays . International operations expose the company to risks such as unexpected legislative changes, economic instability, and difficulties in enforcing contractual provisions . Compliance with U.S. federal and state anti-kickback, false claims, and data privacy laws, as well as Chinese regulations on human genetic resources and data security, poses significant legal and financial risks .

References

  1. [1] Item 1, Business — Overview
  2. [2] Item 1, Business — Overview
  3. [3] Item 1, Business — Other Programs
  4. [4] Item 1, Business — Other Programs
  5. [5] Item 1, Business — Phase 3 in advanced and metastatic NSCLC (Study 103 or DUBLIN-3)
  6. [6] Item 1, Business — Key findings of DUBLIN-3 study are summarized below
  7. [7] Item 1, Business — Key findings of DUBLIN-3 study are summarized below
  8. [8] Item 1, Business — PROTECTIVE-2 (Plinabulin + Pegfilgrastim combination vs. Pegfilgrastim monotherapy)
  9. [9] Item 1, Business — PROTECTIVE-2 (Plinabulin + Pegfilgrastim combination vs. Pegfilgrastim monotherapy)
  10. [10] Item 1, Business — PROTECTIVE-2 (Plinabulin + Pegfilgrastim combination vs. Pegfilgrastim monotherapy)
  11. [11] Item 1, Business — PROTECTIVE-2 (Plinabulin + Pegfilgrastim combination vs. Pegfilgrastim monotherapy)
  12. [12] Item 1, Business — SEED’s Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) Platform and Pipeline
  13. [13] Item 1, Business — SEED’s research collaborations with Eli Lilly and Eisai
  14. [14] Item 1, Business — SEED’s relationship with BeyondSpring
  15. [15] Item 1A, Risk Factors — We have incurred net losses in each period since our inception and anticipate that we will continue to incur net losses for the foreseeable future.
  16. [16] Item 1A, Risk Factors — We have incurred net losses in each period since our inception and anticipate that we will continue to incur net losses for the foreseeable future.
  17. [17] Item 1A, Risk Factors — We have incurred net losses in each period since our inception and anticipate that we will continue to incur net losses for the foreseeable future.
  18. [18] Item 1A, Risk Factors — We have incurred net losses in each period since our inception and anticipate that we will continue to incur net losses for the foreseeable future.
  19. [19] Item 1A, Risk Factors — We will need to obtain additional financing to fund our future operations. If we are unable to obtain such financing, we may be unable to complete the development and commercialization of our current or future product candidates.
  20. [20] Item 1A, Risk Factors — We will need to obtain additional financing to fund our future operations. If we are unable to obtain such financing, we may be unable to complete the development and commercialization of our current or future product candidates.
  21. [21] Item 1A, Risk Factors — Our investments are subject to risks that could result in losses.
  22. [22] Item 1A, Risk Factors — Our investments are subject to risks that could result in losses.
  23. [23] Item 1A, Risk Factors — Our investments are subject to risks that could result in losses.
  24. [24] Item 1, Business — SEED’s development pipeline
  25. [25] Item 1, Business — SEED’s development pipeline
  26. [26] Item 1, Business — SEED’s relationship with BeyondSpring
  27. [27] Item 1, Business — SEED’s relationship with BeyondSpring
  28. [28] Item 1, Business — Phase 3 in advanced and metastatic NSCLC (Study 103 or DUBLIN-3)
  29. [29] Item 1, Business — Our Strategy
  30. [30] Item 1, Business — Our Strategy
  31. [31] Item 1, Business — Our Strategy
  32. [32] Item 1, Business — Our Strategy
  33. [33] Item 1, Business — Our Strategy
  34. [34] Item 1, Business — Our Strategy
  35. [35] Item 1, Business — Our Strategy
  36. [36] Item 1, Business — SEED’s development pipeline
  37. [37] Item 1, Business — SEED’s development pipeline
  38. [38] Item 1, Business — SEED’s research collaborations with Eli Lilly and Eisai
  39. [39] Item 1, Business — SEED’s development pipeline
  40. [40] Item 1A, Risk Factors — We have incurred net losses in each period since our inception and anticipate that we will continue to incur net losses for the foreseeable future.
  41. [41] Item 1A, Risk Factors — We will need to obtain additional financing to fund our future operations. If we are unable to obtain such financing, we may be unable to complete the development and commercialization of our current or future product candidates.
  42. [42] Item 1, Business — SEED’s relationship with BeyondSpring
  43. [43] Item 1, Business — Our Strategy
  44. [44] Item 1, Business — Our Strategy
  45. [45] Item 1, Business — Our Strategy
  46. [46] Item 1A, Risk Factors — We will need to obtain additional financing to fund our future operations. If we are unable to obtain such financing, we may be unable to complete the development and commercialization of our current or future product candidates.
  47. [47] Item 1A, Risk Factors — We will need to obtain additional financing to fund our future operations. If we are unable to obtain such financing, we may be unable to complete the development and commercialization of our current or future product candidates.
  48. [48] Item 1A, Risk Factors — The ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine and ancillary developments may have an adverse effect on our business.
  49. [49] Item 1A, Risk Factors — We have incurred net losses in each period since our inception and anticipate that we will continue to incur net losses for the foreseeable future.
  50. [50] Item 1A, Risk Factors — We will need to obtain additional financing to fund our future operations. If we are unable to obtain such financing, we may be unable to complete the development and commercialization of our current or future product candidates.
  51. [51] Item 1A, Risk Factors — If the FDA does not approve our NDA for Plinabulin in combination with G-CSF for the prevention of CIN, or the FDA’s review or approval of our NDA for Plinabulin in such indication is significantly delayed or prolonged, or the continued development of Plinabulin in such indication is significantly delayed or terminated, our business and results of operations could be significantly adversely affected.
  52. [52] Item 1A, Risk Factors — We depend substantially on the success of Plinabulin, which is being developed for multiple indications. Clinical trials of Plinabulin or any other product candidates we develop may not be successful. If we are unable to commercialize Plinabulin or any of our other product candidates, or experience significant delays in doing so, our business will be materially harmed.
  53. [53] Item 1A, Risk Factors — The regulatory approval processes of the FDA, NMPA, EMA and other comparable regulatory authorities are lengthy, time consuming and inherently unpredictable, and if we are ultimately unable to obtain regulatory approval for our current product candidates or any future product candidates we may develop, our business will be substantially harmed.
  54. [54] Item 1A, Risk Factors — Risks Related to Commercialization of Our Product Candidates
  55. [55] Item 1A, Risk Factors — A portion of our intellectual property portfolio currently comprises pending patent applications that have not yet been issued as granted patents and if our pending patent applications fail to issue, our business will be adversely affected. If we are unable to obtain and maintain patent protection for our technology and drugs, our competitors could develop and commercialize technology and drugs similar or identical to ours, and our ability to successfully commercialize our technology and drugs may be adversely affected.
  56. [56] Item 1A, Risk Factors — We rely on third parties to conduct our studies in animals and clinical trials. If these third parties do not successfully comply with legal and regulatory requirements, carry out their contractual duties or meet expected deadlines, we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize our product candidates and our business could be substantially harmed.
  57. [57] Item 1A, Risk Factors — We rely on BASF SE as the sole supplier of the stabilizing agent, Kolliphor HS15, used in Plinabulin’s current formulation. If BASF SE becomes unable or unwilling to supply Kolliphor HS15, we will not be able to replace BASF SE and we would be required to reformulate Plinabulin.
  58. [58] Item 1A, Risk Factors — We are subject to the risk of doing business internationally.
  59. [59] Item 1A, Risk Factors — We may be subject, directly or indirectly, to applicable U.S. federal and state anti-kickback, false claims laws, physician payment transparency laws, fraud and abuse laws or similar healthcare and security laws and regulations, which could expose us to criminal sanctions, civil penalties, contractual damages, reputational harm and diminished profits and future earnings.
  60. [60] Item 1, Business — Our Strategy
  61. [61] Item 1, Business — Our Strategy
  62. [62] Item 1, Business — Our Strategy
  63. [63] Item 1, Business — Our Strategy
  64. [64] Item 1, Business — Our Strategy

Analysis on 5/20/2026