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Twist Bioscience(TWST) - 2025 Q4 - Annual Report

Financial Performance - The company incurred net losses of $204.6 million, $208.7 million, and $77.7 million for the years ended September 30, 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively, with an accumulated deficit of $1,319.6 million as of September 30, 2025[117]. - The company has incurred limited revenue from product sales to date and expects increasing costs as it grows, which may hinder its ability to achieve profitability[117]. - The company anticipates net losses and negative operating cash flows for the near future, indicating a potential need for additional financing[186]. - Future capital requirements will depend on the development of new products and manufacturing processes, as well as the costs associated with these initiatives[187]. - Increased operating costs have been experienced, attributed to inflation, but the company does not believe inflation has materially affected its financial condition[160]. Revenue Generation - The company relies heavily on its synthetic DNA products, which have generated substantially all of its revenue to date, and aims to strengthen its synthetic biology and NGS product groups while diversifying into other sectors[126]. - The company must attract new customers and retain existing ones to grow its business, particularly in the synthetic DNA and NGS tool markets, where it currently generates significant revenue from liquid biopsy applications[131]. - 42% of the company's revenue for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025, was generated from international customers, up from 40% in both 2024 and 2023[195]. - Customer spending on research and development is subject to significant variation, impacting demand for the company's products[144]. - The company does not have long-term contracts with customers, making revenue predictions challenging and exposing it to potential order reductions[147]. Competition and Market Risks - The company faces significant competition from established players in the synthetic biology and life sciences tools industries, which may lead to pricing pressures and impact its market share[130]. - Pricing pressures may arise, and if the company cannot pass on cost increases to customers, it could adversely affect its financial position and results[169]. - The company faces significant risks from geopolitical tensions, including new U.S. tariffs that could increase production costs and disrupt supply chains[143]. - Changes in currency exchange rates may negatively impact revenue from international customers, making products more expensive and affecting competitiveness[196]. - The company faces operational and financial risks when expanding into international markets, including longer payment cycles and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable[195]. Supply Chain and Operational Risks - The company is dependent on a single-source supplier for a critical component in its DNA synthesis process, and any disruption could adversely affect its operations[113]. - The company relies on a single-source supplier for a critical component in its DNA synthesis process, which could lead to operational delays if supply is interrupted[148]. - There is a need for the single-source supplier to increase manufacturing capacity to meet anticipated market demand, which may require significant investment and could face challenges[153]. - Existing suppliers may not meet increasing demand as the company grows, necessitating the search for additional suppliers, which could lead to delays and added costs[155]. - The company has stable relationships with suppliers, but any deterioration could lead to production capacity shortages and inability to fulfill customer demand[157]. Intellectual Property and Compliance - The company’s ability to protect its intellectual property is uncertain, and failure to do so could allow competitors to replicate its products[113]. - The company may not be able to protect its intellectual property rights effectively in all jurisdictions, which could adversely affect its competitive position[216]. - The company faces challenges in enforcing its patents and intellectual property rights in countries like China and India, which may lead to significant costs and risks of invalidation[217]. - The company may incur substantial costs and management distraction from litigation related to patent enforcement and intellectual property rights[222]. - The company is subject to data privacy and protection laws, which could lead to significant consequences such as business interruption and regulatory fines if noncompliance occurs[175]. Management and Governance - The company is highly dependent on its senior management and key personnel, with potential risks associated with losing these individuals[161]. - Strategic transactions, including acquisitions, may disrupt the business and could lead to dilution of stockholder value[165]. - The company has experienced at least one ownership change in the past, which may limit the use of net operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income[197]. - Compliance with public company regulations has increased legal and financial costs, requiring significant management attention[205]. - The company is required to advance expenses to directors and officers in connection with defending proceedings, with certain limitations on indemnification[267]. Technology and Innovation - The integration of AI and machine learning into operations presents both opportunities and risks, including compliance and reputational challenges[142]. - The company must continually innovate to remain competitive in the rapidly changing synthetic biology industry[139]. - The company introduced IVDR-compliant Precision Dx products for whole exome sequencing in February 2024 to meet EU regulatory requirements[179]. - The company may need to obtain CLIA certification in the future, which could divert management's attention and disrupt core operations[180]. - The complexity of licensing agreements may lead to disputes over royalty obligations, which could impact the company's ability to market its products[239]. Financial Position and Stock Market - The company has never declared or paid dividends on its common stock and does not intend to do so in the foreseeable future, relying on stock price appreciation for investor gains[241]. - The market price of the company's common stock is likely to be volatile, influenced by various factors including economic conditions and competition[250]. - The company has experienced fluctuations in its quarterly and annual operating results, which may continue to affect stock value[254]. - Future sales and issuances of common stock could result in dilution of existing stockholders' ownership and potentially lower stock prices[265]. - The company’s operating results may differ significantly from its guidance, which is based on management's estimates and assumptions[259]. ESG and Regulatory Compliance - Increasing scrutiny around ESG practices may impose additional costs and expose the company to reputational risks, affecting investment strategies[268]. - Regulatory authorities are imposing mandatory disclosure requirements related to ESG matters, which could adversely impact the company's business if not adequately addressed[269]. - Enhancements to processes and controls for evolving ESG reporting standards may incur significant costs and require additional resources[269]. - Companies perceived as not responding appropriately to evolving ESG expectations may suffer reputational damage, impacting financial condition and stock price[268].