CDT Equity Inc S-3, filed Nov 25, 2024
CDT Equity Inc. (CDT)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 25, 2024
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 87-3272543 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
4581 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 200
Naples, Florida 34103
(646) 491-9132
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
David Tapolczay
Chief Executive Officer
Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc.
4581 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 200
Naples, Florida 34103
(646) 491-9132
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Todd Mason, Esq.
Thompson Hine LLP
300 Madison Ave, 27th Floor
New York, NY 10017
(212) 344-5680
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
| Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ |
| Emerging growth company | ☒ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, 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.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling stockholder may not resell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 25, 2024
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
75,000,000 Shares of Common Stock
This prospectus relates to the offer and resale of up to an aggregate of 75,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”), held by the selling stockholder listed in this prospectus or its permitted transferees (the “Selling Stockholder”). The shares of Common Stock registered for resale pursuant to this prospectus are the 75,000,000 shares (the “Shares”) that may be issued upon the conversion of the August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note, as amended (as defined below), into shares of Common Stock, at the discretion of Nirland Limited (“Nirland”).
We are registering the Shares on behalf of the Selling Stockholder to be offered and sold by them from time to time. We are not selling any securities under this prospectus and will not receive any proceeds from the sale of our Common Stock by the Selling Stockholder in the offering described in this prospectus. The Selling Stockholder may sell any, all or none of the Shares offered by this prospectus. For more information, see “Use of Proceeds.”
The Selling Stockholder, or its respective transferees, pledgees, donees or other successors-in-interest, may offer or sell the Shares from time to time in a number of different ways and at varying prices, including through public or private transactions at prevailing market prices, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at privately negotiated prices. See “Plan of Distribution” on page 20 of this prospectus for more information about how the Selling Stockholder may sell or dispose of the shares of Common Stock being registered pursuant to this prospectus.
This prospectus describes the general manner in which the Shares may be offered and sold. When the Selling Stockholder sells shares of Common Stock under this prospectus, we may, if necessary and required by law, provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. Any prospectus supplement may also add to, update, modify or replace information contained in this prospectus. We urge you to read carefully this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any documents we incorporate by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement before you make your investment decision.
Our Common Stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Market under the trading symbol “CDT.” On November 22, 2024, the last reported sale price of our Common Stock on The Nasdaq Global Market was $0.104.
INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. SEE THE “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 6 OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY SIMILAR SECTION CONTAINED IN THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND IN THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN AND THEREIN CONCERNING FACTORS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES.
Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is __________, 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, the Selling Stockholder may, from time to time, sell the securities offered by them described in this prospectus. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the Selling Stockholder.
We have not, and the Selling Stockholder has not, authorized anyone to provide you with information different than or inconsistent with the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. Neither we nor the Selling Stockholder takes responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not, and the Selling Stockholder is not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted or in which the person making that offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. You should assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents, regardless of the time of delivery of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this prospectus, in their entirety before making an investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in the sections titled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”
The distribution of this prospectus and this offering of our securities in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, this offering of our securities and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. This prospectus does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities offered by this prospectus by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation.
Unless expressly indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to the “Company,” the “Registrant,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (and the business of Old Conduit which became the business of the Company after giving effect to the Business Combination (as defined below)), unless the context requires otherwise.
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This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, all applicable prospectus supplements, and any related free writing prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus, all applicable prospectus supplements, and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should also carefully read the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our financial statements, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Overview
Conduit has developed a unique business model that allows it to act as a conduit to bring clinical assets from pharmaceutical companies and develop new treatments for patients. Our novel approach addresses unmet medical needs and lengthens the intellectual property for our existing assets through cutting-edge solid-form technology and then commercializing these products with life science companies.
While simultaneously leveraging the capabilities of our Cambridge laboratory facility and highly experienced team of solid-form experts to extend or develop proprietary solid-form intellectual property for our existing and future clinical assets. Our own intellectual property portfolio comprises pending patent applications in several international jurisdictions describing a solid-form compound, the AZD1656 Cocrystal (a HK-4 Activator), targeting a wide range of autoimmune disorders. Additional patent applications include a novel composition of matter filing for CDT1656, the newly introduced asset in Conduit’s portfolio. CDT1656 combines AZD1656 with a second compound whose mechanism of action plays a critical role in the progression of autoimmune disorders and has shown potential across a range of conditions. Our pipeline research includes a number of compounds that serve as promising alternatives to existing clinical assets currently marketed and sold by large pharmaceutical companies, which we have identified as having an opportunity to develop further intellectual property positions through solid-form technology.
In connection with the funding and development of clinical assets, we evaluate and select the specific molecules to be developed and collaborate with external contract research organizations (“CROs”) and Key Opinion Leaders (“KOLs”) to run clinical trials that are managed, funded, and overseen by us. We intend to leverage our comprehensive clinical and scientific expertise in order to facilitate development of clinical assets through Phase II trials in an efficient manner by using CROs and third-party service providers. We will also collaborate closely with disease specific KOLs to collectively assess and determine the most appropriate indications for all our current and forthcoming assets.
We believe that successful Phase II trials of the clinical assets in our pipeline will increase the value of our assets. There is no assurance that any clinical trials on the assets owned or licensed by us will be successful, however, following a successful Phase II clinical trial, we would look to licensing opportunities with large biotech or pharmaceutical companies, typically for up-front milestone payments and royalty income streams for the life of the asset patent. We anticipate using any future royalty income stream to develop our asset portfolio in combination with other potential sources of financing, including debt or equity financing.
Outside of our proprietary owned patented clinical assets, AstraZeneca agreed to grant a license to the Company under certain intellectual property rights controlled by AstraZeneca related to HK-4 activators AZD1656 and AZD5658 in all indications and myeloperoxidase inhibitor AZD5904 for the treatment, prevention, and prophylaxis of idiopathic male infertility. The Company will be responsible for the development and commercialization of the relevant products licensed under the related License Agreement (the “Licensed Products”) described below. The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize the Licensed Products.
We plan to focus our efforts on developing clinical assets to address disorders that impact a large population where there is no present treatment or the present treatment, carries significant unwanted side effects.
We intend to initiate Phase 2a clinical trials to evaluate AZD1656 for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (including lupus nephritis) and ANCA-associated vasculitis. This represents a significant development of AZD1656, underscoring our commitment to address unmet medical needs and our confidence in the asset’s potential to impact patient outcomes positively.
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Carrying out Phase 2a, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus, inclusive of lupus nephritis patients, and patients suffering from ANCA-associated vasculitis, will allow us to assess the potential of AZD1656 across the full spectrum of lupus patients. Simultaneously, we will evaluate the potential of AZD1656 across the broader aspects of autoimmune disorders.
Recent Developments Regarding the Selling Stockholder
Nirland Note and Amendment to Nirland Debt Agreements
On August 6, 2024, the Company entered into a Senior Secured Promissory Note (the “August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note”) and a Security Agreement (the “Security Agreement”, and collectively with the Senior Secured Promissory Note, the “Nirland Debt Agreements”) with Nirland, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to Nirland the August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note in the original principal amount of $2,650,000, inclusive of a $500,000 original issuance discount.
On October 31, 2024, the Company and Nirland amended the Nirland Debt Agreements (the “Debt Amendment”), whereby the Nirland Debt Agreements were amended to (i) provide for the conversion of the August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note into shares of Common Stock, at Nirland’s discretion, in a multiple of any unpaid amounts, if not otherwise previously paid, pursuant to the conversion rate contained therein, (ii) remove Nirland’s mandatory prepayment right, and (iii) remove Nirland’s right of first refusal to participate in any future equity or debt offerings of the Company. In addition, on November 22, the Company and Nirland Limited amended the August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note to include a conversion limitation pursuant to the rules and regulations of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), to provide for the timing for the holding of a special meeting, including a penalty for any delay, relating to the required stockholder approval pursuant to the rules of Nasdaq for the conversion of the August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note, as well as adjustments to the conversion provisions.
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On October 28, 2024, the Company issued a promissory note (the “October 2024 Nirland Note”) to Nirland in the original principal amount of $600,000 in exchange for funds in such amount. The October 2024 Nirland Note bears interest at a rate of 12% per annum, is due and payable semi-annually in arrears, and matures on October 31, 2025. If an event of default under and as defined in the October 2024 Nirland Note occurs, the interest rate will be increased to 18% per annum or to the maximum rate permitted by law. In connection with the October 2024 Nirland Note, the Company has agreed to pay Nirland a 1% arrangement fee, which will be included with the principal and interest owed under the October 2024 Nirland Note.
Corporate Information
On September 22, 2023, a merger transaction (the “Business Combination”) between Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited (“Old Conduit”), Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp (“MURF”) and Conduit Merger Sub, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly owned subsidiary of MURF (“Merger Sub”), was completed pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 8, 2022, as amended, (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the closing, (i) Merger Sub merged with and into Old Conduit, with Old Conduit surviving the Business Combination as a wholly-owned subsidiary of MURF, and (ii) MURF changed its name from Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp. to Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Our principal executive offices are located at 4581 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 200, Naples, Florida 34103, and our telephone number is (646) 491-9132. Our website address is http://www.conduitpharma.com. The information contained on or otherwise accessible through our website is not part of this prospectus.
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The Offering
| Shares
of Common Stock offered by the Selling Stockholder |
75,000,000 shares of Common Stock which may be issued pursuant to a conversion of the August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note. | |
| Use of proceeds | We are not selling any securities under this prospectus and will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of Common Stock covered hereby by the Selling Stockholder. See “Use of Proceeds.” | |
| Terms of this offering; Determination of offering price | The Selling Stockholder, including its transferees, donees, pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest, may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of the shares of Common Stock offered by this prospectus from time to time on The Nasdaq Global Market or any other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares are traded or in private transactions. The Selling Stockholder may offer or sell the shares of Common Stock offered by this prospectus at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market price or at privately negotiated prices.
The offering price of our Common Stock does not necessarily bear any relationship to our book value, assets, past operating results, financial condition or any other established criteria of value. Our Common Stock might not trade at market prices in excess of the offering price as prices for our Common Stock in any public market will be determined in the marketplace and may be influenced by many factors, including the depth and liquidity. See “Determination of Offering Price” and “Plan of Distribution” for more information. | |
| Nasdaq symbol | Our Common Stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “CDT”. | |
| Risk Factors | Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See the section titled “Risk Factors” on page 6 of this prospectus and under similar headings in other documents incorporated by reference herein. |
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Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific risk factors described below and discussed in the sections titled “Risk Factors” contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and as described or may be described in any subsequent quarterly report on Form 10-Q under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” as well as in all applicable prospectus supplements and contained or to be contained in our filings with the SEC and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus, or any applicable prospectus supplement. For a description of these reports and documents, and information about where you can find them, see “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.” If any of the risks or uncertainties described in our SEC filings or any prospectus supplement or any additional risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline and you might lose all or part of the value of your investment.
We currently have limited working capital and continue to incur costs and expenses as part of our operations. Our current expenses and ongoing operations require substantial additional capital, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all, and, if not so available, may require us to delay, limit, reduce, or cease our operations, including through a bankruptcy or liquidation.
Our operations have consumed substantial amounts of cash since our inception. As of September 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $26.7 million and our net loss was $15.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. As of November 22, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $110,000. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses. Our business requires additional capital for its ongoing operations. Our ability to raise additional funds may be adversely impacted by potential worsening global economic conditions and the recent disruptions to, and volatility in, the credit and financial markets in the U.S. As we require additional funds, we may seek to fund our operations through the sale of additional equity securities, debt financing, and/or strategic collaboration agreements. We cannot be sure that additional financing from any of these sources will be available when needed or that, if available, the additional financing will be obtained on favorable terms.
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If we are unable to raise additional capital in the short term, we may be required to materially curtail, reduce or cease our operations, including through a bankruptcy or liquidation. We could be forced to sell or dispose of our rights or assets. Any inability to raise adequate funds on commercially reasonable terms could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition, including the possibility that a lack of funds could cause our business to fail and our Company to file for bankruptcy or dissolve and liquidate with little or no return to investors.
Our business is dependent on the successful development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of our clinical assets, in particular glucokinase activators which we believe are active in a range of autoimmune disorders, which we refer to as AZD1656 and AZD5658, and a potent, irreversible inhibitor of human Myeloperoxidase that has the potential to treat idiopathic male infertility, which we refer to as AZD5904.
The success of our business, including our ability to finance our operations and generate any revenue in the future, will primarily depend on the successful development, regulatory approval, and commercialization or partnering of our clinical assets. In the future, we may also become dependent on just one of our clinical assets or any future clinical assets that we may in-license, acquire, or develop. The preclinical, clinical and commercial success of our clinical assets will depend on a number of factors, including the following:
| ● | the ability to raise additional capital to fund our current pre-clinical and clinical plans on acceptable terms, or at all; | |
| ● | the timely completion of our clinical trials, which may be significantly slower or cost more than we currently anticipate and will depend substantially upon the performance of third-party contractors; | |
| ● | whether we are required by the FDA or similar foreign regulatory agencies to conduct additional preclinical or clinical trials beyond those planned to support the approval and commercialization of our clinical assets or any future clinical assets; | |
| ● | the acceptance of our proposed indications and primary endpoint assessments relating to the proposed indications of our clinical assets by the FDA or similar foreign regulatory authorities; | |
| ● | our ability to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of our clinical assets or any future clinical assets to the satisfaction of the FDA and similar foreign regulatory authorities; | |
| ● | the prevalence, duration, and severity of potential side effects experienced in connection with our clinical assets or future approved products, if any; | |
| ● | the timely receipt of necessary marketing approvals from the FDA and similar foreign regulatory authorities; | |
| ● | achieving and maintaining, and, where applicable, ensuring that our third-party contractors achieve and maintain, compliance with our contractual obligations and with all regulatory requirements applicable to our clinical assets or any future clinical assets or approved products, if any; | |
| ● | the ability of third parties with whom we contract to manufacture clinical trial and commercial supplies of our clinical assets or any future clinical assets, remain in good standing with regulatory agencies, and develop, validate, and maintain commercially viable manufacturing processes that are compliant with current good manufacturing practices (“cGMP”); | |
| ● | a continued acceptable safety profile during preclinical and clinical development and following approval of our clinical assets or any future clinical assets; |
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| ● | our ability to successfully commercialize our clinical assets or any future clinical assets in the U.S. and internationally, if approved for marketing, sale, and distribution in such countries and territories, whether alone or in collaboration with others; | |
| ● | the acceptance by physicians, patients, and payors of the benefits, safety, and efficacy of our clinical assets or any future clinical assets, if approved, including relative to alternative and competing treatments; | |
| ● | our ability to comply with numerous post-approval regulatory requirements; | |
| ● | our and our partners’ ability to establish and enforce intellectual property rights in and to our clinical assets or any future clinical assets; | |
| ● | our and our partners’ ability to avoid third-party patent interference or intellectual property infringement claims; and | |
| ● | our ability to in-license or acquire additional clinical assets or commercial-stage products that we believe that we can successfully develop and commercialize. |
If we are unable to achieve one or more of the above factors, many of which are beyond our control, in a timely manner or at all, we could experience significant delays and increased costs or an inability to obtain regulatory approvals or commercialize our clinical assets. Even if regulatory approvals are obtained, we may never be able to successfully commercialize any of our clinical assets. Accordingly, we cannot assure investors that we will be able to generate sufficient revenue through the sale of our clinical assets or any future clinical assets to continue operations.
The development of our clinical assets (AZD1656, AZD5658, and AZD5904) is expensive, time-consuming, and uncertain. Both preclinical and clinical trials may fail to adequately demonstrate pharmacologic activity in therapeutic areas of interest; cause unintended short- or long-term effects in other bodily systems; or produce unexpected toxicity that may alter or risk benefit assessment. Additionally, even if early-stage studies demonstrate potential, later-stage clinical trials may not replicate the findings, leading to delay, increased costs, or failures in regulatory approval.
The scientific discoveries that form the basis for our efforts to generate and develop our clinical assets are relatively recent, adding further complexity and risk to the process. AZD1656 is a glucokinase activator that may be efficacious in a number of Phase II ready autoimmune disorders including Lupus Nephritis, ANCA Vasculitis, uveitis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, preterm labor, and renal transplant failure. However, its successful development may require additional studies and efforts to optimize its therapeutic potential. AZD5685 is a HK-4 glucokinase activator that has the same mechanism of action to AZD1656 and is Phase II ready in a wide range of autoimmune disorders. In addition, our development pipeline includes what we believe to be a potent irreversible inhibitor of human myeloperoxidase (MPO) that has the potential to treat idiopathic male infertility, which we refer to as AZD5904. AZD5904 may not demonstrate in patients the therapeutic properties ascribed to it in the laboratory or preclinical studies, and may interact with human biological systems in unforeseen, ineffective, or even harmful ways. If we are not able to successfully develop and commercialize our clinical assets, including AZD1656, AZD5658, and AZD5904, we may never become profitable and the value of our capital stock may decline.
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We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to remedy these weaknesses or maintain an effective system of internal controls, then our ability to produce timely and accurate financial statements or comply with applicable regulations could be adversely affected. We may identify additional material weaknesses in our internal controls over financing reporting which we may not be able to remedy in a timely manner.
In connection with the preparation and audit of the financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, material weaknesses were identified in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. These material weaknesses primarily relate to the following matters that are relevant to the preparation of our financial statements:
| ● | We have limited segregation of duties. For the periods under audit, Old Conduit did not have any internal personnel in the financial accounting and reporting department, instead relied upon third party consultants to perform these activities. | |
| ● | We lack a formal process for review and approval of financial statements. For the periods under audit, especially prior to the Business Combination, numerous, recurring errors in account balances and disclosures were detected in the financial statements that resulted in a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement would not have been detected on a timely basis. | |
| ● | We did not design adequate and appropriate internal controls under an appropriate internal control over financial reporting framework, including monitoring controls and certain entity level controls. | |
| ● | We did not appropriately review and evaluate the accounting implications of all material transactions that occurred in the audit period which resulted in a restatement for previous periods. |
If these material weaknesses are not remediated, it could result in a misstatement of account balances or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the annual or interim financial statements that would not be prevented or detected. We are implementing measures designed to improve our internal control over financial reporting to remediate these material weaknesses, although they have not been fully remediated as of the date of this prospectus.
The material weaknesses will not be considered remediated until our remediation plan has been fully implemented, the applicable controls operate for a sufficient period of time, and we have concluded, through testing, that the newly implemented and enhanced controls are operating effectively. We currently do not have the financial resources to establish and implement a remediation plan. The Company expects commence a remediation plan once such financial resources are available by documenting and implementing such plan, followed with testing such controls over time. We cannot predict the success of such efforts or the outcome of its assessment of any such remediation efforts. Once undertaken, our efforts may not remediate these material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, or additional material weaknesses may be identified in the future. A failure to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could result in errors in our financial statements that could result in a restatement of our financial statements and could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations, any of which could diminish investor confidence in us and cause a decline in the price of our Common Stock.
Our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting until after we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. At such time, our independent registered public accounting firm may issue a report that is adverse in the event it is not satisfied with the level at which our internal control over financial reporting is documented, designed, or operating.
We currently rely on agreements with third parties for the purpose of licensing our clinical assets. In the near-term, we intend to rely on third parties for the licensing of clinical assets and those which may arise through future partnerships.
We currently rely on agreements with third parties for the purpose of licensing clinical assets from large pharmaceutical companies. For example, we have a License Agreement with AstraZeneca pursuant to which we license clinical assets directly from AstraZeneca. If we are in breach of the agreement, the termination of such agreement could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results, and prospects. Our business strategy heavily depends on our ability to commercialize our clinical assets, and our ability to enter into and maintain license agreements relating to such clinical assets is critical to the success of our operations. In addition, while we hold our own intellectual property outside of the scope of our agreements with AstraZeneca, a termination of the agreement could adversely affect our business and ability to commercialize our clinical assets.
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Concentration of ownership of our equity securities may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control.
As of October 31, 2024, Corvus Capital Limited (of which Dr. Regan, a director on our board of directors, is the Chief Executive Officer), Algo Holdings, Inc., and Dr. Regan personally, together hold an ownership interest of 30,292,731 shares of our Common Stock or approximately 31.55% of our outstanding Common Stock, and AstraZeneca holds a beneficial ownership interest of 9,504,465 shares of our Common Stock or approximately 9.9% of our outstanding Common Stock. As a result, a small number of our equity holders may have the ability to determine the outcome of corporate actions of the Company requiring stockholder approval, including the election all of the directors of the board of directors and the approval of significant corporate matters. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control and might adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock.
As a result of the Business Combination with a special purpose acquisition company, regulatory obligations may impact us differently than other publicly traded companies.
We became a publicly traded company by completing the Business Combination with MURF, a special purpose acquisition company (a “SPAC”). As a result of the Business Combination, and the transactions contemplated thereby, our regulatory obligations have, and may continue to impact us differently than other publicly traded companies. For instance, the SEC and other regulatory agencies may issue additional guidance or apply further regulatory scrutiny to companies like us that have completed a business combination with a SPAC. Managing this regulatory environment, which has and may continue to evolve, could divert management’s attention from the operation of our business, negatively impact our ability to raise capital when needed, or have an adverse effect on the price of our Common Stock.
Nasdaq may delist our securities from trading on its exchange.
Our Common Stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market and our redeemable warrants are listed on The Nasdaq Global Market. Although we met the minimum initial listing standards of Nasdaq, which generally only requires that we meet certain requirements relating to stockholders’ equity, market capitalization, aggregate market value of publicly held shares, and distribution requirements, we cannot assure investors that our securities will continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future.
For example, we have recently received multiple listing deficiency notices from Nasdaq, in connection with the composition of our audit committee, as well as our failures to satisfy the continued listing requirements relating to Nasdaq’s rules regarding minimum bid price, the market value of publicly held shares, and the market value of listed securities. Although we intend to regain compliance with (i) the requirement that the audit committee be comprised of at least three independent directors prior to the expiration of the cure period provided, (ii) the minimum bid price rule, which could include effecting a reverse stock split, (iii) the market value of publicly held securities requirement and (iv) the market value of listed securities requirement, the inability to comply with Nasdaq’s continued requirements or standards could result in the delisting of our Common Stock, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and could cause the value of the Common Stock to decline.
If our Common Stock were to be delisted from trading on The Nasdaq Global Market and the trading price of our Common Stock were below $5.00 per share on the date the Common Stock is delisted, trading in our Common Stock would also be subject to the requirements of certain rules promulgated under the Exchange Act. These rules require additional disclosure by broker-dealers in connection with any trades involving a stock defined as a “penny stock” and impose various sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell penny stocks to persons other than established customers and accredited investors, generally institutions. These additional requirements may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in securities that are classified as penny stocks, which could severely limit the market price and liquidity of such securities and the ability of purchasers to sell such securities in the secondary market. A penny stock is defined generally as any non-exchange listed equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions.
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The sale or availability for sale of shares issuable pursuant to a prospectus supplement may depress the price of our Common Stock, dilute the interest of our existing stockholders, and encourage short sales by third parties, which could further depress the price of our Common Stock.
To the extent that investors sell shares of our Common Stock pursuant to a prospectus supplement, the market price of our Common Stock may decrease due to the additional selling pressure in the market. Any downward pressure on the price of our Common Stock caused by the sale or potential sale of such shares could encourage short sales by third parties. Such sales could place downward pressure on the price of our Common Stock by increasing the number of shares of our Common Stock being sold, which could further contribute to any decline in the market price of our Common Stock.
Corvus Capital Limited, one of our significant stockholders, and an entity controlled by one of our directors, pledged all of its shares of our Common Stock it owns in connection with an agreement with, and in favor of, Nirland. If such pledged shares are transferred to Nirland under such agreement, Nirland would have significant influence over us.
All of the shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned by Corvus Capital Limited, approximately 30 million shares (or 31% of our outstanding Common Stock as of November 22, 2024) have been pledged to Nirland in connection with a participation and inducement agreement previously entered into between the two parties. Pursuant to such agreement, Corvus Capital Limited and its affiliates entered into a participation and inducement agreement with Nirland whereby Corvus Capital limited agreed to provide certain payments and economic benefits in the event Corvus Capital Limited sold or pledged in a debt transaction shares of our Common Stock it beneficially owned. Pursuant to such agreement, in certain circumstances, Nirland may have a right to cause Corvus Capital Limited to transfer certain of such shares to it. In the event of a transfer of all or apportion of such shares, Nirland could own a substantial and significant amount of our outstanding Common Stock. This concentration of ownership may have an adverse effect on us, including but not limited to, the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control, influencing the vote received on corporate actions that are submitted to our stockholders for approval and might adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock.
The Debt Agreements provide Nirland with liens on substantially all of our assets, including our intellectual property, and contain financial covenants and other restrictions on our actions, which may cause significant risks to our stockholders and may impact our ability to pursue certain transactions and operate our business.
Pursuant to terms of the Debt Agreements, we have granted liens on substantially all of our assets, including our intellectual property, as collateral, and have agreed to significant covenants, including covenants that materially limit our ability to take certain actions, including our ability to pay dividends, make certain investments and other payments, incur additional indebtedness, encumber and dispose of assets and customary events of default, including failure to pay amounts due, breaches of covenants and warranties, material adverse effect events, certain cross defaults and judgements and insolvency.
A failure to comply with the covenants and other provisions of these agreements, including any failure to make a payment when required, would generally result in events of default under such instruments. If we are unable to make payment on our outstanding debt when due, the secured lender may foreclose on and sell the assets securing such indebtedness, which includes substantially all of our property, to satisfy our payment obligations, which could prevent us from accessing those assets for our business and conducting our business as planned. Our business, financial condition, prospects and results of operations could be materially adversely affected as a result of any of these events.
We will require substantial additional funding in the future, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all, and, if not so available, may require us to delay, limit, reduce, or cease our operations.
Our operations have consumed substantial amounts of cash since our inception. As of September 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $26.7 million and our net loss was $15.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future. Our business will require substantial additional capital for implementation of our long-term business plan and development of clinical assets. Our ability to raise additional funds may be adversely impacted by potential worsening global economic conditions and the recent disruptions to, and volatility in, the credit and financial markets in the U.S. As we require additional funds, we may seek to fund our operations through the sale of additional equity securities, debt financing, and/or strategic collaboration agreements. We cannot be sure that additional financing from any of these sources will be available when needed or that, if available, the additional financing will be obtained on favorable terms.
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Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to:
| ● | the progress, timing, scope, and costs of our clinical trials, including the ability to timely enroll patients in our potential future clinical trials; |
| ● | the outcome, timing, and cost of regulatory approvals by the FDA and comparable regulatory authorities, including the potential that the FDA or comparable regulatory authorities may require that we perform more studies than those that we currently expect; |
| ● | the amount of revenues, if any, from our current clinical assets or any future clinical assets; |
| ● | the terms and timing of any potential future collaborations, licensing, or other arrangements that we may establish; |
| ● | cash requirements of any future acquisitions and/or the development of other clinical assets; |
| ● | the costs of operating as a public company; |
| ● | the time and cost necessary to respond to technological and market developments; |
| ● | any disputes which may occur between us, employees, collaborators, or other prospective business partners; and |
| ● | the costs of filing, prosecuting, defending, and enforcing any patent claims and other intellectual property rights. |
If we raise additional funds by selling shares of our Common Stock or other equity-linked securities, the ownership interest of our current stockholders will be diluted. We may seek to access the public or private capital markets whenever conditions are favorable, even if we do not have an immediate need for additional capital at that time. If we raise additional funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or marketing, distribution, or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, or clinical assets or to grant licenses on terms that may not be acceptable to us. If we raise additional funds through debt financing, we may have to grant, if able, a security interest on our assets to the future lenders, our debt service costs may be substantial, and any current or future lenders may have a preferential position in connection with any future bankruptcy or liquidation involving the Company.
On November 22, 2024, the last quoted sale price for our Common Stock as reported on Nasdaq was $0.104 per share. Currently, the exercise prices of the Company’s warrants are greater than the current market price of our Common Stock. Accordingly, such warrants are unlikely to be exercised and therefore the Company does not expect to receive any proceeds from such exercise of the warrants in the near term. Whether any holders of warrants determine to exercise such warrants, which would result in cash proceeds to the Company, will likely depend upon the market price of our Common Stock at the time of any such holder’s determination.
If we are unable to raise additional capital when needed, we may be required to curtail the development of our technology or materially curtail or reduce our operations. We could be forced to sell or dispose of our rights or assets. Any inability to raise adequate funds on commercially reasonable terms could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition, including the possibility that a lack of funds could cause our business to fail and our Company to dissolve and liquidate with little or no return to investors.
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DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE
The Selling Stockholder will offer or sell the shares of Common Stock offered by this prospectus at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market price or at privately negotiated prices. The offering price of our Common Stock does not necessarily bear any relationship to our book value, assets, past operating results, financial condition or any other established criteria of value. Our Common Stock might not trade at market prices in excess of the offering price as prices for our Common Stock in any public market will be determined in the marketplace and may be influenced by many factors, including the depth and liquidity. See “Plan of Distribution” for more information.
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements relate to future events or to our future operating or financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to:
| ● | our ability to meet future capital requirements to fund our operations, which may involve debt and/or equity financing, and to obtain such debt and/or equity financing on favorable terms, and our sources and uses of cash | |
| ● | the ability to maintain the listing of our securities on Nasdaq, and the potential liquidity and trading of our securities; | |
| ● | the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances, including the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against us; | |
| ● | the risk of disruption to our current plans and operations; | |
| ● | the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of our business and the Business Combination (as defined above), which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability to grow, manage growth profitably, and retain key employees; | |
| ● | costs related to our business; | |
| ● | changes in applicable laws or regulations; | |
| ● | our ability to execute our plans to develop and commercialize our current clinical assets, as well as any future clinical assets that we license, and the timing of any such commercialization; | |
| ● | our ability to maintain existing license agreements; | |
| ● | our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements, and needs for additional financing; | |
| ● | our ability to achieve and maintain profitability in the future; | |
| ● | our financial performance; and | |
| ● | other factors disclosed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” herein. |
In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We discuss in greater detail many of these risks in the section titled “Risk Factors”, in any prospectus supplement and free writing prospectuses we may authorize for use in connection with this offering, and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus in their entirety. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of the document containing the applicable statement. Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or developments.
In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this prospectus, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
You should read this prospectus, together with the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in the foregoing documents by these cautionary statements.
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The Common Stock to be offered and sold using this prospectus will be offered and sold by the Selling Stockholder named in this prospectus. Accordingly, we will not receive any proceeds from any sale or disposition of shares of Common Stock held by the Selling Stockholder pursuant to this prospectus.
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This prospectus covers the resale or other disposition by the Selling Stockholder identified in the table below of up to an aggregate 75,000,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note. The Selling Stockholder acquired their securities in the transactions described above under the heading “Nirland Note and Amendment to Nirland Debt Agreements.”
The August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note held by the Selling Stockholder contains limitations which prevent the holder from converting the August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note if such conversion would cause the Selling Stockholder, together with certain related parties, to beneficially own a number of shares of Common Stock which would exceed 9.99% of our then outstanding shares of Common Stock following such conversion, excluding for purposes of such determination, shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note which have not been converted. In addition, the conversion of the August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note and the issuance of the shares of Common Stock underlying such note, is subject to stockholder approval under applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq, to the extent required by such rules and regulation.
The table below sets forth, as of November 22, 2024, the following information regarding the Selling Stockholder:
| ● | the name of the Selling Stockholder; | |
| ● | the number of shares of Common Stock owned by the Selling Stockholder prior to this offering, without regard to any beneficial ownership limitations contained in the August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note; | |
| ● | the number of shares of Common Stock to be offered by the Selling Stockholder in this offering; | |
| ● | the number of shares of Common Stock to be owned by the Selling Stockholder assuming the sale of all of the shares of Common Stock covered by this prospectus; and | |
| ● | the percentage of our issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock to be owned by Selling Stockholder assuming the sale of all of the shares of Common Stock covered by this prospectus based on the number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of November 22, 2024. |
Except as described above, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Selling Stockholder has been determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act and includes, for such purpose, shares of Common Stock that the Selling Stockholder has the right to acquire within 60 days of November 22, 2024.
All information with respect to the Common Stock ownership of the Selling Stockholder has been furnished by or on behalf of the Selling Stockholder. We believe, based on information supplied by the Selling Stockholder, that except as may otherwise be indicated in the footnotes to the table below, the Selling Stockholder has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares of Common Stock reported as beneficially owned by the Selling Stockholder. Because the Selling Stockholder identified in the table may sell some or all of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them and covered by this prospectus, and because there are currently no agreements, arrangements or understandings with respect to the sale of any of the shares of Common Stock, no estimate can be given as to the number of shares of Common Stock available for resale hereby that will be held by the Selling Stockholder upon termination of this offering. In addition, the Selling Stockholder may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, or may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, at any time and from time to time, the shares of Common Stock they beneficially own in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act after the date on which they provided the information set forth in the table below. We have, therefore, assumed for the purposes of the following table, that the Selling Stockholder will sell all of the shares of Common Stock owned beneficially by it that are covered by this prospectus, but will not sell any other shares of Common Stock that they presently own. Except as set forth below, the Selling Stockholder have not held any position or office, or have otherwise had a material relationship, with us or any of our subsidiaries within the past three years other than as a result of the ownership of our shares of Common Stock or other securities.
| Name of Selling Stockholder | Shares Owned prior to Offering (1) | Shares Offered by this Prospectus | Shares Owned after Offering | Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned after Offering (1) | ||||||||||
| Nirland Limited | 77,000,000 | (2) | 75,000,000 | 2,000,000 | * | |||||||||
* Less than 1.0%.
| (1) | Percentages are based on 116,797,274 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of November 22, 2024, assuming the resale of all of the shares of Common Stock covered by this prospectus. |
| (2) | Consists of (i) up to 75,000,000 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon conversion of the August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note and (ii) 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock underlying currently exercisable warrants. The securities are directly held by Nirland Limited. |
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The following is a description of our securities of as set forth in certain provisions of our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) and our Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), each previously filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference as an exhibit to this registration statement. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Charter, Bylaws, and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). We encourage you to read our Charter, Bylaws, and the applicable portions of the DGCL carefully, along with the terms of any securities offered for sale pursuant to a prospectus supplement.
General
The total amount of authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 250,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Stock”).
As of November 22, 2024, our issued and outstanding capital stock consists of 116,797,274 shares of common stock and no shares of Preferred Stock.
Common Stock
Voting
The holders of the Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the voting power represented by shares of Common Stock voted for the election of directors can elect all of the directors.
Dividends
Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Company) when, as and if declared thereon by the board of directors from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Company legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.
Other Rights
Holders of Common Stock do not have any conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights and there is no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the Common Stock.
Nasdaq Global Market Listing
Our Common Stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “CDT.”
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is Vstock Transfer, LLC, with an address of 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, NY 11598.
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ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF THE CHARTER AND THE BYLAWS
We have certain anti-takeover provisions in place as follows:
Special Meeting of Stockholders
Our Bylaws provide that, subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of our Preferred Stock and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called only by (i) the chairperson of the board of directors, (ii) the chief executive officer, or (iii) a majority vote of our board of directors.
Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations
Our Bylaws provide that, in addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be received by the Secretary at our principal executive offices (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of (x) the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting, or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was first made by the Company; and (ii) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting is first made by the Company.
Authorized but Unissued Shares
Our authorized but unissued Common Stock and Preferred Stock will be available for future issuances without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions, and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved Common Stock and Preferred Stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger, or otherwise.
Exclusive Forum Selection
Our Charter requires that, to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable law, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Company, its directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the second amended and restated certificate of incorporation or the bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Company, its directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel except any action (A) as to which the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, or (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the foregoing will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction and (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable law, the federal district courts of the United States of America for the District of Delaware and the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall have concurrent jurisdiction for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
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This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with the Company or any of the Company’s directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. The Company cannot be certain that a court will decide that this provision is either applicable or enforceable, and if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in the Charter to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, the Company may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm the Company’s business, operating results, and financial condition.
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our Charter provides that directors and officers will be indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent authorized by Delaware law as it now exists or may in the future be amended.
Our Bylaws also permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director or employee for any liability arising out of his or her actions, regardless of whether Delaware law would permit indemnification. We have purchased a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our directors and officers against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures the Company against its obligations to indemnify the directors and officers.
These provisions may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against the Company’s directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit the Company and the Company’s stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent the Company pays the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions. We believe that these provisions, the insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced directors and officers.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to the Company’s directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
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The Selling Stockholder of the securities and any of its pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest may, from time to time, sell any or all of their securities covered hereby on The Nasdaq Global Market or any other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the securities are traded or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or negotiated prices.
The Selling Stockholder may use any one or more of the following methods when selling securities:
| ● | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers; | |
| ● | block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; | |
| ● | purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; | |
| ● | an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange; | |
| ● | privately negotiated transactions; | |
| ● | settlement of short sales; | |
| ● | in transactions through broker-dealers that agree with the Selling Stockholder to sell a specified number of such securities at a stipulated price per security; | |
| ● | through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise; | |
| ● | a combination of any such methods of sale; or | |
| ● | any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
The Selling Stockholder may also sell securities under Rule 144 or any other exemption from registration under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus.
Broker-dealers engaged by the Selling Stockholder may arrange for other brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the Selling Stockholder (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of securities, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated, but, except as set forth in a supplement to this Prospectus, in the case of an agency transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121; and in the case of a principal transaction a markup or markdown in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121.
In connection with the sale of the securities or interests therein, the Selling Stockholder may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The Selling Stockholder may also sell securities short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The Selling Stockholder may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or create one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
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The Selling Stockholder and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in selling the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the resale of the securities purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Each Selling Stockholder has informed the Company that it does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the securities.
We agreed to keep this prospectus effective until the earlier of (i) the date on which the securities may be resold by the Selling Stockholder without registration and without regard to any volume or manner-of-sale limitations by reason of Rule 144, without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information under Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect or (ii) all of the securities have been sold pursuant to this prospectus or Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect. The resale securities will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers if required under applicable state securities laws. In addition, in certain states, the resale securities covered hereby may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person engaged in the distribution of the resale securities may not simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to the Common Stock for the applicable restricted period, as defined in Regulation M, prior to the commencement of the distribution. In addition, the Selling Stockholder will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of the Common Stock by the Selling Stockholder or any other person. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the Selling Stockholder and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy of this prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the sale (including by compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act).
Our Common Stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “CDT”.
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The validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Thompson Hine LLP, New York, New York.
The consolidated financial statements of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, incorporated by reference in this prospectus and registration statement of which this prospectus is a part have been audited by Marcum LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report thereon, and which includes an explanatory paragraph as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, and are included in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers, such as us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.
Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at www.conduitpharma.com. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. Our website address is included in this prospectus as an inactive textual reference only.
This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. The full registration statement may be obtained from the SEC through the SEC’s website at the address provided above. Forms of the indenture and other documents establishing the terms of any offered securities are or may be filed as exhibits to the registration statement or documents incorporated by reference in the registration statement. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries, and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus, while information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or free writing prospectus provided to you in connection with this offering, or in any other document we subsequently file with the SEC that also is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, modifies or supersedes the original statement.
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The following documents filed with the SEC are hereby incorporated by reference in this prospectus:
| ● | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 16, 2024; | |
| ● | our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, and September 30, 2024 filed with the SEC on May 14, 2024 (as amended on November 14, 2024), August 12, 2024 (as amended on November 14, 2024), and November 14, 2024 respectively; | |
| ● | our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on April 16, 2024, May 31, 2024, July 1, 2024, July 11, 2024, August 7, 2024, August 8, 2024, August 16, 2024, September 6, 2024, October 15, 2024, November 1, 2024, November 14, 2024, November 19, 2024, and November 25, 2024; and |
| ● | the description of our securities contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on April 16, 2024, as well as any additional amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description; and | |
| ● | our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, as filed with the SEC on October 28, 2024 (as supplemented on November 1, 2024). |
All reports and other documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering, including all such reports and other documents filed with the SEC after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such reports and other documents.
We will furnish without charge to you, on written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference, including exhibits to these documents. You should direct any requests for documents by writing us at 4581 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 200, Naples, Florida 34103 or by telephoning us at (646) 491-9132.
Notwithstanding the statements in the preceding paragraphs, no document, report, or exhibit (or portion of any of the foregoing) or any other information that we have “furnished” or may in the future “furnish” to the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act shall be incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.
In accordance with Rule 412 of the Securities Act, any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.
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75,000,000 Shares of Common Stock
PROSPECTUS
We have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to give any information or to make any representations not contained in this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where an offer or sale is not permitted.
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Item 14. 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 offering of the securities pursuant to this registration statement:
| SEC registration fee | $ | 1,037 | ||
| Accounting fees and expenses | $ | 35,000 | ||
| Legal fees and expenses | $ | 50,000 | ||
| Printing and miscellaneous expenses | $ | 3,963 | ||
| Total | $ | 90,000 |
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Item 15. Indemnification of Officers and Directors.
Section 145 of the DGCL concerning indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents is set forth below.
“Section 145. Indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents; insurance.
| (a) | A corporation shall have 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, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) 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), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding 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, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful. |
| (b) | A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of 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. |
| (c) | (1) To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith. For indemnification with respect to any act or omission occurring after December 31, 2020, references to “officer” for purposes of these paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section shall mean only a person who at the time of such act or omission is deemed to have consented to service by the delivery of process to the registered agent of the corporation pursuant to § 3114(b) of Title 10 (for purposes of this sentence only, treating residents of this State as if they were nonresidents to apply § 3114(b) of Title 10 to this sentence).
(2) The corporation may indemnify any other person who is not a present or former director or officer of the corporation against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person to the extent he or she has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein |
| (d) | Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer of the corporation at the time of such determination, (1) By a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) By a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) If there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) By the stockholders. |
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| (e) | Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director of the corporation in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents of the corporation or by persons serving at the request of the corporation as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate. |
| (f) | The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the certificate of incorporation or a bylaw shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to or repeal or elimination of the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such action or omission has occurred. |
| (g) | A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who 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 any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this section. For purposes of this subsection, insurance shall include any insurance provided directly or indirectly (including pursuant to any fronting or reinsurance arrangement) by or through a captive insurance company organized and licensed in compliance with the laws of any jurisdiction, including any captive insurance company licensed under Chapter 69 of Title 18, provided that the terms of any such captive insurance shall: |
| (1) | Exclude from coverage thereunder, and provide that the insurer shall not make any payment for, loss in connection with any claim made against any person arising out of, based upon or attributable to any (i) personal profit or other financial advantage to which such person was not legally entitled or (ii) deliberate criminal or deliberate fraudulent act of such person, or a knowing violation of law by such person, if (in the case of the foregoing paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section) established by a final, nonappealable adjudication in the underlying proceeding in respect of such claim (which shall not include an action or proceeding initiated by the insurer or the insured to determine coverage under the policy), unless and only to the extent such person is entitled to be indemnified therefor under this section; |
| (2) | Require that any determination to make a payment under such insurance in respect of a claim against a current director or officer (as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of this section) of the corporation shall be made by an independent claims administrator or in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (d)(1) through (4) of this section; and |
| (3) | Require that, prior to any payment under such insurance in connection with any dismissal or compromise of any action, suit or proceeding brought by or in the right of a corporation as to which notice is required to be given to stockholders, such corporation shall include in such notice that a payment is proposed to be made under such insurance in connection with such dismissal or compromise. |
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| For purposes of paragraph (g)(1) of this section, the conduct of an insured person shall not be imputed to any other insured person. A corporation that establishes or maintains a captive insurance company that provides insurance pursuant to this section shall not, solely by virtue thereof, be subject to the provisions of Title 18. | |
| (h) | For purposes of this section, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. |
| (i) | For purposes of this section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this section. |
| (j) | The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. |
| (k) | The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily determine a corporation’s obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees). |
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers, and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in a successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to the 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.
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Section 8.2 of the Company’s second amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides:
“(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 8.2 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Section 8.2 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.2(a), except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.
(b) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any indemnitee by this Section 8.2 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under law, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, the ByLaws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.
(c) Any repeal or amendment of this Section 8.2 by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate inconsistent with this Section 8.2, shall, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.
(d) This Section 8.2 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than indemnitees.”
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is theretofore unenforceable.
Item 16. Exhibits
See the Exhibit Index on the page immediately before the signature page to this registration statement for a list of exhibits filed as part of this registration statement, which Exhibit Index is 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:
(a) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933,
(b) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement,
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(c) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(a), (1)(b) and (1)(c) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(a) If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:
(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(b) If the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, 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 a 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.
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(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 the securities: the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the 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 registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(a) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(b) 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;
(c) 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
(d) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(6) That, 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 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.
(7) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the forgoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Naples, State of Florida, on November 25, 2024.
| CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ David Tapolczay | |
| Name: | David Tapolczay | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
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KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints David Tapolczay and/or James Bligh, as his or her true and lawful agent, proxy and attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to (i) act on, sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement together with all schedules and exhibits thereto and any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, (ii) act on, sign and file such certificates, instruments, agreements and other documents as may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, (iii) act on and file any supplement to any prospectus included in this registration statement or any such amendment or any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (iv) take any and all actions which may be necessary or appropriate to be done, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby approving, ratifying and confirming all that such agent, proxy and attorney-in-fact or any of his or her substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ David Tapolczay | Chief Executive Officer and Director | November 25, 2024 | ||
| David Tapolczay | (Principal Executive Officer) | |||
| /s/ James Bligh | Interim Chief Financial Officer and Director | November 25, 2024 | ||
| James Bligh | (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |||
| /s/ Freda Lewis-Hall | Director and Chairperson of the Board of Directors | November 25, 2024 | ||
| Freda Lewis-Hall | ||||
| /s/ Faith L. Charles | Director | November 25, 2024 | ||
| Faith L. Charles | ||||
| /s/ Chele Chiavacci Farley | Director | November 25, 2024 | ||
| Chele Chiavacci Farley | ||||
| /s/ Andrew Regan | Director | November 25, 2024 | ||
| Andrew Regan |
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Exhibit 5.1
November 25, 2024
Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc.
4581 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 200
Naples, FL 34103
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), including a related preliminary prospectus filed with the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”), with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), covering the offer and sale by the selling stockholder identified therein of up to 75,000,000 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) issuable upon the conversion of that certain Senior Secured Promissory Note dated as of August 6, 2024, as amended, between the Company, Conduit UK Management Ltd., and Nirland Limited, as amended (the “August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note”).
In connection with this opinion letter, we have examined originals or copies (certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction) of (i) the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation as amended and/or restated to date and as currently in effect (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), (ii) the Company’s Bylaws as amended and/or restated to date and as currently in effect (the “Bylaws”), (iii) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (iv) the August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note, and (v) such corporate records, agreements, documents, and other instruments, and such certificates or comparable documents of public officials or of officers and representatives of the Company, as we have deemed relevant and necessary as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth.
In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed or photostatic copies, the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents, that all parties (other than the Company) had the requisite power and authority (corporate or otherwise) to execute, deliver, and perform such agreements or instruments, that all such agreements or instruments have been duly authorized by all requisite action (corporate or otherwise), executed and delivered by such parties, and that such agreements or instruments are valid, binding, and enforceable obligations of such parties. As to certain questions of fact material to this opinion letter, we have relied upon certificates or comparable documents of officers and representatives of the Company and have not sought to independently verify such facts.
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when issued upon the conversion of the August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note in the circumstances contemplated by the Registration Statement and the August 2024 Senior Secured Promissory Note, will be validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable.
In rendering the foregoing opinion, we have assumed that, (i) before the Shares are issued, the Company will not issue shares of common stock or reduce the total number of shares of common stock that the Company is authorized to issue under its then-effective Certificate of Incorporation such that the number of unissued shares of common stock authorized under the Certificate of Incorporation is less than the aggregate number of Shares; (ii) the Company will comply with all applicable notice requirements regarding uncertificated shares provided in the DGCL, and (iii) upon the issuance of any of the Shares, the total number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of shares of common stock that the Company is then authorized to issue under its Certificate of Incorporation.
The opinion expressed herein is limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (including reported judicial decisions interpreting the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) (the “DGCL”) and we express no opinion as to the effect on the matters covered by this opinion letter of the laws of any other jurisdiction.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving such consents, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.
| Very truly yours, | |
| /s/ Thompson Hine LLP | |
| Thompson Hine LLP |
Exhibit 23.2
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. on Form S-3 of our report dated April 16, 2024, which includes an explanatory paragraph as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, with respect to our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2023. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.
/s/ Marcum LLP
Marcum LLP
Morristown, NJ
November 25, 2024