COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2025

15.	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Contingencies

On July 17, 2025, a putative securities class action was filed in the Southern District of California, naming Capricor Therapeutics, Inc. and our chief executive officer, Linda Marbán. The action alleges certain violations of the U.S. federal securities laws and seeks unspecified damages.

On August 1, 2025, a derivative action was filed in the Southern District of California naming each of the Directors on the Board of Capricor Therapeutics, Inc. The action alleges, among other things, breaches of fiduciary duties and seeks unspecified damages.

On November 24, 2025, a second derivative action was filed in the Southern District of California naming each of the Directors on the Board of Capricor Therapeutics, Inc. The action alleges, among other things, breaches of fiduciary duties and seeks unspecified damages.

On October 2, 2025, the Company received a Section 220 Shareholder Demand Letter dated September 30, 2025 to inspect and make copies of certain books and records of the Company. The stockholder's demand is related to, among other things, alleged false and misleading statements purportedly made by officers and directors of the Company, as well as the alleged failure to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects.

In addition, from time to time, the Company may become involved in various other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of its business or otherwise. The Company records a loss contingency reserve for a legal proceeding when it considers the potential loss probable and it can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss or determine a probable range of loss. The Company has not recorded any material accruals for loss contingencies as of December 31, 2025.

Accounts Payable

During the normal course of business, disputes with vendors may arise. If a vendor disputed payment is probable and able to be estimated, we will record an estimated liability.

Other Funding Commitments

The Company is a party to various agreements, principally relating to licensed technology, that require future payments relating to milestones that may be met in subsequent periods or royalties on future sales of specific products (see Note 7 - "Collaborations, Licenses and Revenue").

Additionally, the Company is a party to various agreements with contract research, manufacturing and other organizations that generally provide for termination upon notice, subject to certain time periods, with the exact amounts owed in the event of termination to be based on the timing of termination and the terms of the agreement.

Employee Severances

The Board from time to time may approve severance packages for specific full-time employees based on their length of service and position ranging up to twelve months of their base salaries, in the event of termination of their employment, subject to certain conditions. No liability under these severance packages has been recorded as of December 31, 2025.

CAPRICOR THERAPEUTICS, INC. 10-K