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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 8, 2022

Registration No. 333-266417

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 1

To

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Benitec Biopharma Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   2834   84-462-0206

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

3940 Trust Way

Hayward, California 94545

(510) 780-0819

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Dr. Jerel Banks

Chief Executive Officer

3940 Trust Way

Hayward, California 94545

(510) 780-0819

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Matthew S. O’Loughlin, Esq.

Ben D. Orlanski, Esq.

Louis Rambo, Esq.

Proskauer Rose LLP

2029 Century Park East, Suite 2400

Los Angeles, CA 90067-3010

(310) 557-2900

(310) 557-2193-Facsimile

 

Barry I. Grossman, Esq.

Sarah Williams, Esq.

Matthew Bernstein, Esq.

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

(212) 370-1300

(212) 370-7889-Facsimile

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement is declared effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 8, 2022

Preliminary Prospectus

 

 

LOGO

$20,000,000

25,300,442 Shares of Common Stock or

Pre-funded Warrants to Purchase 25,300,442 Shares of Common Stock and

Common Warrants to Purchase 25,300,442 Shares of Common Stock

Shares of Common Stock underlying the Pre-funded Warrants and Series 1 Common Warrants

 

 

We are offering 25,300,442 shares of our common stock together with common warrants to purchase                  shares of our common stock (and the shares of common stock that are issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Series 1 Common Warrants (as defined below)). The common warrants will be issued separately but must be purchased together with the common stock and/or the pre-funded warrants (as described below). The combined purchase price for each share of common stock and accompanying common warrant is $0.7905. The common warrants will be exercisable beginning on the date of issuance (the “Series 1 Common Warrants”) or, as applicable (as further described herein), the date on which we (a) receive approval from our stockholders (the “Stockholder Approval”) to increase the number of shares of common stock we are authorized to issue (a “Capital Event”) and (b) effect such Capital Event by filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (each such date, an “Initial Exercise Date”) (the “Series 2 Common Warrants”), at an exercise price of $             per share and will expire on the five-year anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date.

We are also offering to certain purchasers whose purchase of shares of common stock in this offering would otherwise result in the purchaser, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of our outstanding common stock immediately following the consummation of this offering, the opportunity to purchase, if such purchasers so choose, pre-funded warrants in lieu of shares of common stock that would otherwise result in any such purchaser’s beneficial ownership exceeding 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of our outstanding common stock. Each pre-funded warrant will be exercisable for one share of our common stock and will be exercisable at any time after its original issuance until exercised in full. The purchase price of each pre-funded warrant will be equal to the price at which a share of common stock are sold to the public in this offering, minus $0.0001, and the exercise price of each pre-funded warrant will be $0.0001 per share. For each pre-funded warrant we sell, the number of shares of common stock we are offering will be decreased on a one-for-one basis. This offering also relates to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Series 1 Common Warrants or any pre-funded warrants sold in this offering.

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “BNTC.” On August 5, 2022, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market was $0.7905. There is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants or common warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not intend to apply for listing of the pre-funded warrants or common warrants on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants or common warrants will be limited.

The public offering price per share of common stock and/or any pre-funded warrant, together with the common warrant that accompanies common stock or a pre-funded warrant will be determined between us, the underwriter and purchasers based on market conditions at the time of pricing, and may be at a discount to the current market


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price. Therefore, the recent market price used throughout this prospectus may not be indicative of the actual public offering price for our common stock, our pre-funded warrants and the common warrants. There is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants or common warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply for the listing of the pre-funded warrants or common warrants on any national securities exchange. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the common warrants and the pre-funded warrants will be limited.

You should read this prospectus, together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” carefully before you invest in any of our securities.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 28.

 

     Per Share of
Common Stock and
Common Warrant(1)
     Per Pre-Funded
Warrant and
Common Warrant
     Total(3)  

Public offering price

   $                    $                    $                

Underwriting discounts and commissions(2)

   $        $        $    

Proceeds to us (before expenses)

   $        $        $    

 

(1)

Based on an assumed public offering price of $                 per share of common stock and common warrant. The final public offering price per share of common stock or pre-funded warrant, together with the common warrant that accompanies common stock or a pre-funded warrant, as the case may be, will be determined by us, the underwriter and the purchasers in this offering and may be a discount to the current market price of our common stock.

(2)

We have agreed to reimburse certain expenses of the underwriter which are not included in the table above. See “Underwriting” for a description of the compensation payable to the underwriter.

(3)

Assumes no pre-funded warrants are issued in lieu of shares of common stock.

We have granted the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase an aggregate of up to 3,795,066 additional shares of our common stock and/or up to 3,795,066 additional common warrants to purchase 3,795,066 shares of our common stock from us at the public offering price per share of common stock and common warrant, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriter may exercise its option to acquire additional shares for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments. See “Underwriting.”

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed on the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Delivery of the securities offered hereby is expected to be made on or about                 , 2022.

 

 

Sole Book-Running Manager

JMP Securities

A CITIZENS COMPANY

The date of this prospectus is                , 2022


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

About This Prospectus

     1  

Industry and Market Data

     2  

Trademarks and Tradenames

     2  

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     3  

Summary

     5  

The Offering

     23  

Summary Consolidated Financial Data

     26  

Risk Factors

     28  

Use of Proceeds

     33  

Capitalization

     34  

Market Price of Our Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters

     35  

Dividend Policy

     35  

Principal Stockholders

     36  

Description of Securities

     38  

Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations for Holders of Our Common Stock and Pre-funded Warrants

     45  

Underwriting

     54  

Legal Matters

     59  

Experts

     59  

Where You Can Find More Information

     60  

Incorporation of Documents by Reference

     60  

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-1 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or contained in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We have not, and the underwriter has not, authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from that contained in such prospectuses. We are offering to sell securities and are seeking offers to buy securities only in jurisdictions where such offers and sales are permitted. For investors outside the United States: We have not, and the underwriter has not, taken any action that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the securities covered hereby and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. The information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of our securities.

This prospectus and the information incorporated herein by reference contain summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the section entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information.” We urge you to read carefully this prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference before deciding whether to participate in the offering hereunder.

We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and in any document that is incorporated by reference herein were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.

Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Benitec,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms used in this prospectus refer (i), prior to the Re-domiciliation (as defined herein) to Benitec Biopharma Limited (BBL), an Australian corporation, and its subsidiaries, and (ii), following the Re-domiciliation, to Benitec Biopharma Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries (including Benitec Limited). Any references to “Benitec Limited” or “BBL” refer to Benitec Biopharma Limited, an Australian corporation. On August 14, 2020, BBL reorganized as a Proprietary Limited company and changed its name to Benitec Biopharma Proprietary Limited.

All references to “$” in this prospectus refer to U.S. dollars. All references to “A$” in this prospectus mean Australian dollars. As of June 30, 2022, the rate of exchange of U.S. dollars to Australian dollars was 1.44839 AUD.

Our fiscal year-end is June 30. References to a particular “fiscal year” are to our fiscal year ended June 30 of that calendar year.

 

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INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

This prospectus includes information with respect to market and industry conditions and market share from third-party sources or based upon estimates using such sources when available. We believe that such information and estimates are reasonable and reliable. We also believe the information extracted from publications of third-party sources has been accurately reproduced. However, we have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources. Similarly, our internal research is based upon our understanding of industry conditions, and such information has not been verified by any independent sources.

TRADEMARKS AND TRADENAMES

We have proprietary and licensed rights to trademarks used in this prospectus which are important to our business, many of which are registered under applicable intellectual property laws. These trademarks include:

 

   

BENITEC BIOPHARMA®

 

   

BENITEC®

 

   

GIVING DISEASE THE SILENT TREATMENT®

 

   

SILENCING GENES FOR LIFE®

Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus appear without the “®” or “” symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent possible under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies. Each trademark, trade name or service mark of any other company appearing in this prospectus is the property of its respective holder.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance and include, but are not limited to, statements concerning our business strategy, future commercial revenues, market growth, capital requirements, new product introductions, expansion plans and the adequacy of our funding. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this prospectus, are forward-looking statements. When used in this prospectus, the words “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “continue,” “predict,” “potential,” “project,” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Some of the risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include the following:

 

   

the success of our plans to develop and potentially commercialize our product candidates;

 

   

the timing of the initiation and completion of preclinical studies and clinical trials;

 

   

the timing and sufficiency of patient enrollment and dosing in any future clinical trials;

 

   

the timing of the availability of data from clinical trials;

 

   

the timing and outcome of regulatory filings and approvals;

 

   

unanticipated delays;

 

   

sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution requirements;

 

   

market competition and the acceptance of our products in the marketplace;

 

   

regulatory developments in the United States of America;

 

   

the development of novel AAV (as defined below) vectors;

 

   

the plans of licensees of our technology;

 

   

the clinical utility and potential attributes and benefits of ddRNAi and our product candidates, including the potential duration of treatment effects and the potential for a “one shot” cure;

 

   

our dependence on our relationships with collaborators and other third parties;

 

   

expenses, ongoing losses, future revenue, capital needs and needs for additional financing, and our ability to access additional financing given market conditions and other factors, including our capital structure;

 

   

the length of time over which we expect our cash and cash equivalents to be sufficient to execute on our business plan;

 

   

our intellectual property position and the duration of our patent portfolio;

 

   

the impact of local, regional, and national and international economic conditions and events;

 

   

the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which may adversely impact our business and preclinical and future clinical trials; and

 

   

our ability to receive Stockholder Approval and effect the Capital Event.

as well as other risks detailed under the caption “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in other reports filed with the SEC. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this prospectus, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and important factors

 

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currently known by us and our expectations of the future, about which we cannot be certain. We have based the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated herein by reference on information available to us on the date of this prospectus or on the date thereof. Except as required by law we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we, in the future, may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

All forward-looking statements included herein or in documents incorporated herein by reference are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

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SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained in other parts of this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making your investment decision. Before investing in our securities, you should carefully read this entire prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes, and the information set forth under the section titled “Risk Factors,” as well as those risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Some of the statements in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See the information set forth under the section “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Company Overview

We endeavor to become the leader in discovery, development, and commercialization of therapeutic agents capable of addressing significant unmet medical need via the application of the silence and replace approach to the treatment of genetic disorders.

Benitec Biopharma Inc. (“Benitec” or the “Company” or in the third person, “we” or “our”) is a development-stage biotechnology company focused on the advancement of novel genetic medicines with headquarters in Hayward, California. The proprietary platform, called DNA-directed RNA interference, or ddRNAi, combines RNA interference, or RNAi, with gene therapy to create medicines that facilitate sustained silencing of disease-causing genes following a single administration. The Company is developing a ddRNAi-based therapeutic (BB-301) for the treatment of Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OPMD), a chronic, life-threatening genetic disorder.

BB-301 is a ddRNAi-based genetic medicine currently under development by Benitec. BB-301 is an AAV-based gene therapy designed to simultaneously silence the expression of the mutant, disease-causing gene (to slow, or halt, the biological mechanisms underlying disease progression in OPMD) and replace the mutant gene with a wild type gene (to drive restoration of function in diseased cells). This fundamental therapeutic approach to disease management is called “silence and replace.” The silence and replace mechanism offers the potential to restore the normative physiology of diseased cells and tissues and to improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from the chronic, and potentially fatal, effects of OPMD. BB-301 has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in the United States and the European Union.

The targeted gene silencing effects of RNAi, in conjunction with the durable transgene expression achievable via the use of modified viral vectors, imbues the silence and replace approach with the potential to produce long-term silencing of disease-causing genes along with simultaneous replacement of wild type gene function following a single administration of the proprietary genetic medicine. We believe that this novel mechanistic profile of the current and future investigational agents developed by Benitec could facilitate the achievement of robust and durable clinical activity while greatly reducing the frequency of drug administration traditionally expected for medicines employed for the management of chronic diseases. Additionally, the achievement of long-term gene silencing and gene replacement may significantly reduce the risk of patient non-compliance during the course of medical management of potentially fatal clinical disorders.

We will require additional financing to progress our product candidates through to key inflection points.

 

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Our Strengths

We believe that the combination of our proprietary ddRNAi technology and our deep expertise in the design and development of genetic medicines, and specifically ddRNAi-based therapeutics, will enable us to achieve and maintain a leading position in gene silencing and gene therapy for the treatment of human disease. Our key strengths include:

 

   

A first mover advantage for ddRNAi-based therapeutics;

 

   

A proprietary ddRNAi-based silence and replace technology platform that may potentially enable the serial development of single-administration therapeutics capable of facilitating sustained, long-term silencing of disease-causing genes and concomitant replacement of wild type gene function;

 

   

A proprietary AAV vector technology which improves the endosomal escape capability of virus produced in insect cells using a baculovirus system. This technology has broad application in AAV-based gene therapies;

 

   

The capabilities to drive the development of a pipeline of programs focused on chronic diseases with either large patient populations, or rare diseases, which may potentially support the receipt of Orphan Drug Designation, including OPMD; and

 

   

A growing portfolio of patents protecting improvements to our ddRNAi, and silence and replace, technology and product candidates through at least 2036, with additional patent life anticipated through at least 2040.

Our Strategy

We endeavor to become the leader in discovery, development, and commercialization of therapeutic agents capable of addressing significant unmet medical need via the application of the silence and replace approach to the treatment of genetic disorders. We apply the following general strategy to drive the Company towards these goals:

 

   

Selectively develop proprietary and partnered programs; and

 

   

Continue to explore and secure research and development partnerships with global biopharmaceutical companies supported by the differentiated nature of our scientific platform and intellectual property portfolio.

Our senior leadership team will continue to explore partnership opportunities with global biopharmaceutical companies, as we expect that the unique attributes of the proprietary ddRNAi and silence and replace approaches, and the breadth of potential clinical indications amenable to our proprietary methods, to support the formation of collaborations over a broad range of diseases with significant unmet medical need.

We seek to actively protect our intellectual property and proprietary technology. These efforts are central to the growth of our business and include:

 

   

Seeking and maintaining patents claiming our ddRNAi and silence and replace technologies and other inventions relating to our specific products in development or that are otherwise commercially and/or strategically important to the development of our business;

 

   

Protecting and enforcing our intellectual property rights; and

 

   

Strategically licensing intellectual property from third parties to advance development of our product candidates.

 

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Our Technology—ddRNAi and Silence and Replace

Our proprietary technology platforms are designated as DNA-directed RNA interference, or “ddRNAi”, and “silence and replace.” ddRNAi is designed to produce long-term silencing of disease-causing genes, by combining RNA interference, or RNAi, with viral delivery agents typically associated with the field of gene therapy (i.e., viral vectors). Modified AAV vectors are employed to deliver genetic constructs which encode short hairpin RNAs that are, then, serially expressed and processed to produce siRNA molecules within the transduced cell for the duration of the life of the target cell. These newly introduced siRNA molecules drive long-term, and potentially permanent, silencing of the expression of the disease-causing gene. The silence and replace approach further bolsters the biological benefits of long-term silencing of disease-causing genes by incorporating multifunctional genetic constructs within the modified AAV vectors to create an AAV-based gene therapy agent that is designed to both silence the expression of mutated, disease-causing genes (to slow, or halt, the underlying mechanism of disease progression) and, simultaneously, replace the mutant genes with normal, “wild type” genes (to drive restoration of function in diseased cells). This fundamentally distinct therapeutic approach to disease management offers the potential to restore the underlying physiology of the treated tissues and, in the process, improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from the chronic and, potentially, fatal effects of diseases like Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OPMD).

Traditional gene therapy is defined by the introduction of an engineered transgene to correct the pathophysiological derangements derived from mutated or malfunctioning genes. Mutated genes can facilitate the intracellular production of disease-causing proteins or hamper the production of critical, life-sustaining, proteins. The introduction of a new transgene can facilitate the restoration of production of normal proteins within the diseased cell, thus, restoring natural biological function. Critically, the implementation of this traditional method of gene therapy cannot eliminate the expression, or the potential deleterious effects of, the underlying mutant gene (as mutant proteins may be continually expressed and aggregate or drive the aggregation of other native proteins within the diseased cell). In this regard, the dual capabilities of the proprietary silence and replace approach to silence a disease-causing gene via ddRNAi and simultaneously replace the wild type activity of a mutant gene via the delivery of an engineered transgene could facilitate the development of differentially efficacious treatments for a range of genetic disorders.

Overview of RNAi and the siRNA Approach

The mutation of a single gene can cause a chronic disease via the resulting intracellular production of a disease-causing protein (i.e. an abnormal form of the protein of interest), and many chronic and/or fatal disorders are known to result from the inappropriate expression of a single gene or multiple genes. In some cases, genetic disorders of this type can be treated exclusively by “silencing” the intracellular production of the disease-causing protein through well-validated biological approaches like RNA interference (“RNAi”). RNAi employs small nucleic acid molecules to activate an intracellular enzyme complex, and this biological pathway temporarily reduces the production of the disease-causing protein. In the absence of the disease-causing protein, normal cellular function is restored and the chronic disease that initially resulted from the presence of the mutant protein is partially or completely resolved. RNAi is potentially applicable to over 20,000 human genes and a large number of disease-causing microorganism-specific genes.

 

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Figure 1. The siRNA Approach

 

 

LOGO

A small double stranded RNA, or dsRNA, molecule (A, Figure 1), comprising one strand known as the sense strand and another strand known as the antisense strand, which are complementary to each other, is synthesized in the laboratory. These small dsRNAs are called small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs. The sequence of the sense strand corresponds to a short region of the target gene mRNA. The siRNA is delivered to the target cell (B, Figure 1), where a group of enzymes, referred to as the RNA-Induced Silencing Complex, or RISC, process the siRNA (C, Figure 1), where one of the strands (usually the sense strand) is released (D, Figure 1). RISC uses the antisense strand to find the mRNA that has a complementary sequence (E, Figure 1) leading to the cleavage of the target mRNA (F, Figure 1). As a consequence, the output of the mRNA (protein production) does not occur (G, Figure 1). Several companies, including Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Alnylam”) and Arbutus Biopharma Corp. (“Arbutus”), utilize this approach in their RNAi product candidates.

Importantly, many genetic disorders are not amenable to the traditional gene silencing approach outlined in Figure 1, as the diseased cells may produce a mixture of the wild type protein of interest and the disease-causing mutant variant of the protein, and the underlying genetic mutation may be too small to allow for selective targeting of the disease-causing variant of the protein through the use of siRNA-based approaches exclusively. In these cases, it is extraordinarily difficult to selectively silence the disease-causing protein without simultaneously silencing the wild type intracellular protein of interest whose presence is vital to the conduct of normal cellular functions.

Our proprietary silence and replace technology utilizes the unique specificity and robust gene silencing capabilities of RNAi while overcoming many of the key limitations of siRNA-based approaches to disease management.

 

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In the standard RNAi approach, double-stranded siRNA is produced synthetically and, subsequently, introduced into the target cell via chemical modification of the RNA or alternative methods of delivery. While efficacy has been demonstrated in several clinical indications through the use of this approach, siRNA-based approaches maintain a number of limitations, including:

 

   

Clinical management requires repeat administration of the siRNA-based therapeutic agent for multiple cycles to maintain efficacy;

 

   

Long-term patient compliance challenges due to dosing frequencies and treatment durations;

 

   

Therapeutic concentrations of siRNA are not stably maintained because the levels of synthetic siRNA in the target cells decrease over time;

 

   

Novel chemical modifications or novel delivery materials are typically required to introduce the siRNA into the target cells, making it complicated to develop a broad range of therapeutics agents;

 

   

Potential adverse immune responses, resulting in serious adverse effects;

 

   

Requirement for specialized delivery formulations for genetic disorders caused by mutations of multiple genes; and

 

   

siRNA acts only to silence genes and cannot be used to replace defective genes with normally functioning genes.

Our Approach to the Treatment of Genetic Diseases—ddRNAi and Silence and Replace

Our proprietary silence and replace approach to the treatment of genetic diseases combines RNAi with wild type gene replacement to drive sustained silencing of disease-causing genes and concomitant restoration of functional wild type genes following a single administration of the therapeutic agent. Benitec employs ddRNAi in combination with classical gene therapy (i.e. transgene delivery via viral vectors) to overcome several of the fundamental limitations of RNAi.

The silence and replace approach to the treatment of genetic disorders employs adeno-associated viral vectors (“AAVs”) to deliver genetic constructs which may, after a single administration to the target tissues:

 

   

Chronically express RNAi molecules inside of the target, diseased, cells (to serially silence the intracellular production of mutant, disease-causing, protein and the wild type protein of interest);

 

   

Simultaneously drive the expression of a wild type variant of the protein of interest (to restore native intracellular biological processes); and

 

   

AAV vectors can accommodate the multi-functional DNA expression cassettes containing the engineered wild type transgenes and the novel genes encoding short hairpinRNA/microRNA molecules (shRNA/miRNA) that are required to support the development of therapeutic agents capable of the achievement of the goals of the silence and replace approach to therapy.

Our silence and replace technology utilizes proprietary DNA expression cassettes to foster continuous production of gene silencing shRNAs and wild type proteins (via expression of the wild type transgene). A range of viral and non-viral gene therapy vectors can be used to deliver the DNA construct into the nucleus of the target cell and, upon delivery, shRNA molecules are expressed and subsequently processed by intracellular enzymes into siRNA molecules that silence the expression of the mutant, disease-causing protein (Figure 2).

In the silence and replace approach (Figure 2):

 

   

A DNA construct is delivered to the nucleus of the target cell by a gene therapy vector (A) such as an AAV vector;

 

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Once inside of the nucleus, the DNA construct drives the continuous production of shRNA molecules (B) which are processed by an enzyme called Dicer into siRNAs (C);

 

   

The processed siRNA is incorporated into RISC and silences the target gene using the same mechanism shown in Figure 1; and

 

   

When the DNA expression cassette is additionally comprised of a wild type transgene, upon entry of the DNA construct into the nucleus of the target cell via the use of the AAV vector, the DNA construct also drives the continuous production of wild type protein (to restore native intracellular biological processes).

Figure 2. The Silence and Replace Approach

 

 

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Our strategy is to discover, develop and commercialize treatments that leverage the capabilities of ddRNAi and the silence and replace approach to disease management.

For selected product candidates, at the appropriate stage, we may collaborate with large biopharmaceutical companies to further co-develop and, if approved, commercialize our ddRNAi-based and silence and replace-based products to achieve broad clinical and commercial distribution. For specific clinical indications that we deem to be outside of our immediate areas of focus, we will continue to out-license, where appropriate, applications of our ddRNAi and silence and replace technology to facilitate the development of differentiated therapeutics, which could provide further validation of our proprietary technology and approach to disease management.

Our cash and cash equivalents will be deployed to advance our product candidate BB-301 for OPMD, including the natural history lead-in study and Phase 1b/2a BB 301 treatment study, for the continued advancement of development activities for other existing and new product candidates, for general corporate purposes and for strategic growth opportunities.

 

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Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy—OPMD

OPMD is an insidious, autosomal-dominant, late-onset degenerative muscle disorder that typically presents in patients at 40-to-50 years of age. The disease is characterized by progressive swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) and eyelid drooping (ptosis). OPMD is caused by a specific mutation in the poly(A)-binding protein nuclear 1, or PABPN1, gene. OPMD is a rare disease; however, patients have been diagnosed with OPMD in at least 33 countries. Patient populations suffering from OPMD are well-identified, and significant geographical clustering has been noted for patients with this disorder, which could simplify clinical development and global commercialization efforts.

BB-301 is an AAV-based gene therapy designed to both silence the expression of mutated, disease-causing genes (to slow, or halt, the underlying mechanism of disease progression) and simultaneously replace the mutant genes with normal, “wild type” genes (to drive restoration of function in diseased cells). This fundamental therapeutic approach to disease management is called “silence and replace” and this biological mechanism offers the potential to restore the underlying physiology of the treated tissues and, in the process, improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from the chronic and, potentially, fatal effects of Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OPMD). BB-301 has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in the United States and the European Union.

On July 9, 2018, the Company entered into a License and Collaboration Agreement with Axovant. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company granted Axovant an exclusive worldwide license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize products containing the Company’s product known as BB-301, which was designed for the potential treatment of Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy. As of September 3, 2019, the License and Collaboration Agreement with Axovant was terminated. As a result, all rights and licenses which Benitec had granted to Axovant to develop and commercialize BB-301 and related gene therapy product candidates terminated. We are now solely responsible for the costs in connection with the development and commercialization of the BB-301 product candidates.

Prior to such termination, the Benitec team endeavored to conduct several additional exploratory nonclinical analyses in order to potentially improve the biological efficacy of BB-301 via further optimization of the route of administration employed to dose the target muscle tissues.

Our Pipeline

The following table sets forth the current product candidate and the development status:

Table 1. Pipeline: Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy

 

 

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BB-301

We are developing BB-301 for the treatment of Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OPMD), and BB-301 is currently undergoing evaluation in CTA-enabling and IND-enabling studies. BB-301 is the lead investigational agent under development by Benitec, and the key attributes of OPMD and BB-301 are outlined in Figure 3.

Figure 3. Overview of the BB-301 Program

 

 

LOGO

BB-301 is a first-in-class genetic medicine employing the “silence and replace” approach for the treatment of OPMD. OPMD is an insidious, autosomal-dominant, late-onset, degenerative muscle disorder that typically presents in patients at 40-to-50 years of age. The disease is characterized by progressive swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) and eyelid drooping (ptosis). OPMD is caused by a specific mutation in the poly(A)-binding protein nuclear 1 gene (PABPN1).

OPMD is a rare disease, however, patients have been diagnosed with OPMD in at least 33 countries. Patient populations suffering from OPMD are well-identified, and significant geographical clustering has been noted for patients with this disorder. Each of these attributes could facilitate efficient clinical development and global commercialization of BB-301.

PABPN1 is a ubiquitous factor that promotes the interaction between the poly(A) polymerase and CPSF (cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor) and, thus, controls the length of mRNA poly(A) tails, mRNA export from the nucleus, and alternative poly(A) site usage. The characteristic genetic mutation underlying OPMD results in trinucleotide repeat expansion(s) within exon 1 of PABPN1 and results in an expanded poly-alanine tract at the N-terminal end of PABPN1. The mutation generates a protein with an N-terminal expanded poly-alanine tract of up to 18 contiguous alanine residues, and the mutant protein is prone to the formation of intranuclear aggregates designated as intranuclear inclusions (INIs). The INIs that sequester wild type PABPN1 may contribute to the “loss of function” phenotype associated with OPMD.

 

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No therapeutic agents are approved for the treatment of OPMD. Additionally, there are no surgical interventions available to OPMD patients that modify the natural history of the disease, which is principally comprised of chronic deterioration of swallowing function. BB-301 has received Orphan Drug Designation in the United States and the European Union and, upon achievement of regulatory approval for BB-301 in these respective jurisdictions, the Orphan Drug Designations would provide commercial exclusivity independent of intellectual property protection. While OPMD is a rare medical disorder, we believe the commercial opportunity for a safe and efficacious therapeutic agent in this clinical indication exceeds $1 billion over the course of the commercial life of the product.

Benitec has previously outlined the core CTA-enabling and IND-enabling studies required by global regulatory agencies to support the initiation of BB-301 clinical trials in OPMD patients, and these studies include a BB-301 Pilot Dosing Study (the “Pilot Dosing Study”) in large animals and a classical 12-week GLP Toxicology and Biodistribution Study for BB-301. In these large animal studies, BB-301 is directly injected into the pharyngeal muscles known to underlie the morbidity and mortality which characterizes the natural history of OPMD in human subjects.

As referenced above, the BB-301 Pilot Dosing Study in large animals was the first of two CTA-enabling and IND-enabling studies conducted by Benitec. This study was carried out under the guidance of the scientific team at Benitec, with key elements of the design and execution of the study conducted in close collaboration with a team of experts in both medicine and surgery that have been deeply engaged in the treatment of OPMD patients for decades. The BB-301 Pilot Dosing Study and the GLP Toxicology and Biodistribution Study for BB-301 were conducted in canine subjects in order to:

 

   

Support the validation and optimization of the newly designed route and method of BB-301 administration,

 

   

Confirm the efficiency of vector transduction and transgene expression in the key tissue compartments underlying the morbidity and mortality that comprises the natural history of OPMD,

 

   

Confirm the optimal BB-301 doses in advance of initiation of human clinical studies, and

 

   

Facilitate the observation of key toxicological data-points.

The BB-301 Pilot Dosing Study was designed as an 8-week study in Beagle dogs to confirm the transduction efficiency of BB-301 upon administration via direct intramuscular injection into specific anatomical regions of the pharynx through the use of an open surgical procedure. This new method and route of BB-301 administration was developed in collaboration with key surgical experts in the field of Otolaryngology, and this novel method of BB-301 dosing will significantly enhance the ability of treating physicians to accurately administer the AAV-based investigational agent to the muscles that underlie the characteristic deficits associated with disease progression in OPMD. It is important to note that prior BB-301 non-clinical studies have reproducibly validated the robust biological activity achieved following direct intramuscular injection of the AAV-based agent. As an example, direct injection of BB-301 into the tibialis anterior muscles of A17 mice facilitated robust transduction of the targeted skeletal muscle cells and supported complete remission of the OPMD disease phenotype in this animal model.

Benitec conducted the BB-301 Pilot Dosing Study in Beagle dog subjects to demonstrate that direct intramuscular injection of BB-301 via the use of a proprietary dosing device in an open surgical procedure could safely achieve the following goals:

 

   

Biologically significant and dose-dependent levels of BB-301 tissue transduction (i.e., delivery of the multi-functional BB-301 genetic construct into the target pharyngeal muscle cells),

 

   

Broad-based and dose-dependent expression of the three distinct genes comprising the BB-301 gene construct within the pharyngeal muscle cells, and

 

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Biologically significant levels of target gene knock-down (i.e., inhibition of the expression of the gene of interest) within the pharyngeal muscle cells.

The Pilot Dosing Study evaluated the safety and biological activity of two concentrations of BB-301 (1.0+E13 vg/mL and 3.0+E13 vg/mL) across three distinct doses (1.0+E13 vg/mL and 3.0+E13 vg/mL with a low injection volume, and 3.0+E13 vg/mL with a high injection volume) following direct intramuscular injection into the Hypopharyngeus (HP) muscles and the Thyropharyngeus (TP) muscles of Beagle dogs via the use of a proprietary delivery device employed in an open surgical procedure. The HP muscle in Beagle dogs corresponds to the Middle Pharyngeal Constrictor muscle in human subjects, and the TP muscle in Beagle dogs corresponds to the Inferior Pharyngeal Constrictor muscle in human subjects. BB-301 was injected only on Day 1 of the Pilot Dosing Study, and the corresponding canine pharyngeal muscles were harvested for molecular analyses after 8 weeks of observation post-injection. BB-301 dosing was carried out independently by a veterinary surgeon and an Otolaryngologist with extensive experience regarding the provision of palliative surgical care for OPMD patients.

Molecular analyses have been completed for the canine subjects treated in the BB-301 Pilot Dosing Study. Key interim data-sets derived from the analyses of pharyngeal muscle tissues isolated from the Beagle dog subjects are highlighted below. The final data-set derived from the completed molecular analyses of the pharyngeal muscle tissues of the canine subjects treated on the Pilot Dosing Study will be presented in a peer-reviewed format.

The key interim data-sets are summarized below:

Figure 4. Pharyngeal Muscle Tissue Transduction Levels Achieved by BB-301

 

 

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Regarding Gene Expression Levels Observed for BB-301 Within the Pharyngeal Muscle Tissues (Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7):

 

   

BB-301 encodes two distinct siRNA species (i.e., siRNA13 and siRNA17) which are each, independently, capable of inhibiting (i.e., “silencing”) the expression of the mutant form of the PABPN1 protein and the wild type (i.e., endogenous) form of the PABPN1 protein (importantly, the mutant form of the PABPN1 protein underlies the development, and progression, of OPMD).

 

   

BB-301 also codes for a wild type version of the PABPN1 protein whose intracellular expression is unaffected by the inhibitory activities of siRNA13 and siRNA17; this “codon optimized” transcript drives the expression of a PABPN1 protein (i.e., coPABPN1) which serves to replenish the endogenous form of the PABPN1 protein and to replace the mutant form of PABPN1 that underlies the development and progression of OPMD in diseased tissues.

 

   

For comparative purposes, it should be noted that the average range of expression for wild type PABPN1 within the pharyngeal muscle cells of Beagle dogs is 4.5 copies per cell-to-7.8 copies per cell.

Figure 5. siRNA13 Expression Levels Achieved by BB-301 within Pharyngeal Muscle Tissues

 

 

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Figure 6. siRNA17 Expression Levels Achieved by BB-301 within Pharyngeal Muscle Tissues

 

 

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Figure 7. coPABPN1 Expression Levels Achieved by BB-301 within Pharyngeal Muscle Tissues

 

 

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Regarding Wild Type PABPN1 Silencing (i.e., target “knock-down”) Observed for BB-301 Within the Pharyngeal Muscle Tissues (Figure 8):

 

   

As noted above, BB-301 encodes two distinct siRNA species (i.e., siRNA13 and siRNA17) which are each, independently, capable of inhibiting (i.e., “silencing”) the expression of all forms of the PABPN1 protein (siRNA13 and siRNA17 silence the expression of both wild type PABPN1 (wtPABPN1) and mutant PABPN1).

 

   

While the Beagle dog subjects treated in the BB-301 Pilot Dosing Study do not express mutant PABPN1, the level of BB-301-driven gene silencing for the PABPN1 target can be indirectly assessed in these study subjects due to the equivalent inhibitory effects of siRNA13 and siRNA17 on both wtPABPN1 and mutant PABPN1.

 

   

Thus, the wtPABPN1 silencing activity observed in the BB-301 Pilot Dosing Study serves as a surrogate for the silencing activity that would be anticipated in the presence of mutant PABPN1.

 

   

BB-301 has been evaluated in prior non-clinical studies in animals that express mutant PABPN1 and, as a result, manifest the symptomatic phenotype of OPMD; in the symptomatic animal model of OPMD (i.e. the A17 mouse model), the achievement of PABPN1 silencing levels of 31% inhibition (or higher) following BB-301 administration led to resolution of OPMD disease symptoms and the elimination of the histopathological hallmarks of OPMD.

Figure 8. PABPN1 Silencing (i.e., “target knock-down”) Achieved by BB-301 within Pharyngeal Muscle Tissues

 

 

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There are key methodological distinctions between the current BB-301 Pilot Dosing Study conducted by Benitec as compared to the prior BB-301 Beagle dog dosing study carried out independently by the previous BB-301 licensee. The BB-301 dosing study conducted by the prior BB-301 licensee employed non-ideal routes and methods of BB-301 administration to the target pharyngeal muscle tissues and employed similarly limited analytical methods at the completion of the dosing phase of the study. Subsequently, the Benitec team worked to

 

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optimize the route and method of administration of BB-301 and to refine the core analytical methods employed following the completion of dosing of the large animal subjects.

The current proprietary method of BB-301 delivery to the key pharyngeal muscles of study subjects, and the proprietary molecular analytical methods employed to assay the pharyngeal muscle tissues of study subjects, with both methods having been developed by the Benitec team, led to the observation of broad-based transduction of the targeted pharyngeal muscle tissues (Figure 9, represents individual sections of the TP muscle following BB-301 dosing). Critically, the Benitec-developed methods also facilitated the achievement of a 228-fold improvement (+22,647%) in BB-301 transduction of the HP muscle and a 113-fold improvement (+11,163%) in BB-301 transduction of the TP muscle relative to the levels of BB-301 transduction observed by the previous BB-301 licensee at identical BB-301 doses in identical canine study populations (Figure 10).

Figure 9. BB-301 Transduction Levels Achieved for Individual Sections of the TP Muscle Following BB-301 dosing

 

 

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Figure 10. Impact of the Methodological Improvements to the BB-301 Large Animal Dosing Study Design on the Relative Pharyngeal Muscle Tissue Transduction Levels Achieved by Benitec vs. the Former BB-301 Licensee

 

 

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Following the disclosure of the positive interim BB-301 Pilot Dosing Study results, Benitec completed pre-CTA and pre-IND meetings with regulatory agencies in France, Canada, and the United States.

Summary of Regulatory Interactions:

 

   

Benitec successfully completed the regulatory interactions required to support initiation of the BB-301 clinical development program in 2022

 

   

Successful regulatory engagement comprised the completion of the following meetings:

 

   

Pre-Clinical Trial Application (Pre-CTA) Consultation Meeting with Health Canada

 

   

Scientific Advice Meeting with The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products in France (L’Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé or “ANSM”)

 

   

Type C Meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”)

Benitec will begin the clinical development program for BB-301 in 2022.

Summary of the BB-301 Clinical Development Program:

 

   

The BB-301 clinical development program will begin in 2022, and the conduct of the development program will comprise approximately 76-weeks of follow-up for each OPMD study participant, inclusive of:

 

   

6-month pre-treatment observation periods employing quantitative radiographic imaging techniques for evaluation of the baseline disposition and natural history of OPMD-derived dysphagia in each study participant

 

   

1 day of BB-301 dosing to initiate participation in the Phase 1b/2a single-arm, open-label, sequential, dose escalation cohort study

 

   

52-weeks of post-dosing follow-up for conclusive evaluation of the primary and secondary endpoints of the Phase 1b/2a BB-301 treatment study

 

   

The OPMD Natural History Study will begin in the second half of 2022, and this study will facilitate the characterization of OPMD patient disposition at baseline and assess subsequent rates of progression of dysphagia (swallowing impairment) in subjects with OPMD via the use of quantitative radiographic measures of global swallowing function and pharyngeal constrictor muscle function along with clinical assessments and patient-reported self-assessments of swallowing function

 

   

Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Studies (VFSS) will be conducted to complete the following methodological assessments:

 

   

Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity Scale (DIGEST)

 

   

Pharyngeal Area at Maximum Constriction (PhAMPC)

 

   

Pharyngeal Constriction Ratio (PCR)

 

   

Clinical measures of global swallowing capacity and oropharyngeal dysphagia will be carried out

 

   

Patient-reported measures of oropharyngeal dysphagia will be assessed

 

   

The natural history of dysphagia observed for each OPMD study participant, as characterized by the quantitative radiographic measures and the clinical and patient self-reported assessments outlined above, will serve as the baseline for comparative assessments of safety and efficacy of BB-301 upon rollover of OPMD study subjects from the Natural History Study into the Phase 1b/2a BB-301 treatment study

 

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Upon the achievement of 6-months of follow-up in the Natural History Study, OPMD Natural History Study participants can become eligible for enrollment into the Phase 1b/2a treatment study with the investigational genetic medicine, BB-301, which uses an AAV9-based gene therapy approach for the treatment of OPMD-derived dysphagia

 

   

This first-in-human (FIH) clinical trial will be a Phase 1b/2a, open-label, dose escalation study to evaluate the safety and clinical activity of intramuscular doses of BB-301 administered to the pharyngeal muscles of subjects with OPMD

 

   

Upon rollover from the Natural History Study into the Phase 1b/2a BB-301 treatment study, the follow-up of OPMD study participants will continue for 52-weeks, and the primary endpoints (safety and tolerability) and secondary endpoints (comprising the quantitative radiographic measures of global swallowing function and pharyngeal constrictor muscle function, and the clinical and patient-reported assessments noted above) will be evaluated during each 90-day period following Day 1 (Day 1 represents the day of BB-301 intramuscular injection).

Summary of Risk Factors

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Any of the factors set forth herein under “Risk Factors” and the risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may limit our ability to successfully execute our business strategy. You should carefully consider all of the information set forth in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and, in particular, should evaluate the specific factors set forth herein under “Risk Factors” and the risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in deciding whether to invest in our securities. These risk factors include, among others:

 

   

We have incurred significant losses since inception and anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future. If we are unable to achieve or sustain profitability, the market value of our common stock will likely decline;

 

   

We have never generated any revenue from product sales and may never be profitable;

 

   

Even if this offering is successful, we will need to continue our efforts to raise additional funding, which may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Failure to obtain capital when needed may negatively impact our ability to continue as a going concern;

 

   

There is substantial doubt relating to our ability to continue as a going concern;

 

   

Our product candidates are based on ddRNAi and silence and replace technology. Currently, no product candidates utilizing ddRNAi technology or silence and replace technology have been approved for commercial sale and our approach to the development of ddRNAi technology and silence and replace technology may not result in safe, effective or marketable products;

 

   

We are early in our product development efforts and our lead product candidate, BB-301, is in preclinical development. We may not be able to obtain regulatory approvals for the commercialization of BB-301 or other product candidates;

 

   

Issues that may impact delivery of our therapeutics to the cell could adversely affect or limit our ability to develop and commercialize product candidates;

 

   

We face competition from entities that have developed or may develop product candidates for our target disease indications, including companies developing novel treatments and technology platforms based on modalities and technology similar to ours;

 

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If we are unable to obtain or protect sufficient intellectual property rights related to our product candidates, we may not be able to obtain exclusivity for our product candidates or prevent others from developing similar competitive products;

 

   

There is no public market for the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants being offered by us in this offering;

 

   

Holders of the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants offered hereby will have no rights as common stockholders with respect to the common stock underlying the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants, as applicable, until such holders exercise their pre-funded warrants or common warrants, as applicable, and acquire our common stock, except as otherwise provided in the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants, as applicable;

 

   

Provisions of the common warrants and the pre-funded warrants offered by this prospectus could discourage an acquisition of us by a third party;

 

   

The common warrants are speculative in nature;

 

   

We may not receive any additional funds upon the exercise of the pre-funded warrants and the common warrants;

 

   

Significant holders or beneficial holders of our common stock may not be permitted to exercise warrants that they hold;

 

   

This offering could cause our stock price to fall, which could result in us being delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market;

 

   

Future sales of our common stock, or the perception that such sales may occur, could depress the trading price of our common stock;

 

   

We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds we receive from this offering and may not use them effectively; and

 

   

We do not have enough authorized shares of common stock to issue upon the exercise of all of the common warrants and we require Stockholder Approval of the Capital Event and the subsequent filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect such Capital Event in order to have a sufficient number of shares of common stock available for issuance upon exercise of the Series 2 Common Warrants. There is no assurance that such Stockholder Approval will be obtained which could materially and adversely impact the rights of the Series 2 Common Warrant holders.

COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and has spread to nearly every country, including Australia and the United States. The impact of this pandemic has been, and will likely continue to be, extensive in many aspects of society, which has resulted in, and will likely continue to result in, significant disruptions to businesses and capital markets around the world. The extent to which the coronavirus impacts us will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the coronavirus and its variants, and the actions to contain the coronavirus or treat its impact, including the effectiveness and adoption of vaccines for the virus, among others.

Certain elements of our research and development efforts are conducted globally, including the ongoing development of our silence and replace therapeutic for the treatment of Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy

 

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(OPMD), and will be dependent upon our ability to initiate preclinical and clinical studies despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

As we continue to actively advance our development programs, including the completion of our ongoing Toxicology and Biodistribution study for BB-301, we are in close contact with our principal investigators and preclinical trial sites, which are primarily located in France, and are assessing the impact of COVID-19 on our studies and the expected development timelines and costs on an ongoing basis. In light of developments relating to the COVID-19 global pandemic since the beginning of the outbreak, the focus of healthcare providers and hospitals on fighting the virus, and consistent with the FDA’s industry guidance for conducting clinical trials, we have experienced delays to the original timeline regarding the initiation and anticipated completion of the ongoing BB-301 Clinical Trial Application (CTA)-enabling and Investigational New Drug Application (IND)-enabling development work. The initiation of the BB-301 Pilot Dosing Study in Beagle dogs, which represents a key component of the CTA-enabling and IND-enabling work, was delayed by several months, however, the study has been completed without incident. In addition, the BB-301 GLP Toxicology and Biodistribution Study in Beagle dogs, which represents another key component of the CTA-enabling and IND-enabling work, is nearing completion. The acquisition of chemical reagents, biological reagents and laboratory supplies which are essential for the conduct of basic laboratory research, the conduct of nonclinical studies and the completion of GMP manufacturing of BB-301, has also become challenging due to the disruption of global supply chains inherent to the production of these materials. We will continue to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and we expect to reevaluate the timing of our anticipated preclinical and clinical milestones as we learn more and the impact of COVID-19 on our industry becomes clearer.

We have also implemented a halt of non-essential business travel and a rotation system whereby staff work from home and attend the laboratory on designated days which may result in a reduction of laboratory work. As we transition our employees back to our premises, there is a risk that COVID-19 infections occur at our offices or laboratory facilities and significantly affect our operations. Additionally, if any of our critical vendors are impacted, our business could be affected if we become unable to procure essential equipment in a timely manner or obtain supplies or services in adequate quantities and at acceptable prices.

Corporate Information

We were incorporated as a Delaware corporation on November 22, 2019 and completed the re-domiciliation (the “Re-domiciliation”) on April 15, 2020. Our predecessor, Benitec Limited, was incorporated under the laws of Australia in 1995. Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “BNTC.” Our principal executive offices are located at 3940 Trust Way, Hayward, California 94545. Our telephone number is (510) 780-0819, and our Internet website is www.benitec.com. The information on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference herein.

Implications of Being a Smaller Reporting Company

We are a “smaller reporting company” and will remain a smaller reporting company while either (i) the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates was less than $250 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter or (ii) our annual revenue was less than $100 million during our most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates was less than $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. We may rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are available to smaller reporting companies, including many of the same exemptions from disclosure requirements as those that are available to emerging growth companies, such as reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our registration statements, prospectus and our periodic reports and proxy statements. For so long as we remain a smaller reporting company, we are permitted and intend to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure and other requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not smaller reporting companies.

 

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THE OFFERING

 

Common stock offered by us

25,300,442 shares (or 29,095,508 shares, if the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full).

 

Pre-funded warrants offered by us

We are also offering to certain purchasers whose purchase of shares of common stock in this offering would otherwise result in the purchaser, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of our outstanding common stock immediately following the consummation of this offering, the opportunity to purchase, if such purchasers so choose, pre-funded warrants in lieu of shares of common stock that would otherwise result in any such purchaser’s beneficial ownership exceeding 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of our outstanding common stock. Each pre-funded warrant will be exercisable for one share of our common stock. The exercise price of each pre-funded warrant will equal $0.0001 per share. Each pre-funded warrant will be exercisable upon issuance and will not expire prior to exercise. We are offering up to 25,300,442 shares of common stock and up to 25,300,442 pre-funded warrants, in the aggregate not exceeding more than a total of 25,300,442 shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants. For each pre-funded warrant we sell, the number of shares of common stock we are offering will be decreased on a one-for-one basis. This prospectus also relates to the offering of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants.

 

Common warrants offered by us

We are issuing to purchasers of shares of our common stock and/or pre-funded warrants in this offering a common warrant to purchase up to one share of our common stock for each share and/or pre-funded warrant purchased in this offering for a combined purchase price of $            . Because a common warrant to purchase share(s) of our common stock is being sold together in this offering with each share of common stock and, in the alternative, each pre-funded warrant to purchase one share of common stock, the number of common warrants sold in this offering will not change as a result of a change in the mix of the shares of our common stock and pre-funded warrants sold.

 

 

A portion of the common warrants, the Series 1 Common Warrants, will be exercisable on the date of closing at an exercise price of $             per share and will expire on the five-year anniversary of such closing. As more fully described in the Form of Common Warrant, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, the remainder of the common warrants that are not so exercisable on the date of closing, the Series 2 Common Warrants, will become exercisable at an exercise price of $             per share on the date on which we (a) receive Stockholder Approval for a Capital Event and (b) effect such Capital Event by filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate

 

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of amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, and will expire on the five-year anniversary of the date such certificate of amendment becomes effective. See “Description of Securities — Common Warrants” for a more detailed discussion.

 

  No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a common warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will round down to the next whole share. See “Description of Securities — Common Warrants.” This prospectus also relates to the offering of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Series 1 Common Warrants.

 

Option to purchase additional shares and/or common warrants

We have granted the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase an aggregate of up to 3,795,066 additional shares of our common stock and/or up to 3,795,066 additional common warrants to purchase 3,795,066 shares of our common stock from us at the public offering price per share of common stock and common warrant, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriter may exercise its option to acquire additional shares for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments. See “Underwriting.”

Common stock outstanding prior to this offering 8,171,690 shares.

 

Common stock to be outstanding immediately following this offering

33,472,132 shares (or 37,267,198 shares, if the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full) assuming we sell only shares of common stock in this offering and assuming none of the common warrants issued in this offering are exercised.

 

Use of proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $18,179,836 ($20,969,835 if the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares and/or common warrants is exercised in full), based on an assumed public offering price per share of common stock and common warrant of $0.7905, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on August 5, 2022, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and assuming we sell only shares of common stock in this offering and no exercise of the common warrants. We intend to use the net proceeds from this financing for the clinical development of BB-301, including the natural history lead-in study and the Phase 1b/2a BB-301 treatment study, for the continued advancement of development activities for other existing and new product candidates, for general corporate purposes, and for strategic growth opportunities. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Dividend policy

For the foreseeable future, we currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support our operations and to finance the growth and development of our business.

 

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Risk factors

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should read the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus, as well as those risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for a discussion of factors to consider carefully before deciding to invest in our securities.

 

Nasdaq symbol

“BNTC.”

 

No listing of pre-funded warrants or common warrants

We do not intend to apply for listing of the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants on any national securities exchange or trading system. Without a trading market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants and common warrants will be extremely limited.

The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 8,171,690 shares of common stock outstanding at July 25, 2022 and excludes as of such date the following:

 

   

             shares of common stock that may be issued upon exercise of pre-funded warrants and common warrants issued in this offering;

 

   

738,064 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options outstanding as of July 25, 2022 at a weighted-average exercise price of $6.95 per share; and

 

   

107,095 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants exercisable for shares of common stock outstanding as of July 25, 2022 at a weighted-average exercise price of $10.50 per share.

Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus assumes no purchaser elects to purchase pre-funded warrants, no exercise of the common warrants and no exercise by the underwriter of its option to purchase additional shares and/or common warrants.

 

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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following summary consolidated financial data as of and for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein. The summary consolidated financial data as of and for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 have been derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021, respectively, which are incorporated by reference herein. You should read this data together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein. You should also read this data together with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021, respectively, which are incorporated by reference herein. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of our future results, and are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any interim periods, or any future year or period.

 

     Nine months ended March 31,     Year ended June 30,  
(in thousands)    2022     2021     2021     2020  

Statements of operations data:

        

Revenues:

        

Revenues from customers

   $ 73     $ 57     $ 59     $ 97  

Government research and development grants

     —         —         —         5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     73       57       59       102  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

        

Royalties and license fees

     —         122     123       (185

Research and development

     8,096     4,700     7,020       3,001  

General and administrative

     5,093     4,976     6,512       5,567  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     13,189     9,798     13,655       8,383  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from Operations

     (13,116     (9,741     (13,596     (8,281

Other Income (Loss):

        

Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)

     36       (167     (333     (88

Interest income (expense), net

     (22     (5     (6     62  

Other income (expense), net

     (29     37       37       34  

Unrealized gain (loss) on investment

     (10     (3     16       (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (loss), net

     (25     (138     (286     7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

   $ (13,141   $ (9,879   $ (13,882   $ (8,274
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):

        

Unrealized foreign currency translation gain (loss)

     (51     362       498       (89
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     (51     362       498       (89
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)

   $ (13,192   $ (9,517   $ (13,384   $ (8,363
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

   $ (13,141   $ (9,879   $ (13,882   $ (8,274
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and Diluted Weighted-Average Number of Shares Outstanding

     8,171,690       3,375,228       4,295,416       1,021,193  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock

   $ (1.61   $ (2.93   $ (3.23   $ (8.10
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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     March 31,      June 30,  
(in thousands)    2022      2021      2021      2020  

Balance sheet data:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 8,630      $ 11,988      $ 19,769      $ 9,801  

Working capital

     6,932        9,963        19,239        9,673  

Total assets

     10,064        13,428        21,379        11,587  

Total long-term liabilities

     635        54        —          213  

Total stockholders’ equity

     7,520        10,930        20,010        10,238  

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, as well as those risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus and incorporated by reference herein, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes, before deciding to invest in our securities. The risks and uncertainties described below and in the documents incorporated by reference herein are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe are not material, may also become important factors that affect us. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially and adversely affected, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Financial Condition, Capital Requirements and Largest Shareholder

Even if this offering is successful, we will need to continue our efforts to raise additional funding, which may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Failure to obtain capital when needed may negatively impact our ability to continue as a going concern.

Developing ddRNAi products is expensive, and we expect our research and development expenses to increase substantially in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we advance our product candidates in preclinical studies and in future clinical trials and as we undertake preclinical studies of new product candidates.

As of March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2021, our cash and cash equivalents were $8.6 million and $19.8 million, respectively. We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $18,179,836 ($20,969,835 assuming the full exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional common stock and/or common warrants), assuming a public offering price of $0.7905 per share of common stock and common warrant, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on August 5, 2022, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and assuming we sell only shares of common stock in this offering and no exercise of the common warrants . We estimate that these net proceeds, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, will be sufficient to fund our operations until approximately the fourth quarter of 2023. However, our operating plan may change as a result of many factors currently unknown to us, and we may need to seek additional funds sooner than planned, through public or private equity or debt financings, government grants or other third-party funding, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements or a combination of these approaches. In addition, because the length of time and activities associated with successful development of our product candidates is highly uncertain, we are unable to estimate the actual funds we will require for development and any approved marketing and commercialization activities. In any event, we will require additional capital to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates and to commercialize any product candidates that receive regulatory approval.

Any additional fundraising efforts may divert our management from their day-to-day activities, which may compromise our ability to develop and commercialize our product candidates. In addition, we cannot guarantee that future financing will be available in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Moreover, the terms of any financing may adversely affect the holdings or the rights of our shareholders, and the issuance of additional securities, whether equity or debt, by us, or the possibility of such issuance, may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. If we incur indebtedness we may be required to agree to restrictive covenants, such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, limitations on our ability to acquire, sell or license intellectual property rights and other operating restrictions that could compromise our ability to conduct our business. We could also seek financing through arrangements with collaborative partners at an earlier stage than would otherwise be desirable and we may be required to relinquish rights to some or all of our technologies or product candidates or otherwise agree to terms unfavorable to us.

 

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If we are unable to obtain funding on a timely basis or on acceptable terms, we may be required to significantly curtail, delay or discontinue one or more of our research or development programs or the commercialization of any approved product candidates.

There is substantial doubt relating to our ability to continue as a going concern.

We have recurring net losses, which have resulted in an accumulated deficit of $143.3 million as of March 31, 2022 and $130.1 million as of June 30, 2021. We have incurred a net loss of $13.9 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 and $13.1 million for the nine-month period ended March 31, 2022. At March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of $8.6 million and $19.8 million, respectively. The Company does not have adequate liquidity to fund its operations for the next 12 months without raising additional funds and the success of raising such additional capital is not solely within the control of the Company. These factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

We will continue to seek to raise additional working capital through public equity, private equity or debt financings. If we fail to raise additional working capital, or do so on commercially unfavorable terms, it would materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations, and we may be unable to continue as a going concern. Future reports from our independent registered public accounting firm may also contain statements expressing substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. If we seek additional financing to fund our business activities in the future and there remains substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, investors or other financing sources may be unwilling to provide additional funding to us on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.

Risk Relating to this Offering

There is no public market for the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants being offered by us in this offering.

There is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants being offered in this offering, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants on any national securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system, including The Nasdaq Capital Market. Without an active market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants will be limited.

Holders of the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants offered hereby will have no rights as common stockholders with respect to the common stock underlying the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants, as applicable, until such holders exercise their pre-funded warrants or common warrants, as applicable, and acquire our common stock, except as otherwise provided in the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants, as applicable.

Until holders of the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants acquire our common stock upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants, as applicable, holders of pre-funded warrants or common warrants will have no rights with respect to the common stock underlying such pre-funded warrants or common warrants, except to the extent that holders of such pre-funded warrants or common warrants will have certain rights to participate in distributions or dividends paid on our common stock as set forth in the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants, as applicable. Further, as described elsewhere herein, certain of the common warrants that we are offering, the Series 2 Common Warrants, will not be exercisable until we obtain Stockholder Approval to effect a Capital Event, which we cannot guarantee, in which case such common warrant holders will not be able to exercise their common warrants at all. Upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants, as applicable, the holders will be entitled to exercise the rights of a common stockholder only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the exercise date. See the Risk Factor titled, “We do not have enough authorized shares of common stock to issue shares upon the exercise of all of the common warrants offered hereunder and we require Stockholder Approval of the Capital Event and the subsequent filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect such Capital Event in order to have a sufficient number of shares of common stock

 

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available for issuance upon exercise of all of the common warrants. There is no assurance that such Stockholder Approval will be obtained which could materially and adversely impact the rights of the common warrant holders” below for additional information.

Provisions of the common warrants and the pre-funded warrants offered by this prospectus could discourage an acquisition of us by a third party.

In addition to the discussion of the provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation (as defined below), certain provisions of the common warrants and the pre-funded warrants offered by this prospectus could make it more difficult or expensive for a third party to acquire us. Such common warrants and pre-funded warrants prohibit us from engaging in certain transactions constituting “fundamental transactions” unless, among other things, the surviving entity assumes our obligations under the common warrants and the pre-funded warrants. Further, the common warrants and the pre-funded warrants provide that, in the event of certain transactions constituting “fundamental transactions,” with some exception, holders of the common warrants and the pre-funded warrants will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase such common warrants and pre-funded warrants at a price described in the common warrants and the pre-funded warrants. These and other provisions of the common warrants and the pre-funded warrants offered by this prospectus could prevent or deter a third party from acquiring us even where the acquisition could be beneficial to you.

The common warrants are speculative in nature.

The common warrants offered hereby do not confer any rights of common stock ownership on their holders, such as voting rights or the right to receive dividends, but rather merely represent the right to acquire shares of common stock at a fixed price. Specifically, commencing on the date of an Initial Exercise Date, which date may vary as more fully described in the section titled “Description of Securities — Common Warrants,” holders of the common warrants may acquire the common stock issuable upon exercise of such common warrants at an exercise price of $            per share. Moreover, following this offering, the market value of the common warrants is uncertain and there can be no assurance that the market value of the common warrants will equal or exceed their public offering price. There can be no assurance that the market price of the common stock will ever equal or exceed the exercise price of the common warrants and consequently, whether it will ever be profitable for holders of the common warrants to exercise the common warrants.

We may not receive any additional funds upon the exercise of the pre-funded warrants and the common warrants.

Each pre-funded warrant and common warrant may be exercised by way of a cashless exercise, meaning that the holder may not pay a cash purchase price upon exercise, but instead would receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of our common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the pre-funded warrant or the common warrant, as applicable. Accordingly, we may not receive any additional funds upon the exercise of the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants. In addition, the pre-funded warrants have an exercise price of $0.0001 per share of common stock, and as a result we will not receive significant additional funds upon their exercise even if not a cashless exercise.

Significant holders or beneficial holders of our common stock may not be permitted to exercise warrants that they hold.

Holders of the pre-funded warrants and the common warrants will not be entitled to exercise any portion of any pre-funded warrant or common warrant which, upon giving effect to such exercise, would cause the aggregate number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by the holder (together with its affiliates) to exceed a specified percentage of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the pre-funded warrants and the common warrants. As a result, you may not be able to exercise your pre-funded warrants or common warrants for shares of our common stock at a time when it would be financially beneficial for you to do so. In such circumstance, you could seek to sell your pre-funded warrants or common warrants to realize value, but you may be unable to do so in the absence of an established trading market for the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants.

 

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This offering could cause our stock price to fall, which could result in us being delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market.

Our common stock is currently listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market. In order to maintain that listing, we must satisfy minimum financial and other continued listing requirements and standards, including maintaining a minimum share price. For example, the current continued listing requirements of Nasdaq provide, among other things, that a company may be delisted if the bid price of its stock drops below $1.00 for a period of 30 consecutive business days. If the price of our common stock falls as a result of this offering, there can be no assurances that we will be able to comply with the applicable listing requirements.

If we fail to satisfy the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq, such as the minimum share price requirement, Nasdaq may take steps to delist our securities. Such a delisting would likely have a negative effect on the price of our common stock and would impair your ability to sell or purchase our common stock when you wish to do so. In the event of a delisting, we would take actions to restore our compliance with Nasdaq’s listing requirements, but we can provide no assurance that any such action taken by us would allow our common stock to become listed again, stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of our securities, prevent our common stock from dropping below the Nasdaq minimum share price requirement or prevent future non-compliance with Nasdaq’s listing requirements.

If our common stock were to be delisted from Nasdaq, our common stock could begin to trade on one of the markets operated by OTC Markets Group, including OTCQX, OTCQB or OTC Pink (formerly known as the “pink sheets”), as the case may be. In such event, our common stock could be subject to the “penny stock” rules which, among other things, require brokers or dealers to approve investors’ accounts, receive written agreements and determine investor suitability for transactions and disclose risks relating to investing in the penny stock market. Any such delisting of our common stock could have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market for our common stock, not only in terms of the number of shares that can be bought and sold at a given price, but also through delays in the timing of transactions and less coverage of us by securities analysts, if any. Also, if in the future we were to determine that we need to seek additional equity capital, it could have an adverse effect on our ability to raise capital in the public or private equity markets.

Future sales of our common stock, or the perception that such sales may occur, could depress the trading price of our common stock.

After the completion of this offering, we expect to have 33,472,132 shares (37,267,198 shares if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares in full) of our common stock outstanding, which may be resold in the public market immediately after this offering. We and all of our directors and executive officers have signed lock-up agreements for a period of 90 days following the date of this prospectus, subject to specified exceptions. See “Underwriting.”

The underwriter may, in its sole discretion and without notice, release all or any portion of the shares of our common stock subject to lock-up agreements. As restrictions on resale end, the market price of our common stock could drop significantly if the holders of these shares of our common stock sell them or are perceived by the market as intending to sell them. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to raise additional funds through future offerings of our common stock or other securities.

We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds we receive from this offering and may not use them effectively.

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds we receive in this offering, including for any of the purposes described in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds,” and you will not have the opportunity as part of your investment decision to assess whether our management is using the net proceeds appropriately. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of our net

 

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proceeds from this offering, their ultimate use may vary substantially from their currently intended use. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business and cause the price of our common stock to decline. Pending their use, we may invest our net proceeds from this offering in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities. These investments may not yield a favorable return to our stockholders.

We do not have enough authorized shares of common stock to issue shares upon the exercise of all of the common warrants offered hereunder and we require Stockholder Approval of the Capital Event and the subsequent filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect such Capital Event in order to have a sufficient number of shares of common stock available for issuance upon exercise of all of the common warrants. There is no assurance that such Stockholder Approval will be obtained which could materially and adversely impact the rights of the common warrant holders.

We do not have enough shares of common stock currently authorized under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to issue shares upon the exercise of all of the common warrants that we are issuing in this offering. Therefore, those common warrants that are not exercisable until Stockholder Approval is obtained, the Series 2 Common Warrants, will not be exercisable until we obtain such Stockholder Approval to effect an increase in our authorized shares of common stock or a reverse stock split in an amount sufficient to permit exercise in full of the common warrants and, thus, such shares of common stock underlying the Series 2 Common Warrants are not being registered in this offering. We currently have 40,000,000 shares of common stock authorized under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Of those authorized shares that remain available for issuance, we have reserved, in connection with this offering, an aggregate of 25,300,442 shares of common stock and an aggregate of 25,300,442 shares of common stock underlying the pre-funded warrants, all of which may be immediately exercisable; however we do not have enough authorized shares underlying all of the common warrants for each to be immediately exercised. Accordingly, only some of the common warrants, the Series 1 Common Warrants, may be immediately exercised and the remaining common warrants, the Series 2 Common Warrants, cannot be exercised unless and until the Capital Event is approved by stockholders and we effect such Capital Event by filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and, thus, the shares of common stock underlying such Series 2 Common Warrants are not being registered in this offering. If our stockholders do not approve the Capital Event, we are obligated pursuant to the Form of Common Warrant (which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part) to continue to hold meetings of our stockholders to solicit approval, and 3,795,066 shares of common stock that may be issued if the underwriter exercises its over-allotment option until the Capital Event is approved. If we are unable to obtain such stockholder approval, the Series 2 Common Warrants will have no value and will expire. In no event may the warrants be net cash settled. There is no assurance we will be able to obtain such approval from our stockholders in which case the Series 2 Common Warrant holders would not be able to exercise their common warrants, which would materially and adversely impact the rights of such Series 2 Common Warrant holders.

We have used almost all of our unreserved, authorized shares.

After giving effect to this offering, we will have used almost all of our unreserved authorized shares and will need stockholder approval to implement an increase in our authorized shares of common stock or a reverse stock split. Our certificate of incorporation and the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, currently require the approval of stockholders holding not less than a majority of all outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote in order to approve an increase in our authorized shares of common stock or a reverse stock split. There are no assurances that stockholder approval will be obtained, in which event will be unable to raise additional capital through the issuance of shares of common stock to fund our future operations.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $18,179,836, or $20,969,835 if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares of common stock and/or common warrants in full, assuming a public offering price of $0.7905 per share of common stock and common warrant, the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on August 5, 2022 as reported on Nasdaq, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and assuming no sale of any pre-funded warrants in this offering and no exercise of the common warrants. The public offering price will be determined between us, the underwriter and investors based on market conditions at the time of pricing and may be at a discount to our current market price.

We will only receive additional proceeds from the exercise of the common warrants issuable in connection with this offering if such warrants are exercised at their exercise price of $                 and the holders of such warrants pay the exercise price in cash upon such exercise. Such proceeds with respect to the common warrants could not exceed $                 .

Each $0.10 increase or decrease in the assumed public offering price of $0.7905 per share of common stock and common warrant would increase or decrease the net proceeds from this offering by $2,352,941, assuming the number of shares and pre-funded warrants offered by us, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase or decrease the number of shares and pre-funded warrants we are offering. An increase or decrease of 5,060,088 in the number of shares (or the common stock underlying the pre-funded warrants) offered by us, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, would increase or decrease the net proceeds from this offering by approximately $3,720,000, assuming the assumed public offering price per share of common stock and common warrant remains the same, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We do not expect that a change by these amounts in either the public offering price per share of common stock and common warrant or in the number of shares offered by us would have a material effect on our use of the proceeds from this offering, although it may accelerate the time at which we will need to seek additional capital.

We intend to use the net proceeds from this financing for the clinical development of BB-301, including the natural history lead-in study and the Phase 1b/2a BB-301 treatment study, for the continued advancement of development activities for other existing and new product candidates, for general corporate purposes and for strategic growth opportunities.

The amount and timing of these expenditures will depend on a number of factors, including the progress of our research and development efforts, the progress of any partnering efforts, technological advances and the competitive environment for our product candidates. Accordingly, you will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of these net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. It is possible that the proceeds will be used in a way that does not yield a favorable, or any, return for us. Pending application of the net proceeds as described above, we intend to invest the proceeds in investment grade interest bearing instruments, or will hold the proceeds in interest bearing or non-interest bearing bank accounts.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization, each as of March 31, 2022:

 

   

on an actual basis; and

 

   

on an as adjusted to give effect to the issuance of shares of common stock in the offering at an assumed public offering price of $0.7905 per share of common stock and common warrant, the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on August 5, 2022, as reported on Nasdaq, assuming no sale of any pre-funded warrants or exercise of any common warrants in this offering and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

You should consider this table in conjunction with “Summary Consolidated Financial Data” and our financial statements and the notes to those financial statements and the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, which are incorporated by reference herein. The as adjusted information set forth in the table below is illustrative only and will be adjusted based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

 

     As of March 31, 2022  
     (Unaudited)  
(in thousands)    Actual      As Adjusted(1)  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 8,630      $ 26,830  

Total liabilities

     2,544        2,544  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

     

Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share:

     

40,000,000 shares authorized; 8,171,690 actual; 33,472,132 pro forma

     1        3  

Additional paid-in capital

     152,285        170,483  

Accumulated deficit

     (143,260      (143,260
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (1,506      (1,506
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     7,520        25,720  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 10,064      $ 28,264  

 

(1)

The number of shares in the table above is based on 8,171,690 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2022 and does not include:

 

   

            shares of common stock that may be issued upon exercise of pre-funded warrants and common warrants issued in this offering;

 

   

738,064 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2022 at a weighted-average exercise price of $6.95 per share; and

 

   

107,095 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants exercisable for shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2022 at a weighted-average exercise price of $10.50 per share.

Each $0.10 increase or decrease in the assumed public offering price of $0.7905 per share would increase or decrease, as applicable, our cash, additional paid-in capital, total stockholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $2,352,941, assuming that the number of shares offered by us remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Each increase or decrease of 5,060,088 shares offered by us would increase or decrease the amount of our cash and total stockholders’ equity by approximately $3,720,000, assuming a public offering price of $0.7905 per share, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

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MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Our common stock trades on Nasdaq under the symbol “BNTC.” We do not intend to apply for the listing of the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants that are part of this offering on any national securities exchange. On August 5, 2022, the closing sale price of our common stock as reported on Nasdaq was $0.7905 per share.

As of July 25, 2022, we had approximately 3,316 record holders of our common stock. The number of record holders is based on the actual number of holders registered on the books of our transfer agent and does not reflect holders of shares in “street name” or persons, partnerships, associations, corporations or other entities identified in security position listings maintained by depository trust companies.

DIVIDEND POLICY

We never have declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. Currently, we anticipate that we will retain all available funds for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board and will depend on our future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, prospects, applicable Delaware law, which provides that dividends are only payable out of surplus or current net profits, and other factors that our Board deems relevant.

 

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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock as of July 25, 2022 by (i) each person or group of persons known by us to beneficially own more than five percent of our common stock, (ii) each of our named executive officers, (iii) each of our directors and (iv) all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

The following table gives effect to the shares of common stock issuable within 60 days of July 25, 2022 upon the exercise of all options and other rights beneficially owned by the indicated stockholders on that date. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 promulgated under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act and includes voting and investment power with respect to shares. Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 8,171,690 shares of common stock outstanding at the close of business on July 25, 2022. Except as otherwise noted below, each person or entity named in the following table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our common stock that he, she or it beneficially owns.

Unless otherwise indicated below, the address for each beneficial owner listed is c/o 3940 Trust Way, Hayward, California 94545.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

  Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
    Percentage of Shares
Beneficially Owned
 
  Before Offering     After Offering  

5% or Greater Stockholders:

     

Steven Michael Oliveira(1)

    1,000,000       12.2  

Entities affiliated with Suvretta Capital Management, LLC(2)

    769,000       9.4  

Entities affiliated with SilverArc Capital Management, LLC(3)

    587,499       7.2  

Entities affiliated with Lincoln Park Capital, LLC(4)

    423,529       5.2  

Directors and Named Executive Officers:

     

Jerel A. Banks(5)

    128,114       1.6  

Megan Boston(6)

    64,389       *    

J. Kevin Buchi(7)

    12,693       *    

Peter Francis(8)

    12,903       *    

Edward Smith(9)

    7,866       *    

All Executive Officers and Directors As a Group (5 persons)(10)

    225,965       2.8  

 

*

Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

(1)

Based on the information included in the Form 4 filed by Steven Michael Oliveira on December 9, 2021. The shares of common stock are held through Nemean Asset Management, LLC. The address of Steven Michael Oliveira is 225 Via Palacio, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, 33418.

(2)

Based on the information included in the Schedule 13G filed by Suvretta Capital Management, LLC (“Suvretta”) on May 7, 2021, Averill Master Fund, Ltd. (“Averill”) and Aaron Cowen. The address of the principal business office of Suvretta and Mr. Cowen is c/o Suvretta Capital Management, LLC, 540 Madison Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10022. The address of the principal business office of Averill is c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited, P.O. Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.

(3)

Based on information included in the Schedule 13G filed by SilverArc Capital Management, LLC (“SilverArc”) and Devesh Gandhi (“Gandhi”) on February 9, 2022. Gandhi is the Sole Member of SilverArc and as such is deemed to be the beneficial owner of these 587,499 shares. SilverArc Capital Alpha Fund I, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership for which SilverArc acts as an investment adviser, may be deemed to

  beneficially own 33,017 of these 587,499 shares. SilverArc Capital Alpha Fund II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership for which SilverArc acts as an investment adviser, may be deemed to beneficially own 384,277 of these 587,499 shares. Squarepoint Diversified Partners Fund Limited, a Cayman Island exempted

 

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  company for which SilverArc acts as investment adviser, may be deemed to beneficially own 96,918 of these 587,499 shares. Atom Master Fund L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership for which SilverArc acts as investment adviser, may be deemed to beneficially own 73,287 of these 587,499 shares. The address of the principal business office of SilverArc and Gandhi is 20 Park Plaza, 4th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
(4)

Based on information included in the Schedule 13G filed by Lincoln Park Capital, LLC and its affiliates on April 28, 2021. Represents 423,529 shares held directly by Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“LPC Fund”). Alex Noah and Joshua B. Scheinfeld have shared voting and shared investment power over the shares held by LPC Fund. The address of the principal business office of Lincoln Park Capital, LLC and its affiliates is 440 North Wells, Suite 410, Chicago, Illinois 60654.

(5)

Represents stock options to acquire 128,114 shares of common stock that have vested or will vest within 60 days of July 25, 2022.

(6)

Includes 333 shares of common stock held by Boston Super Invest Pty A/C Boston Family Super that Megan Boston has sole voting power over and stock options to acquire 64,056 shares of common stock that have vested or will vest within 60 days of July 25, 2022.

(7)

Includes 4,827 shares of common stock held directly by Mr. Buchi and stock options to acquire 7,866 shares of common stock that have vested or will vest within 60 days of July 25, 2022.

(8)

Includes 4,737 shares of common stock held by the Francis Family Superannuation Fund, 300 shares of common stock held directly by Mr. Francis, and stock options to acquire 7,866 shares of common stock that have vested or will vest within 60 days of July 25, 2022.

(9)

Represents stock options to acquire 7,866 shares of common stock that have vested or will vest within 60 days of July 25, 2022.

(10)

Includes 10,197 shares of common stock and stock options to acquire 215,768 shares of common stock that have vested or will vest within 60 days of July 25, 2022.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

The following description of our securities is intended as a summary only. We refer you to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”), which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and to the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). This description may not contain all of the information that is important to you and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, our Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws and the applicable provisions of the DGCL. For information on how to obtain copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

General

Our authorized capital stock consists of 40,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

Common Stock

Dividend Rights. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock, holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Company’s Board out of legally available funds. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of common stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Declaration and payment of any dividend will be subject to the discretion of the Board. The time and amount of dividends will be dependent upon the Company’s financial condition, operations, cash requirements and availability, debt repayment obligations, capital expenditure needs, restrictions in the Company’s debt instruments, industry trends, the provisions of Delaware law affecting the payment of distributions to stockholders and any other factors the Board may consider relevant.

Voting Rights. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. The Company’s stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.

Liquidation Rights. In the event of the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of the Company’s debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any then outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Rights and Preferences. Holders of the Company’s common stock have no pre-emptive, conversion, subscription or other rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Company’s common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the Company’s common stock are subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that the Company may designate in the future.

Fully Paid and Nonassessable. All outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

Annual Stockholder Meetings. The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that annual stockholder meetings will be held at a date, place (if any) and time, as exclusively selected by the Board. To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Company may but is not obligated to conduct meetings by remote communications, including by webcast.

 

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Common Warrants to be Issued as Part of this Offering

The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the common warrants that are being offered hereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of common warrant, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Prospective investors should carefully review the terms and provisions of the form of common warrant for a complete description of the terms and conditions of the common warrants.

We are selling to investors in this offering shares of our common stock with accompanying common warrants to purchase 25,300,442 shares of our common stock and/or pre-funded warrants with accompanying common warrants to purchase 25,300,442 shares of our common stock at a combined purchase price of $0.7905 for shares and accompanying common warrants and $0.7904 for pre-funded warrants and accompanying common warrants.

Exercise Price and Duration. Each common warrant will be exercisable beginning on the Initial Exercise Date, which will either be the date of closing or, as applicable (and as more fully described below and in the Form of Common Warrant which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part), the date on which we (a) receive Stockholder Approval for a Capital Event and (b) effect such Capital Event by filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, at an exercise price of $                 per share, subject to adjustment. The common warrants will be exercisable for five years from their respective Initial Exercise Dates, but not thereafter. The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock and the exercise price.

Stockholder Approval for a Capital Event. Our authorized capital stock consists of 40,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. We currently have 8,171,690 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, an additional 1,911,744 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under our equity-based compensation plans, including 738,064 shares of our common stock that may be issued upon exercise of stock options outstanding pursuant to these plans and an additional 107,095 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance upon exercise of warrants currently outstanding. As a result, after giving effect to this offering, including the exercise of the pre-funded warrants, we may only issue              shares of our common stock unless and until we receive Stockholder Approval for a Capital Event. Consequently,              of the common warrants, the Series 2 Common Warrants, will not be able to be exercised unless and until we receive such Stockholder Approval and effect such Capital Event by filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and, thus, the shares of common stock underlying such Series 2 Common Warrants are not being registered in this offering. Pursuant to the Form of Common Warrant which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we are obligated to seek Stockholder Approval within              of closing. If we are unable to obtain such stockholder approval, the Series 2 Common Warrants will have no value and will expire. In no event may the Series 2 Common Warrants be net cash settled.

Exercisability. Subject to limited exceptions, a holder of common warrants will not have the right to exercise any portion of its common warrants if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”); provided, however, that upon 61 days’ prior notice to the Company, the holder may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, provided that in no event shall the Beneficial Ownership Limitation exceed 9.99%.

Cashless Exercise. The common warrants contain a “cashless exercise” feature that allows holders to exercise the common warrants without a cash payment to the Company upon the terms set forth in the common warrants, if, at the time of exercise there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for, the issuance of the shares to the exercising common warrant holder.

 

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Exercise Limitation. A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of a common warrant to the extent that the holder would own more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of the outstanding common shares immediately after exercise, except that upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase the amount of beneficial ownership of outstanding stock after exercising the holder’s common warrants up to 9.99% of the number of our common shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the common warrants. Purchasers of common warrants in this offering may also elect prior to the issuance of the common warrants to have the initial exercise limitation set at 9.99% of our outstanding common shares.

Transferability. Subject to applicable laws, a common warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the common warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.

Fractional Shares. No fractional common shares will be issued upon the exercise of the common warrants. Rather, the number of common shares to be issued will be rounded down to the nearest whole number.

Trading Market. There is no established public trading market for the common warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list the common warrants on any national securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the common warrants will be limited.

Right as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the common warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, the holders of the common warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their common warrants.

Fundamental Transaction. In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the common warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding common stock, the holders of the common warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the common warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the common warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. In lieu of such consideration, a holder of common warrants may instead elect to receive a cash payment based upon the Black-Scholes value of their common warrants.

Amendment and Waiver. A common warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions thereof waived with the written consent of our company and the holder of the common warrant.

Pre-Funded Warrants to be Issued as Part of this Offering

The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the pre-funded warrants that are being offered hereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the pre-funded warrant, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Prospective investors should carefully review the terms and provisions of the form of pre-funded warrant for a complete description of the terms and conditions of the pre-funded warrants.

Exercise Price and Duration. Each pre-funded warrant offered hereby will have an initial exercise price per share equal to $0.0001 and will be exercisable for                share of our common stock. The pre-funded warrants will be immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time until the pre-funded warrants are exercised in full. The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock and the exercise price.

 

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Exercisability. The pre-funded warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of shares of our common stock purchased upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below). Purchasers of the pre-funded warrants in this offering may elect to deliver their exercise notice following the pricing of the offering and prior to the issuance of the pre-funded warrants at closing to have their pre-funded warrants exercised immediately upon issuance and receive shares of common stock underlying the pre-funded warrants upon closing of this offering. A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of the pre-funded warrant to the extent that the holder would own more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of the outstanding common stock immediately after exercise, except that upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase the amount of ownership of outstanding stock after exercising the holder’s pre-funded warrants. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a pre-funded warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will round down to the next whole share.

Cashless Exercise. If, at the time a holder exercises its pre-funded warrants, a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the pre-funded warrants under the Securities Act is not then effective or available, then in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon such exercise in payment of the aggregate exercise price, the holder may elect instead to receive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) the net number of shares of common stock determined according to a formula set forth in the pre-funded warrants.

Exercise Limitation. A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of the pre-funded warrant to the extent that the holder would own more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of the outstanding common shares immediately after exercise, except that upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase the amount of beneficial ownership of outstanding stock after exercising the holder’s pre-funded warrants up to 9.99% of the number of our common shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the pre-funded warrants. Purchasers of pre-funded warrants in this offering may also elect prior to the issuance of the pre-funded warrants to have the initial exercise limitation set at 9.99% of our outstanding common shares.

Transferability. Subject to applicable laws, a pre-funded warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the pre-funded warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.

Fractional Shares. No fractional common shares will be issued upon the exercise of the pre-funded warrants. Rather, the number of common shares to be issued will be rounded down to the nearest whole number.

Trading Market. There is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list the pre-funded warrants on any national securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants will be limited.

Right as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the pre-funded warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, the holders of the pre-funded warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their pre-funded warrants.

Fundamental Transaction. In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the pre-funded warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding common stock,

 

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the holders of the pre-funded warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the pre-funded warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction.

Amendment and Waiver. A pre-funded warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions thereof waived with the written consent of our company and the holder of the pre-funded warrant.

Warrants

In September of 2019, Benitec Limited issued warrants for the purchase of its ADSs. In connection with the Re-domiciliation, these warrants became obligations of the Company. Currently, there are warrants outstanding for the exercise of 107,095 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $10.50 per share. The exercise price is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of certain share dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our shares of common stock and also upon any distributions of assets, including cash, stock or other property to our stockholders. The warrants are exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice and, at any time a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares underlying the warrants under the Securities Act is effective and available for the issuance of such shares (or there is an effective registration statement for the resale of such shares), by payment in full in immediately available funds for the number of shares purchased upon such exercise. If no such registration statement is currently effective at the time of an exercise, the warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis. No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the exercise of a warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will round up to the next whole share or pay the holder an amount in cash equal to the fractional amount multiplied by the exercise price.

Subject to limited exceptions, holders of warrants do not have the right to exercise any portion of their warrants if the holder (together with such holder’s affiliates, and any persons acting as a group together with such holder or any of such holder’s affiliates) would beneficially own a number of shares of common stock in excess of 4.99% of the shares of common stock then outstanding after giving effect to such exercise (the “Warrant Beneficial Ownership Limitation”); provided, however, that, upon notice to the Company, the holder may increase or decrease the Warrant Beneficial Ownership Limitation, provided that in no event shall the Warrant Beneficial Ownership Limitation exceed 9.99% and any increase in the Warrant Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until 61 days following notice of such increase from the holder to us.

Except as otherwise provided in the warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of common stock, the holder of a warrant does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our common stock, including any voting rights, until the holder exercises the warrant. The foregoing summary of the material terms and provisions of the warrants is qualified in its entirety by the form of warrant, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and DGCL

Some provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws could make the following transactions difficult: (i) acquisition of the Company by means of a tender offer; (ii) acquisition of the Company by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or (iii) removal of incumbent officers and directors of the Company. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in the best interests of the Company, including transactions that might result in a premium over the market price for the Company’s common stock.

These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the Company to first negotiate with the Board.

 

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Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute. The Company is subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits persons deemed “interested stockholders” from engaging in a “business combination” with a publicly-held Delaware corporation for three years following the date these persons become interested stockholders unless the business combination is, or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder was, approved in a prescribed manner or another prescribed exception applies. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock, and a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the Board, such as discouraging takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the market price of the Company’s common stock.

Special Stockholder Meetings. The Bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called by (i) the Chairman of the Board, if any, (ii) the President or Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors then in office.

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals. The Bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors.

Composition of the Board of Directors; Election and Removal of Directors; Filling Vacancies

The Company’s Board consists of five directors and the Board may, from time to time, fix the authorized number of directors by resolution of the Board. The Board is divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Directors need not be stockholders of the Company.

Directors shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting of stockholders at which such director was elected. The term of each director shall continue until the election and qualification of his or her successor and be subject to his or her earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by a duly authorized and executed proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.

Subject to applicable law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, any director of the entire Board of the Company may be removed without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the holders of the Company’s then-outstanding common stock entitled to vote generally at an election of directors. Furthermore, any vacancy on the Company’s Board, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the size of the board, may be filled only by a majority vote of the Board then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director.

Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Certificate of Incorporation may be amended in any manner permitted under the DGCL and the Bylaws may be amended by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote. The Board may also amend the Bylaws, other than a bylaw or amendment thereof specifying or changing a fixed number of directors or the maximum or minimum number or changing from a fixed to a variable board or vice versa.

Limitations of Liability and Indemnification Matters

Each of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that the Company is required to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by Delaware law. The Bylaws also obligate the Company to advance expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of any action

 

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or proceeding upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision, from which there is no further right to appeal, that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses.

To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, or any other applicable law, the Company, upon approval by the Board, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to the Bylaws.

Forum for Adjudication of Disputes

The Certificate of Incorporation provides that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) derivative actions or proceedings brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (iii) an action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be a state or federal court located within the state of Delaware. The Certificate of Incorporation further provides that the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act.

Transfer Agent, Warrant Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent, warrant agent and registrar for the Company’s common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The transfer agent, warrant agent and registrar’s address is 250 Royall St., Canton, Massachusetts 02021. Listing. Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “BNTC.”

 

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MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK, COMMON WARRANTS AND PRE-FUNDED WARRANTS

The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations to U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders (each as defined below and, together “Holders”) of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock, common warrants and pre-funded warrants that are issued pursuant to this offering. This does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects to Holders of purchasing, owning or disposing our common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants. The effects of other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and any applicable state, local or foreign tax laws are not included in this discussion, and Holders should consult their own tax advisors as to these matters. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), final, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions and administrative pronouncements of the IRS, in effect as of the date of this offering. These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any such change may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a Holder. We have not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not take or that a court will not uphold a contrary position regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock, common warrants and pre-funded warrants.

This discussion is limited to Holders that hold our common stock, common warrants and pre-funded warrants as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a Holder’s particular circumstances. In addition, it does not address consequences relevant to Holders subject to special rules, including, without limitation:

 

   

banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions;

 

   

real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, and other entities treated as conduits for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

   

brokers, dealers or traders in securities;

 

   

Holders who are subject to the mark-to-market accounting rules under Section 475 of the Code;

 

   

“controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies” and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

 

   

partnerships or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

   

tax-exempt organizations and governmental organizations or agencies;

 

   

Holders who hold or receive our common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation;

 

   

tax-qualified retirement plans;

 

   

“qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds;

 

   

U.S. expatriates and certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;

 

   

U.S. Holders whose functional currency is not the United States dollar;

 

   

Holders deemed to sell the our common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;

 

   

Holders for whom our common stock, common warrants and pre-funded warrants constitute “qualified small business stock” within the meaning of Section 1202 of the Code;

 

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Holders subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to the stock being taken into account in an “applicable financial statement” (as defined in the Code);

 

   

Holders holding our common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants as part of a hedge, straddle or other risk reduction strategy or as part of a conversion transaction or other integrated investment; and

 

   

Holders subject to the alternative minimum tax.

If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, partnerships holding our common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants and the partners in such partnerships should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them.

THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED AS TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK, COMMON WARRANTS OR PRE-FUNDED WARRANTS ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

Characterization of the Pre-funded Warrants

Although the characterization of the pre-funded warrants for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not entirely clear, because the exercise price of the pre-funded warrants is a nominal amount, the Company expects to treat the pre-funded warrants as common stock of the Company for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Except where noted, the remainder of this discussion assumes that the pre-funded warrants will be so treated. Each Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the proper characterization of the pre-funded warrants for U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S. tax purposes, and the consequences to them of such treatment given their individual circumstances. Some portions of the below discussion make reference to potential consequences associated with the purchase, ownership and disposition of the pre-funded warrants independent of their potential characterization as common shares.

Allocation of Purchase Price

Each purchaser of shares of our common stock or pre-funded warrants must allocate its purchase price for such shares or pre-funded warrants between each share or pre-funded warrant, as applicable and the accompanying common warrant based on the respective relative fair market values of each at the time of issuance. This allocation of the purchase price will establish the Holder’s initial tax basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes for each share of our common stock, pre-funded warrant and common warrant. A Holder’s allocation of the purchase price among the shares of our common stock, pre-funded warrants and common warrants is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with a Holder’s allocation. Each Holder should consult its tax advisor regarding the allocation of the purchase price among the shares of our common stock, pre-funded warrants and common warrants.

U.S. Holders

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is any beneficial owner of Securities that is, for U.S. federal income tax purpose For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is any beneficial owner of Securities that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

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a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust that (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and the control of one or more U.S. persons (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), or (ii) has made a valid election under applicable Treasury Regulations to continue to be treated as a U.S. person.

If you are not a U.S. Holder, this section does not apply to you. Please see the discussion under “Non-U.S. Holders” below.

Distributions on Common Stock

As described in the section captioned “Dividend Policy,” we do not anticipate declaring or paying distributions to Holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, distributions (including constructive distributions as described below), if any, on our common stock generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles.

Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the common stock and will be treated as described under “U.S. Holders—Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock, Common Warrants or Pre-funded Warrants” below.

Dividends we pay to a U.S. Holder that is a taxable corporation generally will qualify for the dividends received deduction if the requisite holding period is satisfied. With certain exceptions (including, but not limited to, dividends treated as investment income for purposes of investment interest deduction limitations), and provided the common shares are held for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex- dividend date and certain other holding period requirements are met, dividends we pay to a non-corporate U.S. Holder generally will constitute “qualified dividends” that will be subject to tax at the maximum tax rate accorded to long-term capital gains. Dividends paid by us will generally be treated as income from U.S. sources. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the holding period and other requirements that must be satisfied in order to qualify for the reduced maximum tax rate on dividends.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock, Common Warrants or Pre-funded Warrants

Upon a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock, common warrant or pre-funded warrant, as the case may be. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock generally will equal the U.S. Holder’s acquisition cost of such security less, in the case of common stock (and potentially a pre-funded warrant and/or a common warrant) and as described further above, the amount of any prior distributions treated as a return of capital on such stock. If a U.S. Holder purchases or sells common stock, common warrants and/or pre-funded warrants together in a single transaction in which the purchase price for each of the common stock, common warrants and/or pre-funded warrants was not separately stated, the U.S. Holder generally would be required to allocate the purchase price among the subject securities so acquired or disposed of, as applicable, based on the relative fair market values of each (at the time of the acquisition or disposition, as applicable). U.S. Holders who purchase or sell common stock, common warrants and/or pre-funded warrants in a single transaction should consult with their tax advisors regarding such allocation.

Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants disposed of exceeds one year. Long-term

 

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capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders will be eligible to be taxed at reduced rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Exercise of a Common Warrant or a Pre-funded Warrant

A U.S. Holder generally will not recognize taxable gain or loss on the acquisition of common stock upon exercise of a common warrant or pre-funded warrant. The U.S. Holder’s aggregate tax basis in the share of our common stock received upon exercise generally will be an amount equal to the sum of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common warrant or pre-funded warrant prior to exercise and the common warrant’s or pre-funded warrant’s exercise price. Provided that a pre-funded warrant is treated as our common stock, a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common stock received upon exercise of a pre-funded warrant will include the holding period for the pre-funded warrant. On the other hand, in the case of a common warrant, and also if the pre-funded warrant is treated as an option to purchase our stock, a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common stock received upon exercise will begin on the date following the date of exercise of the common warrant (or the pre-funded warrant, as applicable) and will not include the period during which the U.S. Holder held the common warrant (or the pre-funded warrant, as applicable).

A U.S. Holder may be permitted to undertake a cashless exercise of common warrants or pre-funded warrants into our common stock. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise is unclear, and the tax consequences of a cashless exercise could differ from the consequences of an exercise described above. For example, the cashless exercise could be treated as a taxable disposition of a portion of the common warrants, pre-funded warrants or the common shares into which they are exercisable. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a cashless exercise.

Lapse of Common Warrants

Upon the lapse or expiration of a common warrant, a U.S. Holder will recognize a loss in an amount equal to such U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common warrant. Any such loss generally will be a capital loss and will be long-term capital loss if the common warrant is held for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Certain Adjustments to the Common Warrants and Pre-funded Warrants, and Payments in Respect of the Common Warrants and Pre-funded Warrants

Under Section 305 of the Code, an adjustment to the number of shares of common stock that will be issued on the exercise of the common warrants or pre-funded warrants, or an adjustment to the exercise price of the common warrants or pre-funded warrants, may be treated as a constructive distribution to a U.S. Holder of the common warrants or pre-funded warrants if, and to the extent that, such adjustment has the effect of increasing such U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in our “earnings and profits” or assets, depending on the circumstances of such adjustment (for example, if such adjustment is to compensate for a distribution of cash or other property to our shareholders). Adjustments to the exercise price of common warrants or pre-funded warrants made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing dilution of the interest of the U.S. Holder of the common warrants or pre-funded warrants generally should not be considered to result in a constructive distribution. Any constructive distribution would be treated as a dividend, return of capital or capital gain as described under the heading “U.S. Holder—Distributions on Common Stock” above, and could be taxable whether or not there is an actual distribution of cash or other property. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the proper treatment of any adjustments to and payments in respect of common warrants or pre-funded warrants.

Net investment income tax

An additional 3.8% tax is imposed on the “net investment income” of non-corporate U.S. Holders, and on the undistributed “net investment income” of certain estates and trusts. Among other items, “net investment income” generally includes dividends paid on our common stock and certain net gain from the sale or other

 

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taxable disposition of our common stock, common warrants and pre-funded warrants, less certain deductions. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the potential effect, if any, of this tax on holding our common stock, common warrants and pre-funded warrants in such U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances.

Backup withholding and information reporting

For non-corporate U.S. Holders, information reporting requirements, on IRS Form 1099, generally will apply to:

 

   

dividend payments or other taxable distributions on our common stock, common warrants and pre-funded warrants made to the non-corporate U.S. Holder within the United States or by a United States payor; and

 

   

the payment of proceeds to the non-corporate U.S. Holder from the sale of a share of common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants effected at a United States office of a broker or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries.

Additionally, backup withholding may apply to such payments if the non-corporate U.S. Holder:

 

   

fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;

 

   

is notified by the IRS that it has failed to report all interest and dividends required to be shown on its U.S. federal income tax returns; or

 

   

in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-corporate U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (if any), provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding and the availability of and procedure for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding in their particular circumstances.

Non-U.S. Holders

For purposes of this discussion, a Non-U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of our common stock, common warrant or pre-funded warrants that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is neither a U.S. Holder (as defined above) nor a partnership or other pass-through entity. If you are not a Non-U.S. Holder, this section does not apply to you.

Distributions on Common Stock

As described in the section captioned “Dividend Policy,” we do not anticipate declaring or paying distributions to Holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, distributions, if any, on our common stock in cash will generally constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Amounts not treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital and first be applied against and reduce a Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common stock, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as capital gain and will be treated as described below under “Non-U.S. Holders—Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock, Common Warrants or Pre-Funded Warrants.”

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding and payments made to certain foreign accounts, dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder of our common stock (including constructive distributions treated as a dividend) that are not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty).

 

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Non-U.S. Holders may be entitled to a reduction in or an exemption from withholding on dividends as a result of either (i) qualifying for the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty or (ii) the Non-U.S. Holder holding our common stock in connection with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States and dividends being paid in connection with that trade or business. To claim such a reduction in or exemption from withholding, the Non-U.S. Holder must provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed (i) IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or applicable successor form) claiming an exemption from or reduction of the withholding tax under the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty, (ii) IRS Form W-8ECI (or applicable successor form) stating that the dividends are effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business within the United States, or (iii) a suitable substitute form, as may be applicable. These certifications must be provided to the applicable withholding agent prior to the payment of dividends and must be updated periodically. Non-U.S. Holders that do not timely provide the applicable withholding agent with the required certification, but that qualify for a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding and payments made to certain foreign accounts, if dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (or, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such dividends are attributable), then, although generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax (provided the Non-U.S. Holder provides appropriate certification, as described above), the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such dividends on a net income basis at the regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder that is or is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year that are attributable to such dividends, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under any applicable income tax treaty.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock, Common Warrants or Pre-funded Warrants

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding and payments made to certain foreign accounts, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain recognized upon the sale or other taxable disposition of a share of our common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants unless:

 

   

the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (or, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such gain is attributable);

 

   

the Non-U.S. Holder is a non-resident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition and certain other requirements are met; or

 

   

we are or have been a “U.S. real property holding corporation,” or USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the period that the Non-U.S. Holder held the common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants.

Gain described in the first bullet point above will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a foreign corporation also may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on a portion of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items.

A Non-U.S. Holder described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on any gain derived from the sale or other taxable disposition, which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses of the Non-U.S.

 

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Holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States) provided the Non-U.S. Holder timely files U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

With respect to the third bullet point above, we believe that we are not, and do not anticipate that we will become, a USRPHC.

The method of determining the amount of gain by a Non-U.S. Holder on disposition of the common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants generally will correspond to the method of determining the amount of gain (or loss) by a U.S. Holder on disposition of the common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants, as described under “U.S. Holders—Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock, Common Warrants or Pre-funded Warrants” above. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding potentially applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules, and the potential application of other exceptions to these taxes.

Exercise of a Common Warrant or Pre-funded Warrant

For certain Non-U.S. Holders engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the exercise of a common warrant or pre-funded warrant, generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the exercise of a common warrant or pre-funded warrant by a U.S. Holder, as described under “U.S. Holders — Exercise of a Common Warrant or Pre-funded Warrant” above. For all other Non-U.S. holders, the exercise of a common warrant or pre-funded warrant generally will not be a U.S. taxable event.

Lapse of a Common Warrant

Upon the lapse or expiration of a common warrant, a Non-U.S. Holder will recognize a loss in an amount equal to such Non-U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common warrant. Any such loss generally will be a capital loss and will be long-term capital loss if the common warrant is held for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Certain Adjustments to the Common Warrants and Pre-funded Warrants and Payments in Respect of the Common Warrants and Pre-funded Warrants

Under Section 305 of the Code, an adjustment to the number of shares of common stock that will be issued on the exercise of the common warrants or pre-funded warrants, or an adjustment to the exercise price of the common warrants or pre-funded warrants, may be treated as a constructive distribution to a Non-U.S. Holder of the common warrants or pre-funded warrants if, and to the extent that, such adjustment has the effect of increasing such Non-U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in our “earnings and profits” or assets, depending on the circumstances of such adjustment (for example, if such adjustment is to compensate for a distribution of cash or other property to our shareholders). Adjustments to the exercise price of common warrants or pre-funded warrants made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing dilution of the interest of the Non-U.S. Holder of the common warrants or pre-funded warrants generally should not be considered to result in a constructive distribution. Any constructive distribution would be treated as a dividend, return of capital or capital gain as described under the heading “Non-U.S. Holders—Distributions on Common Stock” above, and could be taxable whether or not there is an actual distribution of cash or other property.

In addition, regulations governing “dividend equivalents” under Section 871(m) of the Code may apply to the common warrants or pre-funded warrants. Under those regulations, an implicit or explicit payment under the common warrants or pre-funded warrants that references a dividend distribution on our common stock (including an adjustment to the amount due on the common warrant or pre-funded warrant to take into account a dividend distribution on our common stock) would be taxable to a Non-U.S. Holder as described under the

 

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heading “Non-U.S. Holders—Distributions on Common Stock” above. Such dividend equivalent amount would be taxable and subject to withholding whether or not there is actual payment of cash or other property, and the Company may satisfy any withholding obligations it has in respect of the common warrants or pre-funded warrants by withholding from other amounts due to the Non-U.S. Holder. Non-U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of Section 871(m) of the Code to the common warrants or pre-funded warrants.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Subject to the discussion below regarding payments made to certain foreign accounts, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments of dividends on our common stock we make to the Non-U.S. Holder, provided the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know such Holder is a U.S. person and the Holder certifies its non-U.S. status by providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, or other applicable certification (or applicable successor form), or otherwise establishes an exception. However, information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with any dividends or other distributions on our common stock paid to the Non-U.S. Holder (including constructive distributions), regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. Copies of these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides or is established.

Information reporting and backup withholding may apply to the proceeds of a sale of a share of our common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants within the United States, and information reporting may (although backup withholding will generally not) apply to the proceeds of the sale of a share of our common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants outside the United States conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, in each case, unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a Non-U.S. person on IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form or successor form (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a U.S. person) or otherwise establishes an exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (if any), provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding and the availability of and procedure for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding in their particular circumstances.

Additional Withholding Tax on Payments Made to Foreign Accounts

Withholding taxes may be imposed under the provisions of the law generally known as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, on certain types of payments made to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends (including constructive dividends) paid on our common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants, or (subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below) gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless (i) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (ii) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial U.S. owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial U.S. owner, or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in (i) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain “specified U.S. persons” or “U.S.-owned foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts and withhold 30% on payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain

 

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other account holders. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, or future Treasury Regulations or other guidance, may modify these requirements.

Under the applicable Treasury Regulations and guidance from the IRS, withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends (including constructive dividends) on our common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants. The FATCA withholding tax will apply to all withholdable payments without regard to whether the beneficial owner of the payment would otherwise be entitled to an exemption from imposition of withholding tax pursuant to an applicable tax treaty with the United States or U.S. domestic law. We will not pay additional amounts to Holders of our common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants in respect of any amounts withheld. Proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of common stock, common warrants or pre-funded warrants entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued.

Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of withholding under FATCA to their investment in our common stock, common warrants and pre-funded warrants.

 

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UNDERWRITING

JMP Securities LLC is acting as the representative of each of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement among us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the number of shares of common stock set forth opposite its name below.

 

Underwriter

   Number of
Shares
and
Warrants
 
  
  

Total

  

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the securities sold under the underwriting agreement if any are purchased other than those shares and/or common warrants covered by the over-allotment option described below. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased.

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters are offering the securities, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the securities, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer’s certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Commissions and Discounts

The representative has advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the securities to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $                per share. After this public offering, the representative may change the public offering price and concession and discount to dealers.

The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds, before expenses, to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option.

 

     Per Share
and
Warrant
     Without
Option
     With
Option
Exercised
in Full
 

Public offering price

        

Underwriting discount

        

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

        

We have agreed to pay the representative’s out-of-pocket accountable expenses, including its legal fees, up to a maximum amount of $125,000. The estimated expenses of this offering payable by us, exclusive of the underwriting discount, are approximately $             .

Over-allotment Option

We have granted an option to the underwriters to purchase up to            additional shares of our common stock at a price per share of $            and/or up to an additional            warrants to purchase up to            shares of

 

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common stock at a price per warrant of $            , less, in each case, the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise this option for 30 days from the date of this prospectus solely to cover any over-allotments. If the underwriters exercise this option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, to purchase a number of additional shares of our common stock and/or warrants proportionate to that underwriter’s initial amount reflected in the above table.

Right of First Refusal

In connection with this offering, we granted to JMP Securities LLC, for the twelve (12) month period following the commencement of sales of securities, a right of first refusal to act as sole lead manager, underwriter and/or placement agent for any and all future public or private equity, equity-linked, convertible and debt offerings (excluding commercial bank debt), with at least 50% of the economics provided to placement agents or underwriters, as applicable, during such twelve (12) month period by us, or any successor to or any subsidiary of our company subject to such procedures as agreed upon in the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with this offering.

No Sales of Similar Securities

We and each of our executive officers and directors have agreed with the underwriters not to offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive common stock or any rights to acquire common stock for a period of 90 days after the Company receives Stockholder Approval, with certain limited exceptions, without first obtaining the written consent of JMP Securities LLC, the representative of the underwriters. Specifically, we and these other persons have agreed, with certain limited exceptions, not to directly or indirectly:

 

   

offer, pledge, sell or contract to sell any common stock;

 

   

sell any option or warrant to purchase any common stock;

 

   

purchase any option or warrant to sell any common stock;

 

   

grant any option or warrant for the sale of any common stock;

 

   

lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any common stock;

 

   

exercise any right with respect to the registration of any common stock or other securities; or

 

   

enter into any swap or other agreement or transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of any common stock whether any such swap, agreement or transaction is to be settled by the delivery of shares of common stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise.

This lock-up provision applies to common stock and to securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or that represent the right to receive common stock. It also applies to common stock owned now or acquired later by the person executing the agreement or for which the person executing the agreement later acquires the power of disposition.

Listing on Nasdaq

Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “BNTC”. We do not intend to apply for the listing of the common warrants or the pre-funded warrants on any national securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system, including Nasdaq.

Discretionary Sales

The underwriters do not expect to sell more than 5% of the shares sold in this offering in the aggregate to accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.

 

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Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

Until the distribution of our shares of common stock is completed, SEC rules may limit underwriters and selling group members from bidding for and purchasing our common stock. However, the representative may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the common stock, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell our common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares of our common stock than they are required to purchase in this offering. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ over-allotment option described above. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option or purchasing shares of our common stock in the open market. In determining the source of shares of our common stock to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares of our common stock available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares of our common stock through the over-allotment option. “Naked” short sales are sales in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares of our common stock in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of shares of our common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of this offering.

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representative has repurchased shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters’ purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on Nasdaq, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the representative will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Shares

In connection with this offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as e-mail. In addition, the underwriters may facilitate Internet distribution for this offering to certain of their Internet subscription customers. The underwriters may allocate a limited number of securities for sale to their online brokerage customers. An electronic prospectus is available on the Internet website maintained by the underwriters. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters’ websites is not part of this prospectus.

Other Relationships

In the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and

 

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financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Sales Outside the United States

No action has been or will be taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of the common stock, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus or any other material relating to us or the common stock in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the common stock may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither of this prospectus nor any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the common stock may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

Each of the underwriters may arrange to sell common stock offered by this prospectus in certain jurisdictions outside the United States, either directly or through affiliates, where they are permitted to do so.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada

These securities may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are: (i) accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (NI 45-106) or Subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and (ii) permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the securities must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Under Canadian Securities Law, National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105) provides disclosure requirements with respect to certain potential conflicts of interest that may exist between an issuer and underwriters, dealers or placement agents, as the case may be. Pursuant to section 3A.3 of NI 33-105, we and the representative are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

We and the representative hereby notify prospective Canadian purchasers that: (a) we may be required to provide personal information pertaining to the purchaser as required to be disclosed in Schedule I of Form 45-106F1 under NI 45-106 (including its name, address, telephone number and the aggregate purchase price of any securities purchased), or personal information, which form 45-106F1 may be required to be filed by us under NI 45-106, (b) such personal information may be delivered to the Ontario Securities Commission, or the OSC, in accordance with NI 45-106, (c) such personal information is collected indirectly by the OSC under the authority granted to it under the securities legislation of Ontario, (d) such personal information is collected for the purposes of the administration and enforcement of the securities legislation of Ontario, and (e) the public official in Ontario who can answer questions about the OSC’s indirect collection of such personal information is the administrative support clerk at the OSC, Suite 1903, Box 55, 20 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5H 3S8, Telephone: (416) 593-3684. Prospective Canadian purchasers that purchase securities in this offering will be

 

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deemed to have authorized the indirect collection of the personal information by the OSC, and to have acknowledged and consented to its name, address, telephone number and other specified information, including the aggregate purchase price paid by the purchaser, being disclosed to other Canadian securities regulatory authorities, and to have acknowledged that such information may become available to the public in accordance with requirements of applicable Canadian laws.

Upon receipt of this prospectus, each Canadian purchaser hereby confirms that it has expressly requested that all documents evidencing or relating in any way to the sale of the securities described herein (including for greater certainty any purchase confirmation or any notice) be drawn up in the English language only. Par la réception de ce document, chaque acheteur Canadien confirme par les présentes qu’il a expressément exigé que tous les documents faisant foi ou se rapportant de quelque manière que ce soit à la vente des valeurs mobilières décrites aux présentes (incluant, pour plus de certitude, toute confirmation d’achat ou tout avis) soient rédigés – anglais seulement.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Proskauer Rose LLP, Los Angeles, California. Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, New York, New York, is acting as counsel for the underwriter in connection with this offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Benitec Biopharma Inc. as of and for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 incorporated by reference in this registration statement, have been audited by Baker Tilly US, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon incorporated by reference in this registration statement, in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information with respect to us and the securities offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and as such we refer you to the full text of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. A copy of the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed therewith may be inspected without charge at the public reference room maintained by the SEC, located at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of all or any part of the registration statement may be obtained from such offices upon the payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference room. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The Internet address is www.sec.gov.

We are subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and we file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These periodic reports, proxy statements and other information are available for inspection and copying at the public reference room and website of the SEC referred to above. We maintain a website at www.benitec.com. You may access our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act with the SEC free of charge at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Prior to the Re-domiciliation, Benitec Limited was a “foreign private issuer.” Information concerning Benitec Limited, including its annual reports on Form 20-F and current reports on Form 6-K, is also available free of charge on our website. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference in, and is not part of, this prospectus, and any references to such website or any other website are inactive textual references only. You may also request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing us at 3940 Trust Way, Hayward, California 94545 or info@benitec.com or telephoning us at (510) 780-0819.

INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC permits us to “incorporate by reference” the information contained in documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents rather than by including them in this prospectus. Information that is incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus and you should read it with the same care that you read this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information that is either contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus, and will be considered to be a part of this prospectus from the date those documents are filed.

We incorporate by reference the following documents listed below (excluding any document or portion thereof to the extent such disclosure is furnished and not filed):

 

   

Our Annual Report on  Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 filed with the SEC on September 20, 2021;

 

   

Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2021 filed with the SEC on November 15, 2021, for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022, and for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on May 16, 2022;

 

   

Our Definitive Proxy Statement on  Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on October 22, 2021; and

 

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Our Current Reports on Form 8-K  filed with the SEC on September  20, 2021, December  13, 2021, and December 21, 2021, and our amended Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on January 21, 2022.

We also incorporate by reference all documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are made after the initial filing date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part until this offering has been completed. All filings from the date of the initial registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the prospectus. We are not, however, incorporating, in each case, any documents or information that we are deemed to furnish and not file in accordance with SEC rules.

You may request and obtain a copy of any of the filings incorporated herein by reference, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or phone number:

Benitec Biopharma Inc.

3940 Trust Way

Hayward, California 94545

(510) 780-0819

info@benitec.com

 

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25,300,442 Shares of Common Stock or

Pre-funded Warrants to Purchase 25,300,442 Shares of Common Stock and Common Warrants to Purchase 25,300,442 Shares of Common Stock

Shares of Common Stock underlying the Pre-funded Warrants and Series 1 Common Warrants

 

 

LOGO

$20,000,000

 

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

 

JMP Securities

A CITIZENS COMPANY

 

 

 

 

             , 2022

 

 

 


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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 13.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the registrant in connection with the sale of common stock and pre-funded warrants being registered. All amounts are estimates except for the SEC registration fee and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, filing fee.

 

Item

   Amount to be
paid
 

SEC registration fee

   $ 4,264.20  

FINRA filing fee

   $ 7,400.00  

Printing and engraving expenses

   $ 5,000.00  

Legal fees and expenses

     200,000.00  

Accounting fees and expenses

   $ 55,000.00  

Transfer agent and warrant agent fees and expenses

   $ 10,000.00  

Miscellaneous fees and expenses

   $ 13,500.00  
  

 

 

 

Total

     295,164.20  
  

 

 

 

 

Item 14.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his or her duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit.

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation has the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes a provision to eliminate the personal liability of our directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, subject to certain exceptions. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that we are required to indemnify our officers and directors under certain circumstances, including those circumstances in which indemnification would otherwise be discretionary, and we are required to advance expenses to our officers and directors as incurred in connection with proceedings against them for which they may be indemnified.

 

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We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers. These indemnification agreements are not intended to deny or otherwise limit third-party or derivative suits against us or our directors or officers, but to the extent a director or officer were entitled to indemnity or contribution under our bylaws, the financial burden of a third-party suit would be borne by us, and we would not benefit from derivative recoveries against the director or officer. Such recoveries would accrue to our benefit but would be offset by our obligations to the director or officer under the indemnification agreement.

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriter is obligated, under certain circumstances, to indemnify our directors, officers and controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Reference is made to the form of underwriting agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 hereto.

We maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for the benefit of our directors and officers.

 

Item 15.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

Over the past three years, the Company and Benitec Limited have issued and sold to third parties the securities listed below without registering the securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). None of these transactions involved any public offering. All the securities listed below were sold through private placement either (i) outside the United States or (ii) in the United States to a limited number of investors in transactions not involving any public offering. As discussed below, we believe that each issuance of these securities was exempt from, or not subject to, registration under the Securities Act.

On September 30, 2019, Benitec Limited entered into a securities purchase agreement (“SPA”) with certain sophisticated and professional investors in the United States to issue 2,800,000 American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), with each ADS representing 20 fully paid ordinary shares (which were converted to 186,666 shares of common stock as part of the Re-domiciliation), at a purchase price of US$0.70 per ADS, in a registered direct offering. The Investors were also issued warrants to purchase up to 412,890 ADSs (representing 27,526 shares of common stock after the Re-domiciliation) in aggregate, at a purchase price per warrant equal to US$0.6999 per ADS to be issued on exercise of the warrant (“Pre-Funded Warrants”). The Pre-Funded Warrants were exercisable at any time from issue, in whole or in part, at an exercise price of US$0.0001 per ADS issued on exercise (subject to certain adjustments), provided that the beneficial ownership of the relevant Investor in the total number of ADSs on issue not exceed 9.99%. The Pre-Funded Warrants have all been exercised. This issuance was exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2).

On April 15, 2020, the Company completed the Re-domiciliation. In connection with the Re-domiciliation, Benitec issued 1,070,957 shares of common stock, on the basis of one share of common stock for every 300 ordinary shares of Benitec Limited issued and outstanding prior to the Re-domiciliation. The Re-domiciliation was effected pursuant to a statutory scheme of arrangement under Australian law (the “Scheme”). The issuance of Benitec’s shares of common stock in the Scheme was exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 3(a)(10).

On April 22, 2020, Benitec issued 37,417 shares of common stock in connection with a cashless exercise of warrants exercisable for 107,095 shares of common stock. The issuance was exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 3(a)(9).

 

Item 16.

Exhibits and financial statement schedules

(a)     Exhibits

The exhibits to the registration statement are listed in the Exhibit Index to this registration statement and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Item 17.

Undertakings

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)    To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i)    To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii)    To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii)    To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

(2)    That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3)    To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4)    That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(A)    Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B)    Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

(5)    That for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i)    Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

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(ii)    Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii)    The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv)    Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(6)    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to any charter provision, by law or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(7)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(i)    For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

(ii)    For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(I) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and

(iii)    For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Exhibit

  1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement
  2.1    Amended and Restated Scheme Implementation Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit  99.4 of the Current Report on Form 6-K of Benitec Biopharma Limited (File No. 001-37518)  furnished on March 18, 2020)
  3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Benitec Biopharma Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on April 15, 2020)
  3.2    Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Benitec Biopharma Inc., effective December 17,  2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 21, 2021)
  3.3    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Benitec Biopharma Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit  3.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on April 15, 2020)
  4.1    Form of common stock certificate of Benitec Biopharma Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit  4.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on April 15, 2020)
  4.2*    Form of Pre-Funded Warrant
  4.3*    Form of Common Warrant
  4.4    Form of Purchase Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 of the Current Report on Form 6-K of Benitec Biopharma Limited (File No. 001-37518) furnished on September 30, 2019)
  4.5**    Warrant Agency Agreement, by and between Benitec Biopharma Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as warrant agent
  5.1*    Opinion of Proskauer Rose LLP
10.1    Share Subscription Agreement, dated October  24, 2016, between Nant Capital, LLC and Benitec Biopharma Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form F-3  of Benitec Biopharma Limited (File No. 333-218400) filed with the SEC on June 1, 2017)
10.2    Commercial Lease Agreement between Hayward Point Eden I Limited Partnership and Benitec Biopharma Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 of Benitec Biopharma Limited (File No. 333-205135) filed with the SEC on June 22, 2015)
10.3†    Employment agreement between Megan Boston and Benitec Biopharma Limited dated July  11, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Benitec Biopharma Inc. (File No.  333-246314) filed with the SEC on August 14, 2020)
10.4†    Employment agreement between Dr. Jerel A. Banks and Tacere Therapeutics, Inc. dated September  11, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Benitec Biopharma Inc. (File No.  333-246314) filed with the SEC on August 14, 2020)
10.5    Research Collaboration Agreement, dated January  27, 2017, between Benitec Biopharma Limited and Nant Capital, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registration Statement on Form F-3  filed with the SEC on June 1, 2017)
10.6    Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated September  30, 2019, between Benitec Biopharma Limited and the Purchasers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Form 6-K of Benitec Biopharma Limited (File No. 001-37518) filed with the SEC on September 30, 2019)
10.7†    Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on April 15, 2020)
10.8†    Benitec Officers’ and Employees’ Share Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Registration Statement on Form  S-8 of Benitec Biopharma Limited (File No. 333-209398) filed on February 3, 2016)

 

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Exhibit

Number

 

Exhibit

10.9†   Form of Option Award Agreement under the Benitec Officers’ and Employees’ Share Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Benitec Biopharma Inc. (File No. 333-246314) filed with the SEC on August 14, 2020)
10.10†   Benitec Biopharma Inc. 2020 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form  8-K filed on December 14, 2020)
10.11†   First Amendment to Benitec Biopharma Inc. 2020 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan, dated as of December  8, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on October 22, 2021)
10.12†   Form of Evidence of Award of Option Right Pursuant to the Benitec Biopharma Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive and Compensation Plan (Executives)  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 15, 2020)
10.13†   Form of Evidence of Award of Option Right Pursuant to the Benitec Biopharma Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive and Compensation Plan (Non-Employee Directors) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form  8-K filed on December 15, 2020)
21.1   List of significant subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on September 20, 2021)
23.1*   Consent of Baker Tilly US, LLP
23.2*   Consent of Proskauer Rose LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1   Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereto)
107***   Calculation of Filing Fee Table

 

*

Filed herewith.

**

To be filed by amendment.

***

Previously filed.

Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.

 

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-1 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Hayward, State of California, on August 8, 2022.

 

BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.
By:  

/s/    Dr. Jerel Banks

 

Dr. Jerel Banks

Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement on Form S-1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Dr. Jerel Banks

Dr. Jerel Banks

  

Chief Executive Officer, Director

(principal executive officer)

  August 8, 2022

/s/ *

Megan Boston

  

Executive Director, Director

(principal accounting and financial officer)

  August 8, 2022

/s/ *

J. Kevin Buchi

   Director   August 8, 2022

/s/ *

Peter Francis

   Director   August 8, 2022

/s/ *

Edward Smith

   Director   August 8, 2022

 

*By:

 

/s/ Dr. Jerel Banks

 

Dr. Jerel Banks

Attorney-in-fact

 

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Exhibit 1.1

             SHARES OF COMMON STOCK,

                     PRE-FUNDED WARRANTS TO PURCHASE              SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AND

             SERIES 1 WARRANTS TO PURCHASE              SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AND

             SERIES 2 WARRANTS TO PURCHASE              SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

OF

BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

[            ], 2022

JMP Securities LLC

600 Montgomery Street, Suite 1100

San Francisco, CA 94111

As the Representative of the

Several underwriters, if any, named in Schedule I hereto

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned, Benitec Biopharma Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of Delaware (collectively with its direct and indirect subsidiaries as applicable to the context used herein, the “Company”), hereby confirms its agreement (this “Agreement”) with the several underwriters (such underwriters, including the Representative (as defined below), the “Underwriters” and each an “Underwriter”) named in Schedule I hereto for which JMP Securities LLC is acting as representative to the several Underwriters (the “Representative” and if there are no Underwriters other than the Representative, references to multiple Underwriters shall be disregarded and the term Representative as used herein shall have the same meaning as Underwriter) on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

It is understood that the several Underwriters are to make a public offering of the Public Securities as soon as the Representative deems it advisable to do so. The Public Securities are to be initially offered to the public at the public offering price set forth in the Prospectus.

It is further understood that you will act as the Representative for the Underwriters in the offering and sale of the Closing Securities and, if any, the Option Securities in accordance with this Agreement.


ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

1.1    Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, for all purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.1:

Action” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(k).

Affiliate” means with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with such Person as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.

Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.

Closing” means the closing of the purchase and sale of the Closing Securities pursuant to Section 2.1.

Closing Date” means the hour and the date on the Trading Day on which all conditions precedent to (i) the Underwriters’ obligations to pay the Closing Purchase Price and (ii) the Company’s obligations to deliver the Closing Securities, in each case, have been satisfied or waived, but in no event later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date hereof (or third (3rd) Trading Day following the date hereof if this Agreement is executed after 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date hereof) or at such earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company.

Closing Purchase Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(b), which aggregate purchase price shall be net of the underwriting discounts and commissions.

Closing Securities” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a)(iii).

Closing Shares” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a)(i).

 

2


Closing Warrants” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a)(iii).

Combined Purchase Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(b).

Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.

Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.

Company Auditor” means Baker Tilly US, LLP, with offices located at 267 East Campbell Avenue Suite 200 Campbell, CA 95008.

Company Counsel” means Proskauer Rose LLP, with offices located at 2029 Century Park East, Suite 2400, Los Angeles, CA 90067-3010.

Effective Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(f).

EGS” means Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, with offices located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Execution Date” shall mean the date on which the parties execute and enter into this Agreement.

Exempt Issuance” means the issuance of (a) shares of Common Stock or options to employees, consultants, officers or directors of the Company pursuant to any stock or option plan duly adopted for such purpose by a majority of the non-employee members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of non-employee directors established for such purpose for services rendered to the Company, (b) securities upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any Securities issued hereunder and/or other securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on the date of this Agreement, provided that such securities have not been amended since the date of this Agreement to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of such securities (other than in connection with stock splits or combinations) or to extend the term of such securities, and (c) securities issued pursuant

 

3


to acquisitions or strategic transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company, provided that such securities are issued as “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144) and carry no registration rights that require or permit the filing of any registration statement in connection therewith during the prohibition period in Section 4.21(a) herein, and provided that any such issuance shall only be to a Person (or to the equity holders of a Person) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an owner of an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Company and shall provide to the Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities.

FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

GAAP” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(i).

Indebtedness” means (a) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed in excess of $50,000 (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (b) all guaranties, endorsements and other contingent obligations in respect of indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (c) the present value of any lease payments in excess of $50,000 due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP.

IP Counsel” means                     , with offices located at                     .

Liens” means a lien, charge, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive right or other restriction.

Lock-Up Agreements” means the Lock-Up Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and the directors and officers of the Company, in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto.

Material Adverse Effect” means (i) a material adverse effect on the legality, validity or enforceability of any Transaction Document, (ii) a material adverse effect on the results of operations, assets, business or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (iii) a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to perform in any material respect on a timely basis its obligations under any Transaction Document.

Offering” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(c).

Option” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2.

 

4


Option Closing Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(c).

Option Closing Purchase Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(b), which aggregate purchase price shall be net of the underwriting discounts and commissions.

Option Securities” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a).

Option Shares” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a)(i).

Option Warrants” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a).

Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

Pre-Funded Warrants” means the Pre-Funded Common Stock purchase warrants delivered to the Underwriters in accordance with Section 2.1(a), in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

Preliminary Prospectus” means, if any, any preliminary prospectus relating to the Securities included in the Registration Statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b).

Proceeding” means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, an informal investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.

Prospectus” means the final prospectus filed for the Registration Statement.

Prospectus Supplement” means, if any, any supplement to the Prospectus complying with Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act that is filed with the Commission.

Public Securities” means, collectively, the Closing Securities and, if any, the Option Securities.

Registration Statement” means, collectively, the various parts of the registration statement prepared by the Company on Form S-1 (File No. 333-266417) with respect to the Securities, each as amended as of the date hereof, including the Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement, if any, the Preliminary Prospectus, if any, and all exhibits filed with or incorporated by reference into such registration statement, and includes any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement.

Required Approvals” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(e).

 

5


Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.

Rule 462(b) Registration Statement” means any registration statement prepared by the Company registering additional Public Securities, which was filed with the Commission on or prior to the date hereof and became automatically effective pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act.

SEC Reports” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(i).

Securities” means the Closing Securities, the Option Securities and the Warrant Shares.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Series 1 Warrants” means, collectively, the Series 1 Common Stock purchase warrants, if any, delivered to the Purchasers at the Closing in accordance with Section 2.2(a) hereof, which Series 1 Warrants shall be exercisable immediately after issuance, subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and will expire five (5) years after the Closing Date, in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.

Series 1 Warrant Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Series 1 Warrants.

Series 2 Warrants” means, collectively, the Series 2 Common Stock purchase warrants, delivered to the Purchasers at the Closing in accordance with Section 2.2(a) hereof, which Series 2 Warrants shall be exercisable immediately after the Stockholder Approval Date, subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and will expire five (5) years after the Stockholder Approval Date, in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.

Series 2 Warrant Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Series 2 Warrants.

Share Purchase Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(b).

Shares” means, collectively, the shares of Common Stock delivered to the Underwriters in accordance with Section 2.1(a)(i) and Section 2.2(a).

Stockholder Approval Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.22.

Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.

 

6


Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.

Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, OTCQX or OTCQB (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Warrants, the Warrant Agency Agreement, the Lock-Up Agreements, and any other documents or agreements executed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.

Transfer Agent” means Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the current transfer agent of the Company, with offices located at 250 Royall St, Canton Massachusetts 02021 and any successor transfer agent of the Company.

Warrant Agency Agreement” means the warrant agency agreement dated on or about the date hereof, among the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto.

Warrant Purchase Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(b).

Warrant Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.

Warrants” means, collectively, the Pre-Funded Warrants, the Series 1 Warrants and the Series 2 Warrants.

ARTICLE II.

PURCHASE AND SALE

2.1    Closing.

(a)    Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Company agrees to sell in the aggregate              shares of Common Stock or Pre-Funded Warrants, Series 1 Warrants exercisable for an aggregate of              shares of Common Stock and Series 2 Warrants exercisable for an aggregate of              shares of Common Stock, and each Underwriter agrees to purchase, severally and not jointly, at the Closing, the following securities of the Company:

(i)    the number of shares of Common Stock (the “Closing Shares”) set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule I hereof;

 

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(ii)    Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase up to the number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule I hereof, which shall have an exercise price equal to $0.0001 (subject to adjustment therein), and shall be exercisable immediately following their issuance and at any time thereafter (the “Closing Pre-Funded Warrants”); and

(iii)    Series 1 Warrants to purchase up to the number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule I hereof, which Series 1 Warrants shall have an exercise price of $        , subject to adjustment as provided therein and Series 2 Warrants to purchase up to the number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule I hereof (such Series 1 Warrants and Series 2 Warrants, collectively with the Closing Pre-Funded Warrants, the “Closing Warrants” and, collectively with the Closing Shares, the “Closing Securities”), which Series 2 Warrants shall have an exercise price of $        , subject to adjustment as provided therein.

(b)    The aggregate purchase price for the Closing Securities shall equal the amount set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule I hereto (the “Closing Purchase Price”). The combined purchase price for one Share and a Series 1 Warrant or Series 2 Warrant, as applicable, shall be $         which shall be allocated as $         per Share (the “Share Purchase Price”) and $         per Series 1 Warrant or Series 2 Warrant, as applicable (the “Warrant Purchase Price”). The combined purchase price for one Pre-Funded Warrant and a Series 1 Warrant or Series 2 Warrant, as applicable, shall be $         which shall be allocated as $         per Pre-Funded Warrant and $         per Series 1 or Series 2 Warrant, as applicable.

(c)     On the Closing Date, each Underwriter shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company, via wire transfer, immediately available funds equal to such Underwriter’s Closing Purchase Price and the Company shall deliver to, or as directed by, such Underwriter its respective Closing Securities and the Company shall deliver the other items required pursuant to Section 2.3 deliverable at the Closing. Upon satisfaction of the covenants and conditions set forth in Sections 2.3 and 2.4, the Closing shall occur at the offices of EGS or such other location as the Company and Representative shall mutually agree. The Public Securities are to be offered initially to the public at the offering price set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus (the “Offering”).

(d)    The Company acknowledges and agrees that, with respect to any Notice(s) of Exercise (as defined in the Warrants) delivered by a Holder (as defined in the Warrants) on or prior to 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Closing Date, which Notice(s) of Exercise may be delivered at any time after the time of execution of this Agreement, the Company shall deliver the Warrant Shares subject to such notice(s) to the Holder by 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Closing Date and the Closing Date shall be the date the Warrant Shares are delivered to the Holder. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Holders are third-party beneficiaries of this covenant of the Company.

 

8


2.2    Option to Purchase Additional Securities.

(a)    For the purposes of covering any over-allotments in connection with the distribution and sale of the Closing Securities, the Representative is hereby granted an option (the “Option”) to purchase, in the aggregate, up to              shares of Common Stock (the “Option Shares”) and Series 1 Warrants, if available, and Series 2 Warrants, as applicable, to purchase up to              shares of Common Stock (the “Option Warrants” and, collectively with the Option Shares, the “Option Securities”)1 which may be purchased in any combination of Option Shares and/or Option Warrants at the Share Purchase Price and/or Warrant Purchase Price, respectively.

(b)    In connection with an exercise of the Option, (a) the purchase price to be paid for the Option Shares is equal to the product of the Share Purchase Price multiplied by the number of Option Shares to be purchased and (b) the purchase price to be paid for the Option Warrants is equal to the product of the Warrant Purchase Price multiplied by the number of Option Warrants to be purchased (the aggregate purchase price to be paid on an Option Closing Date, the “Option Closing Purchase Price”).

(c)    The Option granted pursuant to this Section 2.2 may be exercised by the Representative as to all (at any time) or any part (from time to time) of the Option Securities within 30 days after the Execution Date. An Underwriter will not be under any obligation to purchase any Option Securities prior to the exercise of the Option by the Representative. Option granted hereby may be exercised by the giving of oral notice to the Company from the Representative, which must be confirmed in writing by overnight mail or electronic transmission setting forth the number of Option Shares and/or Option Warrants to be purchased and the date and time for delivery of and payment for the Option Securities (each, an “Option Closing Date”), which will not be later than two (2) full Business Days after the date of the notice or such other time as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative, at the offices of EGS or at such other place (including remotely by other electronic transmission) as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative. If such delivery and payment for the Option Securities does not occur on the Closing Date, each Option Closing Date will be as set forth in the notice. Upon exercise of the Option, the Company will become obligated to convey to the Underwriters, and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Underwriters will become obligated to purchase, the number of Option Shares and/or Option Warrants specified in such notice. The Representative may cancel the Option at any time prior to the expiration of the Option by written notice to the Company.

2.3    Deliveries. The Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each Underwriter (if applicable) the following:

(i)    At the Closing Date, the Closing Shares and, as to each Option Closing Date, if any, the applicable Option Shares, which shares shall be delivered via The Depository Trust Company Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system for the accounts of the several Underwriters;

 

1 

15% of the Closing Shares and the Closing Warrants.

 

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(ii)    At the Closing Date, the Closing Warrants and, as to each Option Closing Date, if any, the applicable Option Warrants via The Depository Trust Company Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system for the accounts of the several Underwriters;

(iii)    At the Closing Date, the Warrant Agency Agreement duly executed by the parties thereto;

(iv)    At the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, a legal opinion of Company Counsel addressed to the Underwriters, including, without limitation, a negative assurance letter, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative;

(v)     At the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, a legal of IP Counsel addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative;

(vi)    Contemporaneously herewith, a cold comfort letter, addressed to the Underwriters and in form and substance satisfactory in all respects to the Representative from the Company Auditor dated, respectively, as of the date of this Agreement and a bring-down letter dated as of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any;

(vii)    On the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, the duly executed and delivered Officer’s Certificate, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative;

(viii)    On the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, the duly executed and delivered Secretary’s Certificate, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative; and

(ix)    Contemporaneously herewith, the duly executed and delivered Lock-Up Agreements.

2.4    Closing Conditions. The respective obligations of each Underwriter hereunder in connection with the Closing and each Option Closing Date are subject to the following conditions being met:

(i)    the accuracy in all material respects when made and on the date in question (other than representations and warranties of the Company already qualified by materiality, which shall be true and correct in all respects) of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein);

(ii)    all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Company required to be performed at or prior to the date in question shall have been performed;

 

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(iii)    the delivery by the Company of the items set forth in Section 2.3 of this Agreement;

(iv)    the Registration Statement shall be effective on the date of this Agreement and at each of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or shall be pending by the Commission and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representative;

(v)    by the Execution Date, if required by FINRA, the Underwriters shall have received clearance from FINRA as to the amount of compensation allowable or payable to the Underwriters as described in the Registration Statement;

(vi)    the Closing Shares, the Option Shares and the Warrant Shares (other than the Series 2 Warrant Shares) have been approved for listing on the Trading Market; and

(vii)    prior to and on each of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any: (i) there shall have been no material adverse change or development involving a prospective material adverse change in the condition or the business activities, financial or otherwise, of the Company from the latest dates as of which such condition is set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus; (ii) no action suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, shall have been pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or any Affiliate of the Company before or by any court or federal or state commission, board or other administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding may materially adversely affect the business, operations or financial condition or income of the Company, except as set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus; (iii) no stop order shall have been issued under the Securities Act and no proceedings therefor shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and (iv) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto shall contain all material statements which are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and shall conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and neither the Registration Statement nor the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

ARTICLE III.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

3.1    Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to the Underwriters as of the Execution Date, as of the Closing Date and as of each Option Closing Date, if any, as follows:

 

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(a)    Subsidiaries. All of the direct and indirect Subsidiaries of the Company are set forth in the SEC Reports. The Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock or other equity interests of each Subsidiary free and clear of any Liens, and all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary are validly issued and are fully paid, non-assessable and free of preemptive and similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. If the Company has no Subsidiaries, all other references to the Subsidiaries or any of them in the Transaction Documents shall be disregarded.

(b)    Organization and Qualification. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries is an entity duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with the requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation nor default of any of the provisions of its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and no Proceeding has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting or curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail such power and authority or qualification.

(c)    Authorization; Enforcement. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and no further action is required by the Company, the Board of Directors or the Company’s stockholders in connection herewith or therewith other than in connection with the Required Approvals. This Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which the Company is a party has been (or upon delivery will have been) duly executed by the Company and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.

(d)    No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, the

 

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issuance and sale of the Securities and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents, or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, anti-dilution or similar adjustments, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit facility, debt or other instrument (evidencing a Company or Subsidiary debt or otherwise) or other understanding to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected, or (iii) subject to the Required Approvals, conflict with or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other restriction of any court or governmental authority to which the Company or a Subsidiary is subject (including federal and state securities laws and regulations), or by which any property or asset of the Company or a Subsidiary is bound or affected; except in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), such as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(e)    Filings, Consents and Approvals. The Company is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, local or other governmental authority or other Person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Transaction Documents, other than: (i) the filing with the Commission of the Prospectus, (ii) such filings as are required to be made under applicable state securities laws and (iii) Stockholder Approval (collectively, the “Required Approvals”).

(f)    Registration Statement. The Company has filed with the Commission the Registration Statement, including any related Prospectus or Prospectuses, for the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act, which Registration Statement has been prepared by the Company in all material respects in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act. The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission on the date hereof (the “Effective Date”).

 

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(g)    Issuance of Securities. The Securities are duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the applicable Transaction Documents, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company. The Warrant Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company (it being acknowledged that the Series 2 Warrant Shares cannot be issued until Stockholder Approval is obtained, if at all, and the Capital Event is effective). The Company has reserved from its duly authorized capital stock the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to this Agreement and the Warrants (other than with respect to the Series 2 Warrant Shares, the issuance of which are subject to Stockholder Approval and the effectiveness of the Capital Event). The holder of the Securities will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders. The Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company. All corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Securities has been duly and validly taken (other than with respect to the Series 2 Warrant Shares, the issuance of which are subject to Stockholder Approval and the effectiveness of the Capital Event). The Securities conform in all material respects to all statements with respect thereto contained in the Registration Statement.

(h)    Capitalization. The capitalization of the Company is as set forth in the SEC Reports. The Company has not issued any capital stock since its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act, other than pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options under the Company’s stock option plans, the issuance of shares of Common Stock to employees pursuant to the Company’s employee stock purchase plans and pursuant to the conversion and/or exercise of Common Stock Equivalents outstanding as of the date of the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act. No Person has any right of first refusal, preemptive right, right of participation, or any similar right to participate in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. Except as a result of the purchase and sale of the Securities or as set forth in Schedule 3.1(g), there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities, rights or obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or giving any Person any right to subscribe for or acquire, any shares of Common Stock or the capital stock of any Subsidiary, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to issue additional shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents or the capital stock of any Subsidiary. The issuance and sale of the Securities will not obligate the Company or any Subsidiary to issue shares of Common Stock or other securities to any Person (other than the Underwriters). There are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary with any provision that adjusts the exercise, conversion, exchange or reset price of such security or instrument upon an issuance of securities by the Company or any Subsidiary. There are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary that contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to redeem a security of the Company or such Subsidiary. The Company

 

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does not have any stock appreciation rights or “phantom stock” plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, have been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities laws, and none of such outstanding shares was issued in violation of any preemptive rights or similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. The authorized shares of the Company conform in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. The offers and sales of the Company’s securities were at all relevant times either registered under the Securities Act and the applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws or, based in part on the representations and warranties of the purchasers, exempt from such registration requirements. No further approval or authorization of any stockholder, the Board of Directors or others is required for the issuance and sale of the Securities (other than with respect to the Series 2 Warrant Shares, the issuance of which are subject to Stockholder Approval and the effectiveness of the Capital Event). There are no stockholders agreements, voting agreements or other similar agreements with respect to the Company’s capital stock to which the Company is a party or, to the knowledge of the Company, between or among any of the Company’s stockholders.

(i)    SEC Reports; Financial Statements. The Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof, for the two years preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such material) (the foregoing materials, including the exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, together with the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement, being collectively referred to herein as the “SEC Reports”) on a timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and has filed any such SEC Reports prior to the expiration of any such extension. As of their respective dates, the SEC Reports complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and none of the SEC Reports, when filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Reports comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules and regulations of the Commission with respect thereto as in effect at the time of filing. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (“GAAP”), except as may be otherwise specified in such financial statements or the notes thereto and except that unaudited financial statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP, and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of and for the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, immaterial, year-end audit adjustments. The agreements and documents described in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement and the SEC Reports conform to the descriptions thereof contained therein

 

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and there are no agreements or other documents required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder to be described in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement or the SEC Reports or to be filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration Statement, that have not been so described or filed. Each agreement or other instrument (however characterized or described) to which the Company is a party or by which it is or may be bound or affected and (i) that is referred to in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement or the SEC Reports, or (ii) is material to the Company’s business, has been duly authorized and validly executed by the Company, is in full force and effect in all material respects and is enforceable against the Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms, except (x) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (y) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws, and (z) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought. None of such agreements or instruments has been assigned by the Company, and neither the Company nor, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any other party is in default thereunder and, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default thereunder. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, performance by the Company of the material provisions of such agreements or instruments will not result in a violation of any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets or businesses, including, without limitation, those relating to environmental laws and regulations.

(j)    Material Changes; Undisclosed Events, Liabilities or Developments. Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the SEC Reports, except as specifically disclosed in a subsequent SEC Report filed prior to the date hereof, (i) there has been no event, occurrence or development that has had or that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the Company has not incurred any liabilities (contingent or otherwise) other than (A) trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (B) liabilities not required to be reflected in the Company’s financial statements pursuant to GAAP or disclosed in filings made with the Commission, (iii) the Company has not altered its method of accounting, (iv) the Company has not declared or made any dividend or distribution of cash or other property to its stockholders or purchased, redeemed or made any agreements to purchase or redeem any shares of its capital stock, (v) the Company has not issued any equity securities to any officer, director or Affiliate, except pursuant to existing Company stock option plans and (vi) no officer or director of the Company has resigned from any position with the Company. The Company does not have pending before the Commission any request for confidential treatment of information. Except for the issuance of the Securities contemplated by this Agreement, no event, liability, fact, circumstance, occurrence or development has occurred or exists or is reasonably expected to occur or exist with respect to the Company or its

 

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Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, prospects, properties, operations, assets or financial condition that would be required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities laws at the time this representation is made or deemed made that has not been publicly disclosed at least one (1) Trading Day prior to the date that this representation is made. Unless otherwise disclosed in an SEC Report filed prior to the date hereof, the Company has not: (i) issued any securities or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, for borrowed money; or (ii) declared or paid any dividend or made any other distribution on or in respect to its capital stock.

(k)    Litigation. There is no action, suit, inquiry, notice of violation, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties before or by any court, arbitrator, governmental or administrative agency or regulatory authority (federal, state, county, local or foreign) (collectively, an “Action”) which (i) adversely affects or challenges the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents or the Securities or (ii) would, if there were an unfavorable decision, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor any director or officer thereof, is or has been the subject of any Action involving a claim of violation of or liability under federal or state securities laws or a claim of breach of fiduciary duty. There has not been, and to the knowledge of the Company, there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the Commission involving the Company or any current or former director or officer of the Company. The Commission has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company or any Subsidiary under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act.

(l)    Labor Relations. No labor dispute exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent with respect to any of the employees of the Company, which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ employees is a member of a union that relates to such employee’s relationship with the Company or such Subsidiary, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to a collective bargaining agreement, and the Company and its Subsidiaries believe that their relationships with their employees are good. To the knowledge of the Company, no executive officer of the Company or any Subsidiary, is, or is now expected to be, in violation of any material term of any employment contract, confidentiality, disclosure or proprietary information agreement or non-competition agreement, or any other contract or agreement or any restrictive covenant in favor of any third party, and the continued employment of each such executive officer does not subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any liability with respect to any of the foregoing matters. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where the failure to be in compliance would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(m)    Compliance. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary: (i) is in default under or in violation of (and no event has occurred that has not been waived that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would result in a default by the Company or any Subsidiary under), nor has the Company or any Subsidiary received notice of a claim that it is in default under or that it is in violation of, any indenture, loan or credit agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound (whether or not such default or violation has been waived), (ii) is in violation of any judgment, decree or order of any court, arbitrator or other governmental authority or (iii) is or has been in violation of any statute, rule, ordinance or regulation of any governmental authority, including without limitation all foreign, federal, state and local laws relating to taxes, environmental protection, occupational health and safety, product quality and safety and employment and labor matters, except in each case as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(n)    Regulatory Permits. The Company and the Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses as described in the SEC Reports, except where the failure to possess such permits would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (each, a “Material Permit”), and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Material Permit. The disclosures in the Registration Statement concerning the effects of Federal, State, local and all foreign regulation on the Company’s business as currently contemplated are correct in all material respects.

(o)    Title to Assets. The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to, or have valid and marketable rights to lease or otherwise use, all real property and all personal property that is material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all Liens, except for (i) Liens as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and the Subsidiaries and (ii) Liens for the payment of federal, state or other taxes, for which appropriate reserves have been made therefor in accordance with GAAP, and the payment of which is neither delinquent nor subject to penalties. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and the Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with which the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance.

(p)    Intellectual Property. The Company and the Subsidiaries have, or have rights to use, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, inventions, copyrights, licenses and other intellectual property rights and similar rights necessary or required for use in connection with their respective businesses as described in the SEC Reports and which the failure to do so would have a Material Adverse Effect (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Rights”). None of, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received a notice (written or otherwise) that any of, the Intellectual Property Rights has expired, terminated or been

 

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abandoned, or is expected to expire or terminate or be abandoned, within two (2) years from the date of this Agreement. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the SEC Reports, a written notice of a claim or otherwise has any knowledge that the Intellectual Property Rights violate or infringe upon the rights of any Person, except as would not reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, all such Intellectual Property Rights are enforceable and there is no existing infringement by another Person of any of the Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all of their intellectual properties, except where failure to do so would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(q)    Insurance. The Company and the Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and the Subsidiaries are engaged, including, but not limited to, directors and officers insurance coverage. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business without a significant increase in cost.

(r)    Transactions With Affiliates and Employees. Except as set forth in the SEC Reports, none of the officers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary is presently a party to any transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, providing for the borrowing of money from or lending of money to or otherwise requiring payments to or from, any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee, stockholder, member or partner, in each case in excess of $120,000 other than for (i) payment of salary or consulting fees for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and (iii) other employee benefits, including stock option agreements under any stock option plan of the Company.

(s)    Sarbanes-Oxley; Internal Accounting Controls. The Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with any and all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that are effective as of the date hereof, and any and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder that are effective as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date. The Company and the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (iii)

 

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access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company and the Subsidiaries have established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and the Subsidiaries and designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. The Company’s certifying officers have evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the end of the period covered by the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act (such date, the “Evaluation Date”). The Company presented in its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act the conclusions of the certifying officers about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on their evaluations as of the Evaluation Date. Since the Evaluation Date, there have been no changes in the internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in the Exchange Act) of the Company and its Subsidiaries that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

(t)    Certain Fees. Except as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, no brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company, any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. To the Company’s knowledge, there are no other arrangements, agreements or understandings of the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its stockholders that may affect the Underwriters’ compensation, as determined by FINRA. The Company has not made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or otherwise) to: (i) any person, as a finder’s fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in consideration of such person raising capital for the Company or introducing to the Company persons who raised or provided capital to the Company; (ii) any FINRA member; or (iii) any person or entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member, within the twelve months prior to the Execution Date. None of the net proceeds of the Offering will be paid by the Company to any participating FINRA member or its affiliates, except as specifically authorized herein.

(u)    Investment Company. The Company is not, and is not an Affiliate of, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Securities will not be or be an Affiliate of, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company shall conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become an “investment company” subject to registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

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(v)    Registration Rights. Other than as set forth on Schedule 3.1(v), no Person has any right to cause the Company or any Subsidiary to effect the registration under the Securities Act of any securities of the Company or any Subsidiary.

(w)    Listing and Maintenance Requirements. The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which to its knowledge is likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration. The Company has not, in the 12 months preceding the date hereof, received notice from any Trading Market on which the Common Stock is or has been listed or quoted to the effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of such Trading Market. The Company is as of the date hereof in compliance with all such listing and maintenance requirements. The Common Stock is currently eligible for electronic transfer through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation and the Company is current in payment of the fees of the Depository Trust Company (or such other established clearing corporation) in connection with such electronic transfer.

(x)    Application of Takeover Protections. The Company and the Board of Directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Company’s certificate of incorporation (or similar charter documents) or the laws of its state of incorporation that is or would become applicable as a result of the Underwriters and the Company fulfilling their obligations or exercising their rights under the Transaction Documents.

(y)    Disclosure; 10b-5. The Registration Statement (and any further documents to be filed with the Commission) contains all exhibits and schedules as required by the Securities Act. Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, if any, at the time it became effective, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations under the Securities Act and did not and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Preliminary Prospectus, Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement, each as of its respective date, comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations. Each of the Preliminary Prospectus, Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement, as amended or supplemented, did not and will not contain as of the date thereof any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The SEC Reports, when they were filed with the Commission, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations, and none of such documents, when they were filed with the Commission, contained any untrue

 

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statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein (with respect to the SEC Reports incorporated by reference in the Preliminary Prospectus, Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement), in light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading; and any further documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Preliminary Prospectus, Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement, when such documents are filed with the Commission, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations, as applicable, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading. No post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement reflecting any facts or events arising after the date thereof which represent, individually or in the aggregate, a fundamental change in the information set forth therein is required to be filed with the Commission. There are no documents required to be filed with the Commission in connection with the transaction contemplated hereby that (x) have not been filed as required pursuant to the Securities Act or (y) will not be filed within the requisite time period. There are no contracts or other documents required to be described in the Preliminary Prospectus, Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement, or to be filed as exhibits or schedules to the Registration Statement, which have not been described or filed as required.

(z)    No Integrated Offering. Neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would cause this offering of the Securities to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of any applicable shareholder approval provisions of any Trading Market on which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated.

(aa)    Solvency. Based on the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the receipt by the Company of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder, (i) the fair saleable value of the Company’s assets exceeds the amount that will be required to be paid on or in respect of the Company’s existing debts and other liabilities (including known contingent liabilities) as they mature, (ii) the Company’s assets do not constitute unreasonably small capital to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted including its capital needs taking into account the particular capital requirements of the business conducted by the Company, consolidated and projected capital requirements and capital availability thereof, and (iii) the current cash flow of the Company, together with the proceeds the Company would receive, were it to liquidate all of its assets, after taking into account all anticipated uses of the cash, would be sufficient to pay all amounts on or in respect of its liabilities when such amounts are required to be paid. The Company does not intend to incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature (taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its debt). The Company has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances which lead it to believe that it will file for reorganization or liquidation under the bankruptcy or reorganization laws of any jurisdiction within one year from the Closing Date. The SEC Reports sets forth as of the date hereof all outstanding secured and unsecured Indebtedness of the

 

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Company or any Subsidiary, or for which the Company or any Subsidiary has commitments. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default with respect to any Indebtedness.

(bb)    Tax Status. Except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries each (i) has made or filed all United States federal, state and local income and all foreign income and franchise tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject, (ii) has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all material taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company or of any Subsidiary know of no basis for any such claim. The provisions for taxes payable, if any, shown on the financial statements filed with or as part of the Registration Statement are sufficient for all accrued and unpaid taxes, whether or not disputed, and for all periods to and including the dates of such consolidated financial statements. The term “taxes” mean all federal, state, local, foreign, and other net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, customs, duties or other taxes, fees, assessments, or charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts with respect thereto. The term “returns” means all returns, declarations, reports, statements, and other documents required to be filed in respect to taxes.

(cc)    Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, any agent or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, has (i) directly or indirectly, used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to foreign or domestic political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds, (iii) failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company or any Subsidiary (or made by any person acting on its behalf of which the Company is aware) which is in violation of law, or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of FCPA. The Company has taken reasonable steps to ensure that its accounting controls and procedures are sufficient to cause the Company to comply in all material respects with the FCPA.

(dd)    Accountants. To the knowledge and belief of the Company, the Company Auditor (i) is an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Exchange Act and (ii) shall express its opinion with respect to the financial statements to be included in the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.

 

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(ee)    FDA. As to each product subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended, and the regulations thereunder (“FDCA”) that is manufactured, packaged, labeled, tested, distributed, sold, and/or marketed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (each such product, a “Pharmaceutical Product”), such Pharmaceutical Product is being manufactured, packaged, labeled, tested, distributed, sold and/or marketed by the Company in compliance with all applicable requirements under FDCA and similar laws, rules and regulations relating to registration, investigational use, premarket clearance, licensure, or application approval, good manufacturing practices, good laboratory practices, good clinical practices, product listing, quotas, labeling, advertising, record keeping and filing of reports, except where the failure to be in compliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no pending, completed or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened, action (including any lawsuit, arbitration, or legal or administrative or regulatory proceeding, charge, complaint, or investigation) against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice, warning letter or other communication from the FDA or any other governmental entity, which (i) contests the premarket clearance, licensure, registration, or approval of, the uses of, the distribution of, the manufacturing or packaging of, the testing of, the sale of, or the labeling and promotion of any Pharmaceutical Product, (ii) withdraws its approval of, requests the recall, suspension, or seizure of, or withdraws or orders the withdrawal of advertising or sales promotional materials relating to, any Pharmaceutical Product, (iii) imposes a clinical hold on any clinical investigation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iv) enjoins production at any facility of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (v) enters or proposes to enter into a consent decree of permanent injunction with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (vi) otherwise alleges any violation of any laws, rules or regulations by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and which, either individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect. The properties, business and operations of the Company have been and are being conducted in all material respects in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the FDA. The Company has not been informed by the FDA that the FDA will prohibit the marketing, sale, license or use in the United States of any product proposed to be developed, produced or marketed by the Company nor has the FDA expressed any concern as to approving or clearing for marketing any product being developed or proposed to be developed by the Company.

(ff)    Stock Option Plans. Each stock option granted by the Company under the Company’s stock option plan was granted (i) in accordance with the terms of the Company’s stock option plan and (ii) with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date such stock option would be considered granted under GAAP and applicable law. No stock option granted under the Company’s stock option plan has been backdated.

(gg)    Office of Foreign Assets Control. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department.

 

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(hh)    U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation. The Company is not and has never been a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Company shall so certify upon the Representative’s request.

(ii)    Bank Holding Company Act. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”) and to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities or twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total equity of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve.

(jj)    Money Laundering. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, applicable money laundering statutes and applicable rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no Action or Proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, threatened.

(kk)    D&O Questionnaires. To the Company’s knowledge, all information contained in the questionnaires completed by each of the Company’s directors and officers immediately prior to the Offering and in the Lock-Up Agreement provided to the Underwriters is true and correct in all respects and the Company has not become aware of any information which would cause the information disclosed in such questionnaires become inaccurate and incorrect.

(ll)    FINRA Affiliation. No officer, director or any beneficial owner of 5% or more of the Company’s unregistered securities has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member (as determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA) that is participating in the Offering. The Company will advise the Representative and EGS if it learns that any officer, director or owner of 5% or more of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents is or becomes an affiliate or associated person of a FINRA member firm.

(mm)    Officers’ Certificate. Any certificate signed by any duly authorized officer of the Company and delivered to the Representative or EGS shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.

 

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(nn)    Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is comprised of the persons set forth under the heading of the Prospectus captioned “Management.” The qualifications of the persons serving as board members and the overall composition of the Board of Directors comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company and the rules of the Trading Market. At least one member of the Board of Directors qualifies as a “financial expert” as such term is defined under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder and the rules of the Trading Market. In addition, at least a majority of the persons serving on the Board of Directors qualify as “independent” as defined under the rules of the Trading Market.

(oo)    Cybersecurity. (i)(x) There has been no security breach or other compromise of or relating to any of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s information technology and computer systems, networks, hardware, software, data (including the data of its respective customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and any third party data maintained by or on behalf of it), equipment or technology (collectively, “IT Systems and Data”) and (y) the Company and the Subsidiaries have not been notified of, and has no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in, any security breach or other compromise to its IT Systems and Data; (ii) the Company and the Subsidiaries are presently in compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) the Company and the Subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable safeguards to maintain and protect its material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all IT Systems and Data; and (iv) the Company and the Subsidiaries have implemented backup and disaster recovery technology consistent with industry standards and practices.

(pp)    Environmental Laws. The Company and its Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with all federal, state, local and foreign laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), including laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, or toxic or hazardous substances or wastes (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) into the environment, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials, as well as all authorizations, codes, decrees, demands, or demand letters, injunctions, judgments, licenses, notices or notice letters, orders, permits, plans or regulations, issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder (“Environmental Laws”); (ii) have received all permits licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval where in each clause (i), (ii) and (iii), the failure to so comply would be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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ARTICLE IV.

OTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES

4.1    Amendments to Registration Statement.    The Company has delivered, or will as promptly as practicable deliver, to the Underwriters complete conformed copies of the Registration Statement and of each consent and certificate of experts, as applicable, filed as a part thereof, and conformed copies of the Registration Statement (without exhibits), the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement, as amended or supplemented, in such quantities and at such places as an Underwriter reasonably requests; provided, however, that any report, communication, or financial statement that is furnished or filed by the Company and publicly available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”) shall be deemed to have been furnished and delivered to the Underwriters at the same time furnished to or filed with the Commission. Neither the Company nor any of its directors and officers has distributed and none of them will distribute, prior to the Closing Date, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other than the Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement, the Registration Statement, and copies of the documents incorporated by reference therein. The Company shall not file any such amendment or supplement to which the Representative shall reasonably object in writing.

4.2    Federal Securities Laws.

(a)    Compliance. During the time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, the Company will use its best efforts to comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, as from time to time in force, so far as necessary to permit the continuance of sales of or dealings in the Securities in accordance with the provisions hereof and the Prospectus. If at any time when a Prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, any event shall have occurred as a result of which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Underwriters, the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend the Prospectus to comply with the Securities Act, the Company will notify the Underwriters promptly and prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 4.1 hereof, an appropriate amendment or supplement in accordance with Section 10 of the Securities Act.

(b)    Filing of Final Prospectus. The Company will file the Prospectus (in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative) with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Rule 424.

 

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(c)    Exchange Act Registration. For a period of three years from the Execution Date, the Company will use its best efforts to maintain the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act. The Company will not deregister the Common Stock under the Exchange Act without the prior written consent of the Representative.

(d)    Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company represents and agrees that it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433 of the rules and regulations under the Securities Act, without the prior written consent of the Representative. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representative is herein referred to as a Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company represents that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus” as defined in rule and regulations under the Securities Act, and has complied and will comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 433 of the Securities Act, including timely Commission filing where required, legending and record keeping.

4.3    Delivery to the Underwriters of Prospectuses. The Company will deliver to the Underwriters, without charge, from time to time during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act such number of copies of each Prospectus as the Underwriters may reasonably request; provided, however, that any report, communication, or financial statement that is furnished or filed by the Company and publicly available on the EDGAR shall be deemed to have been furnished and delivered to the Underwriters at the same time furnished to or filed with the Commission.

4.4    Effectiveness and Events Requiring Notice to the Underwriters. The Company will use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain effective with a current prospectus until the later of nine (9) months from the Execution Date and the date on which the Warrants are no longer outstanding, and will notify the Underwriters and holders of the Warrants immediately and confirm the notice in writing: (i) of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto; (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iii) of the issuance by any state securities commission of any proceedings for the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iv) of the mailing and delivery to the Commission for filing of any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus; (v) of the receipt of any comments or request for any additional information from the Commission; and (vi) of the happening of any event during the period described in this Section 4.4 that, in the judgment of the Company, makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus untrue or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If the Commission or any state securities commission shall enter a stop order or suspend such qualification at any time, the Company will make every reasonable effort to obtain promptly the lifting of such order.

4.5    Review of Financial Statements. For a period of five (5) years from the Execution Date, the Company, at its expense, shall cause its regularly engaged independent registered public accountants to review (but not audit) the Company’s financial statements for each of the first three fiscal quarters prior to the announcement of quarterly financial information.

 

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4.6    Expenses of the Offering. The Company hereby agrees to pay on each of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, to the extent not paid at the Closing Date, all expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, including, but not limited to: (a) all filing fees and communication expenses relating to the registration of the Securities to be sold in the Offering (including the Option Securities) with the Commission; (b) all FINRA Public Offering Filing System fees associated with the review of the Offering by FINRA; (c) all fees and expenses relating to the listing of such Closing Securities and Option Securities on the Trading Market and such other stock exchanges as the Company and the Representative together determine (including costs and expenses related to obtaining Stockholder Approval and effecting the Capital Event); (d) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration or qualification of such Securities under the “blue sky” securities laws of such states and other foreign jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate and approved by the Company (including, without limitation, all filing and registration fees, and the fees and expenses of Blue Sky counsel); (e) the costs of all mailing and printing of the underwriting documents (including, without limitation, the Underwriting Agreement, any Blue Sky Surveys and, if appropriate, any Agreement Among Underwriters, Selected Dealers’ Agreement, Underwriters’ Questionnaire and Power of Attorney), Registration Statements, Prospectuses and all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto and as many preliminary and final Prospectuses as the Representative may reasonably deem necessary; (f) the costs and expenses of the Company’s public relations firm, if any; (g) the costs of preparing, printing and delivering the Securities; (h) fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent for the Securities (including, without limitation, any fees required for same-day processing of any instruction letter delivered by the Company); (i) stock transfer and/or stamp taxes, if any, payable upon the transfer of securities from the Company to the Underwriters; (j) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants; (k) the fees and expenses of the Company’s legal counsel and other agents and representatives; and (l) up to $125,000 for the Underwriters’ reasonable and documented costs and expenses relating to the Offering, including travel costs and the fees and expenses of EGS. The Underwriters may also deduct from the net proceeds of the Offering payable to the Company on the Closing Date, or each Option Closing Date, if any, the expenses set forth herein to be paid by the Company to the Underwriters.

4.7    Application of Net Proceeds. The Company will apply the net proceeds from the Offering received by it in a manner consistent with the application described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Prospectus.

4.8    Delivery of Earnings Statements to Security Holders. The Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable (which may be satisfied by filing with EDGAR), but not later than the first day of the fifteenth full calendar month following the Execution Date, an earnings statement (which need not be certified by independent public or independent certified public accountants unless required by the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act, but which shall satisfy the provisions of Rule 158(a) under Section 11(a) of the Securities Act) covering a period of at least twelve consecutive months beginning after the Execution Date.

 

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4.9    Stabilization. Neither the Company, nor, to its knowledge, any of its employees, directors or stockholders (without the consent of the Representative) has taken or will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act, or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

4.10    Internal Controls. The Company will maintain a system of internal accounting controls that is designed to provide reasonable assurances that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary in order to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

4.11    Accountants. The Company shall continue to retain a nationally recognized independent certified public accounting firm for a period of at least three years after the Execution Date. The Underwriters acknowledge that the Company Auditor is acceptable to the Underwriters.

4.12    FINRA. The Company shall advise the Underwriters (who shall make an appropriate filing with FINRA) if it is aware that any 5% or greater shareholder of the Company becomes an affiliate or associated person of an Underwriter.

4.13    No Fiduciary Duties. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters’ responsibility to the Company is solely contractual and commercial in nature, based on arms-length negotiations and that neither the Underwriters nor their affiliates or any selected dealer shall be deemed to be acting in a fiduciary capacity, or otherwise owes any fiduciary duty to the Company or any of its affiliates in connection with the Offering and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company acknowledges that the Underwriters may have financial interests in the success of the Offering that are not limited to the difference between the price to the public and the purchase price paid to the Company by the Underwriters for the shares and the Underwriters have no obligation to disclose, or account to the Company for, any of such additional financial interests. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged breach of fiduciary duty.

4.14    Warrant Shares. If all or any portion of a Warrant is exercised at a time when there is an effective registration statement to cover the issuance of the Warrant Shares or if the Warrant is exercised via cashless exercise, the Warrant Shares issued pursuant to any such exercise shall be issued free of all restrictive legends. If at any time following the date hereof the

 

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Registration Statement (or any subsequent registration statement registering the sale or resale of the Warrant Shares) is not effective or is not otherwise available for the sale of the Warrant Shares, the Company shall immediately notify the holders of the Warrants in writing that such registration statement is not then effective and thereafter shall promptly notify such holders when the registration statement is effective again and available for the sale of the Warrant Shares (it being understood and agreed that the foregoing shall not limit the ability of the Company to issue, or any holder thereof to sell, any of the Warrant Shares in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws; it being further understood and agreement that the Series 2 Warrant Shares have not been registered on the Registration Statement but can be issued free of a restrictive legend following a cashless exercise pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act following Stockholder Approval and effectiveness of the Capital Event).

4.15    Board Composition and Board Designations. The Company shall ensure that: (i) the qualifications of the persons serving as board members and the overall composition of the Board of Directors comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder and with the listing requirements of the Trading Market and (ii) if applicable, at least one member of the Board of Directors qualifies as a “financial expert” as such term is defined under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder.

4.16    Securities Laws Disclosure; Publicity. At the request of the Representative, by 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date hereof, the Company shall issue a press release disclosing the material terms of the Offering. The Company and the Representative shall consult with each other in issuing any other press releases with respect to the Offering, and neither the Company nor any Underwriter shall issue any such press release nor otherwise make any such public statement without the prior consent of the Company, with respect to any press release of such Underwriter, or without the prior consent of such Underwriter, with respect to any press release of the Company, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, except if such disclosure is required by law, in which case the disclosing party shall promptly provide the other party with prior notice of such public statement or communication. The Company will not issue press releases or engage in any other publicity, without the Representative’s prior written consent, for a period ending at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the first business day following the 30th day following the Closing Date, other than normal and customary releases issued in the ordinary course of the Company’s business.

4.17    Shareholder Rights Plan. No claim will be made or enforced by the Company or, with the consent of the Company, any other Person, that any Underwriter of the Securities is an “Acquiring Person” under any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or similar anti-takeover plan or arrangement in effect or hereafter adopted by the Company, or that any Underwriter of Securities could be deemed to trigger the provisions of any such plan or arrangement, by virtue of receiving Securities.

4.18    Reservation of Common Stock. As of the date hereof, the Company has reserved and the Company shall continue to reserve and keep available at all times, free of preemptive rights, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock for the purpose of enabling the Company to issue Option Shares pursuant to the Option and Warrant Shares pursuant to any exercise of the

 

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Warrants (other than the Series 2 Warrant Shares). Upon receipt of Stockholder Approval and effectiveness of the Capital Event, the Company shall reserve and shall thereafter keep available at all times, free of preemptive rights, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock for the purpose of enabling the Company to issue Series 2 Warrant Shares is.

4.19    Listing of Common Stock. The Company hereby agrees to use best efforts to maintain the listing or quotation of the Common Stock on the Trading Market on which it is currently listed, and concurrently with the Closing, the Company shall apply to list or quote all of the Closing Shares, Option Shares and Warrant Shares (other than the Series 2 Warrant Shares, which the Company covenants to do immediately upon receipt of Stockholder Approval and effectiveness of the Capital Event) on such Trading Market and promptly secure the listing of all of the Closing Shares, Option Shares and Warrant Shares (other than the Series 2 Warrant Shares, which the Company covenants to do immediately upon receipt of Stockholder Approval and effectiveness of the Capital Event) on such Trading Market. The Company further agrees, if the Company applies to have the Common Stock traded on any other Trading Market, it will then include in such application all of the Closing Shares, Option Shares and Warrant Shares (other than the Series 2 Warrant Shares, unless at such time Stockholder Approval has been obtained, and otherwise, which the Company covenants to do immediately upon receipt of Stockholder Approval and effectiveness of the Capital Event), and will take such other action as is necessary to cause all of the Closing Shares, Option Shares and Warrant Shares (other than the Series 2 Warrant Shares, unless at such time Stockholder Approval has been obtained, and otherwise, which the Company covenants to do immediately upon receipt of Stockholder Approval and effectiveness of the Capital Event) to be listed or quoted on such other Trading Market as promptly as possible. The Company will then take all action reasonably necessary to continue the listing and trading of its Common Stock on a Trading Market and will comply in all respects with the Company’s reporting, filing and other obligations under the bylaws or rules of the Trading Market. The Company agrees to maintain the eligibility of the Common Stock for electronic transfer through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation, including, without limitation, by timely payment of fees to the Depository Trust Company or such other established clearing corporation in connection with such electronic transfer.

4.20    Right of First Refusal. The Company agrees that if the Securities are sold in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Representative shall have an irrevocable preferential right for a period of twelve (12) months from the Closing Date to purchase for its account or to sell for the account of the Company, or any subsidiary of or successor to the Company any securities (whether debt or equity or any combination thereof) of the Company or any such subsidiary or successor which the Company or any such subsidiary or successor may seek to sell in a financing transaction except with respect to an exempt issuance whether with or without or through an underwriter, placement agent or broker-dealer and whether pursuant to registration under the Securities Act or otherwise. The Company and any such subsidiary or successor will consult the Representative with regard to any such proposed financing and will offer the Representative the opportunity to purchase or sell any such securities on terms not more favorable to the Company or any such subsidiary or successor, as the case may be, than it or they can secure elsewhere. If the Representative fails to accept such offer within 10 business days after the mailing of a notice containing the material terms of the proposed financing proposal by

 

32


e-mail or overnight courier service addressed to the Representative, then the Representative shall have no further claim or right with respect to the financing proposal contained in such notice. If, however, the terms of such financing proposal are subsequently modified in any material respect, the preferential right referred to herein shall apply to such modified proposal as if the original proposal had not been made. The Representative’s failure to exercise its preferential right with respect to any particular proposal shall not affect its preferential rights relative to future proposals. The Company shall have the right, at its option, with the consent of the Representative, to designate the Representative as lead underwriter or co-manager of any underwriting group or co-placement agent of any proposed financing in satisfaction of its obligations hereunder, and the Representative shall be entitled to receive as its compensation at least 50% of the compensation payable to the underwriting or placement agent group when serving as co-manager or co-placement agent.

4.21    Subsequent Equity Sales.

(a)    From the date hereof until the date that is ninety (90) days following the Stockholder Approval Date, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall issue, enter into any agreement to issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents.

(b)    From the date hereof until the earlier of (1) the exercise of all outstanding Series 1 Warrants and Series 2 Warrants and (2) the date that is ninety (90) days following the Stockholder Approval Date, the Company shall be prohibited from effecting or entering into an agreement to effect any issuance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) involving a Variable Rate Transaction. “Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company (i) issues or sells any debt or equity securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive, additional shares of Common Stock either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon, and/or varies with, the trading prices of or quotations for the shares of Common Stock at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity securities or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the Common Stock or (ii) enters into, or effects a transaction under, any agreement, including, but not limited to, an equity line of credit, whereby the Company may issue securities at a future determined price.    Any Underwriter shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief against the Company to preclude any such issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages.

(c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.21 shall not apply in respect of an Exempt Issuance, except that no Variable Rate Transaction shall be an Exempt Issuance.

4.22    Stockholder Approval. Promptly following the Closing Date, the Company shall

 

33


take all corporate action necessary to call a meeting of its stockholders (which may be its annual meeting) (the “Stockholders Meeting” and stockholder approval at such Stockholders Meeting, the “Stockholder Approval”), which shall occur not later than November 30, 2022, for the purpose of seeking approval of the Company’s stockholders to increase the number of shares of Common Stock the Company is authorized to issue to [    ]2 shares of Common Stock (a “Capital Event”). In connection therewith, the Company will as soon as reasonably practicable after the Closing Date file with the Commission proxy materials (including a proxy statement and form of proxy) for use at the Stockholders Meeting and, after receiving and promptly responding to any comments of the Commission thereon, shall as soon as reasonably practicable mail such proxy materials to the stockholders of the Company. The Company will comply with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder in relation to any proxy statement (as amended or supplemented, the “Proxy Statement”) and any form of proxy to be sent to the stockholders of the Company in connection with the Stockholders Meeting, and the Proxy Statement shall not, on the date that the Proxy Statement (or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto) is first mailed to stockholders or at the time of the Stockholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein not false or misleading, or omit to state any material fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication with respect to the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Capital Event or the Stockholders Meeting which has become materially false or misleading. If the Company should discover at any time prior to the Stockholders Meeting, any event relating to the Company or the Subsidiary or any of their respective affiliates, officers or directors that is required to be set forth in a supplement or amendment to the Proxy Statement, in addition to the Company’s obligations under the Exchange Act, the Company will promptly inform the Underwriter thereof. The Company’s Board of Directors shall recommend to the Company’s stockholders that the stockholders vote in favor of the Capital Event at the Stockholders Meeting and take all commercially reasonable action (including, without limitation, the hiring of a proxy solicitation firm of nationally recognized standing) to solicit the approval of the stockholders for the Capital Event. If the Company does not obtain Stockholder Approval for the Capital Event at the Stockholders Meeting, the Company shall call a meeting every four (4) months thereafter to seek Stockholder Approval until the date that Stockholder Approval is obtained. No later than two (2) business days following Stockholder Approval of the Capital Event, the Company shall (i) file with the Secretary of State of Delaware a certificate of amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Capital Event, which certificate of amendment shall provide that it shall become immediately effective upon filing (such effective date, the “Stockholder Approval Date”) and (ii) issue a press release announcing the effectiveness of the Capital Event.

ARTICLE V.

DEFAULT BY UNDERWRITERS

If on the Closing Date or any Option Closing Date, if any, any Underwriter shall fail to purchase and pay for the portion of the Closing Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, which such Underwriter has agreed to purchase and pay for on such date (otherwise than by reason of any default on the part of the Company), the Representative, or if the Representative is

 

2 

Company to provide this amount.

 

34


the defaulting Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters, shall use their reasonable efforts to procure within 36 hours thereafter one or more of the other Underwriters, or any others, to purchase from the Company such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms set forth herein, the Closing Securities or Option Securities , as the case may be, which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters failed to purchase. If during such 36 hours the Representative shall not have procured such other Underwriters, or any others, to purchase the Closing Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, agreed to be purchased by the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then (a) if the aggregate number of Closing Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, with respect to which such default shall occur does not exceed 10% of the Closing Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, covered hereby, the other Underwriters shall be obligated, severally, in proportion to the respective numbers of Closing Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, which they are obligated to purchase hereunder, to purchase the Closing Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters failed to purchase, or (b) if the aggregate number of Closing Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, with respect to which such default shall occur exceeds 10% of the Closing Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, covered hereby, the Company or the Representative will have the right to terminate this Agreement without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Underwriters or of the Company except to the extent provided in Article VI hereof. In the event of a default by any Underwriter or Underwriters, as set forth in this Article V, the applicable Closing Date may be postponed for such period, not exceeding seven days, as the Representative, or if the Representative is the defaulting Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters, may determine in order that the required changes in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. The term “Underwriter” includes any Person substituted for a defaulting Underwriter. Any action taken under this Section shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

ARTICLE VI.

INDEMNIFICATION

6.1    Indemnification of the Underwriters. Subject to the conditions set forth below, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriters, and each dealer selected by each Underwriter that participates in the offer and sale of the Securities (each a “Selected Dealer”) and each of their respective directors, officers and employees and each Person, if any, who controls such Underwriter or any Selected Dealer (“Controlling Person”) within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including but not limited to any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, whether arising out of any action between such Underwriter and the Company or between such Underwriter and any third party or otherwise) to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other statute or at common law or otherwise or under the laws of foreign countries, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in (i) any Preliminary Prospectus, if any, the Registration Statement or

 

35


the Prospectus (as from time to time each may be amended and supplemented); (ii) any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, the Company in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Securities, including any “road show” or investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or electronically); or (iii) any application or other document or written communication (in this Article VI, collectively called “application”) executed by the Company or based upon written information furnished by the Company in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Securities under the securities laws thereof or filed with the Commission, any state securities commission or agency, Trading Market or any securities exchange; or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to the applicable Underwriter by or on behalf of such Underwriter expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus, if any, the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any application, as the case may be. With respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Preliminary Prospectus, if any, the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6.1 shall not inure to the benefit of an Underwriter to the extent that any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense of such Underwriter results from the fact that a copy of the Prospectus was not given or sent to the Person asserting any such loss, liability, claim or damage at or prior to the written confirmation of sale of the Securities to such Person as required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and if the untrue statement or omission has been corrected in the Prospectus, unless such failure to deliver the Prospectus was a result of non-compliance by the Company with its obligations under this Agreement. The Company agrees promptly to notify each Underwriter of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Company or any of its officers, directors or Controlling Persons in connection with the issue and sale of the Public Securities or in connection with the Registration Statement or Prospectus.

6.2    Procedure. If any action is brought against an Underwriter, a Selected Dealer or a Controlling Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to Section 6.1, such Underwriter, such Selected Dealer or Controlling Person, as the case may be, shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the institution of such action and the Company shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment and fees of counsel (subject to the reasonable approval of such Underwriter or such Selected Dealer, as the case may be) and payment of actual expenses. Such Underwriter, such Selected Dealer or Controlling Person shall have the right to employ its or their own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter, such Selected Dealer or Controlling Person unless (i) the employment of such counsel at the expense of the Company shall have been authorized in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of such action, or (ii) the Company shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action, or (iii) such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to the Company (in which case the Company shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one additional firm of attorneys selected by such Underwriter (in addition to local counsel), Selected Dealer and/or Controlling Person shall be borne by the Company.

 

36


Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if any Underwriter, Selected Dealer or Controlling Person shall assume the defense of such action as provided above, the Company shall have the right to approve the terms of any settlement of such action which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

6.3    Indemnification of the Company. Each Underwriter severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers and employees and agents who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to such Underwriter, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions made in any Preliminary Prospectus, if any, the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any application, in reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, written information furnished to the Company with respect to such Underwriter by or on behalf of such Underwriter expressly for use in such Preliminary Prospectus, if any, the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any such application. In case any action shall be brought against the Company or any other Person so indemnified based on any Preliminary Prospectus, if any, the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any application, and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against such Underwriter, such Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company and each other Person so indemnified shall have the rights and duties given to such Underwriter by the provisions of this Article VI. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6.3, no Underwriter shall be required to indemnify the Company for any amount in excess of the underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter. The Underwriters’ obligations in this Section 6.3 to indemnify the Company are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

6.4    Contribution.

(a)    Contribution Rights. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution under the Securities Act in any case in which (i) any Person entitled to indemnification under this Article VI makes a claim for indemnification pursuant hereto but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Article VI provides for indemnification in such case, or (ii) contribution under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise may be required on the part of any such Person in circumstances for which indemnification is provided under this Article VI, then, and in each such case, the Company and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by said indemnity agreement incurred by the Company and such Underwriter, as incurred, in such proportions that such Underwriter is responsible for that portion represented by the percentage that the underwriting discount appearing on the cover page of the Prospectus bears to the initial offering price appearing thereon and the Company is responsible for the balance; provided, that, no Person guilty

 

37


of a fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section, each director, officer and employee of such Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, and each Person, if any, who controls such Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter or the Company, as applicable. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6.4, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter. The Underwriters’ obligations in this Section 6.4 to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

(b)    Contribution Procedure. Within fifteen days after receipt by any party to this Agreement (or its representative) of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, such party will, if a claim for contribution in respect thereof is to be made against another party (“contributing party”), notify the contributing party of the commencement thereof, but the failure to so notify the contributing party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any other party other than for contribution hereunder. In case any such action, suit or proceeding is brought against any party, and such party notifies a contributing party or its representative of the commencement thereof within the aforesaid fifteen days, the contributing party will be entitled to participate therein with the notifying party and any other contributing party similarly notified. Any such contributing party shall not be liable to any party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding affected by such party seeking contribution without the written consent of such contributing party. The contribution provisions contained in this Section 6.4 are intended to supersede, to the extent permitted by law, any right to contribution under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise available.

ARTICLE VII.

MISCELLANEOUS

7.1    Termination.

(a)    Termination Right. The Representative shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time prior to any Closing Date, (i) if any domestic or international event or act or occurrence has materially disrupted, or in its opinion will in the immediate future materially disrupt, general securities markets in the United States; or (ii) if trading on any Trading Market shall have been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required by FINRA or by order of the Commission or any other government authority having jurisdiction, or (iii) if the United States shall have become involved in a new war or an increase in major hostilities, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by a New York State or federal authority, or (v) if a moratorium on foreign exchange trading has been declared which materially adversely impacts the United States securities markets, or (vi) if the Company shall have sustained a material

 

38


loss by fire, flood, accident, hurricane, earthquake, theft, sabotage or other calamity or malicious act which, whether or not such loss shall have been insured, will, in the Representative’s opinion, make it inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the Securities, or (vii) if the Company is in material breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants hereunder, or (viii) if the Representative shall have become aware after the date hereof of such a material adverse change in the conditions or prospects of the Company, or such adverse material change in general market conditions as in the Representative’s judgment would make it impracticable to proceed with the offering, sale and/or delivery of the Securities or to enforce contracts made by the Underwriters for the sale of the Securities.

(b)    Expenses. In the event this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 7.1(a), within the time specified herein or any extensions thereof pursuant to the terms herein, the Company shall be obligated to pay to the Representative its actual and accountable out of pocket expenses related to the transactions contemplated herein then due and payable, including the fees and disbursements of EGS (provided, however, that such expense cap in no way limits or impairs the indemnification and contribution provisions of this Agreement).

(c)    Indemnification. Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this Agreement, any election hereunder or any termination of this Agreement, and whether or not this Agreement is otherwise carried out, the provisions of Article VI shall not be in any way effected by such election or termination or failure to carry out the terms of this Agreement or any part hereof.

7.2    Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents, together with the exhibits and schedules thereto, the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement, contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters, which the parties acknowledge have been merged into such documents, exhibits and schedules. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Engagement Agreement, dated June 6, 2022 (“Engagement Agreement”), by and between the Company and the Representative, shall continue to be effective and the terms therein, including, without limitation, Section 2 with respect to any future offerings, shall continue to survive and be enforceable by the Representative in accordance with its terms, provided that, in the event of a conflict between the terms of the Engagement Agreement and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.

7.3    Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of: (a) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail attachment at the email address set forth on the signature pages attached hereto at or prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Trading Day, (b) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail attachment at the e-mail address as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (c) the second (2nd) Trading Day

 

39


following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto.

7.4    Amendments; Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be waived, modified, supplemented or amended except in a written instrument signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company and the Representative.    No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of any party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right.

7.5    Headings. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

7.6    Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and permitted assigns.

7.7    Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of the Transaction Documents shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal Proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any other Transaction Documents (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein (including with respect to the enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents), and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any Action or Proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such Action or Proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such Proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such Action or Proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an Action or Proceeding to enforce any provisions of the Transaction Documents, then, in addition to the obligations of the Company under Article VI, the prevailing party in such Action or Proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for its reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such Action or Proceeding.

7.8    Survival. The representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the Closing and the Option Closing, if any, and the delivery of the Securities.

 

40


7.9    Execution. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to each other party, it being understood that the parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.

7.10    Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

7.11    Remedies. In addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein or granted by law, including recovery of damages, the Underwriters and the Company will be entitled to specific performance under the Transaction Documents. The parties agree that monetary damages may not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of any breach of obligations contained in the Transaction Documents and hereby agree to waive and not to assert in any Action for specific performance of any such obligation the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.

7.12    Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.

7.13    Construction. The parties agree that each of them and/or their respective counsel have reviewed and had an opportunity to revise the Transaction Documents and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of the Transaction Documents or any amendments thereto. In addition, each and every reference to share prices and shares of Common Stock in any Transaction Document shall be subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations and other similar transactions of the Common Stock that occur after the date of this Agreement.

7.14    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING IN ANY JURISDICTION BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, THE PARTIES EACH KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY

 

41


APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY ABSOLUTELY, UNCONDITIONALLY, IRREVOCABLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVE FOREVER ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

(Signature Pages Follow)

 

42


If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Underwriters and the Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement among the Company and the several Underwriters in accordance with its terms.

 

Very truly yours,
BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Address for Notice:

Copy to:

Accepted on the date first above written.

JMP SECURITIES LLC

As the Representative of the several

Underwriters listed on Schedule I

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Address for Notice:

Copy to:

 

43


SCHEDULE I

SCHEDULE OF UNDERWRITERS

 

Underwriters

  

Closing Shares

  

Closing Pre-

Funded

Warrants

  

Closing

Warrants

  

Closing Purchase

Price

           
           

Total

           

 

44

Exhibit 4.2

PRE-FUNDED COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.

 

Warrant Shares:                        Initial Exercise Date:                 , 2022

THIS PRE-FUNDED COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received,                          or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and until this Warrant is exercised in full (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Benitec Biopharma Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), up to              shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b). This Warrant shall initially be issued and maintained in the form of a security held in book-entry form and the Depository Trust Company or its nominee (“DTC”) shall initially be the sole registered holder of this Warrant, subject to a Holder’s right to elect to receive a Warrant in certificated form pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agency Agreement, in which case this sentence shall not apply.

Section 1.    Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in that certain Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”), dated                 , 2022, between the Company and JMP Securities LLC.

Section 2.    Exercise.

a)    Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed PDF copy submitted by e-mail (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (the “Notice of Exercise”). Within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined in Section 2(d)(i) herein) following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the Warrant Shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation as soon as reasonably practicable (but within three (3) Trading Days) of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares

 

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available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.

b)    Exercise Price. The aggregate exercise price of this Warrant, except for a nominal exercise price of $0.0001 per Warrant Share, was pre-funded to the Company on or prior to the Initial Exercise Date and, consequently, no additional consideration (other than the nominal exercise price of $0.0001 per Warrant Share) shall be required to be paid by the Holder to any Person to effect any exercise of this Warrant. The Holder shall not be entitled to the return or refund of all, or any portion, of such pre-paid aggregate exercise price under any circumstance or for any reason whatsoever, including in the event this Warrant shall not have been exercised prior to the Termination Date. The remaining unpaid exercise price per share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $0.0001, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).

c)    Cashless Exercise. This Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:

(A) = as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise or (z) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (“Bloomberg”) as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day;

(B) = the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and

 

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(X) = the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise.

If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).

Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Common Stock for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

d) Mechanics of Exercise.

i.    Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. Subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined herein), as applicable, the Company shall cause the

 

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Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder or (B) this Warrant is being exercised via cashless exercise, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earliest of (i) two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise, (ii) one (1) Trading Day after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price to the Company and (iii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”).    Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the third Trading Day after the Warrant Share Delivery Date) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Notice(s) of Exercise delivered on or prior to 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Initial Exercise Date, which may be delivered at any time after the time of execution of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company agrees to deliver the Warrant Shares subject to such notice(s) by 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Initial Exercise Date and the Initial Exercise Date

 

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shall be the Warrant Share Delivery Date for purposes hereunder, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received by such Warrant Share Delivery Date.

ii.    Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.

iii.    Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.

iv.    Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in

 

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respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

v.    No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.

vi.    Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that, in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.

vii.    Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.

e)    Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation (each as defined below), as the case may be. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its

 

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Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith.    To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation, as the case may be, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination.    In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one (1) Trading Day confirm orally and in writing (which may be by electronic mail) to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% (or, upon election by the Holder prior to the issuance of this Warrant, 9.99%) of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may

 

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increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the issuance of this Warrant (and only prior to the issuance of this Warrant), upon the election of the Holder by notice to the Company, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation may be 19.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant (the “Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation”). If the Holder elects to utilize the Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation, such limitation shall remain in full force and effect until such time, if ever, that the Company obtains shareholder approval from the Company’s shareholders permitting for the issuance of shares in excess of the Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Trading Market. Following receipt of shareholder approval, the Holder may elect to waive the Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.

Section 3.    Certain Adjustments.

a)    Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.

 

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b)    Intentionally omitted.

c)    Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation, as applicable) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation, as applicable, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation, as applicable).

d)    Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation, as applicable) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation, as applicable, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation, as applicable).

 

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e)    Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company (or any Subsidiary), directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity of the Company, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity of the Company (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall not effect a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the surviving entity or the Alternate Consideration includes securities of another Person unless (x) the Alternate Consideration is solely cash and the Company provides for the simultaneous “cashless exercise” of this Warrant pursuant to Section 2 or (y) prior to, simultaneously with or promptly following the consummation thereof, any successor to the Company, surviving entity or other Person (including any purchaser of assets of the Company) shall assume the obligation to the Holder of such Alternate Consideration as, in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the Holder may be entitled to receive.

 

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f)    Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.

g)    Notice to Holder.

i.    Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.

ii.    Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by email to the Holder at its last email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the

 

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Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.

Section 4.    Transfer of Warrant.

a)    Transferability. This Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.

b)    New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the original issue date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.

c)    Warrant Register. The Warrant Agent shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Warrant Agent for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.

 

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Section 5.    Miscellaneous.

a)    No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.

b)    Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.

c)    Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.

d)    Authorized Shares.

The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).

Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of

 

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this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.

Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.

e)    Jurisdiction. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement.

f)    Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

g)    Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant or the Underwriting Agreement, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.

h)    Notices. Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Holder by the Company shall be delivered in accordance with the notice provisions of the Underwriting Agreement.

i)    Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.

 

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j)    Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

k)    Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.

l)    Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.

m)    Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.

n)    Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.

o)    Warrant Agency Agreement. If this Warrant is held in global form through DTC (or any successor depositary), this Warrant is issued subject to the Warrant Agency Agreement. To the extent any provision of this Warrant conflicts with the express provisions of the Warrant Agency Agreement, the provisions of this Warrant shall govern and be controlling.

********************

(Signature Page Follows)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.

 

BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.
By:  

    

 

Name:

Title:

 

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NOTICE OF EXERCISE

TO:    BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.

(1)    The undersigned hereby elects to purchase                  Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

(2)    Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):

[    ] in lawful money of the United States; or

[    ] if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).

(3)    Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:

 

                                                                      

The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:

 

                                                                      

 

                                                                      

 

                                                                      

[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]

 

Name of Investing Entity:  

    

Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity:  

    

Name of Authorized Signatory:  

    

Title of Authorized Signatory:  

    

Date:  

    


EXHIBIT B

ASSIGNMENT FORM

(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to purchase shares.)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to

 

Name:                           

    

      (Please Print)
Address:      

    

      (Please Print)
Phone Number:      

    

Email Address:      

    

 

Dated:                                               

Holder’s Signature:                                     

Holder’s Address:                                       

Exhibit 4.3

[SERIES 1][SERIES 2]1 COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.

 

Warrant Shares:                     Initial Exercise Date:                 , 2022

THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received,                          or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after [SERIES 1: the date hereof][SERIES 2: the Stockholder Approval Date] (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on                     2 (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Benitec Biopharma Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), up to                  shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b). This Warrant shall initially be issued and maintained in the form of a security held in book-entry form and the Depository Trust Company or its nominee (“DTC”) shall initially be the sole registered holder of this Warrant, subject to a Holder’s right to elect to receive a Warrant in certificated form pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agency Agreement, in which case this sentence shall not apply.

Section 1.    Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in that certain Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”), dated                     , 2022, between the Company and JMP Securities LLC.

Section 2.    Exercise.

a)    Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed PDF copy submitted by e-mail (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (the “Notice of Exercise”). Within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined in Section 2(d)(i) herein) following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the Warrant Shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee

 

 

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The Series 1 Warrants are immediately exercisable and will only be issuable for the number of Warrant Shares that are authorized. The Series 2 Warrants will only become exercisable upon the increase in the authorized shares.

2 

Insert the date that is the five year anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date, provided that, if such date is not a Trading Day, insert the immediately following Trading Day.

 

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or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation as soon as reasonably practicable (but within three (3) Trading Days) of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.

b)    Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $            , subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).

c)    Cashless Exercise. If at the time of exercise hereof there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the Warrant Shares to the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:

(A) = as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise or (z) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (“Bloomberg”) as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day;

 

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(B) = the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and

(X) = the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise.

If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).

Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Common Stock for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

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d) Mechanics of Exercise.

i.    Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. Subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined herein), as applicable, the Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) this Warrant is being exercised via cashless exercise, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earliest of (i) two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise, (ii) one (1) Trading Day after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price to the Company and (iii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the third Trading Day after the Warrant Share Delivery Date) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise.

ii.    Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a

 

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Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.

iii.    Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.

iv.    Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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v.    No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.

vi.    Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that, in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.

vii.    Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.

e)    Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation (each as defined below), as the case may be. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a

 

6


limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation, as the case may be, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one (1) Trading Day confirm orally and in writing (which may be by electronic mail) to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% (or, upon election by the Holder prior to the issuance of this Warrant, 9.99% or 19.99%) of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% (or, upon election by the Holder prior to the issuance of this Warrant, 9.99% or 19.99%) of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership

 

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Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the issuance of this Warrant (and only prior to the issuance of this Warrant), upon the election of the Holder by notice to the Company, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation may be 19.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant (the “Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation”). If the Holder elects to utilize the Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation, such limitation shall remain in full force and effect until such time, if ever, that the Company obtains shareholder approval from the Company’s shareholders permitting for the issuance of shares in excess of the Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Trading Market. Following receipt of shareholder approval, the Holder may elect to waive the Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.

 

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Section 3.    Certain Adjustments. The Exercise Price and the number of Warrant Shares shall be adjusted from time to time as follows:

 

  a)

Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.

 

  b)

Subsequent Equity Sales. If the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, as applicable, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, shall sell, enter into an agreement to sell or grant any option to purchase, or sell or grant any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issue (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, at an effective price per share less than the Exercise Price then in effect (such lower price, the “Base Share Price” and such issuances collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”) (it being understood and agreed that if the holder of the Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share that is less than the Exercise Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Exercise Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance at such effective price), then simultaneously with the consummation (or, if earlier, the announcement) of each Dilutive Issuance the Exercise Price shall be reduced and only reduced to equal the Base Share Price (subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, recapitalizations and similar transactions following the date of the Underwriting Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no adjustments shall be made, paid or issued under this Section 3(b) in respect of an Exempt Issuance. The Company shall notify the Holder, in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance or deemed issuance of any Common

 

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  Stock or Common Stock Equivalents subject to this Section 3(b), indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “Dilutive Issuance Notice”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 3(b), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Holder is entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares based upon the Base Share Price regardless of whether the Holder accurately refers to the Base Share Price in the Notice of Exercise. If the Company enters into a Variable Rate Transaction, the Company shall be deemed to have issued Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at the lowest possible price, conversion price or exercise price at which such securities may be issued, converted or exercised.

c)     Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation, as applicable) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation, as applicable, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation, as applicable).

 

  d)

Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of

 

10


  Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation, as applicable) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation, as applicable, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or Alternate Beneficial Ownership Limitation, as applicable). To the extent that this Warrant has not been partially or completely exercised at the time of such Distribution, such portion of the Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until the Holder has exercised this Warrant.

e)     Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company (or any Subsidiary), directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity of the Company, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity of the Company (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the

 

11


Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction (or, if later, the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction), purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value (as defined below) of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction; provided, however, that, if the Fundamental Transaction is not within the Company’s control, including not approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, the Holder shall only be entitled to receive from the Company or any Successor Entity the same type or form of consideration (and in the same proportion), at the Black Scholes Value of the unexercised portion of this Warrant, that is being offered and paid to the holders of Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Fundamental Transaction, whether that consideration be in the form of cash, stock or any combination thereof, or whether the holders of Common Stock are given the choice to receive from among alternative forms of consideration in connection with the Fundamental Transaction; provided, further, that if holders of Common Stock of the Company are not offered or paid any consideration in such Fundamental Transaction, such holders of Common Stock will be deemed to have received common stock of the Successor Entity (which Entity may be the Company following such Fundamental Transaction) in such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date, (B) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 100 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365 day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the greater of (i) the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental

 

12


Transaction and (ii) the highest VWAP during the period beginning on the Trading Day immediately preceding the announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction (or the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, if earlier) and ending on the Trading Day of the Holder’s request pursuant to this Section 3(e) and (D) a remaining option time equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date and (E) a zero cost of borrow. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds (or such other consideration) within the later of (i) five Business Days of the Holder’s election and (ii) the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall be added to the term “Company” under this Warrant (so that from and after the occurrence or consummation of such Fundamental Transaction, each and every provision of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to each of the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally), and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally with the Company, may exercise every right and power of the Company prior thereto and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities shall assume all of the obligations of the Company prior thereto under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if the Company and such Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally, had been named as the Company herein.

f)     Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.

 

13


g)    Notice to Holder.

i.    Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.

ii.    Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by email to the Holder at its last email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.

 

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Section 4.    Transfer of Warrant.

a)    Transferability. This Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.

b)    New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the initial issuance date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.

c)    Warrant Register. The Warrant Agent shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Warrant Agent for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.

Section 5.    Miscellaneous.

a)    No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.

 

15


b)    Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.

c)    Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.

d)    Authorized Shares.

[SERIES 1: The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant.][SERIES 2: The Company covenants that, beginning upon the Stockholder Approval Date and during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant.] The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).

Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or

 

16


appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.

Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.

e)    Jurisdiction. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement.

f)    Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

g)    Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant or the Underwriting Agreement, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.

h)    Notices. Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Holder by the Company shall be delivered in accordance with the notice provisions of the Underwriting Agreement.

i)    Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.

 

17


j)    Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

k)    Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.

l)    Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.

m)    Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.

n)    Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.

o)    Warrant Agency Agreement. If this Warrant is held in global form through DTC (or any successor depositary), this Warrant is issued subject to the Warrant Agency Agreement. To the extent any provision of this Warrant conflicts with the express provisions of the Warrant Agency Agreement, the provisions of this Warrant shall govern and be controlling.

********************

(Signature Page Follows)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.

 

BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.

By:

 

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

19


NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

TO:

BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.

(1)    The undersigned hereby elects to purchase                      Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

(2)    Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):

[    ] in lawful money of the United States; or

[    ] if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).

(3)    Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:

 

                                                         

The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:

 

                                                         

 

                                                         

 

                                                         

[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]

 

Name of Investing Entity:

 

 

Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity:

 

 

Name of Authorized Signatory:

 

 

Title of Authorized Signatory:

 

 

Date:

 

 


EXHIBIT B

ASSIGNMENT FORM

(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to purchase shares.)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to

 

Name:                           

    

      (Please Print)
Address:      

    

      (Please Print)
Phone Number:      

    

Email Address:      

    

 

Dated:                                               

Holder’s Signature:                                     

Holder’s Address:                                       

Exhibit 5.1

 

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Proskauer Rose LLP    2029 Century Park East, Suite 2400    Los Angeles, CA 90067-3010

August 8, 2022

Benitec Biopharma Inc.

3940 Trust Way

Hayward, California 94545

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Benitec Biopharma Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (333-266417), as amended (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the offer and sale (the “Offering”) of a proposed maximum aggregate offering price of up to $23,000,000 of: (a)(i) shares (“Shares”) of the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”) and/or (ii) pre-funded warrants, with each pre-funded warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”), including the Shares for which the Underwriter (as defined below) has been granted an over-allotment option; and (b) Common Stock purchase warrants, accompanying each of the Shares and Pre-Funded Warrants sold in the Offering, with each Common Stock purchase warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock (the “Warrants”), consisting of (i) Warrants that will be exercisable on the date of issuance (the “Series 1 Warrants”), and (ii) Warrants that will be exercisable upon the receipt by the Company of the approval of its stockholders to increase the number of shares of Common Stock the Company is authorized to issue and the filing of an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, to be issued to JMP Securities LLC (the “Underwriter”) pursuant to the underwriting agreement to be entered into by and between the Company and the Underwriter (the “Underwriting Agreement”), as set forth in the Registration Statement and the prospectus contained therein. The shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants are collectively referred to as the “Pre-Funded Warrant Shares,” the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Series 1 Warrants are collectively referred to as the “Series 1 Warrant Shares,” and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Series 2 Warrants are collectively referred to as the “Series 2 Warrant Shares,” and together with the Series 1 Warrant Shares, the “Warrant Shares.” The Shares, the Pre-Funded Warrants, the Pre-Funded Warrant Shares, the Warrants and the Warrant Shares are collectively referred to as the “Securities.”

The Securities are to be sold by the Company pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the form of which has been filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Registration Statement.

In connection with rendering this opinion, we have examined originals, certified copies or copies otherwise identified as being true copies of the following:

(a) the Registration Statement;

(b) the Underwriting Agreement;

(c) the form of Pre-Funded Warrant;

(d) the form of Warrant;

(e) the draft Warrant Agency Agreement to be entered into between the Company and the warrant agent thereunder;

(f) the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Company, as in effect on the date hereof and as amended to date;

(g) the amended and restated bylaws of the Company, as in effect on the date hereof and as amended to date;

(h) corporate proceedings of the Company relating to its proposed issuance of the Securities; and

 

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Benitec Biopharma Inc.

August 8, 2022

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(i) such other instruments and documents as we have deemed relevant or necessary in connection with our opinions set forth herein.

We have made such examination of law as we have deemed necessary to express the opinion contained herein. As to matters of fact relevant to this opinion, we have relied upon, and assumed without independent verification, the accuracy of certificates of public officials and officers of the Company. We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, facsimile or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions expressed herein, we are of the opinion, assuming no change in the applicable law or pertinent facts, that:

 

  1.

The Shares have been duly authorized for issuance and, when the Shares are issued and paid for in accordance with the terms and conditions of set forth in the Registration Statement, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

  2.

The Pre-Funded Warrants and the Warrants, when issued as set forth in the Registration Statement, will have been duly authorized and, upon delivery of the consideration as provided in the Underwriting Agreement, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law), including, without limitation, principles regarding good faith and fair dealing (including the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief, concepts of materiality and reasonableness, and the discretion of the court before which a proceeding is brought).

 

  3.

The Pre-Funded Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants, when issued as set forth in the Registration Statement, will have been duly authorized for issuance and, when the Pre-Funded Warrant Shares are issued upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants in accordance with the terms thereof, the Pre-Funded Warrant Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

  4.

The Series 1 Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Series 1 Warrants, when issued as set forth in the Registration Statement, will have been duly authorized for issuance and, when the Series 1 Warrant Shares are issued upon exercise of the Warrants in accordance with the terms thereof, the Series 1 Warrant Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

With respect to the Series 2 Warrants, we express no opinion as to the future reservation of the Series 2 Warrant Shares. This opinion is limited in all respects to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and, as to the Pre-Funded Warrants and/or Warrants constituting valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, with respect to the laws of the State of New York, and we express no opinion as to the laws, statutes, rules or regulations of any other jurisdiction. The reference and limitation to the “General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware” includes all applicable Delaware statutory provisions of law and reported judicial decisions interpreting these laws.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement and the prospectus contained therein. In giving the foregoing consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.


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Benitec Biopharma Inc.

August 8, 2022

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Very truly yours,
/s/ Proskauer Rose LLP

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-266417) of Benitec Biopharma Inc. of our report dated September 20, 2021, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Benitec Biopharma Inc., which appears in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2021 of Benitec Biopharma Inc.

We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ BAKER TILLY US, LLP

Campbell, California

August 8, 2022