Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 20, 2021

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   04-3156167

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

Two Mill & Main Place, Suite 395

Maynard, Massachusetts 01754

(978) 648-6000

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

 

 

David A. Frank

Chief Financial Officer

AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.

Two Mill & Main Place, Suite 395

Maynard, Massachusetts 01754

(978) 648-6000

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

 

 

With copies to:

 

Jocelyn A. Arel, Esq.

Michael J. Minahan, Esq.

Goodwin Procter LLP

100 Northern Ave.

Boston, Massachusetts 02210

(617) 570-1000

 

Angela M. Olsen, Esq.

General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.

Two Mill & Main Place, Suite 395

Maynard, Massachusetts 01754

(978) 648-6000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☒

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

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

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

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

 

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

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

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Amount

to Be

Registered(1)

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price

per Security(1)(2)

 

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price(1)

 

Amount of

Registration Fee(3)

Debt Securities

               

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

               

Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share

               

Warrants

               

Units

               

Total

  $200,000,000   N/A   $200,000,000   $21,820

 

 

(1)

Up to $200,000 of an indeterminate amount of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered hereunder at indeterminate prices, along with an indeterminate number of securities as may be issued upon exercise, settlement, conversion or exchange of securities offered or sold hereunder. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, this registration statement also covers any additional securities that may be offered or issued in connection with any stock split, stock dividend or pursuant to anti-dilution provisions of any of the securities. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon conversion, exercise or exchange of other securities.

(2)

Not required to be included in accordance with General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3.

(3)

The registration fee has been calculated in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

 

 

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

 

 

 

Table of Contents

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

 

Subject to completion, dated January 20, 2021

PROSPECTUS

$200,000,000

 

 

LOGO

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Units

 

 

We may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more series or issuances and on terms that we will determine at the time of the offering, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, up to an aggregate amount of $200,000,000. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered.

We will provide specific terms of any offering in a supplement to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement as well as the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus before you purchase any of the securities offered hereby.

These securities may be offered and sold in the same offering or in separate offerings; to or through underwriters, dealers, and agents; or directly to purchasers. The names of any underwriters, dealers, or agents involved in the sale of our securities, their compensation, and any over-allotment options held by them will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the section titled “Plan of Distribution.”

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AQB.” On January 15, 2021, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market was $11.00 per share.

We are an “emerging growth company” as that term is used in the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012 and, as such, have elected to avail ourselves of certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus and future filings.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties referenced under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus beginning on page 5 and any applicable prospectus supplement and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this Prospectus is                     , 2021.

 

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

About This Prospectus

   1

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

   2

Prospectus Summary

   3

Risk Factors

   5

Use of Proceeds

   6

The Securities We May Offer

   7

Description of Securities to be Registered

  

 

Description of Debt Securities

   8

Description of Capital Stock

   13

Description of Warrants

   18

Description of Units

   19

Plan of Distribution

   20

Interests of Named Experts and Counsel

  

 

Legal Matters

   23

Experts

   23

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

   23

Where You Can Find More Information

   24

 

 

i

Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total amount of $200,000,000.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update, or change information contained in the prospectus and, accordingly, to the extent inconsistent, information in this prospectus is superseded by the information in the prospectus supplement. This prospectus, together with any accompanying prospectus supplement, contains important information you should know before investing in our securities, including important information about us and the securities being offered. You should read both this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 24 of this prospectus.

The prospectus supplement to be attached to the front of this prospectus may describe, as applicable: the terms of the securities offered; the initial public offering price; the price paid for the securities; net proceeds; and the other specific terms related to the offering of the securities.

You should only rely on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus relating to a particular offering. No person has been authorized to give any information or make any representations in connection with this offering other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, and any related free writing prospectus in connection with the offering described herein and therein, and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us. If anyone provides you with different, additional or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We do not take responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. Neither this prospectus nor any prospectus supplement nor any related free writing prospectus shall constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy offered securities in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offering or solicitation. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For a more complete understanding of the offering of the securities, you should refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits.

You should read the entire prospectus and any prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, or any related free writing prospectus, before making an investment decision. Neither the delivery of this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, or any free writing prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall under any circumstances imply that the information contained or incorporated by reference herein or in any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus is correct as of any date subsequent to the date hereof or of such prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, as applicable. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, or any document incorporated by reference is accurate only as of their respective dates, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any sale of securities. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.

Unless otherwise specified or the context requires otherwise, the terms “AquaBounty Technologies,” “AquaBounty,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our company” mean AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

1

Table of Contents

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, each prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and each prospectus supplement contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, that are based on our management’s belief and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “continue,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could materially affect our results. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, those listed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, and under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties occur, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual events or results may vary significantly from those implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance. You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference herein and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

In particular, forward-looking statements in this prospectus and in the documents that we reference herein include statements about:

 

  •  

the anticipated benefits and characteristics of our AquAdvantage Salmon product;

 

  •  

the implementation and likelihood of achieving the business plan, future revenue, and operating results;

 

  •  

our plans for (including without limitation, projected costs, locations and third-party involvement) and the timing of the development of new farms and the output of those farms;

 

  •  

developments concerning our research projects;

 

  •  

our expectations regarding our ability to successfully enter new markets or develop additional products;

 

  •  

our competitive position and developments and projections relating to our competitors and our industry;

 

  •  

expectations regarding anticipated operating results;

 

  •  

our cash position and ability to raise additional capital to finance our activities;

 

  •  

the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak (the “COVID-19 pandemic”) on our business, operations and financial results, any of which could be significantly impaired by the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

  •  

our ability to protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights and technologies;

 

  •  

the impact of and our ability to adapt to changes in laws or regulations and policies;

 

  •  

the ability to secure any necessary regulatory approvals to commercialize any products;

 

  •  

the rate and degree of market acceptance of any products developed through the application of bioengineering, including bioengineered fish;

 

  •  

our ability to retain and recruit key personnel;

 

  •  

the success of any of our future acquisitions or investments;

 

  •  

our expectations regarding the time during which we will be an emerging growth company under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”);

 

  •  

our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements, and needs for additional financing; and

 

  •  

other risks and uncertainties referenced under “Risk Factors” below and in any applicable prospectus supplement and any documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.

Forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus or in the documents that we reference herein represent our views only as of the respective dates on which such statements were made. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments may cause our views to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we have no current intention of doing so except to the extent required by applicable law. Therefore, these forward-looking statements do not represent our views as of any date other than the date on which they were made.

 

2

Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all the information that you should consider before investing in our securities. You should read the entire prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement carefully, including the “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein and the financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before making an investment decision.

Overview

AquaBounty is a leader in the field of land-based aquaculture and the use of technology for improving its productivity and sustainability. Our objective is to ensure the availability of high-quality seafood to meet global consumer demand, while addressing critical production constraints in the most popular farmed species.

On November 19, 2015, we received approval from the FDA of our New Animal Drug Application (“NADA”) for the production, sale, and consumption in the United States of AquAdvantage Salmon, which grows to harvest size faster than conventional Atlantic salmon. This was followed on May 19, 2016, by the approval from Health Canada for the production, sale, and consumption of AquAdvantage Salmon in Canada. Consequently, we have received approvals for our product from what we believe are two of the most respected and rigorous regulatory agencies in the world.

We farm AquAdvantage Salmon in land-based, recirculating aquaculture systems (“RAS”), which allows inland fish farms to be established close to major demand centers in a profitable and environmentally sustainable manner. Our years of experience growing Atlantic salmon in land-based farms, coupled with the economic advantage of our faster-growing AquAdvantage Salmon, offers the opportunity to energize salmon aquaculture in the United States, which imported more than $3.4 billion of Atlantic salmon in 2018 according to the U.S. Department of Commerce (“DOC”).

In 2017, we purchased an existing land-based aquaculture facility in Indiana as our first farm in the United States. We currently are growing both conventional Atlantic salmon and AquAdvantage Salmon at the farm, with our first harvests of conventional Atlantic salmon having commenced in the second quarter of 2020 and our first harvests of AquAdvantage Salmon expected in the first quarter of 2021. Our future plans include construction of four to five new farms in North America at sites close to consumer consumption over the next several years. Additionally, we are pursuing regulatory approval for AquAdvantage Salmon in Argentina, Brazil, China, and Israel.

We have incurred significant losses since our inception. We expect to continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future, and we may never achieve or maintain profitability. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, we experienced net losses of $13.2 million, $10.4 million, and $9.3 million, respectively.

We were formed under the laws of the State of Delaware on December 17, 1991. Our principal executive offices are located at 2 Mill & Main Place, Suite 395, Maynard, Massachusetts 01754. Our telephone number is (978) 648-6000. On January 19, 2017, our common stock began trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AQB.”

Recent Developments

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, as a pandemic, which continues to spread throughout the United States and worldwide. Because infections of this virus and incidences of the disease it causes, COVID-19, have been reported throughout both the United States and Canada, certain national, provincial, state, and local governmental authorities have issued proclamations and directives aimed at minimizing the spread of the virus. Additional, more restrictive proclamations and directives may be issued in the future.

The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations is unknown and will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and any additional preventative and protective actions that governments, or we, may direct, which may result in an extended period of continued business disruption and reduced operations. Our current preventative and protective measures include, but are not limited to, segregating farm workers to specific locations, rotating shifts, and monitoring worker temperatures upon arrival at our facilities. To the extent possible, work-from-home is utilized for employees that do not have fish care responsibilities. To date, our farm operations have not been adversely affected by the pandemic, although we have made modifications to biosecurity procedures and our farm sites to adapt to local requirements and to provide a safe work environment.

We have experienced delays in capital projects due to the pandemic, including a delay in the completion of the processing facility at the Indiana farm. The project was completed in November 2020 and we utilized third party alternatives for fish processing during the interim. We have also seen a reduction in both the demand and market price for Atlantic salmon due to the impact of the pandemic in the food service channel in the industry, specifically on restaurants. This has impacted our scheduled harvests, thus reducing our expected revenue and increasing our inventory biomass. We expect that these conditions will continue through the first half of 2021, as the industry waits for the roll-out of a COVID-19 vaccine and the subsequent reopening of the food service channel. The Company is currently exploring options to potentially reduce its excess inventory through donation of fish to local food charities who have experienced unprecedented demand to feed families that have been impacted by the economic downturn in many markets across the U.S. due to the pandemic.



 

3

Table of Contents

In December 2020, we selected InnovaSea as the Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (“RAS”) technology provider for our planned 10,000 metric ton farm (“Farm 3”), which we estimate will require capital expenditures of between $140 to $175 million to complete. We also communicated that though we had initially identified Mayfield, Kentucky as our leading site for Farm 3, that our subsequent diligence indicated that an alternative site may be superior. Our selection process has allowed us to pursue additional sites in the Midwest as we seek an optimal location for our farm. We continue to expect construction to begin in 2021 and anticipate that the farm will be ready to commence commercial production in 2023.

We remain focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet, liquidity, and financial flexibility and continue to monitor developments as we deal with the disruptions and uncertainties from a business and financial perspective relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Management expects that all of its operations, across all of its geographies, will be impacted to some degree, but the significance of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and the duration for which it may have an impact cannot be determined at this time.



 

4

Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. The prospectus supplement applicable to each offering of our securities will contain a discussion of the risks applicable to an investment in our securities. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information contained or incorporated by reference in the prospectus supplement or appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should also consider the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions discussed under “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, and “Part II—Item 1A—Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, all of which are incorporated herein by reference, as they may be amended, supplemented, or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future and any prospectus supplement related to a particular offering. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our operations.

 

5

Table of Contents

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of securities by us offered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures (including development of existing and new farms), working capital, and other corporate expenses. The timing and amount of our actual expenditures will be based on many factors, including cash flows from operations and the anticipated growth of our business. As a result, unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, our management will have broad discretion to allocate the net proceeds of the offerings. Pending their ultimate use, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments.

 

6

Table of Contents

THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

We may offer under this prospectus shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities, warrants to purchase any of such securities and units comprised of one or more of the other securities that may be offered under this prospectus, either individually or in combination with other securities, with a total value of up to $200,000,000 from time to time at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of any offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

 

  •  

designation or classification;

 

  •  

aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price;

 

  •  

maturity;

 

  •  

original issue discount;

 

  •  

rates and times of payment of interest or dividends;

 

  •  

redemption, conversion, exercise, exchange or sinking fund terms;

 

  •  

ranking;

 

  •  

restrictive covenants;

 

  •  

voting or other rights;

 

  •  

conversion or exchange prices or rates and, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the conversion or exchange prices or rates and in the securities or other property receivable upon conversion or exchange; and

 

  •  

a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations, if any.

This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell securities unless accompanied by an applicable prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

The following descriptions are not complete and may not contain all the information you should consider before investing in any securities we may offer hereunder; they are summarized from, and qualified by reference to, our restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated by-laws, as amended, and the other documents referred to in the descriptions, all of which are or will be publicly filed with the SEC, as applicable. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

7

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may offer debt securities which may be senior or subordinated. We refer to senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities collectively as debt securities. Each series of debt securities may have different terms. The following description summarizes the general terms and provisions of the debt securities. We will describe the specific terms of the debt securities and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions summarized below apply to any series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to the series and any applicable free writing prospectus that we authorize to be delivered.

We may issue senior debt securities from time to time, in one or more series under a senior indenture to be entered into between us and a senior trustee to be named in a prospectus supplement, which we refer to as the senior trustee. We may issue subordinated debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, under a subordinated indenture to be entered into between us and a subordinated trustee to be named in a prospectus supplement, which we refer to as the subordinated trustee. The forms of senior indenture and subordinated indenture are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Together, the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are referred to as the indentures and, together, the senior trustee and the subordinated trustee are referred to as the trustees. This prospectus briefly outlines some of the provisions of the indentures. The following summary of the material provisions of the indentures is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the indentures, including definitions of certain terms used in the indentures. Wherever we refer to particular sections or defined terms of the indentures, those sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement. You should review the indentures that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part for additional information. As used in this prospectus, the term “debt securities” includes the debt securities being offered by this prospectus and all other debt securities issued by us under the indentures.

General

The indentures:

 

  •  

do not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue;

 

  •  

allow us to issue debt securities in one or more series;

 

  •  

do not require us to issue all of the debt securities of a series at the same time; and

 

  •  

allow us to reopen a series to issue additional debt securities without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series.

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities will be unsubordinated obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. Payments on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness, as described under “—Subordination” and in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Each indenture provides that we may, but need not, designate more than one trustee under an indenture. Any trustee under an indenture may resign or be removed and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to the series of debt securities administered by the resigning or removed trustee. If two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of debt securities, each trustee shall be a trustee of a trust under the applicable indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus, any action described in this prospectus to be taken by each trustee may be taken by each trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one or more series of debt securities for which it is trustee under the applicable indenture.

The prospectus supplement for each offering will provide the following terms, where applicable:

 

  •  

the title of the debt securities and whether they are senior or subordinated;

 

  •  

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series;

 

  •  

the date or dates on which the principal of the debt securities of the series is payable;

 

  •  

the price at which the debt securities will be issued, expressed as a percentage of the principal and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or, if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible into another security of ours or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;

 

  •  

the rate or rates at which the debt securities of the series shall bear interest or the manner of calculation of such rate or rates, if any;

 

  •  

the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest will be payable or the manner of determination of such interest payment dates, the place(s) of payment, and the record date for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable on any such interest payment dates or the manner of determination of such record dates;

 

  •  

the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of such extension;

 

8

Table of Contents
  •  

the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which debt securities of the series may be redeemed, converted or exchanged, in whole or in part;

 

  •  

our obligation, if any, to redeem or purchase debt securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, mandatory redemption, or analogous provisions (including payments made in cash in satisfaction of future sinking fund obligations) or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, debt securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

  •  

the form of the debt securities of the series including the form of the Certificate of Authentication for such series;

 

  •  

if other than minimum denominations of one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple of $1,000 thereof, the denominations in which the debt securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

  •  

whether the debt securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global debt security or global debt securities; the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such global debt security or global debt securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual debt securities; and the depositary for such global debt security or global debt securities;

 

  •  

whether the debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or other securities of ours or any other Person and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at our option or the holders’ option) conversion or exchange features, and the applicable conversion or exchange period;

 

  •  

any additional or alternative events of default to those set forth in the indenture;

 

  •  

any additional or alternative covenants to those set forth in the indenture;

 

  •  

the currency or currencies including composite currencies, in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such debt securities shall be payable (if other than the currency of the United States of America), which unless otherwise specified shall be the currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public or private debts;

 

  •  

if the principal of (and premium, if any), or interest, if any, on such debt securities is to be payable, at our election or at the election of any holder thereof, in a coin or currency other than that in which such debt securities are stated to be payable, then the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;

 

  •  

whether interest will be payable in cash or additional debt securities at our or the holders’ option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;

 

  •  

the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we will pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any and principal amounts of the debt securities of the series to any holder that is not a “United States person” for federal tax purposes;

 

  •  

additional or alternative provisions, if any, related to defeasance and discharge of the offered debt securities than those set forth in the indenture;

 

  •  

the applicability of any guarantees;

 

  •  

any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the debt securities of the series; and

 

  •  

any other terms of the debt securities (which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture insofar as it applies to such series).

We may issue debt securities that provide for less than the entire principal amount thereof to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities. We refer to any such debt securities throughout this prospectus as “original issue discount securities.”

We will provide you with more information in the applicable prospectus supplement regarding any deletions, modifications, or additions to the events of default or covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.

Payment

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the principal of, and any premium or make-whole amount, and interest on, any series of the debt securities will be payable by mailing a check to the address of the person entitled to it as it appears in the applicable register for the debt securities or by wire transfer of funds to that person at an account maintained within the United States.

 

9

Table of Contents

All monies that we pay to a paying agent or a trustee for the payment of the principal of, and any premium, or interest on, any debt security will be repaid to us if unclaimed at the end of two years after the obligation underlying payment becomes due and payable. After funds have been returned to us, the holder of the debt security may look only to us for payment, without payment of interest for the period which we hold the funds.

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

The indentures provide that we may, without the consent of the holders of any outstanding debt securities, (i) consolidate with, (ii) sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of our assets to, or (iii) merge with or into, any other entity provided that:

 

  •  

either we are the continuing entity, or the successor entity, if other than us, assumes the obligations (a) to pay the principal of, and any premium, and interest on, all of the debt securities and (b) to duly perform and observe all of the covenants and conditions contained in the applicable indenture; and in the event the debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or other securities of ours, such successor entity will, by such supplemental indenture, make provision so that the holders of debt securities of that series shall thereafter be entitled to receive upon conversion or exchange of such debt securities the number of securities or property to which a holder of the number of common stock or other securities of ours deliverable upon conversion or exchange of those debt securities would have been entitled had such conversion or exchange occurred immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition; and

 

  •  

an officers’ certificate and legal opinion covering such conditions are delivered to each applicable trustee.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, when we refer to “events of default” as defined in the indentures with respect to any series of debt securities, we mean:

 

  •  

default in the payment of any installment of interest on any debt security of such series continuing for 90 days unless such date has been extended or deferred;

 

  •  

default in the payment of principal of, or any premium on, any debt security of such series when due and payable unless such date has been extended or deferred;

 

  •  

default in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty in the debt securities or in the indenture by us continuing for 90 days after written notice described below;

 

  •  

bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver, liquidator or trustee of us; and

 

  •  

any other event of default provided with respect to a particular series of debt securities.

If an event of default (other than an event of default described in the fourth bullet point above) occurs and is continuing with respect to debt securities of any series outstanding, then the applicable trustee or the holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the debt securities of that series will have the right to declare the principal amount of, and accrued interest on, all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable. If an event of default described in the fourth bullet point above occurs, the principal amount of, and accrued interest on, all the debt securities of that series will automatically become and will be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or the holders of the debt securities. However, at any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the applicable trustee, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of such series or of all debt securities then outstanding under the applicable indenture may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

 

  •  

we have deposited with the applicable trustee all required payments of the principal, any premium, interest and, to the extent permitted by law, interest on overdue installment of interest, plus applicable fees, expenses, disbursements and advances of the applicable trustee; and

 

  •  

all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, or a specified portion thereof, and any premium, have been cured or waived.

The indentures provide that holders of debt securities of any series may not institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to such indenture or for any remedy under the indenture, unless the trustee fails to act for a period of 90 days after the trustee has received a written request to institute proceedings in respect of an event of default from the holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series, as well as an offer of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee. However, this provision will not prevent any holder of debt securities from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment of the principal of, and any premium, and interest on, such debt securities at the respective due dates thereof.

The indentures provide that, subject to provisions in each indenture relating to its duties in the case of a default, a trustee has no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request or direction of any holders of any series of debt securities then outstanding under the indenture, unless the holders have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series or of all debt securities then outstanding under an indenture shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable trustee, or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon such trustee. However, a trustee may refuse to follow any direction which:

 

10

Table of Contents
  •  

is in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture;

 

  •  

may involve the trustee in personal liability; or

 

  •  

may be unduly prejudicial to the holders of debt securities of the series not joining the proceeding.

Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, we will be required to deliver to each trustee a certificate, signed by one of our several specified officers, stating whether or not that officer has knowledge of any default under the applicable indenture. If the officer has knowledge of any default, the notice must specify the nature and status of the default.

Modification of the Indentures

Subject to certain exceptions, the indentures may be amended with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected by such amendment (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the debt securities of such series).

We and the applicable trustee may make modifications and amendments of an indenture without the consent of any holder of debt securities for any of the following purposes:

 

  •  

to cure any ambiguity, defect, or inconsistency in the applicable indenture or in the Securities of any series;

 

  •  

to comply with the covenant described above under “—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets”;

 

  •  

to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;

 

  •  

to add events of default for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities;

 

  •  

to add the covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions relating to us for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the benefit of less than all series of debt securities, stating that such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default, or to surrender any right or power in the applicable indenture conferred upon us;

 

  •  

to add to, delete from, or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication, and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in the applicable indenture;

 

  •  

to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of notes under the applicable indenture in any material respect;

 

  •  

to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the debt securities of any series as provided in the applicable indenture, to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the applicable indenture or any series of debt securities under the applicable indenture, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of debt securities;

 

  •  

to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the applicable indenture by a successor trustee or to appoint a separate trustee with respect to any series;

 

  •  

to comply with any requirements of the SEC or any successor in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act; or

 

  •  

to conform the applicable indenture to this “—Description of Debt Securities” or any other similarly titled section in any prospectus supplement or other offering document relating to a series of debt securities.

Subordination

Payment by us of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any series of subordinated debt securities issued under the subordinated indenture will be subordinated to the extent set forth in an indenture supplemental to the subordinated indenture relating to such series.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indentures allow us to discharge our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities issued under any indenture when:

 

  •  

either (i) all securities of such series have already been delivered to the applicable trustee for cancellation; or (ii) all securities of such series have not already been delivered to the applicable trustee for cancellation but (a) have become due and payable, (b) will become due and payable within one year, or (c) if redeemable at our option, are to be redeemed within one year, and

 

11

Table of Contents
 

we have irrevocably deposited with the applicable trustee, in trust, funds in such currency or currencies, or governmental obligations in an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on such debt securities in respect of principal and any premium, and interest to the date of such deposit if such debt securities have become due and payable or, if they have not, to the stated maturity or redemption date;

 

  •  

we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable.

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indentures provide that, upon our irrevocable deposit with the applicable trustee, in trust, of an amount, in such currency or currencies in which such debt securities are payable at stated maturity, or government obligations, or both, applicable to such debt securities, which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of, and any premium or make-whole amount, and interest on, such debt securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor, the issuing company shall be released from its obligations with respect to such debt securities under the applicable indenture or, if provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, its obligations with respect to any other covenant, and any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute an event of default with respect to such debt securities.

The applicable prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, permitting such defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any modifications to the provisions described above, with respect to the debt securities of or within a particular series.

Conversion Rights

The terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities are convertible into common stock or other securities of ours will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include whether the debt securities are convertible into shares of common stock or other securities of ours, the conversion price, or manner of calculation thereof, the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the issuing company’s option or the option of the holders, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of the debt securities and any restrictions on conversion.

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.

 

12

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

The following description summarizes the most important terms of our capital stock. We adopted our Charter in connection with the registration of our common stock on the Nasdaq stock market, and this description summarizes the provisions included in such document, as well as those contained in our Amended and Restated Bylaws (our “Bylaws”). Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. For a complete description of the matters set forth in this “Description of Capital Stock,” you should refer to our Charter and Bylaws, which have been filed with the SEC and are incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and to the applicable provisions of Delaware law. Our authorized capital stock consists of 80,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share.

As of December 31, 2020, there were 55,497,133 shares of our common stock outstanding, held by 323 stockholders of record, and no shares of our preferred stock outstanding. Included in the outstanding shares of our common stock are 72,653 shares of restricted stock that are subject to vesting requirements. Our board of directors is authorized, without stockholder approval except as required by the listing standards of The Nasdaq Capital Market, to issue additional shares of our capital stock.

Common Stock

Dividend Rights

Subject to preferences that may apply to any shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of funds legally available if our board of directors, in its discretion, determines to issue dividends and then only at the times and in the amounts that our board of directors may determine.

Voting Rights

Holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the shareholders by the holders of shares entitled to vote is required for any action by the shareholders except (a) as otherwise provided by law or the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and (b) that directors are to be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at elections. Holders of shares of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.

Our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that all stockholder actions are required to be taken by a vote of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting; that stockholders may not take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting; that only the chairman of our Board of Directors, our chief executive officer, or a majority of the authorized number of directors may call special meetings of stockholders; and that only those matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered or acted upon at a special meeting of stockholders. Our Amended and Restated Bylaws limit the business that may be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders to those matters properly brought before the meeting.

No Preemptive or Similar Rights

Our common stock is not entitled to preemptive rights, and is not subject to conversion, redemption, or sinking fund provisions.

Right to Receive Liquidation Distributions

If we become subject to a liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up, the assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders would be distributable ratably among the holders of our common stock and any participating preferred stock outstanding at that time, subject to prior satisfaction of all outstanding debt and liabilities and the preferential rights of and the payment of liquidation preferences, if any, on any outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Fully Paid and Non-Assessable

All of the outstanding shares of our common stock are, and the shares of our common stock to be issued by us pursuant to this offering will be, fully paid and non-assessable.

Preferred Stock

Our Board is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by Delaware law, to issue preferred stock in one or more series; to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each series; and to fix the designation, powers, preferences, and rights of the shares of each series and any of its qualifications, limitations, or restrictions, in each case without further vote or action by our stockholders. Our board of directors can also increase or decrease the number of shares of any series of preferred stock, but not below the number of shares of that series then outstanding, without any further vote or action by our stockholders. Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible

 

13

Table of Contents

acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control of our company and might adversely affect the market price of our common stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock. We have no current plan to issue any shares of preferred stock.

We will fix the rights, preferences, and privileges of the preferred stock of each such series, as well as any qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereon, in the certificate of designation relating to that series. We will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of that series of preferred stock. This description will include:

 

  •  

the title and stated value;

 

  •  

the number of shares we are offering;

 

  •  

the liquidation preference per share;

 

  •  

the purchase price;

 

  •  

the dividend rate, period, payment date, and method of calculation for dividends;

 

  •  

whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate;

 

  •  

the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;

 

  •  

the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;

 

  •  

the provisions for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and any restrictions on our ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase rights;

 

  •  

any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market;

 

  •  

voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;

 

  •  

preemptive rights, if any;

 

  •  

restrictions on transfer, sale, or other assignment, if any;

 

  •  

whether interests in the preferred stock will be represented by depositary shares;

 

  •  

a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

 

  •  

the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve, or wind up our affairs;

 

  •  

any limitations on the issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve, or wind up our affairs; and

 

  •  

any other specific terms, preferences, rights, or limitations of, or restrictions on, the preferred stock.

The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the state of our incorporation, provides that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class (or, in some cases, as a series) on an amendment to our Charter if the amendment would change the par value; the number of authorized shares of the class; or the powers, preferences, or special rights of the class or series so as to adversely affect the class or series, as the case may be. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be provided for in the applicable certificate of designation.

Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in our control and may adversely affect the market price of the common stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of common stock. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.

Outstanding Warrants

As of December 31, 2020, we had warrants outstanding and exercisable for 948,855 shares of our common stock (the “Outstanding Warrants”). Below is a summary of the Outstanding Warrants. The offering and sale of the Outstanding Warrants, and the shares of common stock underlying the Outstanding Warrants, were registered under our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-221435), filed with the SEC on November 8, 2017 and declared effective on January 12, 2018 (the “Prior Registration Statement”).

The material terms and provisions of the Outstanding Warrants are summarized below. The following description is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant, which was filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 2 to the Prior Registration Statement on January 9, 2018. You should review a copy of the form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the Outstanding Warrants.

 

14

Table of Contents

Term

The Outstanding Warrants are exercisable upon issuance and for five years from the date of issuance but not thereafter.

Exercise Price

The exercise price of the Outstanding Warrants is $3.25 per share. The exercise price and number of shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Outstanding Warrants are subject to adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, reorganization, or similar transaction. The exercise price can also be lowered by us for any period of time, with the prior written consent of the holders of a majority in interest of the Outstanding Warrants then outstanding, unless prohibited by the listing rules of the exchange on which our common stock is listed.

Exercisability

The Outstanding Warrants are immediately exercisable upon issuance and are exercisable at any time during the term of the Outstanding Warrants. The Outstanding Warrants are exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of shares of our common stock purchased upon such exercise.

No Fractional Shares

No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of any of the Outstanding Warrants. As to any fraction of a share that the holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, we shall, at our election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the exercise price of the Outstanding Warrants or round up to the next whole share.

Transferability

Subject to applicable laws, any Outstanding Warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder thereof upon surrender of that Outstanding Warrant to us, together with the appropriate instruments of transfer, provided that we may require an opinion of counsel in connection with certain transfers.

Authorized Shares

During the period the Outstanding Warrants are outstanding, we will reserve from our authorized and unissued common stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of shares of common stock underlying the Outstanding Warrants upon the exercise of the Outstanding Warrants.

Fundamental Transactions

In the event of any fundamental transaction, as described in the Outstanding Warrants, which include, generally, any merger with or into another entity, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, tender offer or exchange offer, or reclassification of our common stock, then, upon any subsequent exercise of a Outstanding Warrant, the holder shall have the right to receive as alternative consideration, for each share of our common stock that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such fundamental transaction, the number of shares of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of us, if we are the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration receivable upon or as a result of such transaction by a holder of the number of shares of our common stock for which the Outstanding Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such event. Any successor to us or surviving entity is obligated to assume the obligations under the Outstanding Warrants. In the event of certain fundamental transactions, the Company shall, at each Outstanding Warrant holder’s option, purchase such holder’s Outstanding Warrant by paying an amount in cash equal to the Black Scholes value of the remaining unexercised portion of such Outstanding Warrant.

Right as a Stockholder

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

Waiver and Amendments

The terms of any Outstanding Warrant, other than a lowering of the exercise price as described above, may be amended or waived with our written consent and the written consent of the holder of such Outstanding Warrant.

Beneficial Ownership Limitation

Subject to limited exceptions, a holder of an Outstanding Warrant will not have the right to exercise any portion thereof if the holder (together with such holder’s affiliates, and any persons acting as a group together with such holder or any of such holder’s affiliates) would beneficially own a number of shares of our common stock in excess of 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of the shares of our common stock then outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise (the “Beneficial Ownership

 

15

Table of Contents

Limitation”); provided, however, that upon notice to us, the holder may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation; and, provided further, that in no event shall the Beneficial Ownership Limitation exceed 9.99% and in no event shall any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation be effective until 61 days following notice of such increase from the holder to us.

Registration Rights

There are no rights with regard to registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of our common stock or preferred stock.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

The provisions of Delaware law, our Charter, and our Bylaws, which are summarized below, may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or discouraging another person from acquiring control of our company. They are also designed, in part, to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with an unfriendly or unsolicited acquirer outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging a proposal to acquire us because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Delaware Law

We are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a public Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes mergers, asset sales, or other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the stockholder. An “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years did own, 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock. These provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in our control.

Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws Provisions

Our Charter and our Bylaws include a number of provisions that could deter hostile takeovers or delay or prevent changes in control of our board of directors or management team, including the following:

 

  •  

Board of Directors Vacancies. Our Charter and Bylaws authorize only our board of directors to fill vacant directorships, including newly created seats. In addition, the number of directors constituting our board of directors will be permitted to be set only by a resolution adopted by a majority vote of our entire board of directors. These provisions would prevent a stockholder from increasing the size of our board of directors and then gaining control of our board of directors by filling the resulting vacancies with its own nominees. This makes it more difficult to change the composition of our board of directors and promotes continuity of management.

 

  •  

Stockholder Action; Special Meeting of Stockholders. Our Charter provides that our stockholders may not take action by written consent, but may only take action at annual or special meetings of our stockholders. As a result, a holder controlling a majority of our capital stock would not be able to amend our Bylaws or remove directors without holding a meeting of our stockholders called in accordance with our Bylaws. Our Bylaws further provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by the Chairman of our board of directors or our Chief Executive Officer, thus prohibiting a stockholder from calling a special meeting. These provisions might delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or for stockholders controlling a majority of our capital stock to take any action, including the removal of directors.

 

  •  

Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations. Our Bylaws provide advance notice procedures for stockholders seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at our annual meeting of stockholders. Our Bylaws also specify certain requirements regarding the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. These provisions might preclude our stockholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of stockholders if the proper procedures are not followed. We expect that these provisions may also discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company.

 

  •  

No Cumulative Voting. The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that stockholders are not entitled to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our Charter does not provide for cumulative voting.

 

  •  

Removal of Directors. Our Charter provides that stockholders may remove directors for cause only by affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock and without cause only by affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting power of our then-outstanding voting stock.

 

  •  

Amendment of Charter or Bylaw Provisions. Any amendment of the above provisions in our Charter or Bylaws would require approval by holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of our then-outstanding voting stock.

 

16

Table of Contents
  •  

Issuance of Undesignated Preferred Stock. Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock with rights and preferences, including voting rights, designated from time to time by our board of directors. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock would enable our board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest, or other means.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AQB.”

 

17

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

General

We may issue warrants for the purchase of our preferred stock, common stock, or any combination thereof. Warrants may be issued independently or together with our preferred stock or common stock and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants. The warrant agent will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. This summary of certain provisions of the warrants is not complete. For the terms of a particular series of warrants, you should refer to the prospectus supplement for that series of warrants and the warrant agreement for that particular series.

Equity Warrants

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of warrants to purchase our common stock or preferred stock will describe the terms of the warrants, including the following:

 

  •  

the title of the warrants;

 

  •  

the offering price for the warrants, if any;

 

  •  

the aggregate number of warrants;

 

  •  

the designation and terms of the common stock or preferred stock that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;

 

  •  

if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each security;

 

  •  

if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any securities issued with the warrants will be separately transferable;

 

  •  

the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the exercise price for the warrants;

 

  •  

the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and expire;

 

  •  

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

  •  

the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

 

  •  

if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations;

 

  •  

the antidilution provisions of the warrants, if any;

 

  •  

the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants;

 

  •  

any provisions with respect to the holder’s right to require us to repurchase the warrants upon a change in control or similar event; and

 

  •  

any additional terms of the warrants, including procedures and limitations relating to the exchange, exercise, and settlement of the warrants.

Holders of equity warrants will not be entitled:

 

  •  

to vote, consent, or receive dividends;

 

  •  

to receive notice as stockholders with respect to any meeting of stockholders for the election of our directors or any other matter; or

 

  •  

to exercise any rights as stockholders.

 

18

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other classes of securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The units may be issued under unit agreements to be entered into between us and a unit agent, as detailed in the prospectus supplement relating to the units being offered. The prospectus supplement will describe:

 

  •  

the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be held or transferred separately;

 

  •  

a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units;

 

  •  

a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer, or exchange of the units;

 

  •  

a discussion of certain federal income tax considerations, if applicable; and

 

  •  

whether the units if issued as a separate security will be issued in fully registered or global form.

The descriptions of the units in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material provisions of the applicable agreements. These descriptions do not restate those agreements in their entirety and may not contain all the information that you may find useful. We urge you to read the applicable agreements because they, and not the summaries, define your rights as holders of the units. For more information, please review the forms of the relevant agreements, which will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of units and will be available as described in the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

19

Table of Contents

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

This prospectus relates to the possible offer and sale by us, from time to time, in one or more series or issuances and on terms that we will determine at the time of the offering, of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, up to an aggregate amount of $200,000,000.

We may sell the securities offered through this prospectus (1) to or through underwriters or dealers, (2) directly to purchasers, including our affiliates, (3) through agents, or (4) through a combination of any these methods. We may use any one or more of the following methods when selling shares:

 

  •  

on The Nasdaq Capital Market or any other national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;

 

  •  

in the over-the-counter market;

 

  •  

in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market;

 

  •  

through the writing of options, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise;

 

  •  

through ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

 

  •  

through block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

  •  

directly to one or more purchasers;

 

  •  

through agents;

 

  •  

through purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

 

  •  

through one or more underwriters on a firm commitment or best-efforts basis;

 

  •  

in an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;

 

  •  

in privately negotiated transactions;

 

  •  

through loans or pledges of our common stock to a broker-dealer who may sell shares of our common stock so loaned or, upon a default, may sell or otherwise transfer the pledged stock;

 

  •  

a combination of any such methods of sale; and

 

  •  

any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

The securities may be distributed at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; market prices prevailing at the time of sale; prices related to the prevailing market prices; or negotiated prices. We may also sell equity securities covered by this registration statement in an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. Such offering may be made into an existing trading market for such securities in transactions at other than a fixed price, either: on or through the facilities of Nasdaq or any other securities exchange or quotation or trading service on which such securities may be listed, quoted or traded at the time of sale; and/or other than on Nasdaq or such other securities exchanges or quotation or trading services. Such at-the-market offerings, if any, may be conducted by underwriters acting as principal or agent. The prospectus supplement will include, to the extent required, the following information:

 

  •  

the terms of the offering;

 

  •  

the names of any underwriters or agents;

 

  •  

the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters;

 

  •  

the purchase price of the securities;

 

  •  

the net proceeds from the sale of the securities;

 

  •  

any delayed delivery arrangements;

 

  •  

any underwriting discounts, commissions, and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

 

  •  

any initial public offering price;

 

  •  

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

20

Table of Contents
  •  

any commissions paid to agents.

We may issue to the holders of our common stock on a pro rata basis, for no consideration, subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock or preferred stock. These subscription rights may or may not be transferable by stockholders. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of our common or preferred stock through the issuance of subscription rights, including the terms of the subscription rights offering; the terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights; and, if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of common or preferred stock through the issuance of subscription rights. Pursuant to a requirement by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, the maximum commission or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer may not be greater than 8% of the maximum gross proceeds of the securities that may be sold under this prospectus.

Sale through Underwriters or Dealers

If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account, including through underwriting, purchase, security lending, or repurchase agreements with us. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. Underwriters may sell the securities in order to facilitate transactions in any of our other securities (described in this prospectus or otherwise), including other public or private transactions and short sales. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers. The prospectus supplement will include the names of the principal underwriters, the respective amount of securities underwritten, the nature of the obligation of the underwriters to take the securities, and the nature of any material relationship between an underwriter and us.

If dealers are used in the sale of securities offered through this prospectus, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The prospectus supplement will include the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

Direct Sales and Sales through Agents

We may sell the securities offered through this prospectus directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. Such securities may also be sold through agents designated from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities and will describe any commissions payable to the agent by us. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. The terms of any such sales will be described in the prospectus supplement.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

If the prospectus supplement indicates, we may authorize agents, underwriters, or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities at the public offering price under delayed-delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

Market Making, Stabilization, and Other Transactions

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, each series of offered securities will be a new issue and will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of offered securities on an exchange. Any underwriters that we use in the sale of offered securities may make a market in such securities but may discontinue such market making at any time without notice. Therefore, we cannot assure you that the securities will have a liquid trading market.

Any underwriter may also engage in stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions, and penalty bids in accordance with Rule 104 under the Exchange Act. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the underlying security in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing, or maintaining the price of the securities. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions, and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of the transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.

At-the-Market, Derivative Transactions and Hedging

 

21

Table of Contents

We may engage in at-the-market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

Electronic Auctions

We may also make sales through the Internet or through other electronic means. Since we may from time to time elect to offer securities directly to the public, with or without the involvement of agents, underwriters, or dealers, utilizing the Internet or other forms of electronic bidding or ordering systems for the pricing and allocation of such securities, you should pay particular attention to the description of that system we will provide in a prospectus supplement.

Such electronic system may allow bidders to directly participate, through electronic access to an auction site, by submitting conditional offers to buy that are subject to acceptance by us and may directly affect the price or other terms and conditions at which such securities are sold. These bidding or ordering systems may present to each bidder, on a so-called “real-time” basis, relevant information to assist in making a bid, such as the clearing spread at which the offering would be sold, based on the bids submitted, and whether a bidder’s individual bids would be accepted, prorated, or rejected. Of course, many pricing methods can and may also be used.

Upon completion of such an electronic auction process, securities will be allocated based on prices bid, terms of bid, or other factors. The final offering price at which securities would be sold and the allocation of securities among bidders would be based in whole or in part on the results of the Internet or other electronic bidding process or auction.

General Information

Agents, underwriters, and dealers may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

22

Table of Contents

LEGAL MATTERS

Goodwin Procter LLP, Boston, Massachusetts, will pass upon the validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus. Any underwriters will also be advised about the validity of the securities and other legal matters by their own counsel, which will be named in the prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The financial statements of the Company, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, have been audited by Wolf & Company, P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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 instead of having to repeat the information in this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. To the extent that any statement that we make in this prospectus is inconsistent with the statements made in the applicable prospectus supplement or the information incorporated by reference, the statements made in this prospectus are deemed modified or superseded by the statements made in such prospectus supplement, while information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below and any future filings we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus but prior to the termination of the offering of the securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement (other than information deemed furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 and 7.01 of Form 8-K). The documents we are incorporating by reference are:

 

  •  

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March  10, 2020, and our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (with respect to those portions specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019), which was filed with the SEC on March 19, 2020;

 

  •  

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on May 5, 2020, June  30, 2020, filed with the SEC on August 6, 2020 and September  30, 2020, filed with the SEC on November 3, 2020;

 

  •  

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 27, 2020, February  11, 2020, February 12, 2020, February  13, 2020, March 10, 2020, April 29, 2020, August 5, 2020, August 6, 2020, August 10, 2020, August  20, 2020, November 3, 2020, November 19, 2020, December  9, 2020, December  10, 2020 and December 14, 2020 (except that, with respect to each of the foregoing Current Reports, any portions thereof which are furnished and not filed shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement); and

 

  •  

the description of our common stock contained in Exhibit 4.3 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 10, 2020 (including any further amendment or reports filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description).

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, but not delivered with the prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents that this prospectus incorporates. You should direct written requests to Corporate Secretary, AquaBounty Technologies, Inc., 2 Mill & Main Place, Suite 395, Maynard Massachusetts 01754, Telephone: (978) 648-6000.

 

23

Table of Contents

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly, and other reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, including any amendments to those reports, and other information that we file with or furnish to the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act can also be accessed free of charge through the Internet. These filings will be available as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933 relating to the offering of these securities. This prospectus omits some information set forth in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits, contains additional relevant information about us and our consolidated subsidiaries and the securities we are offering. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings.

The registration statement and the documents referred to above under “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” are also available on our Internet website, www.aquabounty.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus the information on our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this prospectus.

 

24

Table of Contents

 

 

$200,000,000

 

 

LOGO

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Units

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                    , 2021

 

 

 

Table of Contents

PART II—Information Not Required in the Prospectus

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses (other than the actual registration fee), other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the Registrant in connection with the sale of the securities being registered:

 

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee

   $ 21,820  

FINRA filing fee

     *  

Accounting fees and expenses

     *  

Legal fees and expenses

     *  

Printing and miscellaneous expenses

     *  

Transfer agent fees and expenses

     *  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ *  
  

 

 

 
*

To be provided by amendment or as an exhibit to a filing with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a corporation’s board of directors to grant, and authorizes a court to award, indemnity to officers, directors, and other corporate agents.

Our Charter contains provisions that limit the liability of our directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Consequently, our directors will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for the following:

 

  •  

any breach of their duty of loyalty to our company or our stockholders;

 

  •  

any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

  •  

unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or

 

  •  

any transaction from which they derived an improper personal benefit.

Any amendment to, or repeal of, these provisions will not eliminate or reduce the effect of these provisions in respect of any act, omission, or claim that occurred or arose prior to that amendment or repeal. If the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended to provide for further limitations on the personal liability of directors of corporations, then the personal liability of our directors will be further limited to the greatest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

In addition, our Bylaws provide that we will indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any person who is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was one of our directors or officers or is or was serving at our request as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise. Our Bylaws provide that we may indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law any person who is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was one of our employees or agents or is or was serving at our request as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise. Our Bylaws provide that we must advance expenses incurred by or on behalf of a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding, subject to very limited exceptions.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions that are included in our Charter and Bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors and executive officers for breach of their fiduciary duties. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and executive officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and other stockholders. Further, a stockholder’s investment may be harmed to the extent that we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and executive officers as required by these indemnification provisions. At present, we are not aware of any pending litigation or proceeding involving any person who is or was one of our directors, officers, employees, or other agents or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, for which indemnification is sought, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification.

 

II-1

Table of Contents

We have obtained insurance policies under which, subject to the limitations of the policies, coverage is provided to our directors and executive officers against loss arising from claims made by reason of breach of fiduciary duty or other wrongful acts as a director or executive officer, including claims relating to public securities matters, and to us with respect to payments that may be made by us to these directors and executive officers pursuant to our indemnification obligations or otherwise as a matter of law.

Any underwriting agreement filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement may provide for indemnification by the underwriters of the Registrant and its officers and directors for certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act and otherwise.

See also the undertakings set out in response to Item 17 herein.

 

II-2

Table of Contents

Item 16. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed herewith and as part of this registration statement.

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Exhibit Title

1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement
3.1(1)   Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (Exhibit 3.1)
3.2(2)   Certificate of Amendment of Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant
3.3(3)   Certificate of Amendment of Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant
3.4(4)   Certificate of Amendment of Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant
3.5(1)   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (Exhibit 3.2)
4.1(1)   Form of Common Stock Certificate of the Registrant (Exhibit 4.1)
4.2   Form of Senior Indenture between the Registrant and one or more trustees to be named
4.3   Form of Subordinated Indenture between the Registrant and one or more trustees to be named
4.4*   Certificate of designation, preferences, and rights with respect to any preferred stock issued hereunder
4.5*   Form of Warrant Agreement
4.6*   Form of Unit Agreement
5.1   Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP
23.1   Consent of Wolf & Company, P.C., Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2   Consent of Goodwin Procter LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1   Power of Attorney (included on applicable signature pages to this registration statement on Form S-3)
25.1**   Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee under the Senior Indenture
25.2**   Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture

 

*

To be filed, if necessary, by amendment or as an exhibit to a report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and incorporated herein by reference.

**

To be filed pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

(1)

Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended, filed on November 7, 2016 (No. 001-36426). The number given in parentheses indicates the corresponding exhibit number in such Form 10.

(2)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 6, 2017.

(3)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, filed on January 15, 2020 (No. 333-235919).

(4)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 19, 2020.

Item 17. Undertakings

 

(a)

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

  (1)

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

 

II-3

Table of Contents
  (i)

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

 

  (ii)

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

 

  (iii)

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

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC 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:

 

  (i)

If the Registrant is relying on Rule 430B,

 

  (A)

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

 

  (B)

Each prospectus 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 the effective date; or

 

  (ii)

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 part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

  (5)

That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned

 

II-4

Table of Contents
  Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer and sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

  (i)

Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

  (ii)

Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;

 

  (iii)

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

 

  (iv)

Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

 

(b)

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes 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 Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c)

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

 

(d)

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

  (1)

For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

  (2)

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

 

II-5

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement on Form S-3 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Maynard, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 20th day of January, 2021.

 

AQUABOUNTY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Sylvia Wulf

 

  Sylvia Wulf

 

  Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and appoints Sylvia Wulf, David A. Frank and Angela M. Olsen, and each of them acting singly, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, 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 sign the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of AquaBounty Technologies, Inc., and any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto and any new registration statement with respect to the offering contemplated thereby filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement on Form S-3 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Sylvia Wulf

Sylvia Wulf

  

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

 

January 20, 2021

/s/ David A. Frank

David A. Frank

  

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

January 20, 2021

/s/ Richard J. Clothier

Richard J. Clothier

  

Chairman of the Board, Director

 

January 20, 2021

/s/ Theodore J. Fisher

Theodore J. Fisher

  

Director

 

January 20, 2021

/s/ Richard L. Huber

Richard L. Huber

  

Director

 

January 20, 2021

/s/ Alana Kirk

Alana Kirk

  

Director

 

January 20, 2021

/s/ Christine St. Clare

Christine St. Clare

  

Director

 

January 20, 2021

/s/ Rick Sterling

Rick Sterling

  

Director

 

January 20, 2021

/s/ James C. Turk

James C. Turk

  

Director

 

January 20, 2021

 

II-6

AquaBounty Technologies (NASDAQ:AQB)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024 Click Here for more AquaBounty Technologies Charts.
AquaBounty Technologies (NASDAQ:AQB)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024 Click Here for more AquaBounty Technologies Charts.