Business Description

Note 1. Nature of the Business Clene Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or similar such references) is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company pioneering the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel clean-surfaced nanotechnology therapeutics. We have developed an electro-crystal-chemistry drug development platform that enables production of concentrated, stable, highly active, clean-surfaced nanocrystal suspensions. We have multiple drug assets currently in development for applications primarily in neurology. Our efforts are currently focused on addressing the high unmet medical needs in central nervous system disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (“ALS”), multiple sclerosis (“MS”), and Parkinson’s disease (“PD”). Our patented electro-crystal-chemistry manufacturing platform further enables us to develop very low concentration dietary supplements to advance the health and well-being of broad populations. These dietary supplements can vary greatly and include nanocrystals of varying composition, shapes and sizes as well as ionic solutions with diverse metallic constituents. Dietary supplements are marketed and distributed through our wholly-owned subsidiary, dOrbital, Inc., or through an exclusive license with 4Life Research LLC ( “4Life” ), an international supplier of health supplements, stockholder, debt holder, and related party (see Note 15 ). We became a public company on December 30, 2020 ( the “Closing Date”) when we completed a reverse recapitalization (the “Reverse Recapitalization”) with Tottenham Acquisition I Limited (“Tottenham”), Tottenham’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Chelsea Worldwide Inc., and Creative Worldwide Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chelsea Worldwide Inc. On the Closing Date, Chelsea Worldwide Inc. changed its name to Clene Inc. and listed its shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”) on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “CLNN.” Going Concern We incurred a loss from operations of $23.1 million and $33.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 , respectively. Our accumulated deficit was $308.3 million and $282.1 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 . Our cash and cash equivalents totaled $5.2 million and $12.2 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 , respectively, and net cash used in operating activities was $18.5 million and $21.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 , respectively. We have incurred significant losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception. We have not generated significant revenues since our inception, and we do not anticipate generating significant revenues unless we successfully complete development and obtain regulatory approval for commercialization of a drug candidate. We expect to incur additional losses in the future, particularly as we advance the development of our clinical-stage drug candidates, continue research and development of our preclinical drug candidates, and initiate additional clinical trials of, and seek regulatory approval for, these and other future drug candidates. We expect that within the next twelve months, we will not have sufficient cash and other resources on hand to sustain our current operations or meet our obligations as they become due unless we obtain additional financing. Additionally, pursuant to our senior secured convertible promissory notes issued in December 2024 ( the “2024 SSCP Notes”), we are required to maintain unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of at least $2.0 million to avoid acceleration of the full balance of the 2024 SSCP Notes (see Note 8 ). These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. To mitigate our funding needs, we plan to raise additional funding, including exploring equity financing and offerings, debt financing, licensing or collaboration arrangements with third parties, as well as utilizing our existing at-the-market facility and potential proceeds from the exercise of outstanding warrants and stock options. These plans are subject to market conditions and reliance on third parties, and there is no assurance that effective implementation of our plans will result in the necessary funding to continue current operations.…