As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 20, 2025
Registration No. 333-276942
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Autolus Therapeutics plc
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
England and Wales | Not Applicable | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
The MediaWorks
191 Wood Lane
White City
London W12 7FP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 3829 6230
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrants principal executive offices)
Autolus Inc.
15810 Gaither Drive
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877
United States of America
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies of all communications, including communications sent to agent for service, should be sent to:
Christian E. Plaza Courtney T. Thorne William DuVal Cooley LLP One Freedom Square, Reston Town Center Reston, Virginia 20190-5640 +1 703 456 8000 |
Claire Keast-Butler Cooley (UK) LLP 22 Bishopsgate London EC2N 4BQ United Kingdom +44 20 7583 4055 |
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
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, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, 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, please 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 registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
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. ☐
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-276942) of Autolus Therapeutics plc (the Company), is being filed because the Company expects that it will no longer be a well-known seasoned issuer (as such term is defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) when it files its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Accordingly, the Company is filing this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 for the purpose of including disclosure required for a registrant other than a well-known seasoned issuer. The Company may continue to offer and sell the securities registered hereunder in accordance with Rule 415(a)(5) under the Securities Act.
PROSPECTUS
$300,000,000
Ordinary Shares
American Depositary Shares representing Ordinary Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
This prospectus will allow us to issue, from time to time at prices and on terms to be determined at or prior to the time of the offering, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, either individually or in units. We may also offer American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, representing ordinary shares upon conversion of or exchange for the debt securities or upon the exercise of the warrants. The aggregate initial offering price of the securities that we may offer and sell under this prospectus will not exceed $300,000,000.
This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide you with the specific terms of any offering in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this document. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as well as any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, carefully before you invest.
Our securities may be sold directly by us to you, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section titled Plan of Distribution in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any underwriters or agents are involved in the sale of our securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters or agents and any applicable fees, commissions or discounts and over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds that we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Our ADSs are traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol AUTL. On March 19, 2025, the closing sale price of our ADSs was $1.94 per ADS on Nasdaq.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks that we have described on page 9 of this prospectus under the caption Risk Factors and under the caption Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We may also include specific risk factors in supplements to this prospectus under the caption Risk Factors. This prospectus may not be used to sell our securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is March 20, 2025.
Page | ||||
1 | ||||
3 | ||||
5 | ||||
9 | ||||
10 | ||||
11 | ||||
13 | ||||
14 | ||||
21 | ||||
22 | ||||
22 | ||||
22 | ||||
23 | ||||
25 | ||||
26 |
i
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration statement, we may, from time to time, offer and sell, either individually or in combination, in one or more offerings, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, for an aggregate offering price of up to $300,000,000.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectuses that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We urge you to read carefully this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading Incorporation by Reference, before buying any of the securities being offered.
We have not authorized any other person to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus, any related prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any related prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any related prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectuses that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering, is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read this prospectus, any related prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and any free writing prospectuses that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering, in their entirety before making an investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in the sections of this prospectus captioned Where You Can Find Additional Information and Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
We are not making an offer to sell or soliciting an offer to buy our securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making that offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, our securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The distribution of this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement or free writing prospectuses and the offering of our securities in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement or free writing prospectuses must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of our securities and the distribution of this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement outside the United States. This prospectus and any related prospectus supplement or free writing prospectuses does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities offered by this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation.
We obtained the industry and market data in this prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference herein, from our own research as well as from industry and general publications, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. These data involve a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates. In addition, projections, assumptions and estimates of our future performance and the future performance of the industry in which we operate is necessarily subject to a high degree of
1
uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in Risk Factors and elsewhere in this prospectus, any related prospectus supplement, documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any related or free writing prospectuses. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by the independent parties and by us.
This prospectus and any related prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement, include trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us or others. All trademarks, service marks and trade names included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any related prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectuses are the property of their respective owners.
Unless otherwise indicated in this prospectus, Autolus, the company, our company, we, us and our refer to Autolus Therapeutics plc and its subsidiaries.
2
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, that involve that relate to future events or to our future operations or financial performance. Any forward-looking statement involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward- looking statements are identified by the words anticipate, believe, continue, could, estimate, expect, future, goals, intend, likely, may, might, ongoing, objective, plan, potential, predict, project, seek, should, strategy, target, will and would or the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements about the future, although not all forward-looking statements contain these 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.
The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are based upon information available to us as of the date of this prospectus and, while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:
| our ability to generate revenues from AUCATZYL, which is dependent upon maintaining significant market acceptance among physicians, patients and healthcare payors; |
| our ability to maintain regulatory approval of AUCATZYL in the United States, or US, to obtain and maintain regulatory approval for obe-cel for adult r/r B-ALL in additional territories and the timing thereof, and to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of our other product candidates in the indications for which we plan to develop them, and any related restrictions, limitations or warnings in the label of an approved drug or therapy; |
| our expectations regarding the commercialization and marketing of AUCATZYL for adult r/r B-ALL, including expanding into additional territories and the related timing of reaching patients in such territories; |
| the development of our commercial product and product candidates, including statements regarding the initiation, timing, progress and the results of clinical studies or trials and related preparatory work, the period during which the results of the trials will become available and our research and development programs; |
| our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; |
| our commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy for AUCATZYL, including our ability to successfully recruit and retain sales and marketing personnel and to successfully build the market for AUCATZYL; |
| our expectations about the willingness of healthcare providers to recommend AUCATZYL to people with adult r/r B-ALL; |
| the impacts of public health crises and their effects on our operations and business, including interruption of key clinical trial activities, such as clinical trial site monitoring, access to capital, and potential disruption in the operations and business of third-party manufacturers, clinical sites, contract research organizations, or CROs, other service providers and collaborators with whom we conduct business; |
3
| our expectations regarding our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection and our ability to license additional intellectual property relating to our product candidates from third parties and to comply with our existing license agreements; |
| our plans to research, develop, manufacture and commercialize our product candidates; |
| the potential benefits of our commercial product and product candidates; |
| the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals for our product candidates, along with regulatory developments in the US, European Union, the United Kingdom and other foreign countries; |
| the size and growth potential of the markets for our commercial product and product candidates, if approved, and the rate and degree of market acceptance of our commercial product and product candidates, including reimbursement that may be received from payors; |
| our need for and ability to obtain additional funding, on favorable terms or at all; |
| our plans to collaborate, or statements regarding our current collaborations with BioNTech SE, or BioNTech, and others; |
| our license and option agreement with BioNTech, including our potential to receive milestone payments and royalties under the agreement; |
| our ability to attract collaborators with development, regulatory and commercialization expertise; |
| our ability to identify, recruit and retain qualified employees and key personnel; |
| our ability to contract with third-party suppliers and manufacturers and their ability to perform adequately; |
| the scalability and commercial viability of our manufacturing methods and processes; |
| the success of competing therapies that are or may become available; |
| whether we are classified as a Passive Foreign Investment Company, or PFIC, for current and future periods; |
| additional costs and expenses related to our decision to voluntarily comply with certain U.S. domestic issuer reporting obligations before we are required to do so; and |
| any other factors which may impact our financial results or future trading prices of our ADSs and the impact of securities analysts reports on these prices. |
You should refer to the Risk Factors section included in this prospectus and in the other documents incorporated herein for a discussion of important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. As a result of these factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this prospectus will prove to be accurate. Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or at all. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law, applicable regulations or the rules of any stock exchange to which we are subject.
You should read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectuses that we may authorize for use in connection with an offering and the documents that we reference in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
4
The following summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. We urge you to read this entire prospectus, including the more detailed consolidated financial statements, notes to the consolidated financial statements and other information incorporated by reference from our other filings with the SEC or included in any applicable prospectus supplement. Investing in our securities involves risks. Therefore, carefully consider the risk factors set forth in any prospectus supplements and in our most recent filings with the SEC, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as other information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplements and the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, before purchasing our securities. Each of the risk factors could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities.
Company Overview
We are an early commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation programmed T cell therapies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.
We have an FDA-approved commercial product, AUCATZYL/obe-cel (obecabtagene autoleucel) for the treatment of adult patients with r/r B-ALL. On November 8, 2024, the U.S. FDA granted marketing approval for AUCATZYL and we reported its commercial launch in January 2025. AUCATZYL/obe-cel is also under regulatory review in both the EU and the U.K, with marketing authorization submissions accepted by the EMA in April 2024, and the U.K. MHRA in August 2024, and we expect to receive notification of approval status from these authorities in the second half of 2025.
Using our broad suite of proprietary and modular T cell programming technologies, we are also developing five programs in seven hematological and solid tumor indications and one autoimmune indication. We are engineering precisely targeted, controlled and highly active T cell therapies that are designed to better recognize target cells, break down their defense mechanisms and attack and eliminate these cells. We believe our programmed T cell therapies have the potential to be best-in-class and offer patients substantial benefits over the existing standard of care, including the potential for cure in some patients.
Please see the sections entitled Business and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Overview in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by our subsequent filings including our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, for more information regarding our business and corporate strategy.
Recent Developments
AUCATZYL U.S. launch
AUCATZYL was approved by the FDA for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed and refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia on November 8, 2024. In December 2024, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network®, or NCCN, added AUCATZYL to its Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for the treatment of adult patients r/r B-ALL. The launch progresses on track, with XX centers currently authorized to deliver AUCATZYL, covering approximately 60% of the target patient population.
Autolus expects to complete the authorization of 60 treatment centers by the end of 2025, covering approximately 90% of the target patient population.
5
Obe-cel Updates
Obe-cel is under regulatory review in both the EU and the UK, with potential approvals from the MHRA and EMA in the second half of 2025. In early 2025, Autolus submitted obe-cel for appraisal by the U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, or NICE, and a decision is expected at the time of a potential MHRA approval.
Autolus presented updated data on obe-cel in ALL at the Society of Hematologic Oncology meeting in August 2024, the Lymphoma, Leukemia & Myeloma Congress in October 2024, the ASH 2024 Meeting, and post-period at TANDEM 2025. The data presented at these conferences built on the existing data supporting obe-cel as a well-tolerated CAR T cell therapy with a long-term duration of response. The Company also presented a health economic cost model that directly compared the cost of adverse events of AUCATZYL versus other CAR-T cell therapies, the rationale for tumor burden-guided dosing and the positive impact of deep molecular remissions on clinical outcomes.
Obe-cel in B-cell mediated autoimmune diseases
CARLYSLE, our Phase 1 dose confirmation study in refractory SLE patients is ongoing, with all six patients dosed. We will present the initial data at our R&D event on April 23, 2025, and we are targeting the second half of 2025 for the presentation of full data with longer term follow-up.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated under the laws of England and Wales in February 2018. Our registered office is located at The Mediaworks, 191 Wood Lane, White City, London W12 7FP, United Kingdom and our telephone number is +44 20 3829 6230. Our website address is www.autolus.com. The information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider any information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus or in deciding whether to purchase our securities.
Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer
Although we qualify as a foreign private issuer, we have decided to voluntarily file periodic reports, such as annual reports on Form 10-K (including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023), quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K on U.S. domestic issuer forms, which are more detailed and extensive in certain respects, and which must be filed more promptly, than the forms currently available to foreign private issuers. Similarly, we have decided to file registration statements, including the registration statement on Form S-3 of which this prospectus forms a part, on U.S. domestic issuer forms. Although we have voluntarily chosen to file registration statements, periodic reports and current reports on U.S. domestic issuer forms, we maintain our status as a foreign private issuer as long as we meet the qualifications for a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act. Accordingly, as a foreign private issuer, we remain exempt from the U.S. federal proxy rules pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and Regulations 14A and 14C thereunder, Regulation FD, and our officers, directors, and principal shareholders are not subject to the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
The Securities We May Offer
Under this prospectus, we may offer ordinary shares, ADSs representing our ordinary shares, various series of debt securities or warrants to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in units, from time to time at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of the offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
| designation or classification; |
6
| aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price; |
| maturity, if applicable; |
| rates and times of payment of interest or dividends, if any; |
| redemption, conversion or sinking fund terms, if any; |
| voting or other rights, if any; and |
| conversion or exercise prices, if any. |
The prospectus supplement, and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you, also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will fundamentally change the terms that are set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
We may sell the securities directly to investors or to or through agents, underwriters or dealers. We, and our agents or underwriters, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we offer securities through agents or underwriters, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:
| the names of those agents or underwriters; |
| applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them; |
| details regarding over-allotment options, if any; and |
| the net proceeds to us. |
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF ANY SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
Ordinary Shares and ADSs. At our annual general meeting held on June 28, 2024, our shareholders granted our directors authority to allot shares (or to grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into our shares) for a period of five years from June 28, 2024, up to a maximum nominal amount of $8,400, which authorization will need to be renewed upon expiration (i.e., at least every five years) but may be sought more frequently for additional five-year terms (or any shorter period). In addition, at our annual general meeting held on June 28, 2024, our shareholders approved the disapplication of statutory preemption rights under section 561(1) of the U.K. Companies Act 2006 (the Companies Act), for the allotment of equity securities for cash up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of $8,400, which expires (unless previously renewed, varied or revoked) on June 27, 2029.
Our ordinary shares have the rights and restrictions described under the section entitled Description of Share Capital and Articles of AssociationIssued Share Capital. The following summarizes the rights of holders of our ordinary shares:
| each holder of our ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per ordinary share on all matters to be voted on by shareholders generally; |
| the holders of our ordinary shares shall be entitled to receive notice of, attend, speak and vote at our general meetings; and |
| the holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to receive such dividends as are recommended by our directors and declared by our shareholders. |
7
We are required by the Companies Act to keep a register of our shareholders. Under English law, our ordinary shares are deemed to be issued when the name of the shareholder is entered in our share register. The share register therefore is prima facie evidence of the identity of our shareholders, and the shares that they hold. The share register generally provides limited, or no, information regarding the ultimate beneficial owners of our ordinary shares. Our share register is maintained by our registrar, Computershare Investor Services plc.
Holders of our ADSs are not treated as our shareholders and their names are therefore not entered in our share register. The depositary, the custodian or their nominees will be the holder of the shares underlying our ADSs. Holders of our ADSs have the right to receive the ordinary shares underlying their ADSs. For additional discussion of our ADSs and ADS holder rights, see the section entitled Description of American Depositary Shares.
Debt Securities. We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. The senior debt securities will rank equally with any other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner described in the instrument governing the debt, to all of our senior indebtedness. Convertible debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for our ordinary shares, ADSs or other securities. Conversion may be mandatory or at the holders option and would be at prescribed conversion rates.
The debt securities will be issued under one or more documents called indentures, which are contracts between us and a national banking association or other eligible party, as trustee. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the debt securities. We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of debt securities being offered, as well as the complete indentures that contain the terms of the debt securities. A form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.
Warrants. We may issue warrants for the purchase of ordinary shares, ordinary shares represented by ADSs, and/or debt securities from time to time in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with ordinary shares, ordinary shares represented by ADSs and debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the warrants. We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the particular series of warrants being offered, as well as the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants. Forms of the warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates containing the terms of the warrants being offered have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.
We will evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we will issue. Warrants may be issued under an applicable warrant agreement that we enter into with a warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address of the warrant agent, if applicable, in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of warrants being offered.
8
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading Risk Factors contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by our subsequent filings including our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before deciding whether to purchase any of the securities being registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Each of the risk factors could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities, and the occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations.
9
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectus that we may authorized to be provided to you in connection with a specific offering, we intend to use any net proceeds from the sale of securities under this prospectus to fund activities relating to the continued clinical development, manufacture or commercialization of our product candidates and for other general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, working capital, capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions, should we choose to pursue any, and collaborations. We have not determined the amounts we plan to spend on any of the areas listed above or the timing of these expenditures. As a result, our management will have broad discretion to allocate the net proceeds, if any, we receive in connection with securities offered pursuant to this prospectus for any purpose. Pending application of the net proceeds as described above, we may initially invest the net proceeds in short-term, investment-grade and interest-bearing securities.
10
We may offer securities under this prospectus from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities (1) through underwriters or dealers, (2) through agents or (3) directly to one or more purchasers, or through a combination of such methods. We may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at:
| a fixed price or prices, which may be changed from time to time; |
| market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
| prices related to the prevailing market prices; or |
| negotiated prices. |
We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities being offered by this prospectus. We may also designate agents to solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time, and may enter into arrangements for at-the-market, equity line or similar transactions. We will name in a prospectus supplement any underwriter or agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities.
If we utilize a dealer in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, we will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.
If we utilize an underwriter in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter at the time of sale, and we will provide the name of any underwriter in the prospectus supplement which the underwriter will use to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities, we, or the purchasers of the securities for whom the underwriter may act as agent, may compensate the underwriter in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and the underwriter may compensate those dealers in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions.
With respect to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions and block trades, we will provide in the applicable prospectus supplement information regarding any compensation we pay to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. We may enter into agreements to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof.
If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters, dealers or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in each applicable prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to such contracts shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in each applicable prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that:
| the purchase by an institution of the securities covered under that contract shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which that institution is subject; and |
11
| if the securities are also being sold to underwriters acting as principals for their own account, the underwriters shall have purchased such securities not sold for delayed delivery. The underwriters and other persons acting as our agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of delayed delivery contracts. |
One or more firms, referred to as remarketing firms, may also offer or sell the securities, if a prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own accounts or as our agents. These remarketing firms will offer or sell the securities in accordance with the terms of the securities. Each prospectus supplement will identify and describe any remarketing firm and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and will describe the remarketing firms compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities they remarket. Remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements that may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
Certain underwriters may use this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement for offers and sales related to market-making transactions in the securities. These underwriters may act as principal or agent in these transactions, and the sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of sale. Any underwriters involved in the sale of the securities may qualify as underwriters within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act. In addition, the underwriters commissions, discounts or concessions may qualify as underwriters compensation under the Securities Act and the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA.
ADSs representing our ordinary shares sold pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part will be authorized for listing and trading on The Nasdaq Global Select Market. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing, if any, on The Nasdaq Global Select Market or any securities market or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the prospectus supplement. Underwriters may make a market in our ADSs, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence, development or maintenance of trading markets for any of the securities.
In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than we sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing the applicable security in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if the securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.
The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in other transactions with us, or perform other services for us, in the ordinary course of their business.
12
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
For information regarding our share capital and articles of association, please refer to the description of our securities, filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and the full text of our articles of association, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in our subsequent filings with the SEC, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
13
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future debt securities we may offer pursuant to this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we so indicate in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any debt securities offered under such prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below, and to the extent the terms set forth in a prospectus supplement differ from the terms described below, the terms set forth in the prospectus supplement shall control.
We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.
We will issue the debt securities under the indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the indenture. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.
The following summary of material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.
General
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.
We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as discount securities, which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be issued with original issue discount, or OID, for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:
| the title of the series of debt securities; |
14
| any limit upon the aggregate principal amount that may be issued; |
| the maturity date or dates; |
| the form of the debt securities of the series; |
| the applicability of any guarantees; |
| whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt; |
| whether the debt securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt, subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of any subordination; |
| if the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which such debt securities will be issued is a price other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible into another security or the method by which any such portion shall be determined; |
| the interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates; |
| our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period; |
| if applicable, the date or dates after which, or the period or periods during which, and the price or prices at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions; |
| the date or dates, if any, on which, and the price or prices at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holders option to purchase, the series of debt securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable; |
| the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; |
| any and all terms, if applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the debt securities of that series and any security for our obligations with respect to such debt securities and any other terms which may be advisable in connection with the marketing of debt securities of that series; |
| whether the debt securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities; the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such global security or securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual securities; and the depositary for such global security or securities; |
| if applicable, the provisions relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of the series and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at our option or the holders option) conversion or exchange features, the applicable conversion or exchange period and the manner of settlement for any conversion or exchange; |
| if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof; |
| additions to or changes in the covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued, including, among others, the consolidation, merger or sale covenant; |
| additions to or changes in the events of default with respect to the securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to such securities to be due and payable; |
15
| additions to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance; |
| additions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture; |
| additions to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture; |
| the currency of payment of debt securities if other than U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars; |
| whether interest will be payable in cash or additional debt securities at our or the holders option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made; |
| the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we will pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any and principal amounts of the debt securities of the series to any holder that is not a United States person for federal tax purposes; |
| any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the debt securities of the series; and |
| any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, any other additions or changes in the provisions of the indenture, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations. |
Conversion or Exchange Rights
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our ordinary shares, ADSs or our other securities. We will include provisions as to settlement upon conversion or exchange and whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our ordinary shares, ADSs or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.
Consolidation, Merger or Sale
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indenture will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of our assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets (other than a subsidiary of ours) must assume all of our obligations under the indenture or the debt securities, as appropriate.
Events of Default under the Indenture
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:
| if we fail to pay any installment of interest on any series of debt securities, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 90 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by us in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose; |
| if we fail to pay the principal of, or premium, if any, on any series of debt securities as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to such series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such debt securities in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any; |
16
| if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in the debt securities or the indenture, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such is a notice of default thereunder, from the trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and |
| if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur. |
If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.
Subject to the terms of the indenture, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:
| the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and |
| subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding. |
A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indenture or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:
| the holder has given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series; |
| the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, |
| such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred by the trustee in compliance with the request; and |
| the trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 90 days after the notice, request and offer. |
These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.
We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indenture.
17
Modification of Indenture; Waiver
We and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:
| to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or in the debt securities of any series; |
| to comply with the provisions described above under Description of Debt SecuritiesConsolidation, Merger or Sale; |
| to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities; |
| to add to our covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities, to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in the indenture; |
| to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in the indenture; |
| to make any change that does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series in any material respect; |
| to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the debt securities of any series as provided above under Description of Debt SecuritiesGeneral to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the indenture or any series of debt securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of debt securities; |
| to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under any indenture by a successor trustee; or |
| to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. |
In addition, under the indenture, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:
| extending the fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series; |
| reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or reducing any premium payable upon the redemption of any series of any debt securities; or |
| reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver. |
Discharge
Each indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:
| provide for payment; |
| register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series; |
| replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series; |
| pay principal of and premium and interest on any debt securities of the series; |
18
| maintain paying agencies; |
| hold monies for payment in trust; |
| recover excess money held by the trustee; |
| compensate and indemnify the trustee; and |
| appoint any successor trustee. |
In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.
Form, Exchange, and Transfer
We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indenture provides that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, or another depositary named by us and identified in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect to that series. To the extent the debt securities of a series are issued in global form and as book-entry, a description of terms relating to any book-entry securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will impose no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.
We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.
If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:
| issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or |
| register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part. |
Information Concerning the Debenture Trustee
The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of
19
default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.
We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
All money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is applicable.
20
General
We may issue warrants to purchase our ordinary shares represented by ADSs and/or debt securities in one or more series together with other securities or separately, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Below is a description of certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer. Particular terms of the warrants will be described in the warrant agreements and the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants.
The applicable prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of and other information relating to the warrants:
| the specific designation and aggregate number of, and the price at which we will issue, the warrants; |
| the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; |
| the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants; |
| if applicable, the exercise price for our ADSs and the number of ADSs to be received upon exercise; |
| if applicable, the exercise price for our debt securities, the amount of debt securities to be received upon exercise, and a description of that series of debt securities; |
| the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which that right will expire or, if you may not continuously exercise the warrants throughout that period, the specific date or dates on which you may exercise the warrants; |
| whether the warrants will be issued in fully registered form or bearer form, in definitive or global form or in any combination of these forms; |
| any applicable material U.S. federal income tax consequences and any applicable material U.K. tax consequences; |
| the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents; |
| the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or any securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange; |
| if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and the ADSs and/or debt securities will be separately transferable; |
| if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| the anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any; |
| any redemption or call provisions; and |
| any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants. |
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for any warrants will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
21
Certain material U.S. federal income tax and, to the extent applicable, material U.K. tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of any of the securities offered by this prospectus will be set forth in the prospectus supplement pertaining to those securities.
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, the validity of our ordinary shares, including ordinary shares in the form of ADSs being offered by this prospectus and certain other matters of English law will be passed upon for us by Cooley (UK) LLP. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, the validity of the warrants and certain other matters of U.S. federal law will be passed upon for us by Cooley LLP, Reston, Virginia. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for any underwriters, dealers or agents by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The consolidated financial statements of Autolus Therapeutics plc appearing in Autolus Therapeutics plcs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP (PCAOB ID: 01438), independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The registered business address of Ernst & Young LLP is R+ Building, 2 Blagrave Street, Reading RG1 1AZ, United Kingdom.
22
SERVICE OF PROCESS AND ENFORCEMENT OF LIABILITIES
We are incorporated and currently existing under the laws of England and Wales. In addition, certain of our directors and officers reside outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process on us or those persons in the United States or to enforce in the United States judgments obtained in United States courts against us or those persons based on the civil liability or other provisions of the United States securities laws or other laws.
In addition, uncertainty exists as to whether the courts of England and Wales would:
| recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liabilities provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States; or |
| entertain original actions brought in England and Wales against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. |
We have been advised by Cooley LLP that there is currently no treaty between (i) the United States and (ii) England and Wales providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of United States courts in civil and commercial matters (although the United States and the United Kingdom are both parties to the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards) and that a final judgment for the payment of money rendered by any general or state court in the United States based on civil liability, whether predicated solely upon the United States securities laws, would not be automatically enforceable in England and Wales. We have also been advised by Cooley LLP that any final and conclusive monetary judgment for a definite sum obtained against us in United States courts would be treated by the courts of England and Wales as a cause of action in itself and sued upon as a debt at common law so that no retrial of the issues would be necessary, provided that:
| the relevant U.S. court had jurisdiction over the original proceedings according to English conflicts of laws principles at the time when proceedings were initiated; |
| the claimant commenced proceedings in the courts of England and Wales and we were duly served with process; |
| the U.S. judgment was final and conclusive on the merits in the sense of being final and unalterable in the court that pronounced it and being for a definite sum of money; |
| the judgment given by the courts was not in respect of penalties, taxes, fines or similar fiscal or revenue obligations (or otherwise based on a U.S. law that an English court considers to relate to a penal, revenue or other public law), or for a declaration or injunction; |
| the judgment was not procured by fraud; |
| recognition or enforcement of the judgment in England and Wales would not be contrary to public policy or the Human Rights Act 1998; |
| the proceedings pursuant to which judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice; |
| the U.S. judgment was not arrived at by doubling, trebling or otherwise multiplying a sum assessed as compensation for the loss or damages sustained and not being otherwise in breach of Section 5 of the U.K. Protection of Trading Interests Act 1980, or is a judgment based on measures designated by the Secretary of State under Section 1 of that Act; |
| there is not a prior decision of an English court or the court of another jurisdiction on the issues in question between the same parties; and |
| the English enforcement proceedings were commenced within the limitation period. |
23
Whether these requirements are met in respect of a judgment based upon the civil liability provisions of the United States securities laws, including whether the award of monetary damages under such laws would constitute a penalty, is an issue for the court making such decision.
Subject to the foregoing, investors may be able to enforce in England and Wales judgments in civil and commercial matters that have been obtained from U.S. federal or state courts. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that those judgments will be recognized or enforceable in England and Wales.
If an English court gives judgment for the sum payable under a U.S. judgment, the English judgment will be enforceable by methods generally available for this purpose. These methods generally permit the English court discretion to prescribe the manner of enforcement.
In addition, it may not be possible to obtain an English judgment or to enforce that judgment if we are or become subject to any insolvency or similar proceedings, or if we have any set-off or counterclaim against the judgment creditor. Also note that, in any enforcement proceedings, we may raise any counterclaim that could have been brought if the action had been originally brought in England unless the subject of the counterclaim was in issue and denied in the U.S. proceedings.
24
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the securities we are offering under this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement. Neither we nor any agent, underwriter or dealer has authorized any person to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front page of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the securities offered by this prospectus.
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SECs website at www.sec.gov. You also may access these filings on our website at www.autolus.com. We do not incorporate the information on our website into this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus (other than those filings with the SEC that we specifically incorporate by reference into this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus).
25
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement the information we have filed with the SEC. Incorporation by reference allows us to disclose important information to you by referring you to those other documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will also be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents and will automatically update and supersede previously filed information, including information contained in this document.
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:
| Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 21, 2024; |
| Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 17, 2024, August 8, 2024 and November 12, 2024, respectively; |
| Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 10, 2024 (except for the information furnished under Item 7.01 and exhibit 99.1 thereto), February 8, 2024 (except for the information furnished under Item 7.01 and exhibit 99.1 thereto), February 8, 2024 (except for the information furnished under Item 7.01 and exhibit 99.1 thereto), March 14, 2024 (except for the information furnished under Items 2.02 and 7.01 and exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 thereto), March 21, 2024, April 1, 2024 (except for the information furnished under Item 7.01 and exhibit 99.1 thereto), June 5, 2024 (except for the information furnished under exhibits 99.1, 99.2 and 99.3 thereto), June 28, 2024, September 13, 2024, September 19, 2024 (except for the information furnished under exhibit 99.1 thereto) including the exhibits thereto, November 12, 2024 (except for the information furnished under Item 7.01 and exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 thereto) and November 12, 2024 (except for the information furnished under Item 7.01 and exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 thereto); and |
| The description of our ordinary shares and ADSs contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as filed with the SEC under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act on June 19, 2018, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description (File No. 001-38547). |
We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus all documents (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items) that are filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (i) after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement, or (ii) after the date of this prospectus but prior to the termination of the offering.
Unless expressly incorporated by reference, nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate by reference information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC. Copies of all documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus, will be provided at no cost to each person, including any beneficial owner, who receives a copy of this prospectus on the written or oral request of that person made to:
Autolus Therapeutics plc
The Mediaworks
191 Wood Lane
White City, London W12 7FP
United Kingdom
+44 20 3829 6230
26
You may also access these documents on our website, www.autolus.com. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.
You should rely only on information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We are not making offers to sell the securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.
27
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth an estimate of the fees and expenses, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered. All the amounts shown are estimates.
SEC registration fee |
$ | 45,930 | ||
Legal fees and expenses |
(1 | ) | ||
Accounting fees and expenses |
(1 | ) | ||
Printing expenses |
(1 | ) | ||
Miscellaneous expenses |
(1 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | (1 | ) | |
|
|
(1) | These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Subject to the U.K. Companies Act 2006, members of the Registrants board of directors and its officers have the benefit of the following indemnification provisions in the Registrants Articles of Association:
Current and former members of the Registrants board of directors or officers shall be indemnified against all relevant loss, including any liability incurred in defending any criminal or civil proceedings in which judgment is given in their favour or in which they are acquitted or the proceedings are otherwise disposed of without any finding or admission of any material breach of duty on their part or in connection with any application in which the court grants them relief from liability for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the Registrants or an associated companys affairs.
In the case of current or former members of the Registrants board of directors, in compliance with the U.K. Companies Act 2006, there shall be no entitlement to reimbursement as referred to above for (i) any liability incurred to the Registrant or any associated company, (ii) the payment of a fine imposed in any criminal proceeding or a penalty imposed by a regulatory authority for non-compliance with any requirement of a regulatory nature, (iii) the defense of any criminal proceeding if the member of the Registrants board of directors is convicted, (iv) the defense of any civil proceeding brought by the Registrant or an associated company in which judgment is given against the director, and (v) any application for relief under the statutes of the United Kingdom and any other statutes that concern and affect the Registrant as a company in which the court refuses to grant relief to the director. The Registrant may provide any current or former director or officer with funds to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by them in connection with any proceedings or application referred to above and otherwise may take any action to enable any such relevant officer to avoid incurring such expenditure.
In addition, the Registrant has entered into a deed of indemnity with each of its directors and officers. In addition to such indemnification, the Registrant provides its directors and officers with directors and officers liability insurance.
II-1
Item 16. Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed with this registration statement or are incorporated herein by reference.
* | To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference, if applicable. |
** | To be filed in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the applicable rules thereunder. |
II-2
Item 17. Undertakings.
(a) 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 Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Filing 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;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is a part of 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) To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A of Form 20F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 need not be furnished, provided that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 or Item 8.A of Form 20F if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Form F3.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i) 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
II-3
(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. 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 effective date, 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 effective date.
(6) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the 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;
(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.
(7) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrants Annual Report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plans 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.
(8) 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 the foregoing provisions, 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 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the 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.
II-4
(9) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(10) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, (i) 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) (1) 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 (ii) 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.
II-5
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No.1 to Form S-3 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of London, United Kingdom, on March 20, 2025.
AUTOLUS THERAPEUTICS PLC | ||
By: | /s/ Christian Itin | |
Name: Christian Itin | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES
We, the undersigned officers and directors of Autolus Therapeutics plc, hereby severally constitute and appoint Christian Itin and Alex Driggs our true and lawful attorneys with full power to any of them, and to each of them singly, to sign for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed herewith and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to said Registration Statement, and any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with said Registration Statement, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and generally to do all such things in our name and on our behalf in our capacities as officers and directors to enable Autolus Therapeutics plc to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys, and each of them, or their substitute or substitutes, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Post-Effective Amendment No.1 to Form S-3-has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
/s/ Christian Itin, Ph.D. Christian Itin, Ph.D. |
Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
March 20, 2025 | ||
/s/ Robert Dolski Robert Dolski |
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
March 20, 2025 | ||
/s/ Andrew Mercieca Andrew Mercieca |
Vice President, Finance (Principal Accounting Officer) |
March 20, 2025 | ||
/s/ Michael Bonney Michael Bonney |
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
March 20, 2025 | ||
* Joseph Anderson, Ph.D. |
Director |
March 20, 2025 | ||
* Robert Azelby |
Director |
March 20, 2025 | ||
* Linda Bain |
Director |
March 20, 2025 |
II-6
Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
* John Berriman |
Director |
March 20, 2025 | ||
* Cynthia Butitta |
Director |
March 20, 2025 | ||
* Robert Iannone, M.D., M.S.C.E |
Director |
March 20, 2025 | ||
* Elisabeth Leiderman, M.D |
Director |
March 20, 2025 | ||
* Dr. Martin Murphy |
Director |
March 20, 2025 | ||
/s/ Dr. Ravi Rao Dr. Ravi Rao |
Director |
March 20, 2025 | ||
* William Young |
Director |
March 20, 2025 |
* By: /s/ Christian Itin | ||||
Christian Itin Attorney-in-Fact |
II-7
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of Autolus Therapeutics plc has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto on March 20, 2025.
AUTOLUS INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Robert Dolski | |
Name: | Robert Dolski | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
II-8
Exhibit 5.1
Claire Keast-Butler
+44 (0) 20 7556 4211
ckeastbutler@cooley.com
Autolus Therapeutics plc
The Mediaworks
191 Wood Lane
London W12 7FP
United Kingdom
20 March 2025
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Re: | Autolus Therapeutics plc Post-effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 Registration Statement Exhibit 5.1 |
1. | INTRODUCTION |
1.1 | We have acted as English legal advisers to Autolus Therapeutics plc, a public limited company incorporated in England and Wales (the Company), in connection with the preparation and filing by the Company on the date hereof with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) of a post-effective amendment to a registration statement on Form S-3 to which this letter is attached as an exhibit (such registration statement, as amended, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, the Registration Statement) pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. We are rendering this letter at the request of the Company in connection with the Registration Statement. We have taken instructions solely from the Company. |
1.2 | The Registration Statement includes a base prospectus (the Base Prospectus) which provides that it will be supplemented in the future by one or more prospectus supplements (each such prospectus supplement, together with the Base Prospectus, a Prospectus). |
1.3 | The Registration Statement relates to the registration for issue and sale by the Company of (a) ordinary shares with a nominal value of $0.000042 each in the capital of the Company (Ordinary Shares), (b) American Depositary Shares representing Ordinary Shares (ADSs), (c) debt securities in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt (Debt Securities) and (d) warrants for the purchase of Ordinary Shares, Ordinary Shares represented by ADSs and/or Debt Securities in one or more series (Warrants and, together with the Ordinary Shares, ADSs and Debt Securities, the Securities), in each case to the public in a registered offering or offerings. The aggregate initial offering price of the securities that the Company may offer and sell under the Registration Statement will not exceed $300,000,000. |
1.4 | Except as otherwise defined in this letter, capitalised terms used have the respective meanings given to them in the Registration Statement and headings are for ease of reference only and shall not affect interpretation. |
1.5 | All references to legislation in this letter are to the legislation of England unless the contrary is indicated, and any reference to any provision of any legislation shall include any amendment, modification, re-enactment or extension thereof, as in force on the date of this letter. |
Cooley (UK) LLP 22 Bishopsgate London EC2N 4BQ UK
t: +44 (0) 20 7583 4055 f: +44 (0) 20 7785 9355 cooley.com
Cooley (UK) LLP is a limited liability partnership and is registered in England and Wales with registered number OC395270. Our registered office is at the address above. Cooley (UK) LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA number 617791). A list of the members of Cooley (UK) LLP and their professional qualifications is open to inspection at its registered office. The word partner, used in relation to Cooley (UK) LLP, refers to a member of Cooley (UK) LLP or an employee or consultant of Cooley (UK) LLP (or any affiliated firm) of equivalent standing.
Page Two
2. | DOCUMENTS |
For the purpose of issuing this letter, we have reviewed the following documents only:
2.1 | a PDF copy of the Registration Statement to be filed by the Company with the SEC on 20 March 2025; |
2.2 | the form of indenture filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration Statement (the Indenture); |
2.3 | the form of Ordinary Share warrant agreement (including the form of warrant certificate contained therein) filed as Exhibit 4.9 to the Registration Statement (the Ordinary Share Warrant Agreement); |
2.4 | the form of Debt Securities warrant agreement (including the form of warrant certificate contained therein) filed as Exhibit 4.10 to the Registration Statement (together with the Ordinary Share Warrant Agreement, the Warrant Agreements); and |
2.5 | a certificate dated 20 March 2025 (the Secretarys Certificate) signed by the Companys company secretary (the Company Secretary) relating to certain factual matters as at the date of the Secretarys Certificate and having annexed thereto copies (certified by the Company Secretary as being true, complete, accurate and up-to-date in each case) of the following documents: |
(a) | a PDF copy of the articles of association of the Company adopted on 26 June 2018 (the Articles); |
(b) | PDF copies of the certificate of incorporation of the Company dated 2 February 2018 and certificate of incorporation on re-registration of the Company as a public company dated 18 June 2018; |
(c) | a PDF copy of the executed minutes of a meeting of the board of directors of the Company (the Board or the Directors) on 18 January 2024 at which it was resolved to, inter alia, proceed with (i) the preparation, execution and filing with the SEC of the Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus, and (ii) authorising the issue and sale by the Company of the Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement, at the price and upon such terms as the Board or a committee of the Board shall approve (the Board Minutes); and |
(d) | a PDF copy of an executed extract of the resolutions passed at the annual general meeting of the Company held on 28 June 2024 (the 2024 AGM) at which it was resolved, inter alia, to (i) authorise the Board for the purposes of section 551 of the Companies Act 2006, as amended (the Companies Act) to allot shares or grant rights to subscribe for, or convert any security into, shares of the Company up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of $8,400 and (ii) empower the Board to allot equity securities for cash up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of $8,400 as if section 561(1) of the Companies Act did not apply to the allotment (the Shareholder Resolutions). |
3. | SEARCHES |
In addition to examining the documents referred to in paragraph 2 (Documents), we have carried out the following searches only:
3.1 | an online search at Companies House in England and Wales (Companies House) with respect to the Company, carried out at 10:24 a.m. (London time) on 20 March 2025 (the Companies House Search); and |
3.2 | an online enquiry of the Central Registry of Winding-up Petitions at the Insolvency and Companies List in England and Wales (the Central Registry) with respect to the Company, carried out at 10:26 a.m. (London time) on 20 March 2025 (the Central Registry Enquiry and, together with the Companies House Search, the Searches). |
Page Three
4. | OPINIONS |
Subject to the assumptions set out in paragraph 5 (Assumptions), the scope of the opinions set out in paragraph 6 (Scope of Opinions) and the reservations set out in paragraph 7 (Reservations), we are of the opinion that as at the date of this letter:
4.1 | The Company has been duly incorporated and is existing as a public company with limited liability under English law. |
4.2 | The Searches gave no indication that any winding-up, dissolution or administration order or appointment of a receiver, administrator, administrative receiver or similar officer has been made with respect to the Company, or that any petition for the winding-up of the Company has been presented. |
4.3 | The Ordinary Shares, when issued, delivered and paid for as contemplated in the Registration Statement and in accordance with the terms of a duly authorised, executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, or upon conversion of any convertible Debt Securities in accordance with their terms (subject to compliance by the Board with the restrictions on borrowing powers set out in Article 108 of the Articles when issuing Debt Securities), or upon exercise of any Warrants in accordance with their terms, will be validly issued, fully paid or credited as fully paid, and will not be subject to any call for payment of further capital. |
4.4 | The Company has the requisite corporate power and capacity to enter into the Indenture (subject to compliance by the Board with the restrictions on borrowing powers set out in Article 108 of the Articles) and the Warrant Agreements. |
5. | ASSUMPTIONS |
In giving the opinions in this letter, we have assumed (without making enquiry or investigation) that:
5.1 | all signatures, stamps and seals on all documents are genuine. All original documents are complete, authentic and up-to-date, and all documents submitted to us as a copy (whether by email or otherwise) are complete and accurate and conform to the original documents of which they are copies and that no amendments (whether oral, in writing or by conduct of the parties) have been made to any of the documents since they were examined by us; |
5.2 | where a document has been examined by us in draft or specimen form, it will be or has been duly executed in the form of that draft or specimen; |
5.3 | each of the individuals who signs as, or otherwise claims to be, an officer of the Company is the individual whom they claim to be and holds the office that they claim to hold; |
5.4 | where a document is required to be delivered, each party to it has delivered the same without it being subject to any escrow or similar arrangement; |
5.5 | all documents, forms and notices which should have been delivered to Companies House in respect of the Company have been and will be so delivered; |
5.6 | the information revealed by the Searches is true, accurate, complete and up-to-date in all respects, and there is no information which should have been disclosed by the Searches that has not been disclosed for any reason and there has been no alteration in the status or condition of the Company since the date and time that the Searches were made, and that the results of the Searches will remain true, complete, accurate and up-to-date as at the date of the Registration Statement and as at each date on which the Company allots or issues Securities or enters into the Indenture and/or the Warrant Agreements (each, a Bring-Down Date); |
5.7 | no notice has been received by the Company which could lead to the Company being struck off the register of companies under section 1000 of the Companies Act and no such notice shall have been received as at each Bring-Down Date; |
Page Four
5.8 | the Articles remain in full force and effect and no alteration has been made or will be made to the Articles as at the date of this letter and as at each Bring-Down Date; |
5.9 | the Securities will be sold or issued in accordance with a duly authorised, executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement; |
5.10 | to the extent that the obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Warrant Agreements, any purchase, underwriting or similar agreement pursuant to which Securities will be sold or issued or any other document to be entered into in connection with any offering of Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and any other relevant Prospectus (each a Relevant Agreement and collectively, the Relevant Agreements) may be dependent upon such matters, each of the parties to such Relevant Agreement: |
(a) | is duly organised, validly existing and in good standing (where such concept is legally relevant) under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation; |
(b) | is in compliance, generally, with all applicable laws, rules and regulations to which it is subject, its constitutional documents and any judicial or administrative judgements, awards, injunctions or orders binding upon it or its property; |
(c) | has the capacity, power and authority to execute, deliver and perform the Relevant Agreements; |
(d) | is duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by the Relevant Agreements and will not be in breach of any of its respective obligations under any document, contract, instrument or agreement as a result of its entry into and performance of its obligations under the Relevant Agreements; |
(e) | is authorised under all applicable laws of its jurisdiction and domicile to submit to the jurisdiction of the relevant courts or arbitral tribunal specified in such Relevant Agreement and has validly submitted to such jurisdiction; and |
(f) | has validly authorised, executed and delivered all relevant documents, |
and that each of the foregoing remains the case as at each Bring-Down Date;
5.11 | each Relevant Agreement (and any other documents referred to therein) constitutes, or will constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of each of the parties thereto enforceable under all applicable laws and that each of the Relevant Agreements will remain in full force and effect at each Bring-Down Date and, in the case of the Indenture and the Warrant Agreements, in the form reviewed by us; |
5.12 | there is an absence of fraud or mutual mistake of fact or law or any other arrangements, agreements, understandings or course of conduct or prior or subsequent dealings amending, rescinding or modifying or suspending any of the terms of any of the Relevant Agreements or which would result in the inclusion of additional terms therein, and that the parties have acted in accordance with the terms of each of the Relevant Agreements; |
5.13 | in relation to the Registration Statement and any relevant Prospectus and the transactions contemplated thereby, the Directors have acted and will act in the manner required by section 172 of the Companies Act and that each issuance of Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement and any relevant Prospectus will be made in good faith and on bona fide commercial terms and on arms length terms and for the purposes of carrying on the business of the Company; |
5.14 | the Company and each party to the Relevant Agreements will at all relevant times remain, in compliance with all applicable anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, anti-terrorism, sanctions and human rights laws and regulations; |
5.15 | the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendment thereto have become effective under the Securities Act and such effectiveness shall not have been terminated or rescinded prior to each Bring-Down Date, and the Base Prospectus has been filed with the SEC and any other appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the Securities, as applicable, has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder prior to any issue of Securities; |
Page Five
5.16 | the Board Minutes referred to in paragraph 2.5 (Documents) are a true record of the proceedings described therein, and that the meeting recorded in such minutes was duly conducted as described therein, duly constituted and convened and all constitutional, statutory and other formalities were duly observed (including, if applicable, those relating to the declaration of Directors interests or the power of interested Directors to vote), a quorum was present throughout, the requisite majority of Directors voted in favour of approving the resolutions and the resolutions passed at that meeting of the Board were duly adopted, have not been revoked or varied and remain in full force and effect as at the date of this letter and each Bring-Down Date; |
5.17 | the 2024 AGM was duly convened and held on 28 June 2024 at which all constitutional, statutory and other formalities were duly observed, a quorum of shareholders was present throughout and the Shareholder Resolutions were duly passed and have not been revoked or varied and remain in full force and effect and will remain so as at each Bring-Down Date, and that all filings required to be made with Companies House in connection therewith have been made within the relevant time limits; |
5.18 | the Securities contemplated to be offered under the Registration Statement and any relevant Prospectus will be allotted and issued (or in the case of convertible Debt Securities or Warrants the right to convert such security into, or subscribe for, Ordinary Shares will be granted) pursuant to the authority and power granted to the Directors pursuant to section 551 and section 570 of the Companies Act, respectively and as applicable, under the Shareholder Resolutions, and that that authority and that power are and shall remain unutilised to a sufficient extent to enable the allotment and issue of any Securities contemplated to be issued and/or rights to be granted pursuant to the Registration Statement and any relevant Prospectus, or in respect of any allotment and issue of Securities and/or grant of rights after such authorities have expired or been fully utilised or when resolutions have been passed in substitution for such authorities the Company in general meeting having duly and validly resolved (i) as an ordinary resolution to authorise the Board pursuant to section 551 of the Companies Act to allot the Ordinary Shares or grant rights to subscribe for or convert any security into the Ordinary Shares and (ii) as a special resolution to empower the Board pursuant to section 570 or 571 of the Companies Act to allot such Ordinary Shares and grant such rights (as applicable) free of the restrictions in section 561 of the Companies Act, and that the Directors shall not allot or issue (or purport to allot or issue) any Ordinary Shares and shall not grant rights (or purport to grant rights) to subscribe for any Ordinary Shares, or convert any security into Ordinary Shares, in excess of such authorities or powers or in breach of any other limitation on their authority or power to allot and issue shares or grant rights to subscribe for, or convert any security into, Ordinary Shares; |
5.19 | the ordinary and special resolutions referred to in paragraph 5.18 above will be passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held at which all constitutional, statutory and other formalities will be duly observed, a quorum of shareholders will be present throughout and the relevant resolutions will be duly passed and will not have been revoked or varied and will remain in full force and effect, and that all filings required to be made with Companies House in connection therewith will have been made within the relevant time limits; |
5.20 | any issue of Securities shall have been duly approved by the Board in accordance with the Articles and the requirements of all applicable laws; |
5.21 | all Ordinary Shares will be duly allotted by the Board and any Debt Security convertible into Ordinary Shares or Warrants to purchase Ordinary Shares will be duly issued by the Board in accordance with the Articles and the requirements of all applicable laws; |
5.22 | the resolutions of the Board referred to in paragraphs 5.20 and 5.21 above (i) will be passed at a duly constituted and convened meeting of the Board and all constitutional, statutory and other formalities will be duly observed (including, if applicable, those relating to the declaration of Directors interests or the power of interested Directors to vote), a quorum will be present throughout, the requisite majority of Directors will vote in favour of approving the resolutions |
Page Six
and the resolutions passed at that meeting of the Board will be duly adopted, will not have been revoked or varied and will remain in full force and effect; and/or (ii) will be validly passed as written resolutions in accordance with the Articles, that all eligible Directors of the Company (being all the Directors of the Company who would have been entitled to vote on the matter had it been proposed as a resolution at a Directors meeting, but excluding any Director whose vote is not to be counted in respect of a particular matter) will sign one or more copies of the written resolutions, that all relevant provisions of the Companies Act and the Articles will be complied with and the Articles will be duly observed (including, if applicable, those relating to the declaration of the Directors interests or the power of interested Directors to vote) and such resolutions will be duly adopted, will not have been revoked or varied and will remain in full force and effect; |
5.23 | no Ordinary Shares will be allotted or issued, or are or shall be committed to be allotted and issued, at a discount to their nominal value (whether in dollars or equivalent in any other currency) and no Warrants shall be issued with an exercise price, or convertible Debt Securities with a conversion price, of less than the nominal value per Ordinary Share, as applicable; |
5.24 | the contents of the Secretarys Certificate were true and not misleading when given and remain true and not misleading as at the date of this letter and there is no fact or matter not referred to in the Secretarys Certificate which would make any of the information in the Secretarys Certificate inaccurate or misleading; |
5.25 | at the time of each allotment and issue of Ordinary Shares, the Company shall have received in full payment for such shares in an amount of cash consideration (as defined in section 583(3) of the Companies Act) equal to the aggregate subscription price for such shares, such amount not being less than the aggregate nominal value for such shares, and the Company shall have entered the holder or holders thereof in the register of members of the Company showing that all such shares have been fully paid up as to their nominal value and any premium thereon as at the date of each such allotment; |
5.26 | any right to purchase Ordinary Shares or to convert or exchange any Securities into Ordinary Shares will be exercised, and Ordinary Shares to which holders of Securities are entitled thereupon will be allotted and issued, in accordance with the terms of the Relevant Agreements and the relevant Securities; |
5.27 | any convertible Debt Securities or Warrants, when issued, will be accurately and properly completed, duly authorised, executed and delivered on behalf of the Company and authenticated, issued and paid for and registered in the register of holders of those convertible Debt Securities or Warrants maintained for this purpose, in each case in accordance with the instruments and/or agreements constituting those convertible Debt Securities or Warrants, the Articles and all applicable laws (for the avoidance of doubt, as in force at all relevant times); |
5.28 | the instruments and/or agreements constituting any convertible Debt Securities or Warrants, and the obligations created by them, will constitute the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of each of the parties to them under the laws by which they are expressed to be governed; |
5.29 | the right to convert or exchange any convertible Debt Securities or Warrants into, or to purchase, Ordinary Shares will be exercised, and Ordinary Shares to which the holders of any convertible Debt Securities or Warrants are entitled thereupon will be allotted and issued, in accordance with the terms of the relevant convertible Debt Securities or Warrants; |
5.30 | there will be no fact or matter (such as bad faith, coercion, duress, undue influence or a mistake or misrepresentation before or at the time any agreement or instrument is entered into, a subsequent breach, release, waiver or variation of any right or provision, an entitlement to rectification or circumstances giving rise to an estoppel) which might affect the allotment and issue of any Securities that may be issued pursuant to the Registration Statement and any relevant Prospectus; |
Page Seven
5.31 | the Company has not taken any corporate or other action and no steps have been taken or legal proceedings have been started against the Company for the liquidation, winding-up, dissolution, reorganisation or bankruptcy of, or for the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, trustee, administrator, administrative receiver or similar officer of, the Company or all or any of its assets (or any analogous proceedings in any jurisdiction) and the Company is not unable to pay its debts as they fall due within the meaning of section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986, as amended (the Insolvency Act) or becomes unable to pay its debts within the meaning of that section as a result of any of the transactions contemplated in this letter, is insolvent or has been dissolved or declared bankrupt; |
5.32 | all agreements and documents examined by us that are governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than England are on the date of this letter legal, valid and binding under the laws by which they are (or are expected to be) governed; |
5.33 | there are no provisions of the laws of any jurisdiction outside England that would have any implication for the opinions which we express in this letter and that, insofar as the laws of any jurisdiction outside England may be relevant to this letter, such laws have been and will be complied with; |
5.34 | we note that the Indenture and the Warrant Agreements provide that they are to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. We express no opinion as to any matters governed by the laws of the State of New York. As lawyers not qualified in New York, we are not qualified or able to assess the true meaning or import of the terms of the Indenture and the Warrant Agreements under the laws of the State of New York, and we have made no investigation of such meaning or import. Therefore, our review of the Indenture and the Warrant Agreements has been limited to their terms as they appear to us on their face. We have assumed that the choice of the laws of the State of New York in the Indenture and the Warrant Agreements is valid as a matter of the laws of the State of New York and the Indenture and the Warrant Agreements and each of their respective provisions are valid, binding and enforceable under the laws of the State of New York and the law of any other jurisdiction whose law applies, other than law covered expressly in an opinion included in this letter. We have also assumed that, under the laws of the State of New York, any court named in the forum selection clauses of the Indenture and the Warrant Agreements will have jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of any action brought in that court under the Indenture and the Warrant Agreements; |
5.35 | all statements of fact and representations and warranties as to matters of fact (except as to matters expressly set out in the opinions given in this letter) contained in or made in connection with any of the documents examined by us were true and correct as at the date given and are true and correct at todays date and no fact was omitted therefrom which would have made any of such facts, representations or warranties incorrect or misleading; |
5.36 | all consents, licences, approvals, authorisations, notices, filings and registrations that are necessary under any applicable laws or regulations in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement have been or will be duly made or obtained and are, or will be, in full force and effect; |
5.37 | no Securities have been or shall be offered to the public in the United Kingdom in breach of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the FSMA), the EU Prospectus Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/1129) as it forms part of domestic law in the United Kingdom by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the Withdrawal Act) (the UK Prospectus Regulation) or of any other United Kingdom laws or regulations concerning offers of securities to the public, and no communication has been or shall be made in relation to the Securities in breach of section 21 (Restrictions on financial promotion) of the FSMA or any other United Kingdom laws or regulations relating to offers or invitations to subscribe for, or to acquire rights to subscribe for or otherwise acquire, shares or other securities; |
5.38 | in issuing the Securities, the Company is not carrying on a regulated activity for the purposes of section 19 of FSMA; |
Page Eight
5.39 | all applicable provisions of the EU Market Abuse Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 596/2014) as it forms part of domestic law in the United Kingdom by virtue of the Withdrawal Act (UK MAR), the UK Prospectus Regulation, the FSMA, the Financial Services Act 2012 (the FS Act), and all rules and regulations made pursuant to UK MAR, the UK Prospectus Regulation, the FSMA and the FS Act, have been and will be complied with as regards anything done in relation to the Securities or otherwise in relation to the Registration Statement and any relevant Prospectus and the transactions contemplated thereby in, from or otherwise involving England (including, without limitation, articles 14 (Prohibition of insider dealing and of unlawful disclosure of inside information) and 15 (Prohibition of market manipulation) of UK MAR, sections 19 (The general prohibition) and 21 (Restrictions on financial promotion) of the FSMA and sections 89 (Misleading statements), 90 (Misleading impressions) and 91 (Misleading statements etc. in relation to benchmarks) of the FS Act); |
5.40 | the Companys place of central management and control is not, and will not be as at each Bring-Down Date, the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for the purposes of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers; and |
5.41 | no application has been or will be made for any Securities to be listed or admitted to trading on a regulated market, multilateral trading facility or organised trading facility situated or operating in the United Kingdom. |
6. | SCOPE OF OPINIONS |
6.1 | The opinions given in this letter are limited to English law as it would be applied by English courts on the date of this letter. |
6.2 | We express no opinion in this letter on the laws of any other jurisdiction. We have not investigated the laws of any country other than England and we assume that no foreign law affects any of the opinions stated in paragraph 4 (Opinions). |
6.3 | We express no opinion as to any agreement, instrument or other document other than as specified in this letter. For the purposes of giving the opinions in paragraph 4 (Opinions), we have only examined and relied on those documents set out in paragraph 2 (Documents) and made those searches and enquiries set out in paragraph 3 (Searches), respectively. We have made no further enquiries concerning the Company or any other matter in connection with the giving of the opinions in paragraph 4 (Opinions). |
6.4 | No opinion is expressed with respect to taxation in the United Kingdom or otherwise in this letter. |
6.5 | We have not been responsible for investigating or verifying the accuracy of the facts or the reasonableness of any statement of opinion or intention, contained in or relevant to any document referred to in this letter, or that no material facts have been omitted therefrom. |
6.6 | The opinions given in this letter are given on the basis of each of the assumptions set out in paragraph 5 (Assumptions) and are subject to each of the reservations set out in paragraph 7 (Reservations) to this letter. The opinions given in this letter are strictly limited to the matters stated in paragraph 4 (Opinions) and do not extend, and should not be read as extending, by implication or otherwise, to any other matters. |
6.7 | This letter only applies to those facts and circumstances which exist as at todays date and we assume no obligation or responsibility to update or supplement this letter to reflect any facts or circumstances which may subsequently come to our attention, any changes in laws which may occur after today, or to inform the addressee of any change in circumstances happening after the date of this letter which would alter the opinion given in this letter. |
6.8 | We have not been responsible for investigation or verification of statements of fact (including statements as to foreign law) or the reasonableness of any statements of opinion in the Registration Statement (including the Base Prospectus), or that no material facts have been omitted therefrom. |
6.9 | This letter is given by Cooley (UK) LLP and no partner or employee assumes any personal responsibility for it nor shall owe any duty of care in respect of it. |
6.10 | This letter, the opinions given in it, and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this letter and/or the opinions given in it, are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with English law as at the date of this letter. |
Page Nine
7. | RESERVATIONS |
7.1 | The Companies House Search described at paragraph 3.1 (Searches) is not capable of revealing conclusively whether or not: |
(a) | a winding-up order has been made or a resolution passed for the winding-up of a company; |
(b) | an administration order has been made; or |
(c) | a receiver, administrative receiver, administrator or liquidator has been appointed, |
since notice of these matters may not be filed with the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales immediately and, when filed, may not be entered on the public database or recorded on the public microfiches of the relevant company immediately.
In addition, such a company search is not capable of revealing, prior to the making of the relevant order, whether or not a winding-up petition or a petition for an administration order has been presented.
7.2 | The Central Registry Enquiry described at paragraph 3.2 (Searches) relates only to a compulsory winding-up and is not capable of revealing conclusively whether or not a winding-up petition in respect of a compulsory winding-up has been presented, since details of the petition may not have been entered on the records of the Central Registry immediately or, in the case of a petition presented to a District Registry and/or County Court in England and Wales, may not have been notified to the Central Registry and entered on such records at all, and the response to an enquiry only relates to the period since approximately 2016 for petitions presented in London and since approximately 2019 for petitions presented to a District Registry and/or County Court in England and Wales. We have not made enquiries of any District Registry or County Court in England and Wales. |
7.3 | The opinions set out in this letter are subject to: (i) any limitations arising from applicable laws relating to insolvency, bankruptcy, administration, reorganisation, liquidation, moratoria, schemes or analogous circumstances; and (ii) an English court exercising its discretion under section 426 of the Insolvency Act (co-operation between courts exercising jurisdiction in relation to insolvency) to assist the courts having the corresponding jurisdiction in any part of the United Kingdom or any relevant country or territory. |
7.4 | We express no opinion as to matters of fact. |
7.5 | Save for the matters set out in the Secretarys Certificate, we have made no enquiries of any individual connected with the Company. We have relied entirely on the facts, statements and confirmations contained in the Secretarys Certificate and we have not undertaken any independent investigation or verification of the matters referred to in the Secretarys Certificate. |
7.6 | The opinion set out in paragraph 4.3 (Opinions) relates only to Ordinary Shares offered or sold from time to time pursuant to the Registration Statement (including Ordinary Shares issued upon conversion of any convertible Debt Securities in accordance with their terms, or upon exercise of any Warrants in accordance with their terms) that are new Ordinary Shares issued by the Company from time to time following the date of the Registration Statement. We express no opinion in respect of any securities of the Company existing as at the date of this opinion which may be offered or sold from time to time. |
7.7 | If (a) a party to any of the Relevant Agreements is the target of economic or financial sanctions or other restrictive measures imposed in any jurisdiction (Sanctions) or is owned or controlled (directly or indirectly) by or is acting on behalf of or at the direction of or is otherwise connected with a person who is a target of Sanctions or (b) any party to any of the Relevant Agreements is incorporated or resident in or operating from a country or territory that is a target of Sanctions or (c) the rights or obligations of any party to any of the Relevant Agreements is otherwise affected by Sanctions, then the rights and obligations of such person under the Relevant Agreements may be void and/or unenforceable. |
Page Ten
7.8 | We express no opinion in this letter on the application or potential application of the National Security and Investment Act 2021 in relation to the Relevant Agreements or any transaction contemplated thereby. |
8. | DISCLOSURE AND RELIANCE |
8.1 | This letter is addressed to you solely for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement and the transactions contemplated thereunder. We consent to the filing of this letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby 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 thereunder. |
8.2 | This letter may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose, or furnished to, assigned to, quoted to, or relied upon by any other person, firm or other entity for any purpose, without our prior written consent, which may be granted or withheld at our sole discretion. |
Yours faithfully
/s/ Cooley (UK) LLP
Cooley (UK) LLP
Exhibit 5.2
Christian E. Plaza
T: +1 703 456 8006
cplaza@cooley.com
March 20, 2025
Autolus Therapeutics plc
The Media Works
191 Wood Lane
London W12 7FP
United Kingdom
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special U.S. counsel to Autolus Therapeutics plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (the Company), in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the Registration Statement) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). The Registration Statement includes a prospectus (the Base Prospectus), that provides it will be supplemented in the future by one or more prospectus supplements (each, a Prospectus Supplement). The Registration Statement, including the Base Prospectus (as supplemented from time to time by one or more Prospectus Supplements), will provide for the registration by the Company of the sale of the following securities:
| ordinary shares, nominal value $0.000042 per share, of the Company (the Ordinary Shares), including Ordinary Shares represented by American Depositary Shares; |
| debt securities, in one or more series (the Debt Securities), which may be issued pursuant to an indenture to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Debt Securities thereunder, by and between a trustee to be selected by the Company (the Trustee) and the Company, in the form filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement and one or more indentures supplemental thereto with respect to any particular series of Debt Securities (the Indenture); and |
| warrants to purchase Ordinary Shares, or Debt Securities (the Warrants), which may be issued under one or more warrant agreements, to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Warrants thereunder, by and between a warrant agent to be selected by the Company (the Warrant Agent) and the Company, in the forms filed as Exhibits 4.6 and 4.7 to the Registration Statement, respectively (each, a Warrant Agreement). |
The Ordinary Shares, the Debt Securities and the Warrants, plus any additional Ordinary Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants that may be registered pursuant to any registration statement that the Company may hereafter file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act in connection with an offering by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement, are collectively referred to herein as the Securities. The Securities are being registered for offer and sale from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act.
Cooley LLP Reston Town Center 11951 Freedom Drive 14th Floor Reston, VA 20190-5656
t: +1 703 456 8000 f: +1 703 456 8100 cooley.com
Autolus Therapeutics plc
March 20, 2025
Page Two
In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon the Registration Statement and the Base Prospectus, and such other records, documents, certificates, opinions, memoranda and instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. As to certain factual matters, we have relied upon a certificate of an officer of the Company and have not independently verified such matters.
In rendering this opinion, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures; the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals; the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies; the accuracy, completeness and authenticity of certificates of public officials; and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents where authorization, execution and delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness thereof. We are not hereby rendering any opinion with respect to any Ordinary Shares issuable upon the conversion or exercise, as applicable, of any Debt Securities or Warrants. We have also assumed that with respect to any Debt Securities issuable upon the exercise of any Warrants, the applicable Warrants will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors rights, and subject to general equity principles and to limitations on availability of equitable relief including, without limitation, specific performance. We have also assumed that (i) the Company is validly existing under the laws of England and Wales, has the corporate power to enter into and perform its obligations under the Debt Securities, the Indenture and the Warrants in accordance with their terms, (ii) upon issuance, the Company will have duly authorized, executed and delivered the Debt Securities, the Indenture or the Warrants in accordance with its organizational documents and the laws of England and Wales, (iii) any Ordinary Shares issued upon conversion of the Debt Securities or upon exercise of Warrants will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and (iv) the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of its obligations under the Debt Securities, the Indenture or the Warrants will not violate the laws of England and Wales or any other applicable laws (excepting from such assumption the laws of the State of New York). We have also assumed that any Debt Securities or any Warrants offered under the Registration Statement and the related Indenture or Warrant Agreements, as applicable, will be executed in the forms filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Registration Statement.
Our opinion herein is expressed solely with respect to the laws of the State of New York. Our opinion is based on these laws as in effect on the date hereof. We express no opinion to the extent that any other laws are applicable to the subject matter hereof and express no opinion and provide no assurance as to compliance with any federal or state securities law, rule or regulation.
On the basis of the foregoing and in reliance thereon, and subject to the qualifications herein stated, we are of the opinion that:
1. With respect to any series of the Debt Securities issued under the Indenture and offered under the Registration Statement, provided that: (i) the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendment thereto have become effective under the Securities Act and the Base Prospectus and any and all Prospectus Supplement(s) required by applicable laws have been delivered and filed as required by such laws; (ii) the Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and the Trustee by all necessary corporate action; (iii) the Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee and has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (iv) the issuance and terms of the Debt Securities have been duly authorized by the Company by all necessary corporate action; (v) the terms of the Debt Securities and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Indenture so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, so as to be in conformity with the Companys then operative articles of association (the Articles of Association), and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; and (vi) the notes representing the Debt Securities have been duly executed and delivered by
Cooley LLP Reston Town Center 11951 Freedom Drive 14th Floor Reston, VA 20190-5656
t: +1 703 456 8000 f: +1 703 456 8100 cooley.com
Autolus Therapeutics plc
March 20, 2025
Page Three
the Company and authenticated by the Trustee pursuant to the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor, then the Debt Securities, when issued and sold in accordance with the Indenture and a duly authorized, executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, or upon exercise of any Warrants in accordance with their terms, will be binding obligations of the Company, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors rights generally, and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).
2. With respect to the Warrants issued under the Warrant Agreements and offered under the Registration Statement, provided that (i) the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendment thereto have become effective under the Securities Act and the Base Prospectus and any and all Prospectus Supplement(s) required by applicable laws have been delivered and filed as required by such laws; (ii) the applicable Warrant Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company and the Warrant Agent by all necessary corporate action; (iii) the applicable Warrant Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Warrant Agent; (iv) the issuance and terms of the Warrants have been duly authorized by the Company by all necessary corporate action; (v) the terms of the Warrants and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable Warrant Agreement and as described in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s), so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, so as to be in conformity with the Articles of Association, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; and (vi) the Warrants have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and authenticated by the Warrant Agent pursuant to the applicable Warrant Agreement and delivered against payment therefor, then the Warrants, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable Warrant Agreement and a duly authorized, executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, will be binding obligations of the Company, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors rights generally, and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption Legal Matters in the Base Prospectus. We further consent to the incorporation by reference of this opinion into any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act with respect to additional Securities. In giving such consents, we do not thereby 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 thereunder.
Our opinion set forth above is limited to the matters expressly set forth in this letter, and no opinion has been or should be implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. This opinion speaks only as to law and facts in effect or existing as of the date hereof, and we have no obligation or responsibility to update or supplement this opinion to reflect any facts or circumstances that may hereafter come to our attention or any changes in law that may hereafter occur.
Sincerely,
COOLEY LLP | ||
By: | /s/ Christian Plaza | |
Christian Plaza |
Cooley LLP Reston Town Center 11951 Freedom Drive 14th Floor Reston, VA 20190-5656
t: +1 703 456 8000 f: +1 703 456 8100 cooley.com
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption Experts and the use of our report dated March 21, 2024, in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-276942) and related Prospectus of Autolus Therapeutics plc for the registration of ordinary shares, American Depositary Shares representing ordinary shares, debt securities and warrants.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Reading, United Kingdom
March 20, 2025
Exhibit 107
Calculation of Filing Fee Tables
Form S-3
(Form Type)
Autolus Therapeutics plc
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Table 1 Newly Registered Securities
Security Type |
Security Class Title |
Fee Calculation Rule |
Amount Registered(1) |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit |
Maximum Price |
Fee Rate |
Amount of Registration Fee | |||||||||
Fees to be Paid | Equity | Ordinary shares, nominal value $0.000042 per share (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | |||||||||||
Debt | Debt securities | (2) | (3) | (4) | ||||||||||||
Other | Warrants | (2) | (3) | (4) | ||||||||||||
Unallocated (Universal) Shelf | | 457(o) | (2) | (3) | $300,000,000 | 0.00015310 | $45,930 | |||||||||
Total Offering Amounts | | $300,000,000 | | $45,930 | ||||||||||||
Total Fees Previously Paid | | | | | ||||||||||||
Total Fee Offsets | | | | | ||||||||||||
Net Fee Due | | | | $45,930 |
(1) | These ordinary shares are represented by ADSs, each of which represents one ordinary share of the registrant. ADSs issuable on deposit of the ordinary shares registered hereby have been registered pursuant to a separate registration statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-224837). |
(2) | There are being registered hereunder such indeterminate number of the securities of each identified class being registered as may be sold by the registrant from time to time at indeterminate prices, with the maximum aggregate offering price not to exceed $300,000,000. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price of such debt securities shall be in such greater principal amount as shall result in an aggregate offering price not to exceed $300,000,000, less the aggregate dollar amount of all securities previously issued hereunder. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. The proposed maximum initial offering price per unit will be determined, from time to time, by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder. The securities registered also include such indeterminate number of ordinary shares represented by American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, and the amount of debt securities as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange for debt securities that provide for conversion or exchange, upon exercise of warrants or pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of any such securities. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the ordinary shares represented by ADSs being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of ordinary shares as may be issuable with respect to the ordinary shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. |
(2) | The proposed maximum offering price per unit of security will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder and is not specified as to each class of security pursuant to General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3 under the Securities Act. |
(3) | The maximum aggregate offering price per class of security will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder and is not specified as to each class of security pursuant to General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3 under the Securities Act. |