Benitec Biopharma Inc S-1/A, filed Oct 1, 2020
Benitec Biopharma Inc. (BNTC)
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 1, 2020
Registration No. 333-246314
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Benitec Biopharma Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 2834 | 84-462-0206 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
3940 Trust Way Hayward, California 94545 (510) 780-0819
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Dr. Jerel Banks
Chief Executive Officer
3940 Trust Way
Hayward, California 94545
(510) 780-0819
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
| Ben D. Orlanski, Esq. Matthew S. O’Loughlin, Esq. Proskauer Rose LLP 2029 Century Park East, Suite 2400 Los Angeles, CA 90067-3010 (310) 557-2900 (310) 557-2193–Facsimile |
Steven M. Skolnick, Esq. Lowenstein Sandler LLP 1251 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 (212) 262-6700 (212) 262-7402-Facsimile |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement is declared effective.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ | |||
| Emerging growth company | ☒ | |||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☒
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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| Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered |
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1) |
Amount of Registration Fee | ||
| Common stock, $0.0001 par value per share(2)(3) |
$11,500,000 | $1,493 | ||
| Pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of common stock and common stock issuable upon exercise thereof(3) |
$10,000,000 | $1,298 | ||
| Total(4) |
$21,500,000 | $2,791 | ||
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| 1) | Estimated solely for purposes of determining the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement shall also cover an indeterminate number of shares that may be issued and resold resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. |
| 2) | Includes the additional shares of common stock that the underwriter has the option to purchase to cover over-allotments, if any. |
| 3) | The proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the common stock proposed to be sold in the offering will be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis based on the aggregate offering price of the pre-funded warrants offered and sold in the offering (plus the aggregate exercise price of the common stock issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants), and as such the proposed aggregate maximum offering price of the common stock and pre-funded warrants (including the common stock issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants), if any, is $11,500,000 (including the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares of common stock). |
| 4) | The Registrant previously paid a fee of $2,596 in connection with the initial filing of the registration statement on August 14, 2020. |
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 1, 2020
Preliminary Prospectus
1,666,666 Shares of Common Stock,
Pre-funded Warrants to Purchase 1,666,666 Shares of Common Stock
1,666,666 Shares of Common Stock underlying the Pre-funded Warrants
We are offering 1,666,666 shares of our common stock.
We are also offering to certain purchasers whose purchase of shares of common stock in this offering would otherwise result in the purchaser, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of our outstanding common stock immediately following the consummation of this offering, the opportunity to purchase, if such purchasers so choose, pre-funded warrants in lieu of shares of common stock that would otherwise result in any such purchaser’s beneficial ownership exceeding 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of our outstanding common stock. Each pre-funded warrant will be exercisable for one share of our common stock and will be exercisable at any time after its original issuance until exercised in full. The purchase price of each pre-funded warrant will be equal to the price at which a share of common stock are sold to the public in this offering, minus $0.01, and the exercise price of each pre-funded warrant will be $0.01 per share. This offering also relates to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of any pre-funded warrants sold in this offering. For each pre-funded warrant we sell, the number of shares of common stock we are offering will be decreased on a one-for-one basis.
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “BNTC.” On September 29, 2020, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market was $6.00. There is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not intend to apply for listing of the pre-funded warrants on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants will be limited.
The public offering price per share will be determined between us, the underwriter and purchasers based on market conditions at the time of pricing, and may be at a discount to the current market price of our common stock. Therefore, the recent market price used throughout this prospectus may not be indicative of the actual public offering price.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, and, as such, we have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements.
You should read this prospectus, together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” carefully before you invest in any of our securities.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 19.
| Per Share of Common Stock |
Per Pre-Funded Warrant |
Total | ||||||||||
| Public offering price |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Underwriting discounts and commissions(1) |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Proceeds to us (before expenses) |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| (1) | We have agreed to reimburse certain expenses of the underwriter, including a management fee equal to 1% of the gross proceeds of this offering, which are not included in the table above. See “Underwriting” for a description of the compensation payable to the underwriter. |
We have granted the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase an aggregate of up to 249,999 additional shares of our common stock from us at the public offering price per share, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriter may exercise its option to acquire additional shares for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments. See “Underwriting.”
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed on the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Delivery of the securities offered hereby is expected to be made on or about , 2020.
Sole Book-Running Manager
H.C. Wainwright & Co.
The date of this prospectus is , 2020
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-1 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or contained in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We have not, and the underwriter has not, authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from that contained in such prospectuses. We and the underwriter are offering to sell shares of our common stock and pre-funded warrants which may be exercised for shares of common stock, and seeking offers to buy shares of our common stock and our pre-funded warrants, only in jurisdictions where such offers and sales are permitted. For investors outside the United States: We have not, and the underwriter has not, taken any action that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the securities covered hereby and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. The information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of our common stock.
This prospectus and the information incorporated herein by reference contain summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the section entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information.” We urge you to read carefully this prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference before deciding whether to participate in the offering hereunder.
We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and in any document that is incorporated by reference herein were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Benitec,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms used in this prospectus refer (i), prior to the Re-domiciliation (as defined herein) to Benitec Biopharma Limited (BBL), an Australian corporation, and its subsidiaries, and (ii), following the Re-domiciliation, to Benitec Biopharma Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries (including Benitec Limited). Any references to “Benitec Limited” or “BBL” refer to Benitec Biopharma Limited, an Australian corporation.
All references to “$” in this prospectus refer to U.S. dollars. All references to “A$” in this prospectus mean Australian dollars. As of June 30, 2020, the rate of exchange of U.S. dollars to Australian dollars was 1.4541 AUD.
Our fiscal year-end is June 30. References to a particular “fiscal year” are to our fiscal year ended June 30 of that calendar year.
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This prospectus includes information with respect to market and industry conditions and market share from third-party sources or based upon estimates using such sources when available. We believe that such information and estimates are reasonable and reliable. We also believe the information extracted from publications of third-party sources has been accurately reproduced. However, we have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources. Similarly, our internal research is based upon our understanding of industry conditions, and such information has not been verified by any independent sources.
We have proprietary and licensed rights to trademarks used in this prospectus which are important to our business, many of which are registered under applicable intellectual property laws. These trademarks include:
| • | BENITEC BIOPHARMA® |
| • | BENITEC® |
| • | GIVING DISEASE THE SILENT TREATMENT® |
| • | SILENCING GENES FOR LIFE® |
Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus appear without the “®” or “™” symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent possible under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies. Each trademark, trade name or service mark of any other company appearing in this prospectus is the property of its respective holder.
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this prospectus, regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this prospectus, the words “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “continue,” “predict,” “potential,” “project,” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors include:
| • | the success of our plans to develop and potentially commercialize our product candidates; |
| • | the timing of the initiation and completion of preclinical studies and clinical trials; |
| • | the timing and sufficiency of patient enrollment and dosing in any future clinical trials; |
| • | the timing of the availability of data from clinical trials; |
| • | the timing and outcome of regulatory filings and approvals; |
| • | unanticipated delays; |
| • | sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution requirements; |
| • | market competition and the acceptance of our products in the marketplace; |
| • | regulatory developments in the United States; |
| • | the development of novel AAV vectors; |
| • | the plans of licensees of our technology; |
| • | the clinical utility and potential attributes and benefits of ddRNAi and our product candidates, including the potential duration of treatment effects and the potential for a “one shot” cure; |
| • | our dependence on our relationships with collaborators and other third parties; |
| • | expenses, ongoing losses, future revenue, capital needs and needs for additional financing; |
| • | our intellectual property position and the duration of our patent portfolio; |
| • | the impact of local, regional, and national and international economic conditions and events; and |
| • | the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which may adversely impact our business and preclinical and future clinical trials; |
as well as other risks detailed under the caption “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in other reports filed with the SEC. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this prospectus, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and important factors currently known by us and our expectations of the future, about which we cannot be certain.
We have based the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated herein by reference on information available to us on the date of this prospectus or on the date thereof. Except as required by law we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we, in the future, may file with
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the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.
All forward-looking statements included herein or in documents incorporated herein by reference are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to elsewhere in this prospectus.
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This summary highlights information contained in other parts of this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making your investment decision. Before investing in our securities, you should carefully read this entire prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes, and the information set forth under the section titled “Risk Factors,” as well as those risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Some of the statements in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See the information set forth under the section “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Company Overview
We endeavor to become the leader in discovery, development, and commercialization of therapeutic agents capable of addressing significant unmet medical need via the application of the silence and replace approach to the treatment of genetic disorders.
Benitec Biopharma Inc. (“Benitec” or the “Company” or in the third person, “we” or “our”) is a development-stage biotechnology company focused on the advancement of novel genetic medicines with headquarters in Hayward, California. The proprietary platform, called DNA-directed RNA interference, or ddRNAi, combines RNA interference, or RNAi, with gene therapy to create medicines that facilitate sustained silencing of disease-causing genes following a single administration. The Company is developing ddRNAi-based therapeutics for chronic and life-threatening human conditions including Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OPMD), and Chronic Hepatitis B.
BB-301 is the most advanced ddRNAi-based genetic medicine currently under development by Benitec. BB-301 is an internally optimized, adeno-associated virus (“AAV”) -based gene therapy agent that is designed to both silence the expression of mutated, disease-causing genes (to slow, or halt, the underlying mechanism of disease progression) and replace the mutant genes with normal, “wild type” genes (to drive restoration of function in diseased cells). This fundamental approach to disease management is called “silence and replace” and this biological mechanism offers the potential to restore the underlying physiology of the treated tissues and, in the process, improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from the chronic and, potentially, fatal effects of Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OPMD). BB-301 has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in the United States and the European Union.
Through the combination of the targeted gene silencing effects of RNAi and the durable transgene expression achievable via the use of modified viral vectors, the silence and replace approach has the potential to produce long-term silencing of disease-causing genes along with simultaneous replacement of wild type gene function following a single administration of the proprietary genetic medicine. We believe this novel attribute of the investigational agents under development by Benitec may facilitate the achievement of robust clinical activity while greatly reducing the dosing frequencies traditionally expected for medicines employed for the management of chronic diseases. Additionally, the establishment of chronic gene silencing and gene replacement may significantly reduce the risk of patient non-compliance during the course of medical management of potentially fatal clinical disorders.
We will require additional financing to progress our product candidates through to key inflection points.
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Our Strengths
We believe that the combination of our proprietary ddRNAi technology and our deep expertise in the design and development of genetic medicines, and specifically ddRNAi-based therapeutics, will enable us to achieve and maintain a leading position in gene silencing and gene therapy for the treatment of human disease. Our key strengths include:
| • | A first mover advantage for ddRNAi-based therapeutics; |
| • | A proprietary ddRNAi-based silence and replace technology platform that may potentially enable the serial development of single-administration therapeutics capable of facilitating sustained, long-term silencing of disease-causing genes and concomitant replacement of wildtype gene function; |
| • | A proprietary AAV vector technology which improves the endosomal escape capability of virus produced in insect cells using a baculovirus system. This technology has broad application in AAV-based gene therapies; |
| • | The capabilities to drive the development of a pipeline of programs focused on chronic diseases with either large patient populations, including Chronic Hepatitis B virus infection, or rare diseases, which may potentially support the receipt of Orphan Drug Designation, including OPMD; and |
| • | A growing portfolio of patents protecting improvements to our ddRNAi, and silence and replace, technology and product candidates through at least 2036, with additional patent life anticipated through at least 2040. |
Our Strategy
We endeavor to become the leader in discovery, development, and commercialization of therapeutic agents capable of addressing significant unmet medical need via the application of the silence and replace approach to the treatment of genetic disorders. We apply the following general strategy to drive the Company towards these goals:
| • | Selectively develop proprietary and partnered programs; and |
| • | Continue to explore and secure research and development partnerships with global biopharmaceutical companies supported by the differentiated nature of our scientific platform and intellectual property portfolio. |
Our senior leadership team will continue to explore partnership opportunities with global biopharmaceutical companies, as we expect that the unique attributes of the proprietary ddRNAi and silence and replace approaches, and the breadth of potential clinical indications amenable to our proprietary methods, to support the formation of collaborations over a broad range of diseases with significant unmet medical need.
We seek to actively protect our intellectual property and proprietary technology. These efforts are central to the growth of our business and include:
| • | Seeking and maintaining patents claiming our ddRNAi and silence and replace technologies and other inventions relating to our specific products in development or that are otherwise commercially and/or strategically important to the development of our business; |
| • | Protecting and enforcing our intellectual property rights; and |
| • | Strategically licensing intellectual property from third parties to advance development of our product candidates. |
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Our Technology—ddRNAi and Silence and Replace
Our proprietary technology platforms are designated as DNA-directed RNA interference, or ddRNAi, and “silence and replace.” ddRNAi is designed to produce long-term silencing of disease-causing genes, by combining RNA interference, or RNAi, with viral delivery agents typically associated with the field of gene therapy (i.e. viral vectors). Modified AAV vectors are employed to deliver genetic constructs which encode short hairpin RNAs that are, then, serially expressed and processed, to produce small interfering RNA, or siRNA, molecules within the transduced cell for the duration of the life of the target cell. These newly introduced siRNA molecules drive long-term, and potentially permanent, silencing of the expression of the disease-causing gene. The silence and replace approach further bolsters the biological benefits of long-term silencing of disease-causing genes by incorporating multifunctional genetic constructs within the modified AAV vectors to create an AAV-based gene therapy agent that is designed to both silence the expression of mutated, disease-causing genes (to slow, or halt, the underlying mechanism of disease progression) and, simultaneously, replace the mutant genes with normal, “wild type” genes (to drive restoration of function in diseased cells). This fundamentally distinct approach to disease management offers the potential to restore the underlying physiology of the treated tissues and, in the process, improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from the chronic and, potentially, fatal effects of diseases like Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OPMD).
Traditional gene therapy is defined by the introduction of an engineered transgene to correct the pathophysiological derangements derived from mutated or malfunctioning genes. Mutated genes can facilitate the intracellular production of disease-causing proteins or hamper the production of critical, life-sustaining, proteins, and the introduction of a new transgene can facilitate the restoration of production of normal proteins within the diseased cell, thus, restoring natural biological function. Critically, the implementation of this traditional method of gene therapy cannot eliminate the expression, or the potential deleterious effects of, the underlying mutant gene (as mutant proteins may be continually expressed and aggregate or drive the aggregation of other native proteins within the diseased cell). In this regard, the dual capabilities of the proprietary silence and replace approach to silence a disease-causing gene via ddRNAi and simultaneously replace the wildtype activity of a mutant gene via the delivery of an engineered transgene could facilitate the development of differentially efficacious treatments for a range of genetic disorders.
Overview of RNAi and the siRNA Approach
The mutation of a single gene can cause a chronic disease via the resulting intracellular production of a disease-causing protein (i.e. an abnormal form of the protein of interest), and many chronic and/or fatal disorders are known to result from the inappropriate expression of a single gene or multiple genes. In some cases, genetic disorders of this type can be treated exclusively by “silencing” the intracellular production of the disease-causing protein through well-validated biological approaches like RNA interference (“RNAi”). RNAi employs small nucleic acid molecules to activate an intracellular enzyme complex, and this biological pathway temporarily reduces the production of the disease-causing protein. In the absence of the disease-causing protein, normal cellular function is restored and the chronic disease that initially resulted from the presence of the mutant protein is partially or completely resolved. RNAi is potentially applicable to over 20,000 human genes and a large number of disease-causing microorganism-specific genes.
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Figure 1. The siRNA Approach
A small double stranded RNA, or dsRNA, molecule (A, Figure 1), comprising one strand known as the sense strand and another strand known as the antisense strand, which are complementary to each other, is synthesized in the laboratory. These small dsRNAs are called small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs. The sequence of the sense strand corresponds to a short region of the target gene mRNA. The siRNA is delivered to the target cell (B, Figure 1), where a group of enzymes, referred to as the RNA-Induced Silencing Complex, or RISC, process the siRNA (C, Figure 1), where one of the strands (usually the sense strand) is released (D, Figure 1). RISC uses the antisense strand to find the mRNA that has a complementary sequence (E, Figure 1) leading to the cleavage of the target mRNA (F, Figure 1). As a consequence, the output of the mRNA (protein production) does not occur (G, Figure 1). Several companies, including Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Alnylam”), Arbutus Biopharma Corp. (“Arbutus”), and Dicerna Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Dicerna”), utilize this approach in their RNAi product candidates.
Importantly, many genetic disorders are not amenable to the traditional gene silencing approach outlined in Figure 1, as the diseased cells may produce a mixture of the wildtype protein of interest and the disease-causing, mutant variant of the protein, and the underlying genetic mutation may be too small to allow for selective targeting of the disease-causing variant of the protein through the use of siRNA-based approaches exclusively. In these cases, it is extraordinarily difficult to selectively silence the disease-causing protein without simultaneously silencing the wildtype intracellular protein of interest whose presence is vital to the conduct of normal cellular functions.
Our proprietary silence and replace technology utilizes the unique specificity and robust gene silencing capabilities of RNAi while overcoming many of the key limitations of siRNA-based approaches to disease management.
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Our Approach to the Treatment of Genetic Diseases—ddRNAi and Silence and Replace
Our proprietary silence and replace approach to the treatment of genetic diseases combines RNAi with wildtype gene replacement to drive sustained silencing of disease-causing genes and concomitant restoration of functional wildtype genes following a single administration of the therapeutic agent. Benitec employs ddRNAi in combination with classical gene therapy (i.e. transgene delivery via viral vectors) to overcome several of the fundamental limitations of RNAi.
The silence and replace approach to the treatment of genetic disorders employs adeno-associated viral vectors (“AAVs”) to deliver genetic constructs which may, after a single administration to the target tissues:
| • | Chronically express RNAi molecules inside of the target, diseased, cells (to serially silence the intracellular production of mutant, disease-causing, protein and the wildtype protein of interest); |
| • | Simultaneously drive the expression of a wildtype variant of the protein of interest (to restore native intracellular biological processes); and |
| • | AAV vectors can accommodate the multi-functional DNA expression cassettes containing the engineered wildtype transgenes and the novel genes encoding short hairpinRNA/microRNA molecules (shRNA/miRNA) that are required to support the development of therapeutic agents capable of the achievement of the goals of the silence and replace approach to therapy. |
Our silence and replace technology utilizes proprietary DNA expression cassettes to foster continuous production of gene silencing shRNAs and wildtype proteins (via expression of the wildtype transgene). A range of viral and non-viral gene therapy vectors can be used to deliver the DNA construct into the nucleus of the target cell and, upon delivery, shRNA molecules are expressed and subsequently processed by intracellular enzymes into siRNA molecules that silence the expression of the mutant, disease causing protein (Figure 2).
In the silence and replace approach (Figure 2):
| • | A DNA construct is delivered to the nucleus of the target cell by a gene therapy vector (A) such as an AAV; |
| • | Once inside of the nucleus, the DNA construct drives the continuous production of shRNA molecules (B) which are processed by an enzyme called Dicer into siRNAs (C); |
| • | The processed siRNA is incorporated into RISC and silences the target gene using the same mechanism shown in Figure 1; and |
| • | When the DNA expression cassette is additionally comprised of a wildtype transgene, upon entry of the DNA construct into the nucleus of the target cell via the use of the AAV vector, the DNA construct also drives the continuous production of wildtype protein (to restore native intracellular biological processes). |
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Figure 2. The Silence and Replace Approach
Our Pipeline
The following table sets forth our current product candidates and their development status:
Table 1. Pipeline: Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy and Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection
BB-301
BB-301 is a late-stage nonclinical investigational agent currently in development for the treatment of Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy. BB-301 is the lead pipeline program for Benitec, and IND-enabling studies are currently being conducted. A summary of the BB-301 program is provided in Figure 3.
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Figure 3. Overview of the BB-301 Program
BB-103
BB-103 has demonstrated robust nonclinical activity during the evaluation of this agent for the treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus infection. Benitec is currently seeking strategic partners to advance BB-103 through IND-enabling studies.
Risk Factors
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Any of the factors set forth herein under “Risk Factors” and the risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may limit our ability to successfully execute our business strategy. You should carefully consider all of the information set forth in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and, in particular, should evaluate the specific factors set forth herein under “Risk Factors” and the risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in deciding whether to invest in our securities. These risk factors include, among others:
| • | We have incurred significant losses since inception and anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future. If we are unable to achieve or sustain profitability, the market value of our common stock will likely decline; |
| • | We have never generated any revenue from product sales and may never be profitable; |
| • | Even if this offering is successful, we will need to continue our efforts to raise additional funding, which may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Failure to obtain capital when needed may negatively impact our ability to continue as a going concern; |
| • | Our product candidates are based on ddRNAi and silence and replace technology. Currently, no product candidates utilizing ddRNAi technology or silence and replace technology have been approved |
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| for commercial sale, and our approach to the development of ddRNAi technology and silence and replace technology may not result in safe, effective or marketable products; |
| • | We are early in our product development efforts and our current product candidates are still in preclinical development. We may not be able to obtain regulatory approvals for the commercialization of our product candidates; |
| • | Issues that may impact delivery of our therapeutics into the cell could adversely affect or limit our ability to develop and commercialize product candidates; |
| • | We face competition from entities that have developed or may develop product candidates for our target disease indications, including companies developing novel treatments and technology platforms based on modalities and technology similar to ours; and |
| • | If we are unable to obtain or protect sufficient intellectual property rights related to our product candidates, we may not be able to obtain exclusivity for our product candidates or prevent others from developing similar competitive products. |
Recent Developments
Re-domiciliation
On April 15, 2020, or the Implementation Date, the re-domiciliation, or the Re-domiciliation, of Benitec Biopharma Limited, a public company incorporated under the laws of the State of Western Australia, or Benitec Limited, was completed in accordance with the Scheme Implementation Agreement, as amended and restated as of January 30, 2020, between Benitec Limited and us. As a result of the Re-domiciliation, our jurisdiction of incorporation was changed from Australia to Delaware, and Benitec Limited became our wholly owned subsidiary.
The Re-domiciliation was effected pursuant to a statutory scheme of arrangement under Australian law, or the Scheme, whereby on the Implementation Date, all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Benitec Limited were exchanged for newly issued shares of our common stock, on the basis of one share of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, for every 300 ordinary shares of Benitec Limited issued and outstanding. Holders of Benitec Limited’s American Depository Shares, or ADSs (each of which represented 200 ordinary shares), received two shares of our common stock for every three ADSs held.
Our common stock began trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq, at the start of trading on the Implementation Date under the symbol “BNTC.”
COVID-19
In December 2019, an outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus was identified in Wuhan, China. This virus continues to spread globally, has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and has spread to nearly every country, including Australia and the United States. The impact of this pandemic has been and will likely continue to be extensive in many aspects of society, which has resulted in and will likely continue to result in significant disruptions to businesses and capital markets around the world. The extent to which the coronavirus impacts us will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the coronavirus and the actions to contain the coronavirus or treat its impact, among others.
Certain of our research and development efforts are conducted globally, including the ongoing development of our silence and replace therapeutic for the treatment of Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OPMD), and
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will be dependent upon our ability to initiate preclinical and clinical studies despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As we continue to actively advance our preclinical programs, including our ongoing tissue transduction studies for BB-301, we are in close contact with our principal investigators and preclinical trial sites, which are primarily located in the France, and are assessing the impact of COVID-19 on our studies and the expected development timelines and costs of all of our product candidates, on an ongoing basis. In light of recent developments relating to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the focus of healthcare providers and hospitals on fighting the virus, and consistent with the FDA’s updated industry guidance for conducting clinical trials issued on March 18, 2020, we have experienced delays to the original timeline regarding the initiation and anticipated completion of the ongoing BB-301 IND-enabling development work. The initiation of the BB-301 tissue transduction study, which represents a key component of the IND-enabling work, was delayed by several months, however, the study has been recently initiated and the dosing of the initial preclinical cohorts has proceeded without incident. We will continue to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and expect to reevaluate the timing of our anticipated preclinical and clinical milestones as we learn more and the impact of COVID-19 on our industry becomes more clear.
We had also implemented work-from-home measures for the majority of our employees between March 2020 and June 2020, resulting in a reduction of laboratory work and a halt of non-essential business travel. As we transition our employees back to our premises, there is a risk that COVID-19 infections occur at our offices or laboratory facilities and significantly affect our operations. Additionally, if any of our critical vendors are impacted, our business could be affected if we become unable to timely procure essential equipment, supplies or services in adequate quantities and at acceptable prices.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated as a Delaware corporation on November 22, 2019 and completed the Re-domiciliation on April 15, 2020. Our predecessor, Benitec Limited, was incorporated under the laws of Australia in 1995. Our stock is traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “BNTC.” Our principal executive offices are located at 3940 Trust Way, Hayward, California 94545. Our telephone number is (510) 780-0819, and our Internet website is www.benitec.com. The information on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference herein.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company and a Smaller Reporting Company
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended (JOBS Act). We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest to occur of: the last day of the fiscal year in which we have more than $1.07 billion in annual revenue; the date we qualify as a “large accelerated filer,” with at least $700 million of equity securities held by non-affiliates; the issuance, in any three-year period, by us of more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities; and June 30, 2021. As a result of this status, we have taken advantage of reduced reporting requirements in this prospectus and may elect to take advantage of other reduced reporting requirements in our future filings with the SEC. In particular, in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein, we have not included all of the executive compensation related information that would be required if we were not an emerging growth company. In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, delaying the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this exemption and, as a result, we will adopt new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. We intend to rely on other exemptions provided by the JOBS Act, including without limitation, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
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We are also a “smaller reporting company” and will remain a smaller reporting company while either (i) the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates was less than $250 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter or (ii) our annual revenue was less than $100 million during our most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates was less than $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. If we are a smaller reporting company at the time we cease to be an emerging growth company, we may continue to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are available to smaller reporting companies, including many of the same exemptions from disclosure requirements as those that are available to emerging growth companies, such as reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our registration statements, prospectus and our periodic reports and proxy statements. For so long as we remain a smaller reporting company, we are permitted and intend to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure and other requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not smaller reporting companies.
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| Common stock offered by us |
1,666,666 shares (or 1,916,665 shares, if the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full). |
| Pre-funded warrants offered by us |
We are also offering to certain purchasers whose purchase of shares of common stock in this offering would otherwise result in the purchaser, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of our outstanding common stock immediately following the consummation of this offering, the opportunity to purchase, if such purchasers so choose, pre-funded warrants in lieu of shares of common stock that would otherwise result in any such purchaser’s beneficial ownership exceeding 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of our outstanding common stock. The exercise price of each pre-funded warrant will equal $0.01 per share. Each pre-funded warrant will be exercisable upon issuance and will not expire prior to exercise. We are offering up to 1,666,666 shares of common stock and up to 1,666,666 pre-funded warrants, in the aggregate not exceeding more than a total of 1,666,666 shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants. For each pre-funded warrant we sell, the number of shares of common stock we are offering will be decreased on a one-for-one basis. This prospectus also relates to the offering of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants. |
| Option to purchase additional shares |
We have granted the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase an aggregate of up to 249,999 additional shares of our common stock from us at the public offering price per share, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriter may exercise its option to acquire additional shares for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments. See “Underwriting.” |
| Common stock to be outstanding immediately following this offering |
2,775,040 shares (or 3,025,039 shares, if the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full) assuming we sell only shares of common stock in this offering. |
| Use of proceeds |
We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $8.5 million ($9.8 million if the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full), based on an assumed public offering price per share of common stock of $6.00, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on September 29, 2020, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and assuming we sell only shares of common stock in this offering. We intend to use the net proceeds from this financing for the continued advancement of development activities for our product pipeline, general corporate purposes, and strategic growth opportunities. See “Use of Proceeds.” |
| Dividend policy |
For the foreseeable future, we currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support our operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. |
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| Risk factors |
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should read the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus, as well as those risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for a discussion of factors to consider carefully before deciding to invest in our securities. |
| Nasdaq symbol |
“BNTC.” |
| No listing of pre-funded warrants |
We do not intend to apply for listing of the pre-funded warrants on any national securities exchange or trading system. |
The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 1,108,374 shares of common stock outstanding at September 28, 2020 and excludes as of such date the following:
| • | 70,161 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options outstanding as of September 28, 2020 at a weighted-average exercise price of $60.42 per share; and |
| • | 145,421 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants exercisable for shares of common stock outstanding as of September 28, 2020 at a weighted-average exercise price of $29.48 per share. |
Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus assumes no purchaser elects to purchase pre-funded warrants and no exercise by the underwriter of its option to purchase additional shares.
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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following summary consolidated financial data as of and for the years ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, which is incorporated by reference herein. You should read this data together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, which is incorporated by reference herein. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of our future results, and are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any interim periods, or any future year or period.
| Year ended June 30, | ||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
| Statements of operations data: |
||||||||
| Revenues: |
||||||||
| Revenues from customers |
$ | 97 | $ | 11,551 | ||||
| Government research and development grants |
5 | 648 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total revenues |
102 | 12,199 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Operating Expenses: |
||||||||
| Royalties and license fees |
(185 | ) | 435 | |||||
| Research and development |
3,001 | 4,567 | ||||||
| General and administrative |
5,567 | 4,614 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total operating expenses |
8,383 | 9,616 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Income (Loss) from Operations |
(8,281 | ) | 2,583 | |||||
| Other Income (Loss): |
||||||||
| Foreign currency transaction loss |
(88 | ) | (75 | ) | ||||
| Interest income, net |
62 | 122 | ||||||
| Other income, net |
34 | — | ||||||
| Unrealized loss on investment |
(1 | ) | (21 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total other income, net |
7 | 26 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Net Income (Loss) |
(8,274 | ) | 2,609 | |||||
| Other Comprehensive Loss: |
||||||||
| Unrealized foreign currency translation loss |
(89 | ) | (531 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total Other Comprehensive Loss |
(89 | ) | (531 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
$ | (8,363 | ) | $ | 2,078 | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Net Income (Loss) |
$ | (8,274 | ) | $ | 2,609 | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Basic and Diluted Weighted-Average Number of Shares Outstanding |
1,021,193 | 856,765 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock |
$ | (8.10 | ) | $ | 3.05 | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
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| June 30, | ||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Balance sheet data: |
||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 9,801 | $ | 15,718 | ||||
| Working capital |
9,673 | 16,115 | ||||||
| Total assets |
11,587 | 19,235 | ||||||
| Total long-term liabilities |
213 | — | ||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity |
10,238 | 16,594 | ||||||
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Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, as well as those risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus and incorporated by reference herein, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes, before deciding to invest in our securities. The risks and uncertainties described below and in the documents incorporated by reference herein are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe are not material, may also become important factors that affect us. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially and adversely affected, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Financial Condition, Capital Requirements and Largest Shareholder
Even if this offering is successful, we will need to continue our efforts to raise additional funding, which may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Failure to obtain capital when needed may negatively impact our ability to continue as a going concern.
Developing ddRNAi products is expensive, and we expect our research and development expenses to increase substantially in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we advance our product candidates in preclinical studies and in future clinical trials and as we undertake preclinical studies of new product candidates.
As of June 30, 2020, our cash and cash equivalents were $9.8 million. We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $8.5 million ($9.8 million assuming the full exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional common stock), assuming a public offering price of $6.00 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on September 29, 2020, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and assuming we sell only shares of common stock in this offering. We estimate that these net proceeds, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, will be sufficient to fund our operations until approximately the first quarter of 2022. However, our operating plan may change as a result of many factors currently unknown to us, and we may need to seek additional funds sooner than planned, through public or private equity or debt financings, government grants or other third-party funding, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements or a combination of these approaches. In addition, because the length of time and activities associated with successful development of our product candidates is highly uncertain, we are unable to estimate the actual funds we will require for development and any approved marketing and commercialization activities. In any event, we will require additional capital to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates and to commercialize any product candidates that receive regulatory approval.
Any additional fundraising efforts may divert our management from their day-to-day activities, which may compromise our ability to develop and commercialize our product candidates. In addition, we cannot guarantee that future financing will be available in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Moreover, the terms of any financing may adversely affect the holdings or the rights of our shareholders, and the issuance of additional securities, whether equity or debt, by us, or the possibility of such issuance, may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. If we incur indebtedness we may be required to agree to restrictive covenants, such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, limitations on our ability to acquire, sell or license intellectual property rights and other operating restrictions that could compromise our ability to conduct our business. We could also seek financing through arrangements with collaborative partners at an earlier stage than would otherwise be desirable and we may be required to relinquish rights to some or all of our technologies or product candidates or otherwise agree to terms unfavorable to us.
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If we are unable to obtain funding on a timely basis or on acceptable terms, we may be required to significantly curtail, delay or discontinue one or more of our research or development programs or the commercialization of any approved product candidates.
Risk Relating to this Offering
There is no public market for the pre-funded warrants being offered by us in this offering.
There is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants being offered in this offering, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list the pre-funded warrants on any national securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system, including The Nasdaq Capital Market. Without an active market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants will be limited.
Holders of the pre-funded warrants offered hereby will have no rights as common stockholders with respect to the common stock underlying the pre-funded warrants until such holders exercise their pre-funded warrants and acquire our common stock, except as otherwise provided in the pre-funded warrants.
Until holders of the pre-funded warrants acquire our common stock upon exercise thereof, such holders will have no rights with respect to the common stock underlying such pre-funded warrants, except to the extent that holders of such pre-funded warrants will have certain rights to participate in distributions or dividends paid on our common stock as set forth in the pre-funded warrants. Upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants, the holders will be entitled to exercise the rights of a common stockholder only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the exercise date.
Future sales of our common stock, or the perception that such sales may occur, could depress the trading price of our common stock.
After the completion of this offering, we expect to have 2,775,040 shares (3,025,039 shares if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares in full) of our common stock outstanding, which may be resold in the public market immediately after this offering. We and all of our directors and executive officers have signed lock-up agreements for a period of 90 days following the date of this prospectus, subject to specified exceptions. See “Underwriting.”
The underwriter may, in its sole discretion and without notice, release all or any portion of the shares of our common stock subject to lock-up agreements. As restrictions on resale end, the market price of our common stock could drop significantly if the holders of these shares of our common stock sell them or are perceived by the market as intending to sell them. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to raise additional funds through future offerings of our common stock or other securities.
We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds we receive from this offering and may not use them effectively.
Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds we receive in this offering, including for any of the purposes described in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds,” and you will not have the opportunity as part of your investment decision to assess whether our management is using the net proceeds appropriately. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of our net proceeds from this offering, their ultimate use may vary substantially from their currently intended use. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business and cause the price of our common stock to decline. Pending their use, we may invest our net proceeds from this offering in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities. These investments may not yield a favorable return to our stockholders.
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We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $8.5 million, or $9.8 million if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares of common stock in full, assuming a public offering price of $6.00 per share, the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on September 29, 2020 as reported on Nasdaq, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and assuming no sale of any pre-funded warrants in this offering. The public offering price per share will be determined between us, the underwriter and investors based on market conditions at the time of pricing and may be at a discount to the current market price of our common stock.
Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed public offering price of $6.00 per share would increase or decrease the net proceeds from this offering by $1.5 million, assuming the number of shares and pre-funded warrants offered by us, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase or decrease the number of shares and pre-funded warrants we are offering. An increase or decrease of 100,000 in the number of shares (or the common stock underlying the pre-funded warrants) offered by us, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, would increase or decrease the net proceeds from this offering by approximately $0.5 million, assuming the assumed public offering price per share remains the same, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We do not expect that a change by these amounts in either the public offering price per share or in the number of shares offered by us would have a material effect on our use of the proceeds from this offering, although it may accelerate the time at which we will need to seek additional capital.
We intend to use the net proceeds from this financing for the continued advancement of development activities for our product pipeline, general corporate purposes and strategic growth opportunities.
The amount and timing of these expenditures will depend on a number of factors, including the progress of our research and development efforts, the progress of any partnering efforts, technological advances and the competitive environment for our product candidates. Accordingly, you will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of these net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. It is possible that the proceeds will be used in a way that does not yield a favorable, or any, return for us. Pending application of the net proceeds as described above, we intend to invest the proceeds in investment grade interest bearing instruments, or will hold the proceeds in interest bearing or non-interest bearing bank accounts.
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The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization, each as of June 30, 2020:
| • | on an actual basis; and |
| • | on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the issuance of shares of common stock in the offering at an assumed public offering price of $6.00 per share, the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on September 29, 2020, as reported on Nasdaq, assuming no sale of any pre-funded warrants in this offering and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. |
You should consider this table in conjunction with our financial statements and the notes to those financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, which is incorporated by reference herein. The as adjusted information set forth in the table below is illustrative only and will be adjusted based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.
| As of June 30, 2020 | ||||||||
| (in thousands) | Actual | As Adjusted(1) | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 9,801 | $ | 18,278 | ||||
| Total debt obligations |
1,349 | 1,349 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Stockholders’ equity: |
||||||||
| Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share: |
||||||||
| 10,000,000 shares authorized; 1,108,374 actual; 2,775,040 as adjusted |
1 | 3 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital |
128,826 | 137,303 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit |
(116,636 | ) | (116,636 | ) | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(1,953 | ) | (1,953 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total stockholders’ equity |
10,238 | 18,717 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total capitalization |
$ | 11,587 | $ | 20,066 | ||||
| (1) | The number of shares in the table above is based on 1,108,374 shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2020 and does not include: |
| • | 70,161 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2020 at a weighted-average exercise price of $60.42 per share; and |
| • | 145,421 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants exercisable for shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2020 at a weighted-average exercise price of $29.48 per share. |
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MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Our common stock trades on Nasdaq under the symbol “BNTC”. Prior to the Re-domiciliation, the American Depositary Shares of Benitec Limited traded on Nasdaq under the same trading symbol and the ordinary shares of Benitec Limited traded on the Australian Stock Exchange (“ASX”). In connection with the Re-domiciliation, Benitec Limited’s ordinary shares were delisted from the ASX. On September 29, 2020, the closing sale price of our common stock as reported on Nasdaq was $6.00 per share.
As of September 29, 2020, we had approximately 3,348 record holders of our common stock. The number of record holders is based on the actual number of holders registered on the books of our transfer agent and does not reflect holders of shares in “street name” or persons, partnerships, associations, corporations or other entities identified in security position listings maintained by depository trust companies.
We never have declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. Currently, we anticipate that we will retain all available funds for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Any future determination relating to dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board and will depend on our future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, prospects, applicable Delaware law, which provides that dividends are only payable out of surplus or current net profits, and other factors that our Board deems relevant.
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The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock as of September 28, 2020 by (i) each person or group of persons known by us to beneficially own more than five percent of our common stock, (ii) each of our named executive officers, (iii) each of our directors and (iv) all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
The following table gives effect to the shares of common stock issuable within 60 days of September 28, 2020 upon the exercise of all options and other rights beneficially owned by the indicated stockholders on that date. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 promulgated under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act and includes voting and investment power with respect to shares. Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 1,108,374 shares of common stock outstanding at the close of business on September 28, 2020. Except as otherwise noted below, each person or entity named in the following table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our common stock that he, she or it beneficially owns.
Unless otherwise indicated below, the address for each beneficial owner listed is c/o 3940 Trust Way, Hayward, California 94545.
| Name of Beneficial Owner |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned |
Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned |
||||||||||
| Before Offering | After Offering | |||||||||||
| 5% or Greater Stockholders: |
||||||||||||
| Nant Capital, LLC(1) |
293,058 | 26.4 | % | 10.6 | % | |||||||
| Directors and Named Executive Officers: |
||||||||||||
| Jerel A. Banks(2) |
22,222 | 2.0 | % | * | ||||||||
| Megan Boston(3) |
5,888 | * | * | |||||||||
| J. Kevin Buchi(4) |
7,627 | * | * | |||||||||
| Peter Francis(5) |
9,704 | * | * | |||||||||
| Edward Smith |
— | * | * | |||||||||
| All Executive Officers and Directors As a Group |
45,441 | 4.1 | % | 1.6 | % | |||||||
| * | Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent of the Company’s outstanding common stock. |
| (1) | Based on the information included in the Form 3 filed by Nant Capital, LLC on April 24, 2020. Represents 195,372 shares held directly by Nant Capital, LLC and 97,686 shares of common stock held by Merrill Lynch (Australia) Nominees Pty Limited for the account of Nant Capital, LLC. The address of the principal business office of Nant Capital, LLC is 9922 Jefferson Blvd, Culver City, CA, 90232. |
| (2) | Represents stock options to acquire 22,222 that have vested or will vest within 60 days of September 28, 2020. |
| (3) | Includes 333 shares held by Boston Super Invest Pty A/C Boston Family Super that Megan Boston has sole voting power over and stock options to acquire 5,555 shares of common stock that have vested or will vest within 60 days of September 28, 2020. |
| (4) | Includes 4,827 shares of common stock and stock options to acquire 2,800 shares of common stock that have vested or will vest within 60 days of September 28, 2020. |
| (5) | Includes 4,738 shares of common stock held by the Francis Family Superannuation Fund, 300 shares held directly by Mr. Francis, and stock options to acquire 4,666 shares of common stock that have vested or will vest within 60 days of September 28, 2020. |
| (6) | Includes 10,198 shares of common stock and stock options to acquire 35,243 shares of common stock that have vested or will vest within 60 days of September 28, 2020. |
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The following description of our securities is intended as a summary only. We refer you to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, amended and restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and to the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). This description may not contain all of the information that is important to you and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, certificate of incorporation, our by-laws and the applicable provisions of the DGCL. For information on how to obtain copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, certificate of incorporation and by-laws, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”
General
Our authorized capital stock consists of 10,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. During the Re-domiciliation, all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Benitec Limited were exchanged for newly issued shares of common stock of the Company, on the basis of one share of the Company’s common stock for every 300 ordinary shares issued and outstanding. As a result of the Re-domiciliation, Benitec Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
Common Stock
Dividend Rights. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock, holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Company’s Board out of legally available funds. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of common stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate and applicable law. Declaration and payment of any dividend will be subject to the discretion of the Board. The time and amount of dividends will be dependent upon the Company’s financial condition, operations, cash requirements and availability, debt repayment obligations, capital expenditure needs, restrictions in the Company’s debt instruments, industry trends, the provisions of Delaware law affecting the payment of distributions to stockholders and any other factors the Board may consider relevant.
Voting Rights. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. The Company’s stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.
Liquidation Rights. In the event of the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of the Company’s debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any then outstanding shares of preferred stock.
Rights and Preferences. Holders of the Company’s common stock have no pre-emptive, conversion, subscription or other rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Company’s common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the Company’s common stock are subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that the Company may designate in the future.
Fully Paid and Nonassessable. All outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.
Annual Stockholder Meetings. The Certificate and Bylaws provide that annual stockholder meetings will be held at a date, place (if any) and time, as exclusively selected by the Board. To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Company may but is not obligated to conduct meetings by remote communications, including by webcast.
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Pre-Funded Warrants to be Issued as Part of this Offering
The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the pre-funded warrants that are being offered hereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the pre-funded warrant, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Prospective investors should carefully review the terms and provisions of the form of pre-funded warrant for a complete description of the terms and conditions of the pre-funded warrants.
Exercise Price and Duration. Each pre-funded warrant offered hereby will have an initial exercise price per share equal to $0.01 and will be exercisable for one share of our common stock. The pre-funded warrants will be immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time until the pre-funded warrants are exercised in full. The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock and the exercise price.
Exercisability. The pre-funded warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of shares of our common stock purchased upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below). Purchasers of the pre-funded warrants in this offering may elect to deliver their exercise notice following the pricing of the offering and prior to the issuance of the pre-funded warrants at closing to have their pre-funded warrants exercised immediately upon issuance and receive shares of common stock underlying the pre-funded warrants upon closing of this offering. A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of the pre-funded warrant to the extent that the holder would own more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of the outstanding common stock immediately after exercise, except that upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase the amount of ownership of outstanding stock after exercising the holder’s pre-funded warrants. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a pre-funded warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will round down to the next whole share.
Cashless Exercise. If, at the time a holder exercises its pre-funded warrants, a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the pre-funded warrants under the Securities Act is not then effective or available, then in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon such exercise in payment of the aggregate exercise price, the holder may elect instead to receive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) the net number of shares of common stock determined according to a formula set forth in the pre-funded warrants.
Exercise Limitation. A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of the pre-funded warrant to the extent that the holder would own more than 4.99% of the outstanding common shares immediately after exercise, except that upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase the amount of beneficial ownership of outstanding stock after exercising the holder’s pre-funded warrants up to 9.99% of the number of our common shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the pre-funded warrants. Purchasers of pre-funded warrants in this offering may also elect prior to the issuance of the pre-funded warrants to have the initial exercise limitation set at 9.99% of our outstanding common shares.
Transferability. Subject to applicable laws, a pre-funded warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the pre-funded warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.
Fractional Shares. No fractional common shares will be issued upon the exercise of the pre-funded warrants. Rather, the number of common shares to be issued will be rounded up to the nearest whole number.
Trading Market. There is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list the pre-funded warrants on any national securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants will be limited.
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Right as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the pre-funded warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, the holders of the pre-funded warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their pre-funded warrants.
Fundamental Transaction. In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the pre-funded warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding common stock, the holders of the pre-funded warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the pre-funded warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction.
Amendment and Waiver. A pre-funded warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions thereof waived with the written consent of our company and the holder of the pre-funded warrant.
Warrants
In September of 2019, Benitec Limited issued warrants for the purchase of its ADSs. In connection with the Re-domiciliation, these warrants became obligations of the Company. Currently, there are warrants outstanding for the exercise of 22,516 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $21.43 per share. The exercise price is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of certain share dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our shares of common stock and also upon any distributions of assets, including cash, stock or other property to our stockholders. The warrants are exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice and, at any time a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares warrants under the Securities Act is effective and available for the issuance of such shares (or there is an effective registration statement for the resale of such shares), by payment in full in immediately available funds for the number of shares purchased upon such exercise. If such registration statement is currently effective at the time of an exercise, the warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis. No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the exercise of a warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will round up to the next whole share or pay the holder an amount in cash equal to the fractional amount multiplied by the exercise price.
Subject to limited exceptions, holders of warrants do not have the right to exercise any portion of its warrants if the holder (together with such holder’s affiliates, and any persons acting as a group together with such holder or any of such holder’s affiliates) would beneficially own a number of ordinary shares in excess of 4.99% of the ordinary shares then outstanding after giving effect to such exercise (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”); provided, however, that, upon notice to the Company, the holder may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, provided that in no event shall the Beneficial Ownership Limitation exceed 9.99% and any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until 61 days following notice of such increase from the holder to us.
Except as otherwise provided in the warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of common stock, the holder of a warrant does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our common stock, including any voting rights, until the holder exercises the warrant. The foregoing summary of the material terms and provisions the of the warrants is qualified in its entirety by the form of warrant, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Certificate and Bylaws and DGCL
Some provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate and Bylaws could make the following transactions difficult: (i) acquisition of the Company by means of a tender offer; (ii) acquisition of the Company by means of a proxy
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contest or otherwise; or (iii) removal of incumbent officers and directors of the Company. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in the best interests of the Company, including transactions that might result in a premium over the market price for the Company’s common stock.
These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the Company to first negotiate with the Board.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute. The Company is subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits persons deemed “interested stockholders” from engaging in a “business combination” with a publicly-held Delaware corporation for three years following the date these persons become interested stockholders unless the business combination is, or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder was, approved in a prescribed manner or another prescribed exception applies. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock, and a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the Board, such as discouraging takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the market price of the Company’s common stock.
Special Stockholder Meetings. The Bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called by (i) the Chairman of the Board, if any, (ii) the President or Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors then in office.
Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals. The Bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors.
Composition of the Board of Directors; Election and Removal of Directors; Filling Vacancies
The Company’s Board consists of five directors and the Board may, from time to time, fix the authorized number of directors by resolution of the Board. The Board is divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Directors need not be stockholders of the Company.
Directors shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting of stockholders at which such director was elected. The term of each director shall continue until the election and qualification of his or her successor and be subject to his or her earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL, the Certificate or the Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by a duly authorized and executed proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.
Subject to applicable law or by the Certificate, any director of the entire Board of the Company may be removed without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the holders of the Company’s then-outstanding common stock entitled to vote generally at an election of directors. Furthermore, any vacancy on the Company’s Board, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the size of the board, may be filled only by a majority vote of the Board then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director.
Amendment of the Certificate and Bylaws. The Certificate may be amended in any manner permitted under the DGCL and the Bylaws may be amended by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote. The Board may also amend the Bylaws, other than a bylaw or amendment thereof specifying or changing a fixed number of directors or the maximum or minimum number or changing from a fixed to a variable board or vice versa.
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Limitations of Liability and Indemnification Matters
Each of the Certificate and Bylaws provide that the Company is required to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by Delaware law. The Bylaws also obligates the Company to advance expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision, from which there is no further right to appeal, that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses.
To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, or any other applicable law, the Company, upon approval by the Board, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to the Bylaws.
Forum for Adjudication of Disputes
The Certificate provides that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) derivative actions or proceedings brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (iii) an action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be a state or federal court located within the state of Delaware. The Certificate further provides that the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for the Company’s common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 250 Royall St., Canton, Massachusetts 02021. Listing. Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “BNTC.”
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MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK AND PRE-FUNDED WARRANTS
The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations to U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders (each as defined below and, together “Holders”) of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock and pre-funded warrants that are issued pursuant to this offering. This does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects to Holders of purchasing, owning or disposing our common stock or pre-funded warrants. The effects of other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and any applicable state, local or foreign tax laws are not included in this discussion, and Holders should consult their own tax advisors as to these matters. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), final, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions and administrative pronouncements of the IRS, in effect as of the date of this offering. These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any such change may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a Holder. We have not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not take or that a court will not uphold a contrary position regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock and pre-funded warrants.
This discussion is limited to Holders that hold our common stock and pre-funded warrants as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a Holder’s particular circumstances. In addition, it does not address consequences relevant to Holders subject to special rules, including, without limitation:
| • | banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions; |
| • | real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, and other entities treated as conduits for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| • | brokers, dealers or traders in securities; |
| • | Holders who are subject to the mark-to-market accounting rules under Section 475 of the Code; |
| • | “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies” and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax; |
| • | partnerships or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| • | tax-exempt organizations and governmental organizations or agencies; |
| • | Holders who hold or receive our common stock or pre-funded warrants pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation; |
| • | tax-qualified retirement plans; |
| • | “qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds; |
| • | U.S. expatriates and certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States; |
| • | U.S. Holders whose functional currency is not the United States dollar; |
| • | Holders deemed to sell the our common stock or pre-funded warrants under the constructive sale provisions of the Code; |
| • | Holders for whom our common stock and pre-funded warrants constitute “qualified small business stock” within the meaning of Section 1202 of the Code; |
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| • | Holders subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to the stock being taken into account in an “applicable financial statement” (as defined in the Code); |
| • | Holders holding our common stock or pre-funded warrants as part of a hedge, straddle or other risk reduction strategy or as part of a conversion transaction or other integrated investment; and |
| • | Holders subject to the alternative minimum tax. |
If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common stock or pre-funded warrants, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, partnerships holding our common stock or pre-funded warrants and the partners in such partnerships should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them.
THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED AS TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK OR PRE-FUNDED WARRANTS ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.
Characterization of the Pre-funded Warrants
Although the characterization of the pre-funded warrants for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not entirely clear, because the exercise price of the pre-funded warrants is a nominal amount, the Company expects to treat the pre-funded warrants as common stock of the Company for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Except where noted, the remainder of this discussion assumes that the pre-funded warrants will be so treated. Each Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the proper characterization of the pre-funded warrants for U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S. tax purposes, and the consequences to them of such treatment given their individual circumstances. Some portions of the below discussion make reference to potential consequences associated with the purchase, ownership and disposition of the pre-funded warrants independent of their potential characterization as common shares.
U.S. Holders
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is any beneficial owner of Securities that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| • | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| • | a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; |
| • | an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or |
| • | a trust that (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and the control of one or more U.S. persons (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), or (ii) has made a valid election under applicable Treasury Regulations to continue to be treated as a U.S. person. |
If you are not a U.S. Holder, this section does not apply to you. Please see the discussion under “Non-U.S. Holders” below.
Distributions on Common Stock
As described in the section captioned “Dividend Policy,” we do not anticipate declaring or paying distributions to Holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, distributions, if any, on our
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common stock generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles.
Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the common stock and will be treated as described under “U.S. Holders—Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock, Warrants or Pre-funded Warrants” below.
Dividends we pay to a U.S. Holder that is a taxable corporation generally will qualify for the dividends received deduction if the requisite holding period is satisfied. With certain exceptions (including, but not limited to, dividends treated as investment income for purposes of investment interest deduction limitations), and provided the common shares are held for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex- dividend date and certain other holding period requirements are met, dividends we pay to a non-corporate U.S. Holder generally will constitute “qualified dividends” that will be subject to tax at the maximum tax rate accorded to long-term capital gains. Dividends paid by us will generally be treated as income from U.S. sources. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the holding period and other requirements that must be satisfied in order to qualify for the reduced maximum tax rate on dividends.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock or Pre-funded Warrants
Upon a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common stock or pre-funded warrants, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock or pre-funded warrant, as the case may be. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock generally will equal the U.S. Holder’s acquisition cost of such security less, in the case of common stock (and potentially a pre-funded warrant) and as described further above, the amount of any prior distributions treated as a return of capital on such stock. If a U.S. Holder purchases or sells common stock and/or pre-funded warrants together in a single transaction in which the purchase price for each of the common stock and/or pre-funded warrants was not separately stated, the U.S. Holder generally would be required to allocate the purchase price among the subject securities so acquired or disposed of, as applicable, based on the relative fair market values of each (at the time of the acquisition or disposition, as applicable). U.S. Holders who purchase or sell common stock and/or pre-funded warrants in a single transaction should consult with their tax advisors regarding such allocation.
Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common stock or pre-funded warrants disposed of exceeds one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders will be eligible to be taxed at reduced rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Exercise of a Pre-funded Warrant
A U.S. Holder generally will not recognize taxable gain or loss on the acquisition of common stock upon exercise of a pre-funded warrant. The U.S. Holder’s aggregate tax basis in the share of our common stock received upon exercise of a pre-funded warrant generally will be an amount equal to the sum of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the pre-funded warrant prior to exercise and the warrant’s exercise price. Provided that a pre-funded warrant is treated as our common stock, a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common stock received upon exercise of a warrant will include the holding period for the pre-funded warrant. On the other hand, if the pre-funded warrant is treated as an option to purchase our stock, a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common stock received upon exercise of a warrant will begin on the date following the date of exercise of the warrant and will not include the period during which the U.S. Holder held the warrant.
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A U.S. Holder may be permitted to undertake a cashless exercise of pre-funded warrants into our common stock. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise is unclear, and the tax consequences of a cashless exercise could differ from the consequences of an exercise described above. For example, the cashless exercise could be treated as a taxable disposition of a portion of the Warrants or the common shares into which they are exercisable. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a cashless exercise.
Certain Adjustments to the Pre-funded Warrants and Payments in Respect of the Pre-funded Warrants
Under Section 305 of the Code, an adjustment to the number of shares of common stock that will be issued on the exercise of the pre-funded warrants, or an adjustment to the exercise price of the pre-funded warrants, may be treated as a constructive distribution to a U.S. Holder of the pre-funded warrants if, and to the extent that, such adjustment has the effect of increasing such U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in our “earnings and profits” or assets, depending on the circumstances of such adjustment (for example, if such adjustment is to compensate for a distribution of cash or other property to our shareholders). Adjustments to the exercise price of pre-funded warrants made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing dilution of the interest of the U.S. Holder of the pre-funded warrants generally should not be considered to result in a constructive distribution. Any constructive distribution would be treated as a dividend, return of capital or capital gain as described under the heading “U.S. Holder—Distributions on Common Stock” above, and could be taxable whether or not there is an actual distribution of cash or other property. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the proper treatment of any adjustments to and payments in respect of pre-funded warrants.
Net investment income tax
An additional 3.8% tax is imposed on the “net investment income” of non-corporate U.S. Holders, and on the undistributed “net investment income” of certain estates and trusts. Among other items, “net investment income” generally includes dividends paid on our common stock and certain net gain from the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock and pre-funded warrants, less certain deductions. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the potential effect, if any, of this tax on holding our common stock and pre-funded warrants in such U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances.
Backup withholding and information reporting
For non-corporate U.S. Holders, information reporting requirements, on IRS Form 1099, generally will apply to:
| • | dividend payments or other taxable distributions on our common stock and pre-funded warrants made to the non-corporate U.S. Holder within the United States or by a United States payor; and |
| • | the payment of proceeds to the non-corporate U.S. Holder from the sale of a share of common stock or pre-funded warrants effected at a United States office of a broker or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries. |
Additionally, backup withholding may apply to such payments if the non-corporate U.S. Holder:
| • | fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number; |
| • | is notified by the IRS that it has failed to report all interest and dividends required to be shown on its U.S. federal income tax returns; or |
| • | in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements. |
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Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-corporate U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (if any), provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding and the availability of and procedure for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding in their particular circumstances.
Non-U.S. Holders
For purposes of this discussion, a Non-U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of our common stock or pre-funded warrants that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is neither a U.S. Holder (as defined above) nor a partnership or other pass-through entity. If you are not a Non-U.S. Holder, this section does not apply to you.
Distributions on Common Stock
As described in the section captioned “Dividend Policy,” we do not anticipate declaring or paying distributions to Holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, distributions, if any, on our common stock in cash will generally constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Amounts not treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital and first be applied against and reduce a Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common stock, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as capital gain and will be treated as described below under “Non-U.S. Holders—Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock or Pre-Funded Warrants.”
Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding and payments made to certain foreign accounts, dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder of our common stock (including constructive distributions treated as a dividend) that are not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty).
Non-U.S. Holders may be entitled to a reduction in or an exemption from withholding on dividends as a result of either (i) qualifying for the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty or (ii) the Non-U.S. Holder holding our common stock in connection with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States and dividends being paid in connection with that trade or business. To claim such a reduction in or exemption from withholding, the Non-U.S. Holder must provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed (i) IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or applicable successor form) claiming an exemption from or reduction of the withholding tax under the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty, (ii) IRS Form W-8ECI (or applicable successor form) stating that the dividends are effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business within the United States, or (iii) a suitable substitute form, as may be applicable. These certifications must be provided to the applicable withholding agent prior to the payment of dividends and must be updated periodically. Non-U.S. Holders that do not timely provide the applicable withholding agent with the required certification, but that qualify for a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding and payments made to certain foreign accounts, if dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (or, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such dividends are attributable), then, although generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax (provided the Non-U.S. Holder provides appropriate certification, as described above), the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such dividends on a net income basis at the regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder that is or is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on
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its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year that are attributable to such dividends, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under any applicable income tax treaty.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock or Pre-funded Warrants
Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding and payments made to certain foreign accounts, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain recognized upon the sale or other taxable disposition of a share of our common stock or pre-funded warrants unless:
| • | the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (or, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such gain is attributable); |
| • | the Non-U.S. Holder is a non-resident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition and certain other requirements are met; or |
| • | we are or have been a “U.S. real property holding corporation,” or USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the period that the Non-U.S. Holder held the common stock or pre-funded warrants. |
Gain described in the first bullet point above will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a foreign corporation also may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on a portion of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items.
A Non-U.S. Holder described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on any gain derived from the sale or other taxable disposition, which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses of the Non-U.S. Holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States) provided the Non-U.S. Holder timely files U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.
With respect to the third bullet point above, we believe that we are not, and do not anticipate that we will become, a USRPHC.
The method of determining the amount of gain by a Non-U.S. Holder on disposition of the common stock or pre-funded warrants generally will correspond to the method of determining the amount of gain (or loss) by a U.S. Holder on disposition of the common stock or pre-funded warrants, as described under “U.S. Holders—Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock or Pre-funded Warrants” above. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding potentially applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules, and the potential application of other exceptions to these taxes.
Exercise of a Pre-funded Warrant
For certain Non-U.S. Holders engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the exercise of a pre-funded warrant, generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the exercise of a pre-funded warrant by a U.S. Holder, as described under “U.S. Holders — Exercise of a Pre-funded Warrant” above. For all other Non-U.S. holders, the exercise of a pre-funded warrant generally will not be a U.S. taxable event.
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Certain Adjustments to the Pre-funded Warrants and Payments in Respect of the Pre-funded Warrants
Under Section 305 of the Code, an adjustment to the number of shares of common stock that will be issued on the exercise of the pre-funded warrants, or an adjustment to the exercise price of the pre-funded warrants, may be treated as a constructive distribution to a Non-U.S. Holder of the pre-funded warrants if, and to the extent that, such adjustment has the effect of increasing such Non-U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in our “earnings and profits” or assets, depending on the circumstances of such adjustment (for example, if such adjustment is to compensate for a distribution of cash or other property to our shareholders). Adjustments to the exercise price of pre-funded warrants made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing dilution of the interest of the Non-U.S. Holder of the pre-funded warrants generally should not be considered to result in a constructive distribution. Any constructive distribution would be treated as a dividend, return of capital or capital gain as described under the heading “Non-U.S. Holders—Distributions on Common Stock” above, and could be taxable whether or not there is an actual distribution of cash or other property.
In addition, regulations governing “dividend equivalents” under Section 871(m) of the Code may apply to the pre-funded warrants. Under those regulations, an implicit or explicit payment under the pre-funded warrants that references a dividend distribution on our common stock (including an adjustment to the amount due on the pre-funded warrant to take into account a dividend distribution on our common stock) would be taxable to a Non-U.S. Holder as described under the heading “Non-U.S. Holders—Distributions on Common Stock” above. Such dividend equivalent amount would be taxable and subject to withholding whether or not there is actual payment of cash or other property, and the Company may satisfy any withholding obligations it has in respect of the pre-funded warrants by withholding from other amounts due to the Holder. Non-U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of Section 871(m) of the Code to the pre-funded warrants.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Subject to the discussion below regarding payments made to certain foreign accounts, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments of dividends on our common stock we make to the Non-U.S. Holder, provided the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know such Holder is a U.S. person and the Holder certifies its non-U.S. status by providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, or other applicable certification (or applicable successor form), or otherwise establishes an exception. However, information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with any dividends or other distributions on our common stock paid to the Non-U.S. Holder (including constructive distributions), regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. Copies of these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides or is established.
Information reporting and backup withholding may apply to the proceeds of a sale of a share of our common stock or pre-funded warrants within the United States, and information reporting may (although backup withholding will generally not) apply to the proceeds of the sale of a share of our common stock or pre-funded warrants outside the United States conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, in each case, unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a Non-U.S. person on IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form or successor form (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a U.S. person) or otherwise establishes an exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (if any), provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding and the availability of and procedure for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding in their particular circumstances.
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Additional Withholding Tax on Payments Made to Foreign Accounts
Withholding taxes may be imposed under the provisions of the law generally known as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, on certain types of payments made to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends (including constructive dividends) paid on our common stock or pre-funded warrants, or (subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below) gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock or pre-funded warrants paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless (i) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (ii) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial U.S. owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial U.S. owner, or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in (i) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain “specified U.S. persons” or “U.S.-owned foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts and withhold 30% on payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, or future Treasury Regulations or other guidance, may modify these requirements.
Under the applicable Treasury Regulations and guidance from the IRS, withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends (including constructive dividends) on our common stock or pre-funded warrants. The FATCA withholding tax will apply to all withholdable payments without regard to whether the beneficial owner of the payment would otherwise be entitled to an exemption from imposition of withholding tax pursuant to an applicable tax treaty with the United States or U.S. domestic law. We will not pay additional amounts to Holders of our common stock or pre-funded warrants in respect of any amounts withheld. While withholding under FATCA would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock or pre-funded warrants on or after January 1, 2019, proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued.
Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of withholding under FATCA to their investment in our common stock and pre-funded warrants.
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We have entered into an underwriting agreement with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, as underwriter, with respect to the securities being offered hereby. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriter and the underwriter has agreed to purchase from us, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, shares of our common stock and pre-funded warrants.
Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriter named below, and the underwriter has agreed to purchase from us, the respective number of shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants set forth opposite its name below:
| Underwriter |
Number of Shares of Common Stock |
Number of Pre- funded Warrants |
||||||
| H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC |
||||||||
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligation of the underwriter to purchase the shares of common stock and/or pre-funded warrants offered by this prospectus is subject to certain conditions. The underwriter is obligated to purchase all of the shares of common stock and/or pre-funded warrants if any of the securities are purchased, other than those shares covered by the option to purchase additional securities described below. Delivery of the shares of common stock and any pre-funded warrants to purchasers is expected on or about , 2020, subject to satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions.
Option to Purchase Additional Securities
We have granted to the underwriter an option, exercisable not later than 30 days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an additional shares of common stock at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The underwriter may exercise its option to acquire additional shares for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments. If any additional shares of common stock are purchased pursuant to such option, the underwriter will offer these securities on the same terms as those on which the securities are being offered hereby.
Discounts, Commissions and Expenses
The underwriter proposes to offer the shares of common stock and/or pre-funded warrants pursuant to the underwriting agreement to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to certain dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $ per share or per pre-funded warrant. After this offering, the public offering price and concession may be changed by the underwriter. No such change shall change the amount of proceeds to be received by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
In connection with the sale of the common stock and/or pre-funded warrants to be purchased by the underwriter, the underwriter will be deemed to have received compensation in the form of underwriting commissions and discounts. The underwriter’s commissions and discounts will be 8% of the gross proceeds of this offering, or $ per share of common stock or per pre-funded warrant.
The following table shows underwriting discounts and commissions payable to the underwriter by us in connection with this offering:
| Per Share | Per Pre-Funded Warrant |
Total without Option |
Total with Option |
|||||||||||||
| Public offering price |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| Underwriting discounts and commissions |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
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We have also agreed to pay H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC an expense allowance consisting of (a) a management fee equal to 1.0% of the gross proceeds raised in the offering, (b) $50,000 for non-accountable expenses, (c) up to $100,000 for fees and expenses of legal counsel and other out-of-pocket expenses and (d) $12,900 clearing fees. We estimate the total expenses payable by us for this offering will be approximately $263,000, which amount excludes underwriting discounts and commissions.
Right of First Refusal
We have also agreed, subject to certain conditions, to give the underwriter a twelve-month right of first refusal from the closing of the offering, to act (i) as our exclusive financial advisor if we decide to dispose of or acquire business units or acquire any of our outstanding securities out of the ordinary course or make any exchange or tender offer or enter into a merger, consolidation or other business combination or any recapitalization, reorganization, restructuring or other similar transaction and we decide to retain a financial advisor for such transaction; (ii) as sole book-runner, sole manager, sole placement agent or sole agent with respect to any financing or refinancing of any indebtedness using a manager or agent; or (iii) as sole book-running manager, sole underwriter or sole placement agent if we to raise funds by means of a public offering (including at-the-market facility) or a private placement or any other capital-raising financing of equity, equity-linked or debt securities using an underwriter or placement agent, in each case during such period.
Indemnification
Pursuant to the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to indemnify the underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments that the underwriter or such other indemnified parties may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
Determination of Offering Price
The actual offering price of the securities we are offering will be negotiated between us and the underwriter based on the trading of our shares of common stock prior to the offering, among other things.
Lock-Up Agreements
We, and each of our directors and executive officers, have entered into lock-up agreements that prevent us or them from selling any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable into shares of common stock, subject to certain exceptions, for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement. The underwriter, in its sole discretion, may release shares of common stock and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time. When determining whether or not to release the shares of common stock and other securities from lock-up agreements, the underwriter will consider, among other factors, the holder’s reasons for requesting the release and the number of shares of common stock or other securities for which the release is being requested.
We have also agreed, in the underwriting agreement, to a restriction on the issuance of any variable priced securities for 12 months following the closing of this offering, except that, after the 90th day following the date of the underwriting agreement we may enter into an at-the-market offering with the underwriter.
Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids
The underwriter may engage in syndicate covering transactions, stabilizing transactions and penalty bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of our shares of common stock:
| • | Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Such a naked short position would be closed out by buying securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the |
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| underwriter is concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. |
| • | Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specific maximum. |
| • | Penalty bids permit the underwriter to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. |
These syndicate covering transactions, stabilizing transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market prices of our securities or preventing or retarding a decline in the market prices of our securities. As a result, the price of our shares of common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. Neither we nor the underwriter make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our shares of common stock. These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq Global Market, in the over-the-counter market or on any other trading market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
In connection with this offering, the underwriter also may engage in passive market making transactions in our shares of common stock in accordance with Regulation M during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of our shares of common stock in this offering and extending through the completion of the distribution. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid that bid must then be lowered when specific purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
Neither we nor the underwriter make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the prices of our securities. In addition, neither we nor the underwriter make any representation that the underwriter will engage in these transactions or that any transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Securities
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by the underwriter, if any, participating in this offering and the underwriter may distribute prospectuses electronically. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on these websites is not part of this prospectus supplement or the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, has not been approved or endorsed by us or the underwriter, and should not be relied upon by investors.
Other Relationships
From time to time, the underwriter and its affiliates have provided, and may provide in the future, various advisory, investment and commercial banking and other services to us in the ordinary course of business, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions.
Selling Restrictions
European Economic Area
In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area (the “EEA”) that has implemented the Prospectus Regulation (as defined below) (each, a “Relevant Member State”), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Regulation is implemented in that Relevant Member State, an offer of securities described in this prospectus may not be made to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:
| • | to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation; |
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| • | by the placement agents to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Regulation), as permitted under the Prospectus Regulation, subject to obtaining the prior consent of H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC for any such offer; or |
| • | in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation; |
| • | provided that no such offer of securities shall require us or any placement agent to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation. |
For purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of securities to the public” in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the securities, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.
We have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of securities through any financial intermediary on its behalf, other than offers made by the placement agents with a view to the final placement of the securities as contemplated in this prospectus. Accordingly, no purchaser of the securities is authorized to make any further offer of the securities on behalf of us or the placement agents.
The EEA selling restriction is in addition to any other selling restrictions set out in this prospectus.
United Kingdom
This prospectus is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (each such person being referred to as a “relevant person”). This prospectus and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other person in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.
Canada
Our securities may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of our securities must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if the prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriter is not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
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Israel
This document does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, or the Securities Law, and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In Israel, this prospectus is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer of the ordinary shares is directed only at (i) a limited number of persons in accordance with the Israeli Securities Law and (ii) investors listed in the first addendum (“the Addendum”) to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds, provident funds, insurance companies, banks, portfolio managers, investment advisors, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, underwriters, venture capital funds, entities with equity in excess of NIS 50 million and “qualified individuals,” each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time), collectively referred to as qualified investors (in each case, purchasing for their own account or, where permitted under the Addendum, for the accounts of their clients who are investors listed in the Addendum). Qualified investors are required to submit written confirmation that they fall within the scope of the Addendum, are aware of the meaning of same and agree to it.
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The validity of the securities offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Proskauer Rose LLP, Los Angeles, California. Lowenstein Sandler LLP, New York, New York, is acting as counsel for the underwriter in connection with this offering.
The consolidated financial statements of Benitec Biopharma Limited as of June 30, 2019 and for the year then ended incorporated by reference in this registration statement, have been audited by Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd, an independent registered public accounting firm, in reliance on such report given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The consolidated financial statements of Benitec Biopharma Inc. as of June 30, 2020 and for the year then ended incorporated by reference in this registration statement, have been audited by Squar Milner LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, in reliance on such report given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
CHANGE IN AUDITOR
As previously disclosed, on June 5, 2020, the Audit Committee approved the engagement of Squar Milner LLP (“Squar Milner”) to serve as the Company’s registered public accounting firm for the Company’s fiscal year ended June 30, 2020. Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd (“Grant Thornton”) had been engaged as Benitec Limited’s independent registered public accounting firm for the periods ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2019. On August 14, 2020, Grant Thornton completed its audit of Benitec Limited’s financial statements for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Upon the completion of Grant Thornton’s audit for such periods on August 14, 2020, Grant Thornton’s engagement was completed, and Squar Milner became, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
Prior to the Re-domiciliation, Grant Thornton acted as the independent registered public accounting firm of Benitec Limited. The financial statements for Benitec Limited for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 were prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. The audit reports of Grant Thornton on the financial statements of Benitec Limited prepared in accordance with IFRS, and on the financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, in each case as of and for the years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to going concern, uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.
During the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, and in the subsequent period through August 14, 2020, there were (i) no disagreements with Grant Thornton on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Grant Thornton, would have caused them to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in their audit reports, and (ii) no “reportable events,” as such term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
The Company has provided Grant Thornton with a copy of the disclosure set forth in this section and requested that Grant Thornton furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agrees with the statements made herein, each as required by applicable SEC rules. A copy of Grant Thornton’s letter, dated August 14, 2020, is attached hereto as Exhibit 16.1.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information with respect to us and the securities offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and as such we refer you to the full text of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. A copy of the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed therewith may be inspected without charge at the public reference room maintained by the SEC, located at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of all or any part of the registration statement may be obtained from such offices upon the payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference room. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The Internet address is www.sec.gov.
We are subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and we file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These periodic reports, proxy statements and other information are available for inspection and copying at the public reference room and website of the SEC referred to above. We maintain a website at www.benitec.com. You may access our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act with the SEC free of charge at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Prior to the Re-domiciliation, Benitec Limited was a “foreign private issuer.” Information concerning Benitec Limited, including its annual reports on Form 20-F and current reports on Form 6-K, is also available free of charge on our website. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference in, and is not part of, this prospectus, and any references to such website or any other website are inactive textual references only. You may also request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing us at 3940 Trust Way, Hayward, California 94545 or info@benitec.com or telephoning us at (510) 780-0819.
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC permits us to “incorporate by reference” the information contained in documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents rather than by including them in this prospectus. Information that is incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus and you should read it with the same care that you read this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information that is either contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus, and will be considered to be a part of this prospectus from the date those documents are filed.
We incorporate by reference the following documents listed below (excluding any document or portion thereof to the extent such disclosure is furnished and not filed):
| • | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, filed with the SEC on September 23, 2020; and |
| • | Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 18, 2020, and our amended Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on August 19, 2020. |
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We also incorporate by reference all documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are made after the initial filing date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part until this offering has been completed. All filings from the date of the initial registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the prospectus. We are not, however, incorporating, in each case, any documents or information that we are deemed to furnish and not file in accordance with SEC rules.
You may request and obtain a copy of any of the filings incorporated herein by reference, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or phone number:
Benitec Biopharma Inc.
3940 Trust Way
Hayward, California 94545
(510) 780-0819
info@benitec.com
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1,666,666 Shares of Common Stock
Pre-funded Warrants to Purchase 1,666,666 Shares of Common Stock
1,666,666 Shares of Common Stock underlying the Pre-funded Warrants
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
H.C. Wainwright & Co.
, 2020
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
| Item 13. | Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution |
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the registrant in connection with the sale of common stock and pre-funded warrants being registered. All amounts are estimates except for the SEC registration fee and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, filing fee.
| Item |
Amount to be paid |
|||
| SEC registration fee |
$ | 2,791 | ||
| FINRA filing fee |
3,725 | |||
| Printing and engraving expenses |
5,000 | |||
| Legal fees and expenses |
300,000 | |||
| Accounting fees and expenses |
125,000 | |||
| Transfer agent fees and expenses |
10,000 | |||
| Miscellaneous fees and expenses |
13,484 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total |
$ | 460,000 | ||
|
|
|
|||
| Item 14. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers |
We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his or her duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation has the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes a provision to eliminate the personal liability of our directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, subject to certain exceptions. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that we are required to indemnify our officers and directors under certain circumstances, including those circumstances in which indemnification would otherwise be discretionary, and we are required to advance expenses to our officers and directors as incurred in connection with proceedings against them for which they may be indemnified.
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We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers. These indemnification agreements are not intended to deny or otherwise limit third-party or derivative suits against us or our directors or officers, but to the extent a director or officer were entitled to indemnity or contribution under our bylaws, the financial burden of a third-party suit would be borne by us, and we would not benefit from derivative recoveries against the director or officer. Such recoveries would accrue to our benefit but would be offset by our obligations to the director or officer under the indemnification agreement.
The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriter is obligated, under certain circumstances, to indemnify our directors, officers and controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Reference is made to the form of underwriting agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 hereto.
We maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for the benefit of our directors and officers.
| Item 15. | Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities |
Over the past three years, the Company and Benitec Limited have issued and sold to third parties the securities listed below without registering the securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). None of these transactions involved any public offering. All the securities listed below were sold through private placement either (i) outside the United States or (ii) in the United States to a limited number of investors in transactions not involving any public offering. As discussed below, we believe that each issuance of these securities was exempt from, or not subject to, registration under the Securities Act.
On June 4, 2018, Benitec Limited issued 36,442,672 ordinary shares (which were converted to 121,475 shares of common stock as part of the Re-domiciliation) to existing shareholders. The shares were priced at A$0.17 per share. This issuance was exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Regulation S.
On September 30, 2019, Benitec Limited entered into a securities purchase agreement (“SPA”) with certain sophisticated and professional investors in the United States to issue 2,800,000 American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), with each ADS representing 20 fully paid ordinary shares (which were converted to 186,666 shares of common stock as part of the Re-domiciliation), at a purchase price of US$0.70 per ADS, in a registered direct offering. The Investors were also issued warrants to purchase up to 412,890 ADSs (representing 27,526 shares of common stock after the Re-domiciliation) in aggregate, at a purchase price per warrant equal to US$0.6999 per ADS to be issued on exercise of the warrant (“Pre-Funded Warrants”). The Pre-Funded Warrants were exercisable at any time from issue, in whole or in part, at an exercise price of US$0.0001 per ADS issued on exercise (subject to certain adjustments), provided that the beneficial ownership of the relevant Investor in the total number of ADSs on issue not exceed 9.99%. The Pre-Funded Warrants have all been exercised. This issuance was exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2).
On April 15, 2020, the Company completed the Re-domiciliation. In connection with the Re-domiciliation, Benitec issued 1,070,957 shares of common stock, on the basis of one share of common stock for every 300 ordinary shares of Benitec Limited issued and outstanding prior to the Re-domiciliation. The Re-domiciliation was effected pursuant to a statutory scheme of arrangement under Australian law (the “Scheme”). The issuance of Benitec’s shares of common stock in the Scheme was exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 3(a)(10).
On April 22, 2020, Benitec issued 37,417 shares of common stock in connection with a cashless exercise of warrants exercisable for 107,095 shares of common stock. The issuance was exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 3(a)(9).
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| Item 16. | Exhibits and financial statement schedules |
| (a) | Exhibits |
The exhibits to the registration statement are listed in the Exhibit Index to this registration statement and are incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 17. | Undertakings |
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(5) That for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering
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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.
(6) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to any charter provision, by law or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(7) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(i) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration
statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof;
(ii) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(I) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and
(iii) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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| Exhibit |
Exhibit | |
| 23.1 | Consent of Squar Milner LLP | |
| 23.2 | ||
| 23.3 | Consent of Proskauer Rose LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) | |
| 24.1** | Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereto) | |
| * | To be filed by amendment. |
| ** | Previously filed. |
| † | Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan. |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-1 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Hayward, State of California, on October 1, 2020.
| BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Dr. Jerel Banks | |
| Dr. Jerel Banks Chief Executive Officer | ||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement on Form S-1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||||
| /s/ Dr. Jerel Banks Dr. Jerel Banks |
Chief Executive Officer, Director (principal executive officer) |
October 1, 2020 | ||||
| /s/ * Megan Boston |
Executive Director, Director (principal accounting and financial officer) |
October 1, 2020 | ||||
| /s/ * J. Kevin Buchi |
Director | October 1, 2020 | ||||
| /s/ * Peter Francis |
Director | October 1, 2020 | ||||
| /s/ * Edward Smith |
Director | October 1, 2020 | ||||
| *By: |
/s/ Dr. Jerel Banks Dr. Jerel Banks Attorney-in-fact |
|||||
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Exhibit 1.1
[ ] Shares of Common Stock
and
Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase [ ] Shares of Common Stock
Benitec Biopharma Inc.
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
[ ], 2020
H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC
430 Park Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Benitec Biopharma Inc. a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (the “Underwriter”) an aggregate of (i) [ ] shares (the “Firm Shares”) of the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”) and (ii) pre-funded warrants to purchase [ ] shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share (the “Pre-Funded Warrants” and, collectively with the Firm Shares, the “Firm Securities”). The amount and form of the Firm Securities to be purchased by the Underwriter is set forth opposite its name on Schedule I hereto. The Company also proposes to sell to the Underwriter, at the option of the Underwriter, up to an additional [ ] shares of Common Stock (the “Option Shares” or the “Option Securities”). The Firm Shares and the Option Shares are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Shares”; the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants are referred to herein as the “Warrant Shares”; and the Firm Securities, the Option Securities and the Warrant Shares are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Securities”. The terms of the Pre-Funded Warrants are set forth in the form of Pre-Funded Warrant attached hereto as Exhibit 1.
The Company confirms as follows its agreements with the Underwriter.
1. (a) The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Underwriter that, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any:
(i) A registration statement of the Company on Form S-1 (File No. 333-246314) in respect of the Securities and one or more pre-effective amendments thereto (collectively, the “Initial Registration Statement”) have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”); the Initial Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, each in the form heretofore delivered to you, have been declared effective by the Commission in such form; other than a registration statement, if any, increasing the size of the offering (a “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement”), filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), which became effective upon filing, no other document with respect to the Initial Registration Statement has heretofore been filed with the Commission (other than documents filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act (as defined below) and incorporated by reference into the Initial Registration Statement); no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, has been issued, no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened by the Commission and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information from the Company has been satisfied in all material respects; any preliminary prospectus included in the Initial Registration Statement, as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act is hereinafter called a “Preliminary Prospectus”; the various parts of the Initial Registration Statement and the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, including (i) all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, (ii) all schedules and exhibits thereto and (iii) the information contained in the form of final prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act and deemed by virtue of Rule 430A under the Securities Act to be part of the Initial Registration Statement at the time it was declared effective or such part of the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, became or hereafter becomes effective, each as amended at the time such part of the Initial Registration Statement became effective, are hereinafter collectively called the “Registration Statement”; the Preliminary Prospectus relating to the Securities that
was included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the Applicable Time (as defined in Section 1(a)(iii) hereof) is hereinafter called the “Pricing Prospectus”; such final prospectus, in the form first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, is hereinafter called the “Prospectus”; and any “issuer free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act relating to the Securities is hereinafter called an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”; and all references to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”). From the time of initial filing of the Initial Registration Statement with the Commission (or, if earlier, the first date on which the Company engaged directly or through any person authorized to act on its behalf in any Testing-the-Waters Communication) through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act (an “Emerging Growth Company”). Any reference to “amend”, “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, the Rule 462 Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus, the Initial Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package (as defined below) or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents filed after the effective date of the Initial Registration Statement, the Registration Statement or the Rule 462 Registration Statement or the date of such Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Exchange Act”) that are deemed to be incorporated by reference therein. “Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the Securities Act;
(ii) (1) at the respective times the Initial Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto became effective and at the Closing Date (as defined herein) (and, if any Option Shares are purchased, at each Option Closing Date) (as defined herein)), the Initial Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (the “Rules and Regulations”) and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and (2) at the time the Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto were issued and at the Closing Date (and, if any Option Shares are purchased, at each Option Closing Date), neither the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the representations and warranties in clauses (1) and (2) above shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by the Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, it being understood and agreed that the only such information provided by the Underwriter is that described as such in Section 9(b) hereof. No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus has been issued by the Commission;
Each Preliminary Prospectus, Pricing Prospectus, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus filed as part of the Initial Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, complied when so filed in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and each Preliminary Prospectus, Pricing Prospectus, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriter for use in connection with this offering was identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T;
(iii) For the purposes of this Agreement, the “Applicable Time” is [ : ] [a/p].m. (Eastern time) on the date of this Agreement; the Pricing Prospectus as supplemented by the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, issued at or prior to the Applicable Time and by the Written Testing-the-Waters Communications (as hereinafter defined), together with the information set forth in Schedule I hereto, taken together (collectively, the “Pricing Disclosure Package”) as of the Applicable Time, did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, if any, and/or Written Testing-the-Waters Communication listed on Schedule II hereto does not conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus and each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and/or Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, as supplemented by and taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package as of the Applicable Time, did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or
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omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements or omissions made in an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Written Testing-the-Waters Communication in reliance upon and in conformity with the information furnished in writing to the Company by the Underwriter expressly for use therein;
(iv) The Company’s predecessor, Benitec Biopharma Ltd. (the “Predecessor”), has filed a registration statement pursuant to the Exchange Act and such registration statement has been declared effective, and the Company is the successor issuer to the Predecessor and the Common Stock is deemed to be registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act; the Company is not, and at the time of filing the Initial Registration Statement, was not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined under Rule 405 under the Securities Act;
(v) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries (each a “Subsidiary”) has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation or other entity in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction or organization, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as currently being carried on and as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and, in the case of the Company, to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Pre-Funded Warrants, and have been duly qualified as a foreign corporation or other entity for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such qualification, except where the failure to so qualify or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the general affairs, business, prospects, management, properties, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a “Material Adverse Effect”);
(vi) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Pricing Prospectus, and all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and conform to the descriptions thereof contained in the Pricing Prospectus; and none of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are subject to any preemptive or similar rights granted by the Company;
(vii) The Securities which may be issued and sold by the Company to the Underwriter hereunder have been duly authorized and, when issued, delivered and paid for by the Underwriter in accordance with the terms of this Agreement will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable and will conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Prospectus; and, except as otherwise stated in the Registration Statement, in the Pricing Disclosure Package and in the Prospectus, the issuance of such Securities is not subject to any preemptive or similar rights granted by the Company; the Warrant Shares, when issued, paid for and delivered upon due exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants will be duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear from any preemptive or similar rights, and will be issued in compliance with all applicable securities laws. The Warrant Shares have been reserved for issuance.
(viii) This Agreement and the Pre-Funded Warrants, as applicable, have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and is enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally or subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and except as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under foreign, federal or state securities laws. When issued, the Pre-Funded Warrants will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, including to issue and sell, upon exercise thereof and payment of the respective exercise prices therefor, the number and type of securities of the Company called for thereby in accordance with the terms thereof, and such Pre-Funded Warrants are enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally or subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and except as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under foreign, federal or state securities laws;
(ix) The issue and sale of the Securities to be sold by the Company hereunder and under the Pre-Funded Warrants, the execution hereof and thereof by the Company and the compliance by the Company with all of the provisions hereof and thereof and the consummation of the transactions herein and therein contemplated will not (1) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is
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bound or to which any of the material property or assets of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is subject, (2) result in any violation of the provisions of the certificate or articles of incorporation or by-laws (or other organization documents) of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any federal or foreign court or governmental agency or body (each, a “Governmental Authority”) having jurisdiction over the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their material properties or (3) require the consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body for the issue and sale of the Securities to be sold by the Company hereunder and under the Pre-Funded Warrants or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except the registration under the Securities Act of the Securities and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities, Blue Sky laws or the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriter;
(x) To the Company’s knowledge, each of Squar Milner LLP and Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd (“Grant Thornton”), who have certified certain financial statements of the Company, are independent public accountants as required by the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations.
(xi) The financial statements, together with related schedules and notes, incorporated in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and changes in financial position of the Company on the basis stated in the Registration Statement at the respective dates or for the respective periods to which they apply; such statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) consistently applied throughout the periods involved, except as disclosed therein; and the summary financial data, if any, included in the Pricing Prospectus present fairly the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the financial statements incorporated in the Registration Statement. The pro forma financial statements of the Company and the related notes thereto incorporated in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, if any, present fairly the information shown therein, have been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements and have been properly compiled on the bases described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto;
(xii) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Pricing Prospectus any material loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus; and, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, (1) there has not been any change in the capital stock (other than the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise or conversion of securities, or the grant of options, restricted stock or other equity-based awards under the Company’s existing equity compensation plans) or long-term debt of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, (2) there has not been any Material Adverse Effect, or any development that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, in or affecting the general affairs, business, prospects, management, financial position, shareholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (3) there have been no transactions entered into by, and no obligations or liabilities, contingent or otherwise, incurred by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, which are material to the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (4) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock, in each case, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus;
(xiii) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is (1) in violation of its certificate or articles of incorporation or by-laws (or other organization documents) or (2) in violation of any law, ordinance, administrative or governmental rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or (3) in violation of any decree of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or (4) in default in the performance of any obligation, agreement or condition contained in any bond, debenture, note or any other evidence of indebtedness or in any agreement, indenture, lease or other instrument to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of their respective properties may be bound, except, in the case of clauses (2), (3) and (4), where any such violation or default, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect;
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(xiv) Each of the Company and each Subsidiary has good and marketable title to all real and tangible property described in the Pricing Prospectus as being owned by it, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the Pricing Prospectus or are not material to the business of the Company or any Subsidiary; and any real property and buildings described in the Pricing Prospectus as being held under lease by the Company or any Subsidiary are held under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company or any Subsidiary;
(xv) Other than as set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined adversely to the Company or the Subsidiary, individually or in the aggregate, would have or may reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or would prevent or impair the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and by the Pre-Funded Warrants, or which are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Pricing Prospectus; and, to the Company’s knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or others;
(xvi) The Company and the Subsidiaries possess all permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the businesses now operated by them, except where the failure to possess such permits could not reasonably be expected to result in Material Adverse Effect (collectively, “Permits”); the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Permits and all of the Permits are valid and in full force and effect, except, in each case, where the failure so to comply or where the invalidity of such Permits or the failure of such Permits to be in full force and effect, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or material modification of any such Permits;
(xvii) No material labor dispute with the employees of the Company or the Subsidiaries exists, or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent. The Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its or any Subsidiary’s principal suppliers, manufacturers, customers or contractors, which, individually or in the aggregate, may reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(xviii) The Company and the Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and the Company has no reason to believe that either it or any Subsidiary will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse Effect;
(xix) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have made and keep books, records and accounts, which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect in all material respects the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (1) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (2) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (3) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (4) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and (5) the interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement is in conformity with GAAP and is updated as necessary to comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto and present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and changes in financial position of the Company and the Subsidiaries on the basis stated in the Registration Statement at the respective dates or for the respective periods to which they apply;
(xx) Other than as set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Pricing Prospectus, (a) the Company has not been advised of (1) any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls that could adversely affect the ability of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries to record, process, summarize and report financial data, or any material weaknesses in internal controls and (2) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
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employees who have a significant role in the internal controls of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries, and (b) since that date, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting;
(xxi) The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15 (e) of the Exchange Act) that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act; such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established;
(xxii) All U.S. federal income tax returns of the Company and the Subsidiaries required by law to be filed have been filed and all taxes shown by such returns or otherwise assessed, which are due and payable, have been paid, except assessments against which appeals have been or will be promptly taken and as to which adequate reserves have been provided. The Company and the Subsidiaries have filed all other tax returns that are required to have been filed by them pursuant to applicable foreign, state, local or other law, except insofar as the failure to file such returns, individually or in the aggregate, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect, and have paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by the Company or any Subsidiary except for such taxes, if any, as are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been provided. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company and the Subsidiaries in respect of any income and corporation tax liability for any years not finally determined are adequate in all material respects to meet any assessments or re-assessments for additional income tax for any years not finally determined;
(xxiii) There are no statutes, regulations, documents or contracts of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Pricing Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement which are not described or filed as required;
(xxiv) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is in violation of any statute or any rule, regulation, decision or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, relating to the use, production, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or relating to the protection or restoration of the environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances (collectively, “environmental laws”), owns or operates any real property contaminated with any substance that is subject to any environmental laws, is liable for any off-site disposal or contamination pursuant to any environmental laws, or is subject to any claim relating to any environmental laws, which violation, contamination, liability or claim, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company is not aware of any pending investigation which would reasonably be expected to lead to such a claim;
(xxv) Each employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), that is maintained, administered or contributed to by the Company or any Subsidiary for employees or former employees of the Company and its affiliates has been maintained in compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), except to the extent that failure to so comply, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect. No prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code has occurred with respect to any such plan excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption;
(xxvi) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, or any director, officer, nor, to the Company’s knowledge, agent, employee or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds, (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or (iv) made any bribe, unlawful rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment;
(xxvii) Solely to the extent that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications, are or have been applicable to the Company, there is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply in all material respects with any applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
(xxviii) Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company owns or has valid, binding and enforceable licenses or other rights under the patents, patent applications, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service
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marks, trade names or other intellectual property necessary for, or used in the conduct, or the proposed conduct, of the business of the Company in the manner described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (collectively, the “Intellectual Property”), except where the failure to own, possess or have such right is not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect; the patents, trademarks, and copyrights, if any, included within the Intellectual Property are valid, enforceable, and subsisting; other than as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (A) the Company is not obligated to pay a material royalty, grant a license to, or provide other material consideration to any third party in connection with the Intellectual Property, (B) the Company has not received any notice of any claim of infringement, misappropriation or conflict with any asserted rights of others with respect to any of the Company’s drug candidates, services, conduct of the business, processes or Intellectual Property, (C) to the knowledge of the Company, neither the conduct of the business, sale nor use of any of the discoveries, inventions, drug candidates, services or processes of the Company referred to in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus do or will infringe, misappropriate or violate any right or valid patent claim of any third party, (D) none of the technology employed by the Company has been obtained or is being used by the Company in material violation of any contractual obligation binding on the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, upon any of its officers, directors or employees or otherwise in violation of the rights of any persons, (E) to the knowledge of the Company, no third party has any ownership right in or to any Intellectual Property that is owned by the Company, other than any co-owner of any patent constituting Intellectual Property who is listed on the records of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the “USPTO”) and any co-owner of any patent application constituting Intellectual Property who is named in such patent application, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no third party has any ownership right in or to any Intellectual Property in any field of use that is exclusively licensed to the Company, other than any licensor to the Company of such Intellectual Property, (F) to the Company’s knowledge there is no infringement by third parties of any Intellectual Property, (G) there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the Company’s rights in or to any Intellectual Property, and (H) there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity or scope of any Intellectual Property. The Company is in material compliance with the terms of each agreement pursuant to which Intellectual Property has been licensed to the Company, and all such agreements are in full force and effect;
(xxix) All material patents and patent applications owned by or licensed to the Company or under which the Company has rights have, to the knowledge of the Company, been duly and properly filed and maintained; to the knowledge of the Company, the parties prosecuting such patent applications have complied with their duty of candor and disclosure to the USPTO in connection with such applications; and the Company is not aware of any facts required to be disclosed to the USPTO that were not disclosed to the USPTO and which would preclude the grant of a patent in connection with any such application or would reasonably be expected to form the basis of a finding of invalidity with respect to any patents that have issued with respect to such applications. To the Company’s knowledge, all material patents and patent applications owned by the Company and filed with the USPTO or any foreign or international patent authority (the “Company Patent Rights”) and all patents and patent applications in-licensed by the Company and filed with the USPTO or any foreign or international patent authority (the “In-licensed Patent Rights”) have been duly and properly filed; the Company believes it has complied with its duty of candor and disclosure to the USPTO for the Company Patent Rights and, to the Company’s knowledge, the licensors of the In-licensed Patent Rights have complied with their duty of candor and disclosure to the USPTO for the In-licensed Patent Rights;
(xxx) Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company: (A) is and at all times has been in material compliance with all statutes, rules and regulations of the FDA and other comparable Governmental Entities applicable to the ownership, testing (including clinical trials and pre-clinical studies), development, manufacture, packaging, processing, use, distribution, marketing, labeling, promotion, sale, offer for sale, storage, import, export or disposal of any product under development, manufactured, sold or distributed by the Company (“Applicable Laws”); (B) has not received any FDA Form 483, notice of adverse finding, warning letter, untitled letter or other correspondence or notice from the FDA or any Governmental Authority (as defined herein) alleging or asserting material noncompliance with any Applicable Laws or any licenses, certificates, approvals, clearances, exemptions, authorizations, permits and supplements or amendments thereto required by any such Applicable Laws (“Authorizations”); (C) possesses all material Authorizations and such Authorizations are valid and in full force and effect and the Company is not in material violation of any term of any such Authorizations; (D) has not received notice of any claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other action from the FDA or any Governmental Authority or third party alleging that any product operation or activity is in material violation of any Applicable
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Laws or Authorizations and has no knowledge that the FDA or any Governmental Authority or third party is considering any such claim, litigation, arbitration, action, suit, investigation or proceeding; (E) has not received notice that the FDA or any Governmental Authority has taken, is taking or intends to take action to materially limit, suspend, modify or revoke any material Authorizations and has no knowledge that the FDA or any Governmental Authority is considering such action; and (F) has filed, obtained, maintained or submitted all material reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments as required by any Applicable Laws or Authorizations and that all such reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments were materially complete and correct on the date filed (or were corrected or supplemented by a subsequent submission);
(xxxi) To the extent applicable, the Company has operated and currently is in compliance with all applicable health care laws, rules and regulations (except where such failure to operate or non-compliance would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect), including, without limitation, (i) the Federal, Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 301 et seq.) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, “FFDCA”); (ii) all applicable federal, state, and local and all applicable similar foreign healthcare laws, including, without limitation, the federal Anti-kickback Statute (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(b)), the U.S. Physician Payments Sunshine Act (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7h), the civil False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq.), the criminal False Claims Law (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(a)), all criminal laws relating to healthcare fraud and abuse, including but not limited to 18 U.S.C. Sections 286 and 287, the healthcare fraud criminal provisions under the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) (42 U.S.C. Section 1320d et seq.); (iii) HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic Clinical Health Act (42 U.S.C. Sections 17921 - 17931); ; (iv) the regulations promulgated pursuant to such laws; and (vii) any other similar local, state, federal, or foreign laws applicable to the Company (collectively, the “Health Care Laws”). The Company has not received written notice or other communication of any claim, action, suit, audit, survey, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other action (“Action”) from any court or arbitrator or Governmental Authority or regulatory authority or credible third party alleging that any product operation or activity is in violation of any Health Care Laws, and, to the Company’s knowledge, no such Action is threatened. The Company is not a party to and does not have any ongoing reporting obligations pursuant to any corporate integrity agreement, deferred prosecution agreement, monitoring agreement, consent decree, settlement order, plan of correction or similar agreement imposed by any Governmental Authority. Additionally, neither the Company, nor to the Company’s actual knowledge, any of its employees, officers or directors, has been excluded, suspended or debarred from participation in any U.S. state or federal health care program or human clinical research pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7, 21 U.S.C. § 335a, or similar laws, or, to the knowledge of the Company, is subject to a governmental inquiry, investigation, proceeding, or other similar action that could reasonably be expected to result in debarment, suspension, or exclusion;
(xxxii) The non-clinical studies and clinical trials conducted by or, to the Company’s knowledge, on behalf of the Company were and, if still ongoing, are being conducted in all material respects in accordance with applicable experimental protocols, procedures and controls pursuant to accepted professional scientific standards, current good clinical practices and current good laboratory practices as required under applicable Health Care Laws and all Authorizations and Applicable Laws, including, without limitation, the FFDCA, and the International Conference on Harmonization Guidelines; the descriptions of the results of such studies and clinical trials contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are, to the Company’s knowledge, accurate and complete in all material respects and fairly present the material data derived from such studies and clinical trials; except to the extent disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company is not aware of any studies or clinical trials, the results of which the Company believes reasonably call into question the study or trial results described or referred to in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus when viewed in the context in which such results are described and the clinical state of development; and, except to the extent disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, the Company has not received any notices or correspondence from the FDA or any Governmental Entity requiring the termination or suspension of any studies or clinical trials conducted by or on behalf of the Company, other than ordinary course communications with respect to modifications in connection with the design and implementation of such clinical trials;
(xxxiii) Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or as otherwise disclosed to the Underwriter, there are no persons with registration rights or other similar rights to have securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise registered by the Company under the Securities Act;
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(xxxiv) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities as contemplated herein and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, including the proceeds received upon the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants, as described in the Pricing Prospectus, will not be an “investment company”, as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”);
(xxxv) The Company has not distributed and, prior to the later to occur of the Closing Date (as defined in Section 4 hereof) and completion of distribution of the Securities, will not distribute any offering materials in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities, other than the Pricing Prospectus, the Prospectus and, subject to compliance with Section 6 hereof, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus; and the Company has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or result in, or which constitutes or might reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale of the Securities. The Company (a) has not alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication and (b) has not authorized anyone other than the Underwriter to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company reconfirms that the Underwriter has been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company has not distributed any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications. “Written Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act;
(xxxvi) The statistical and market and industry-related data included in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources which the Company believes to be reliable and accurate or represent the Company’s good faith estimates that are made on the basis of data derived from such sources, and the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from sources to the extent required;
(xxxvii) Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company delivered to the Underwriter or to counsel for the Underwriter shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.
2. Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, (a) the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriter and the Underwriter agrees to purchase from the Company, at a purchase price per Share of $[ ] and $[ ] per Pre-Funded Warrant (each a “Purchase Price”), the Firm Securities and (b) in the event and to the extent that the Underwriter shall exercise the election to purchase Option Shares as provided below, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriter, and the Underwriter agrees to purchase from the Company, at a price per Share of $[ ] (the “Share Option Purchase Price”), the Option Shares.
The Company hereby grants to the Underwriter the right to purchase at its election up to [ ] Option Shares at the Share Option Purchase Price. The Underwriter may exercise its option to acquire Option Shares in whole or in part from time to time only by written notice from the Underwriter to the Company, given within a period of thirty (30) calendar days after the date of this Agreement and setting forth the number of Option Shares to be purchased and the date on which such Option Shares are to be delivered, as determined by the Underwriter but in no event earlier than the Closing Date or, unless the Underwriter and the Company otherwise agree in writing, earlier than two or later than ten business days after the date of such notice. The Underwriter may exercise its option to acquire Option Shares for the sole purpose of covering sales in excess of the Firm Shares.
3. It is understood that the Underwriter proposes to offer the Firm Shares and Pre-Funded Warrants for sale to the public upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus.
4. The Company will deliver the Firm Shares to the Underwriter through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) for the account of the Underwriter, against payment of the purchase price therefor in immediately available funds by wire transfer to the Company at [ ] a.m., New York time, at the office of Lowenstein Sandler LLP, 1251 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, on [ ], 2020, or at such other time not later than seven full business days thereafter as the Underwriter and the Company determine, such time being herein referred to as the “Closing Date”. The Company will deliver the certificates for the Pre-Funded Warrants against payment of the purchase price therefor by the purchasers thereof, in definitive form, in such denominations and registered in such names as the Underwriter or its designees request, to the purchasers thereof on the Closing Date. For purposes of Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act, the Closing Date (if later than the otherwise applicable settlement date) shall be the settlement date for payment of funds and delivery of the Firm Shares. In the event that a purchaser delivers a Notice of Exercise (as defined in the Pre-Funded Warrants) on or prior to 12:00 p.m., New York time on the Closing Date, to exercise any Pre-Funded Warrants between the date hereof and the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver Warrant Shares with respect to such Pre-Funded Warrants to such purchaser on the Closing Date in connection with such Notice of Exercise.
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Each time for the delivery of and payment for the Option Shares, being herein referred to as an “Option Closing Date”, which may be the Closing Date, shall be determined by the Underwriter as provided above. The Company will deliver the Option Shares being purchased on each Option Closing Date to the Underwriter through the facilities of DTC for the account of the Underwriter, against payment of the purchase price therefor in Federal (same day) funds by official bank check or checks or wire transfer drawn to the order of the Company at the above office of Lowenstein Sandler LLP, 1251 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, at [_____] a.m., New York time on the applicable Option Closing Date.
At the Closing Date and any Option Closing Date, the Company shall pay the Underwriter a management fee equal to 1.0% of the gross proceeds raised at the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, by deduction from the proceeds of the sale of the Securities contemplated herein.
5. The Company covenants and agrees with the Underwriter as follows:
(a) The Company, subject to Section 5(b), will comply with the requirements of Rule 430A under the Securities Act, and will notify the Underwriter promptly (and in any event with 24 hours), and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall become effective, or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended prospectus shall have been filed, to furnish the Underwriter with copies thereof, and to file promptly all material required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or, to the Company’s knowledge, the threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes; and (v) if the Company ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company at any time prior to the later of (A) completion of the distribution of the Securities within the meaning of the Securities Act and (B) completion of the 90-day restricted period referred to in Section 5(j) hereof. The Company will promptly effect the filings necessary pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act and will take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424(b) was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus. The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.
(b) The Company will give the Underwriter notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement (including any filing under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act), or any amendment, supplement or revision to the Prospectus, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, will furnish the Underwriter with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be (except that this paragraph shall not be deemed to apply to any filings required under the Exchange Act that are deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement), and will not file or use any such document to which the Underwriter or counsel for the Underwriter shall reasonably object.
(c) The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as you may reasonably request and to comply with such laws in all material respects so as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of the Securities, provided that nothing in this Section 5(c) shall require the Company to qualify as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which it is not already so qualified, to file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction, or subject itself to taxation in any jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.
(d) The Company has furnished or, upon written request, will deliver to the Underwriter, without charge, a signed copy of the Initial Registration Statement as originally filed, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and of each amendment to each (including exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by reference therein) and signed copies of all consents and certificates of experts (which copies may be in electronic form), and will also, upon your written request, deliver to the Underwriter, without charge, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (without exhibits) the Underwriter. The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriter will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.
(e) The Company has delivered to the Underwriter, without charge, as many written and electronic copies of each Preliminary Prospectus as the Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the Securities Act. The Company will furnish to the Underwriter,
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without charge, prior to 5:00 p.m. New York time on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement and from time to time thereafter during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Securities Act, such number of written and electronic copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as the Underwriter may reasonably request. The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriter will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.
(f) The Company will comply with the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement and in the Prospectus. If at any time when, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriter, a prospectus is required to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Securities Act), any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriter or for the Company, to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not include any untrue statements of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Securities Act) is delivered to a purchaser, or if it shall be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of either such counsel, at any such time to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations, the Company will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 5(b), such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement or the Prospectus comply with such requirements, and the Company will furnish to the Underwriter such number of written and electronic copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriter may reasonably request. The Company will provide the Underwriter with notice of the occurrence of any event during the period specified above that may give rise to the need to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as provided in the preceding sentence promptly after the occurrence of such event. If at any time following the distribution of any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriter and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication to eliminate or correct such untrue statement or omission.
(g) The Company will make generally available (within the meaning of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act) to its security holders and to the Underwriter as soon as practicable, but not later than 45 days after the end of its fiscal quarter in which the first anniversary date of the effective date of the Registration Statement occurs, an earnings statement (in form complying with the provisions of Rule 158 under the Securities Act) covering a period of at least twelve consecutive months beginning after the effective date of the Registration Statement.
(h) The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the Pricing Disclosure Package under the heading “Use of Proceeds”.
(i) The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to maintain the listing for quotation of the Common Stock (including the Shares and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants) on the Nasdaq Capital Market. As of the Closing Date, such shares will have been duly authorized for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market subject to official notice of issuance.
(j) During a period of ninety (90) days from the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of, any Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, other than (1) the Securities to be sold hereunder, (2) the issuance of equity-based awards granted pursuant to the Company’s benefit plans existing on the date hereof that are referred to in the Prospectus, or pursuant to benefit plans which will be approved by the Company’s stockholders, as such plans may be amended, (3) the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of any such equity-based awards, (4) the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to warrant agreements outstanding at the time of this Agreement, or (5) the issuance of equity-based securities in connection with collaborations,
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partnerships or other strategic transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company, provided that any such transaction shall only be with an operating company or an owner of an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Company and shall provide to the Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities; provided that such securities are issued as “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144) and carry no registration rights that require or permit the filing of any registration statement in connection therewith during the prohibition period in this Section 5(j) (the issuances described in clauses (2), (3), (4) and (5) above, “Exempt Issuances”). For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement will prevent or delay the Company from filing a registration statement with the Commission to register the resale of the shares of Common Stock underlying the warrants referenced in clause (4) above and having such registration statement declared effective by the Commission.
(k) From the date hereof until the 12-month anniversary of the Closing Date, the Company shall be prohibited from effecting or entering into an agreement to effect any issuance by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of Common Stock or any securities of the Company or its subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock (or a combination of units thereof) involving a Variable Rate Transaction. “Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction, other than an Exempt Issuance, in which the Company (i) issues or sells any debt or equity securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive, additional shares of Common Stock either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon, and/or varies with, the trading prices of or quotations for the shares of Common Stock at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity securities or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the Common Stock or (ii) enters into, or effects a transaction under, any agreement, including, but not limited to, an equity line of credit, whereby the Company may issue securities at a future determined price, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the presence of a customary anti-dilution protection provision shall not, in itself, cause a transaction to be deemed a Variable Rate Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on the ninety (90) day anniversary of the date of the Prospectus, the Company may enter into at-the-market offering facilities with the Underwriter.
(l) The Company, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities under the Securities Act (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Securities Act), will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act within the time periods required by the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
(m) If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, the Company will file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission in compliance with Rule 462(b) by 10:00 p.m., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement, and at the time of filing either to pay to the Commission the filing fee for the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or to give irrevocable instructions for the payment of such fee pursuant to Rule 111(b) under the Securities Act.
(n) If so requested by the Underwriter, the Company shall cause to be prepared and delivered, at its expense, within one business day from the effective date of this Agreement, to the Underwriter an “electronic Prospectus” to be used by the Underwriter in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities. As used herein, the term “electronic Prospectus” means a form of the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, that meets each of the following conditions: (i) it shall be encoded in an electronic format, reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter, that may be transmitted electronically by the Underwriter to offerees and purchasers of the Securities, (ii) it shall disclose the same information as such paper Preliminary Prospectus, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be; and (iii) it shall be in or convertible into a paper format or an electronic format, reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter, that will allow investors to store and have continuously ready access to such Preliminary Prospectus, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus at any future time, without charge to investors (other than any fee charged for subscription to the Internet generally). The Company hereby confirms that, if so requested by the Underwriter, it has included or will include in the Prospectus filed with the Commission an undertaking that, upon receipt of a request by an investor or his or her representative, the Company shall transmit or cause to be transmitted promptly, without charge, a paper copy of such paper Preliminary Prospectus, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus to such investor or representative.
6. (a) The Company represents and agrees that, without the prior consent of the Underwriter, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute a “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; the Underwriter represents and agrees that, without the prior consent of the Company, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute a free writing prospectus; any such free writing prospectus the use of which has been consented to by the Company and the Underwriter is listed on Schedule II hereto;
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(b) The Company has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 under the Securities Act applicable to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission or retention where required and legending; the Company represents that it has satisfied and agrees that it will satisfy the conditions under Rule 433 under the Securities Act to avoid a requirement to file with the Commission any electronic road show;
(c) The Company agrees that if at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus any event occurred or occurs as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus would conflict with the information in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus or, when considered together with the information in the Pricing Prospectus and other Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses, would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances then prevailing, not misleading, the Company will give prompt notice thereof to the Underwriter and, if requested by the Underwriter, will prepare and furnish without charge to the Underwriter an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or other document which will correct such conflict, statement or omission; provided, however, that this covenant shall not apply to any statements or omissions in an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus made in reliance upon and in strict conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by an Underwriter through the Underwriter expressly for use therein.
7. Subject to Section 10 hereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Underwriter that, whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated, (a) the Company will pay or cause to be paid (i) $50,000 for non-accountable expenses, (ii) up to $100,000 for reasonable, documented fees and expenses of legal counsel and other reasonable, out-of-pocket expenses, and (iii) for the services of an escrow agent and any actual out-of-pocket cost of such clearing agent settlement and financing, so long as the cost does not exceed $12,900; provided, however, that such reimbursement amount in no way shall limit the indemnification and contribution provisions of this Agreement.
8. The obligation of the Underwriter hereunder to purchase the Securities on the Closing Date or each Option Closing Date, as the case may be, are subject to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:
(a) The Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by the Rules and Regulations and in accordance with Section 5(a); all material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by Rule 433 under the Securities Act; if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have become effective by 10:00 p.m., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof or the Prospectus or any part thereof or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission or any state securities commission; and all requests for additional information on the part of the Commission shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the staff of the Commission.
(b) The representations and warranties of the Company contained herein and in the Pre-Funded Warrants, as applicable, are true and correct on and as of the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, as if made on and as of the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and the Company shall have materially complied with all agreements and all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be.
(c) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of (i) any downgrading, (ii) any intended or potential downgrading or (iii) any review or possible change that does not indicate an improvement, in the rating accorded any securities of or guaranteed by the Company or any Subsidiary by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization”, as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act.
(d) (i) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall have sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Pricing Prospectus any material loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and except as described in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Disclosure Package, that has had or is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) since the respective dates as of which information is given in
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the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (1) there shall not have been any change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any Subsidiary or (2) there shall not have been any Material Adverse Effect, or any development involving a prospective Material Adverse Effect, in or affecting the general affairs, business, prospects, management, financial position, shareholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, the effect of which, in any such case described in clause (i) or (ii), is in the judgment of the Underwriter so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Securities being delivered at such Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus.
(e) The Underwriter shall have received on and as of the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, a certificate of an executive officer of the Company, reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter, to the effect (1) set forth in Sections 8(b) (with respect to the respective representations, warranties, agreements and conditions of the Company) and 8(c), (2) that none of the situations set forth in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 8(d) shall have occurred and (3) that no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and to the knowledge of the Company, no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or contemplated by the Commission.
(f) On the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, Proskauer Rose LLP, counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Underwriter their favorable written opinion, dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriter.
(g) On the effective date of the Registration Statement and, if applicable, the effective date of the most recently filed post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, Squar Milner LLP and Grant Thornton shall each have furnished to the Underwriter a letter, dated the date of delivery thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriter, containing statements and information of the type customarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(h) On the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the Underwriter shall have received from each of Squar Milner LLP and Grant Thornton a letter, dated the Closing Date or such Option Closing Date, as the case may be, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter or letters furnished pursuant to Section 8(g), except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Date or such Option Closing Date, as the case may be.
(i) On the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, Lowenstein Sandler LLP, counsel for the Underwriter, shall have furnished to the Underwriter their favorable opinion dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, with respect to the due authorization and valid issuance of the Securities, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and other related matters as the Underwriter may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such papers and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.
(j) On the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, Jones Day, Australian counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Underwriter their favorable written opinion, dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriter.
(k) The Shares and the Warrant Shares to be delivered on the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, shall have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, subject to official notice of issuance.
(l) FINRA shall have confirmed that it has not raised any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and conditions.
(m) The Underwriter shall have received “lock-up” agreements, each substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, from each executive officer and director of the Company and Nant Capital, LLC, and such agreements shall be in full force and effect on the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be.
(n) On or prior to the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the Company shall have furnished to the Underwriter such further information, certificates and documents as the Underwriter shall reasonably request.
(o) On or after the Applicable Time there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) a suspension or material limitation in trading in securities generally on the Nasdaq Capital Market; (ii) a suspension or material limitation in trading in the Company’s securities on the Nasdaq Capital Market; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities declared by any of Federal or New York State authorities or a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the U.S.; (iv) the outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the U.S. or the declaration by the U.S. of a national emergency or war or (v) the occurrence of any other calamity or crisis or any change in financial, political or economic conditions in the U.S. or elsewhere, if
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the effect of any such event specified in clause (iv) or (v) in the judgment of the Underwriter makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Securities being delivered at such Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.
(p) The Company shall have delivered executed copies of the Pre-Funded Warrants to the public purchasers thereof.
If any condition specified in this Section 8 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated, subject to the provisions of Section 12, by the Underwriter by notice to the Company at any time at or prior to the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party, except as provided in Section 12.
9. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls the Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses whatsoever as incurred (including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and any and all reasonable expenses whatsoever incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, and any and all amounts paid in settlement of any claim or litigation), joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereof, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any supplement thereto or amendment thereof, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, or any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereof, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any supplement thereto or amendment thereof, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication in reliance upon and in strict conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Underwriter expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriter is the information described as such in Section 9(b) below.
(b) The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of the directors of the Company, each of the officers of the Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement, and each other person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, against any losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses whatsoever as incurred (including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and any and all reasonable expenses whatsoever incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, and any and all amounts paid in settlement of any claim or litigation), joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereof, or any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any supplement thereto or amendment thereof, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in strict conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Underwriter, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriter consists of the following information in the Prospectus furnished on behalf of the Underwriter: the last paragraph at the bottom of the cover page concerning the timing of the delivery of the shares, the concession figure appearing in the fifth paragraph under the caption “Underwriting” and the information contained in the first and third paragraphs in the section entitled Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids under the caption “Underwriting”.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under Section 9(a) or 9(b) of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under such Section, notify each party against whom indemnification is to be sought in writing of the commencement thereof (but the failure so to notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability
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which it may have under this Section 9). In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies an indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein, and jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to the extent it may elect by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnified party). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to employ its or their own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party or parties unless (i) the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing by one of the indemnifying parties in connection with the defense of such action, (ii) the indemnifying parties shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, or (iii) such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded based on advice from outside counsel that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to one or all of the indemnifying parties (in which case the indemnifying parties shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel shall be borne by the indemnifying parties. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, which counsel, in the event of indemnified parties under Section 9(a), shall be selected by the Underwriter. No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party. An indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any action or claim effected without its written consent (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Section 9(a) or Section 9(b) in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other from the offering of the Securities. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other from the offering of the Securities shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriter, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or the Underwriter on the other and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Company and the Underwriter agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 9(d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriter were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 9(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this Section 9(d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9(d), the Underwriter shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which the Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
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No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriter’s obligations in this Section 9(d) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.
(e) The obligations of the parties to this Agreement contained in this Section 9 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.
10. If the Underwriter shall default in its obligations to purchase the Securities hereunder on the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and arrangements satisfactory to the Underwriter and the Company for the purchase of such shares of Common Stock by other persons are not made within forty-eight (48) hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate; provided, in the event of any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10, the Company shall not be obligated to reimburse the Underwriter on account of any expenses, including expenses to be paid or reimbursed by it pursuant to Section 7.
11. Notwithstanding anything herein contained, this Agreement (or the obligations of the Underwriter with respect to any Option Shares which have yet to be purchased) may be terminated, subject to the provisions of Section 12, in the absolute discretion of the Underwriter, by notice given to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, (a) trading generally on the NYSE American or the New York Stock Exchange or on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Capital Market shall have been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by such system or by order of the Commission, FINRA or any other governmental or regulatory authority, (b) trading of any securities of or guaranteed by the Company or any Subsidiary shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market, (c) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities in New York shall have been declared by Federal, New York State or Maryland State authorities or a new restriction materially adversely affecting the distribution of the Firm Shares or the Option Shares, as the case may be, shall have become effective, or (d) there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the U.S. or the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Underwriter, impracticable to market the Securities to be delivered on the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities.
If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 11, such termination will be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 12 hereof.
12. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company or its officers and of the Underwriter set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation, or statement as to the results thereof, made by or on behalf of the Underwriter, the Company or any of their respective representatives, officers or directors or any controlling person, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8 or 11 or if for any reason the purchase of any of the Securities by the Underwriter is not consummated, the Company shall remain responsible for the actual, out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Underwriter pursuant to Section 7, the respective obligations of the Company and the Underwriter pursuant to Section 9 and the provisions of Sections 12, 13 and 16 shall remain in effect and, if any Securities have been purchased hereunder the representations and warranties in Section 1 and all obligations under Section 5, and Section 6 shall also remain in effect. If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriter under Section 8 or otherwise because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement (other than solely by reason of the failure of the Underwriter to perform its obligations hereunder), or if for any reason the Company shall be unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement (other than solely by reason of the failure of the Underwriter to perform its obligations hereunder) or any condition of the Underwriter’s obligations cannot be fulfilled, the Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriter for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and expenses of its counsel) reasonably incurred by the Underwriter in connection with this Agreement or the offering contemplated hereunder.
13. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and the Underwriter, the officers and directors of the Company referred to herein, any controlling persons referred to herein and their respective successors and assigns. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be
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construed to give any other person, firm or corporation any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. No purchaser of Securities from the Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor or assign by reason merely of such purchase.
14. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt thereof by the recipient if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriter shall be given to the Underwriter, c/o H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, Attention: Head of Investment Banking, Fax: 212-214-0803 with a copy to Lowenstein Sandler LLP, 1251 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, fax: (973) 597-2476, Attention: Steven M. Skolnick. Notices to the Company shall be given to it at Benitec Biopharma Inc., 3940 Trust Way, Hayward, California 94545 (fax no.: +61 (0)3 9966-9923); Attention: CEO; with a copy to Proskauer Rose LLP, 2029 Century Park East, Suite 2400, Los Angeles, CA 90067-3010, Attention Ben D. Orlanski and Matthew O’Loughlin (fax no.: (310) 557-2193).
15. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
16. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO SUCH STATE’S PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.
17. The parties hereby submit to the jurisdiction of and venue in the federal courts located in the City of New York, New York in connection with any dispute related to this Agreement, any transaction contemplated hereby, or any other matter contemplated hereby.
18. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the public offering price of the Securities and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company on the one hand, and the Underwriter, on the other, (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading to such transaction the Underwriter is acting solely as a principal and not the agent or fiduciary of the Company or its stockholders, creditors, employees or any other party, (iii) no Underwriter has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether the Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company on other matters) or any other obligation to the Company except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, and (iv) the Company has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate. The Company agrees that it will not claim that the Underwriter has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to the Company, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.
19. The Company acknowledges that the Underwriter’s research analysts and research departments are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that the Underwriter’s research analysts may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company and/or the offering that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company may have against the Underwriter with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views expressed by their independent research analysts and research departments may be different from or inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Company by the Underwriter’s investment banking divisions. The Company acknowledges that the Underwriter is a full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transaction for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the companies that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
20. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company is authorized to disclose to any persons the U.S. federal and state income tax treatment and tax structure of the potential transaction and all materials of any kind (including tax opinions and other tax analyses) provided to the Company relating to that treatment and structure, without the Underwriter imposing any limitation of any kind. However, any information relating to the tax treatment and tax structure shall remain confidential (and the foregoing sentence shall not apply) to the extent necessary to enable any person to comply with securities laws. For this purpose, “tax structure” is limited to any facts that may be relevant to that treatment.
21. This Agreement (together with the other agreements and documents being delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the parties, oral and written, with respect to the subject matter hereof. Except as otherwise contemplated herein, it is understood and agreed by the parties hereto that all other binding terms and conditions of that certain engagement letter between the Company and H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, dated June 30, 2020, shall remain valid and binding on, and enforceable against, the Company and in full force and effect in accordance with the terms thereof.
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22. The Company and the Underwriter hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument will become a binding agreement among the Company and the Underwriter.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC. | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Accepted as of the date hereof: | ||
| H.C. WAINWRIGHT & CO., LLC | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
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SCHEDULE I
| Number of Firm Shares and Pre- Funded Warrants to be Purchased from the Company |
Number of Option Shares to be Purchased if the Option to Purchase additional Shares is Fully Exercised |
|||||||
| H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC |
[ ] | [ ] | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Number of Shares of Firm Shares: [ ]
Number of Pre-Funded Warrants: [ ]
Number of Option Shares: [ ]
Public Offering Price per Share: $[ ]
Public Offering Price per Pre-Funded Warrant: $[ ]
Pre-Funded Warrant Exercise Price: $0.01
Underwriting Discount per Share and Pre-Funded Warrant: $[ ]
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SCHEDULE II
Free Writing Prospectuses and/or Testing-the-Water Communications
None.
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EXHIBIT A
LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
[ ], 2020
H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC
430 Park Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned refers to the proposed Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) between Benitec Biopharma Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the underwriter named therein (the “Underwriter”). As an inducement to the Underwriter to execute the Underwriting Agreement in connection with the proposed public offering (the “Offering”) of securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1, the undersigned hereby agrees that from the date hereof and until 90 days after the public offering date set forth on the final prospectus used for the Offering (the “Public Offering Date”) pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement (such 90 day period being referred to herein as the “Lock-Up Period”), the undersigned will not (and will cause any immediate family member, any partnership, corporation or other entity within the undersigned’s control, and any trustee of any trust that holds shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”) of the Company or other securities of the Company for the benefit of the undersigned or such immediate family member not to) offer, sell, contract to sell (including any short sale), pledge, hypothecate, establish an open “put equivalent position” within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(h) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of, purchase any option or contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, or otherwise encumber, dispose of or transfer, or grant any rights with respect to, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of Common Stock, enter into a transaction which would have the same effect, or enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such aforementioned transaction is to be settled by delivery of the Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly disclose the intention to make any such offer, sale, pledge or disposition, or to enter into any such transaction, swap, hedge or other arrangement, without, in each case, the prior written consent of the Underwriter, which consent may be withheld in the Underwriter’s sole discretion. For purposes of this Lock-Up Agreement (the “Agreement”), “immediate family member” shall mean (i) the spouse of the undersigned and (ii) any lineal descendent, stepchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, sibling, stepsibling, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew or niece, including any such relationship by fact of legal adoption, of the undersigned or such spouse, in each case living in the undersigned’s household or whose principal residence is the undersigned’s household (regardless of whether such immediate family member may at the time be living elsewhere due to educational activities, health care treatment, military service, temporary internship or employment or otherwise).
The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to bona fide gifts by the undersigned, provided that (a) each resulting transferee of the Company’s securities executes and delivers to the Underwriter an agreement satisfactory to the Underwriter certifying that such transferee is bound by the terms of this Agreement and has been in compliance with the terms hereof since the date first above written as if it had been an original party hereto and (b) to the extent any interest in the Company’s securities is retained by the undersigned (or an immediate family member), such securities shall remain subject to the restrictions contained in this Agreement.
In addition, the undersigned agrees that, during the Lock-Up Period, without the prior written consent of the Underwriter (which consent may be withheld in its sole discretion): (a) the undersigned will not request, make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock and (b) the undersigned waives any and all notice requirements and rights with respect to the registration of any such security pursuant to any agreement, understanding or otherwise to which the undersigned is a party.
Any Common Stock received upon exercise of options granted to the undersigned will also be subject to this Agreement. Any acquisition of Common Stock by the undersigned in the open market on or after the Public Offering Date (but not the disposition of such Common Stock) will not be subject to this Agreement. A transfer of Common Stock or other securities of the Company may be made (i) to an immediate family member, (ii) to a trust for the benefit of the undersigned or an immediate family member, (iii) by will or intestate succession upon the
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death of the undersigned, (iv) pursuant to operation of law, including pursuant to a domestic order or negotiated divorce settlement, and (v) if the undersigned is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, or other business entity, as part of a distribution, transfer or distribution by the undersigned to its stockholders, members, partners, beneficiaries or other equity holders, provided in each case (i) through (v) that the transferee agrees in writing prior to such transfer to be bound by the terms of this Agreement as if it were a party hereto and further provided that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock shall be required or shall be voluntarily made during the Lock-Up Period.
The undersigned may also (a) transfer securities of the Company (i) to the Company in connection with the “cashless” exercise of options to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to employee benefit plans existing as of the date hereof and disclosed or incorporated by reference in the final prospectus relating to the Offering (provided that the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Agreement shall apply to shares of Common Stock issued upon such exercise, and provided further that no voluntary filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act reporting such transfer shall be made during the Lock-Up Period and that if such filing is required to be made that the filing clearly indicate that such transfer or disposition is related to cashless net exercise) and (ii) pursuant to a bona fide third party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction made to all holders of the Company’s capital stock involving a change of control of the Company (provided that in the event that the tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction is not completed, the undersigned’s Common Stock shall remain subject to the restrictions contained in this Agreement), (b) exercise any option to purchase Common Stock of the Company granted under any equity incentive plan or stock purchase plan of the Company existing as of the date hereof and disclosed or incorporated by reference in the final prospectus relating to the Offering (provided that the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Agreement shall apply to shares of Common Stock issued upon such exercise, and provided further that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act reporting such exercise shall be made during the Lock-Up Period, and that if such a filing is required to be made that the filing clearly indicate that it is related to such exercise) and (c) enter into a written plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act relating to the sale or other disposition of securities of the Company (provided that the securities subject to such plan may not be sold or otherwise disposed of until after the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, and that the entry into such plan is not publicly disclosed, including in any filing under the Exchange Act).
In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company and its transfer agent and registrar are hereby authorized to (a) decline to make any transfer of shares of Common Stock if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this Agreement and (b) place legends and stop transfer instructions on any such shares of Common Stock owned or beneficially owned by the undersigned.
[Signature page follows]
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This Agreement is irrevocable and shall be binding on the undersigned and the successors, heirs, personal representatives and assigns of the undersigned. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to choice of law rules. This Agreement shall lapse and become null and void if the Public Offering Date shall not have occurred on or before December 31, 2020.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| (Name - Please Print) | ||
| (Signature) | ||
| (Name of Signatory, in the case of entities - Please Print) | ||
| (Title of Signatory, in the case of entities - Please Print) | ||
| Address: |
Accepted and Agreed:
| Benitec Biopharma Inc. | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
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Exhibit 4.2
Form of Warrant
PRE-FUNDED COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.
| Warrant Shares: _______ | Issue Date:______, 2020 | |
| Initial Exercise Date: _______, 2020 |
THIS PRE-FUNDED COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, _____________ or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date set forth above (the “Initial Exercise Date”) until this Warrant is exercised in full (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Benitec Biopharma Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), up to ______ shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).
Section 1. Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Warrant, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this Section 1:
“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
“Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Common Stock for the time in question (or the closing price on such Trading Market reported on the nearest preceding Trading Day is such date is not a Trading Day) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time shares of Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
“Registration Statement” means the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-246314).
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Subsidiary” means the subsidiaries of the Company set forth on Exhibit 21.1 to the Registration Statement and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the Common Stock is traded on a Trading Market.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
“Transfer Agent” means Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 250 Royall St., Canton, Massachusetts 02021, Attention: [ ], a phone number of [ ], and an e-mail address of [ ], and any successor transfer agent of the Company.
“Underwriting Agreement” means that certain Underwriting Agreement, dated as of [___], 2020, by and between the Company and H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC.
“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or daily volume weighted average price on the nearest preceding Trading Day if such date is not a Trading Day) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“Warrants” means this Warrant and other pre-funded Common Stock purchase warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.
Section 2. Exercise.
a) Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed facsimile copy or PDF copy submitted by e-mail (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (the “Notice of Exercise”). Within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined in Section 2(d)(i) herein) following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the Warrant Shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Trading Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
b) Exercise Price. The aggregate exercise price of this Warrant, except for a nominal exercise price of $0.01 per Warrant Share, was pre-funded to the Company on or prior to the Initial Exercise Date and, consequently, no additional consideration (other than the nominal exercise price of $0.01 per Warrant Share) shall be required to be paid by the Holder to any Person to effect any exercise of this Warrant. The Holder shall not be entitled to the return or refund of all, or any portion, of such pre-paid aggregate exercise price under any circumstance or for any reason whatsoever, including in the event this Warrant shall not have been exercised prior to the Termination Date. The remaining unpaid exercise price per share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $0.01, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).
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c) Cashless Exercise. This Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
| (A) = | as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b)(68) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise or (z) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day; | |
| (B) = | the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and | |
| (X) = | the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise. | |
If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).
d) Mechanics of Exercise.
i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. Subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limit (as defined herein), the Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and the Transfer Agent is participating in the DTC’s Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program (“FAST”) and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder or (B) this Warrant is being exercised via cashless exercise, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee and dispatched to the address as specified in the Exercise Notice, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earlier of (A) the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of days comprising the Standard Settlement Period, in each case after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise and (B) one (1) Trading Day after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price by wire transfer to the Company (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received by the Warrant Share Delivery Date. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of
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Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company’s current Transfer Agent is a participant in the FAST program; in the event that the Company changes transfer agents while this Warrant is outstanding and exercisable, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to select a transfer agent that participates in FAST so long as this Warrant is outstanding. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Notice(s) of Exercise delivered on or prior to 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Initial Exercise Date, which may be delivered at any time after the time of execution of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company agrees to deliver the Warrant Shares subject to such notice(s) by 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Initial Exercise Date and the Initial Exercise Date shall be the Warrant Share Delivery Date for purposes hereunder.
ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.
iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.
iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
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v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.
vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.
vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.
e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of
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Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one (1) Trading Day confirm orally and in writing (which may be by electronic mail) to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be [4.99%/9.99%] of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.
Section 3. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues to the holders of its Common Stock by re-classification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
b) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
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c) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
d) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company (and all of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole), directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is
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exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
e) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
f) Notice to Holder.
i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by facsimile or email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.
ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by facsimile or email to the Holder at its last facsimile number or email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least twenty (20) calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
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Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.
a) Transferability. This Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
b) New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the Issue Date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.
c) Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
a) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting the rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise,” and to receive the cash payments contemplated pursuant to Sections 2(d)(i) and 2(d)(iv), in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.
b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.
c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Trading Day, then, such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Trading Day.
d) Authorized Shares.
The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as
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may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
e) Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Warrant (whether brought against a party hereto or their respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Warrant and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.
f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
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g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies, notwithstanding the fact that the right to exercise this Warrant terminates on the Termination Date. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
h) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Exercise, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by facsimile or e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company, at 3940 Trust Way, Hayward, California 94545, Attention: Chief Executive Officer, email address: [ ], facsimile: [ ], or such other facsimile number, email address or address as the Company may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by facsimile or e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the facsimile number, e-mail address or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Company. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.
i) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
j) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
k) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
l) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holder of this Warrant, on the other hand.
m) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
n) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
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(Signature Page Follows)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.
| BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
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NOTICE OF EXERCISE
TO: BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.
(1) The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.
(2) Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):
☐ in lawful money of the United States; or
☐ if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).
(3) Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:
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The Warrant Shares shall be delivered in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.
DWAC Account Number (for share deliveries to be made through DWAC):
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| [SIGNATURE OF HOLDER] |
| Name of Investing Entity: |
| Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity: |
| Name of Authorized Signatory: |
| Title of Authorized Signatory: |
| Date: |
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EXHIBIT B
ASSIGNMENT FORM
(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to exercise the Warrant to purchase shares.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to
| Name: |
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| (Please Print) | ||
| Address: |
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| (Please Print) | ||
| Phone Number: |
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| Email Address: |
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| Dated: _______________ __, ______ | ||
| Holder’s Signature: _________________________ | ||
| Holder’s Address: __________________________ | ||
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Exhibit 5.1
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October 1, 2020
Benitec Biopharma Inc.
3940 Trust Way
Hayward, California 94545
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Benitec Biopharma Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (333-246314), as amended (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the offer and sale of a proposed maximum aggregate offering price of up to $11,500,000 of: (i) shares (“Shares”) of the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”) and/or (ii) pre-funded warrants, with each pre-funded warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”), including the Shares for which the Underwriter (as defined below) has been granted an over-allotment option, to be issued to H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (the “Underwriter”) pursuant to the underwriting agreement to be entered into by and between the Company and the Underwriter (the “Underwriting Agreement”), as set forth in the Registration Statement and the prospectus contained therein. The shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants are collectively referred to as the “Warrant Shares.” The Shares, the Pre-Funded Warrants and the Warrant Shares are collectively referred to as the “Securities.”
The Securities are to be sold by the Company pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the form of which has been filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Registration Statement.
In connection with rendering this opinion, we have examined originals, certified copies or copies otherwise identified as being true copies of the following:
(a) the Registration Statement;
(b) the Underwriting Agreement;
(c) the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Company, as in effect on the date hereof and as amended to date;
(d) the amended and restated bylaws of the Company, as in effect on the date hereof and as amended to date;
(e) corporate proceedings of the Company relating to its proposed issuance of the Securities; and
(f) such other instruments and documents as we have deemed relevant or necessary in connection with our opinions set forth herein.
We have made such examination of law as we have deemed necessary to express the opinion contained herein. As to matters of fact relevant to this opinion, we have relied upon, and assumed without independent verification, the accuracy of certificates of public officials and officers of the Company. We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, facsimile or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions expressed herein, we are of the opinion, assuming no change in the applicable law or pertinent facts, that:
Beijing | Boca Raton | Boston | Chicago| Hong Kong| London| Los Angeles| New Orleans| New York| Paris| São Paulo| Washington, DC
Benitec Biopharma Inc.
October 1, 2020
Page 2
| 1. | The Shares have been duly authorized for issuance and, when the Shares are issued and paid for in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
| 2. | The Pre-Funded Warrants have been duly authorized and, upon delivery of the consideration as provided in the Underwriting Agreement, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law), including, without limitation, principles regarding good faith and fair dealing (including the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief, concepts of materiality and reasonableness, and the discretion of the court before which a proceeding is brought). |
| 3. | The Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants have been duly authorized for issuance and, when the Warrant Shares are issued upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants in accordance with the terms thereof, the Warrant Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
This opinion is limited in all respects to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and, as to the Pre-Funded Warrants constituting valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, with respect to the laws of the State of New York, and we express no opinion as to the laws, statutes, rules or regulations of any other jurisdiction. The reference and limitation to the “General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware” includes all applicable Delaware statutory provisions of law and reported judicial decisions interpreting these laws.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement and the prospectus contained therein. In giving the foregoing consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Proskauer Rose LLP
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (No. 333-246314) on Form S-1 of Benitec Biopharma Inc. of our report dated September 23, 2020 relating to the consolidated financial statements of Benitec Biopharma Inc., appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Benitec Biopharma Inc. for the year ended June 30, 2020.
We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ Squar Milner LLP
Campbell, California
October 1, 2020
Exhibit 23.2
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We have issued our report dated August 14, 2020, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Benitec Biopharma Ltd. included in the Annual Report of Benitec Biopharma Inc. on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
We consent to the incorporation by reference of said report in this Registration Statement, and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption “Experts.”
/s/ GRANT THORNTON AUDIT PTY LTD
Sydney, NSW Australia
October 1, 2020