PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT
(To prospectus dated December 29, 2020) |
Filed
Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) Registration No. 333-251406 |
Up to $15,875,000
Common Stock
We have entered into an at-the-market sales agreement with BTIG, LLC, acting in its capacity as the sales agent, relating to the offer and sale of shares of our common stock, from time to time, having an aggregate offering price of up to $15,875,000.
Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus may be made in negotiated transactions, which may include block trades, or by any method that is deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended(the “Securities Act”), including sales made directly on the Nasdaq Capital Market or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange. BTIG is not required to sell any specific amount of securities, but will act as our sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices, on mutually agreed terms between BTIG and us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
BTIG will be entitled to compensation at a fixed commission rate of 3.0% of the gross proceeds from the sale of our common stock on our behalf pursuant to the sales agreement. In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, BTIG will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of BTIG will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to BTIG against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We also may sell some or all of the shares of common stock to the sales agent as principal for its own account at a price agreed upon at the time of sale.
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market, under the symbol “SONN”. On February 2, 2021, the last reported sales price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $2.83 per share.
The aggregate market value of the shares of our common stock held by non-affiliates pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 is approximately $47,633,333, which was calculated based on 15,984,340 shares of our common stock outstanding and held by non-affiliates as of the date of this prospectus and a price of $2.98 per share, the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on December 7, 2020. We have not sold any securities of the types listed above pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the prior 12 calendar month period that ends on, and includes the date of this prospectus.
Investing in our common stock involves risks. You should carefully read and consider the “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement, and under similar headings in the accompanying prospectus and the other documents that are incorporated by reference herein and therein before investing in our common stock.
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.
BTIG
February 5, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT | S-1 |
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | S-2 |
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY | S-3 |
RISK FACTORS | S-5 |
USE OF PROCEEDS | S-6 |
DIVIDEND POLICY | S-7 |
DILUTION | S-8 |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION | S-9 |
LEGAL MATTERS | S-10 |
EXPERTS | S-10 |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION | S-10 |
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE | S-11 |
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering and supplements and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs or varies from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or documents incorporated by reference therein, the information in this prospectus supplement will supersede such information. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date — for example, a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement — the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.
Before buying any of the common stock that we are offering pursuant to this prospectus supplement, we urge you to carefully read this prospectus supplement, together with the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference as described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus, and any free writing prospectus or prospectus supplement that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision.
We have not, and the sales agent has not, authorized anyone to provide you with information different than the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference herein, and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference herein, and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering in their entirety before making an investment decision.
We are offering to sell, and are seeking offers to buy, the shares only in jurisdictions where such offers and sales are permitted. The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the offering of the shares in certain jurisdictions or to certain persons within such jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about and observe any restrictions relating to the offering of the shares and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. This prospectus supplement does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities offered by this prospectus by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation.
We own or have rights to various trademarks, service marks and trade names that we use in connection with the operation of our business. This prospectus supplement may also contain trademarks, service marks and trade names of third parties, which are the property of their respective owners. Our use or display of third parties’ trademarks, service marks, trade names or products in this prospectus is not intended to, and does not imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship by us. Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ®, TM or SM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the right of the applicable licensor to these trademarks, service marks and trade names.
S-1 |
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the documents that we incorporate by reference therein, each contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor from civil liability provided for such statements by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act). Such forward-looking statements include those that express plans, anticipation, intent, contingency, goals, targets or future development and/or otherwise are not statements of historical fact. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:
● | our lack of operating history and history of operating losses; | |
● | our current and future capital requirements and our ability to satisfy our capital needs; | |
● | the accuracy of our estimates regarding expenses and capital requirements; | |
● | our ability to complete required clinical trials of our products and obtain approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) or other regulatory agents in different jurisdictions; | |
● | the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations, including on our clinical development plans and timelines; | |
● | our ability to maintain or protect the validity of our patents and other intellectual property; | |
● | our ability to retain key executive members; | |
● | our ability to internally develop new inventions and intellectual property; | |
● | acceptance of our business model by investors; and | |
● | our ability to adequately support growth. |
These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and projections about future events and they are subject to risks and uncertainties known and unknown to us that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements, including the risks described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, each of which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement in their entirety.
In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology, such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “should,” “could” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Accordingly, these statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in them. Any forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed throughout this prospectus.
You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents that we reference herein and therein, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein is accurate as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may change. We may not update these forward-looking statements, even though our situation may change in the future, unless required by law to update and disclose material developments related to previously disclosed information. We qualify all of the information presented in this prospectus, and particularly our forward-looking statements, by these cautionary statements.
S-2 |
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read together with, the more detailed information and financial statements and related notes thereto appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Before you decide to invest in our common stock, you should carefully read the entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the risk factors and the financial statements and related notes included or incorporated by reference herein and therein.
Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, this prospectus supplement includes the accounts of Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, collectively referred to as “we,” “us,” “Sonnet” or the “Company.”
Overview
We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a proprietary technology for developing novel biologic medicines, which we refer to as “FHAB” (Fully Human Albumin Binding). FHAB utilizes a fully human single chain antibody fragment linked to either one or two therapeutic molecules capable of affecting single or bispecific mechanisms of action. The FHAB construct contains a domain that is designed to bind to and “hitch hike” on human serum albumin for transport to targets such as solid tumors or to the lymphatic system. We designed the construct to improve drug accumulation in specific tissues, as well as to extend the duration of activity in the body. FHAB development candidates are produced in a mammalian cell culture, which enables glycosylation, thereby reducing the risk of immunogenicity. We believe our FHAB technology is well suited for future drug development across a range of human disease areas, including in oncology, autoimmune, pathogenic, inflammatory, and hematological conditions.
Our current internal pipeline development activities are focused on cytokines, a class of cell signaling peptides that, among other important functions, serve as potent immunomodulatory agents. Working both independently and synergistically, specific cytokines have shown the ability to modulate the activation and maturation of immune cells that fight cancer and pathogens. However, because they do not preferentially accumulate in specific tissues and are quickly eliminated from the body, the conventional approach to achieving a treatment effect with cytokine therapy typically requires the administration of high and frequent doses. This can result in a reduced treatment effect accompanied by the potential for systemic toxicity, which poses challenges to the therapeutic application of this class of drugs.
Recent Developments
On January 25, 2021, we announced that we successfully completed a multiple dose non-human primate (NHP) study of SON-080 (low-dose recombinant fully human Interleukin 6, or IL-6). The toxicology study demonstrated a wide safety margin with no adverse effects observed in male or female cynomolgus monkeys at the doses tested. Based on the results, we intend to determine human equivalent doses and are planning to file an IND and initiate a Phase 1b/2a pilot efficacy clinical trials during the second half of 2021 for Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), followed by a Phase 1b/2a pilot efficacy trial for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) in 2022.
On February 1, 2021, we announced that that we had successfully completed a non-human primate (NHP) repeat-dose study of SON-1010, a proprietary fully human Interleukin 12 (IL-12) therapeutic candidate configured using our Fully Human Albumin Binding (FHAB) platform, which further informed our design of the ongoing SON-1010 GLP toxicity studies in preparation for an eventual planned IND submission. The FHAB technology targets tumor tissue, providing a mechanism for dose sparing and an opportunity to improve the safety and efficacy profile of immunomodulatory cytokines. We plan to file an IND and initiate Phase 1 clinical development in 2021.
Corporate Information
We were organized on October 21, 1999, under the name Tulvine Systems, Inc., under the laws of the State of Delaware. On April 25, 2005, Tulvine Systems, Inc. formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Chanticleer Holdings, Inc., and on May 2, 2005, Tulvine Systems, Inc. merged with, and changed its name to, Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. On April 1, 2020, we completed our business combination with Sonnet BioTherapeutics, Inc. (“Sonnet”), in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 10, 2019, as amended, by and among us, Sonnet and Biosub Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which Merger Sub merged with and into Sonnet, with Sonnet surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of us (the “Merger”). In connection with, and immediately prior to the completion of the Merger, we effected a reverse stock split of our common stock, at a ratio of 1-for-26. In connection with the Merger, we changed our name from “Chanticleer Holdings, Inc.” to “Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.,” and the business conducted by us became the business conducted by Sonnet.
Our principal executive offices are located at 100 Overlook Center, Suite 102, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, and our telephone number is (609) 375-2227. Our website is www.sonnetbio.com. Our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and are not considered part of, this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. You should not rely on any such information in making your decision whether to purchase our common stock.
S-3 |
The Offering | ||
Common stock offered by us: | Shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $15,875,000. | |
Manner of offering: | “At the market offering” that may be made from time to time through our sales agent, BTIG. See “Plan of Distribution” on page S-9. | |
Common stock outstanding before this offering: | 17,175,729 shares of common stock(1) | |
Use of proceeds: | We intend to use the net proceeds, if any, from this offering, for working capital and general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” on page S-6. | |
Risk Factors: | Investing in our common stock involves significant risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement and other information included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before investing in our common stock. | |
The NASDAQ Capital Market symbol: | “SONN” |
(1) | The number of shares of common stock outstanding is based on 17,175,729 shares outstanding as of January 31, 2021, which excludes: |
● | 11,495,408 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $3.55 per share, of which 165,945 warrants were exercisable as of January 31, 2021; and | |
● | 653,845 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of outstanding restricted stock units as of January 31, 2021; and | |
● | 687,029 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under our equity compensation plans as of January 31, 2021. |
S-4 |
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our common stock, you should carefully consider the specific risk factors discussed below, as well as in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and as described or may be described in any subsequent quarterly report on Form 10-Q under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” as well as in any applicable prospectus supplement and contained or to be contained in our filings with the SEC and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus, or any applicable prospectus supplement. For a description of these reports and documents, and information about where you can find them, see “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.” If any of the risks or uncertainties described in our SEC filings or any prospectus supplement or any additional risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Risks Relating to this Offering
We may allocate the net proceeds from this offering in ways that you or other stockholders may not approve.
We currently intend to use the net proceeds of this offering, if any, for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures, research and development expenditures, regulatory affairs expenditures, clinical trial expenditures, acquisitions of new technologies and investments, and the financing of possible acquisitions or business expansions. This expected use of the net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based upon our current plans and business conditions. The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures may vary significantly depending on numerous factors, including the progress of our development efforts, the status of and results from clinical trials, as well as any third party intellectual property or other assets that we may opportunistically identify and seek to license or acquire or any collaborations that we may enter into with third parties for our product candidates, and any unforeseen cash needs. Because the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of the proceeds from this offering, their ultimate use may vary substantially from their currently intended use. As a result, our management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds from this offering and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not necessarily improve our operating results or enhance the value of our common stock. See “Use of Proceeds.”
You may experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per share of the common stock you purchase in the offering. In addition, we may issue additional equity or convertible debt securities in the future, which may result in additional dilution to you.
The offering price per share in this offering may exceed the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020. Assuming that we sell an aggregate of 5,609,540 shares of our common stock at a price of $2.83 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on February 2, 2021, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $15,875,000, and after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us, you will experience immediate dilution of $1.94 per share, representing the difference between our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2020 after giving effect to this offering and the assumed offering price. See the section titled “Dilution” below for a more detailed illustration of the dilution you would incur if you participate in this offering. In addition, to the extent we need to raise additional capital in the future and we issue additional shares of common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable for our common stock, our then existing stockholders may experience dilution and the new securities may have rights senior to those of our common stock offered in this offering.
The common stock offered hereby will be sold in “at-the-market” offerings, and investors who buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices.
Investors who purchase shares in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices, and so may experience different outcomes in their investment results. We will have discretion, subject to market demand, to vary the timing, prices, and numbers of shares sold, and there is no minimum or maximum sales price. Investors
may experience a decline in the value of their shares as a result of share sales made at prices lower than the prices they paid.
Sales of our common stock in this offering, or the perception that such sales may occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to fall.
We may issue and sell shares of our common stock for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $15,875,000 from time to time in connection with this offering. The issuance and sale from time to time of these new shares of common stock, or our ability to issue these new shares of common stock in this offering, could have the effect of depressing the market price of our common stock.
The actual number of shares we will issue under the sales agreement with BTIG, at any one time or in total, is uncertain.
Subject to certain limitations in the sales agreement and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver a placement notice to BTIG at any time throughout the term of the sales agreement. The number of shares that are sold by BTIG after we deliver a placement notice will fluctuate based on the market price of the common stock during the sales period and limits we set with BTIG. Because the price per share of each share sold will fluctuate based on the market price of our common stock during the sales period, it is not possible at this stage to predict the number of shares, if any, that will ultimately be issued.
S-5 |
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, if any, for working capital and general corporate purposes.
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 of the date of this prospectus, we cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to us from this offering. As a result, our management will have broad discretion regarding the timing and application of the net proceeds from this offering. Pending their ultimate use, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments.
S-6 |
Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available and, in the event of liquidation, to share pro rata in any distribution of our assets after payment of liabilities. Our directors are not obligated to declare a dividend. It is not anticipated that we will pay dividends in the foreseeable future. We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, for use in our business and therefore do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Payment of future dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors after taking into account various factors, including our financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs and plans for expansion.
S-7 |
If you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering. We calculate net tangible book value per share by dividing our net tangible assets (tangible assets less total liabilities) by the number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2020.
Our historical net tangible book value at September 30, 2020 was approximately $3.0 million or $0.21 per share of our common stock. After giving effect to the sale of our common stock in the aggregate amount of approximately $15.9 million in this offering, at an assumed offering price of $2.83 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on Nasdaq on February 2, 2021, and after deducting estimated offering expenses and commissions payable by us, our adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2020 would have been approximately $18.2 million, or $0.89 per share of our common stock. This represents an immediate increase in the net tangible book value of $0.68 per share of our common stock to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $1.94 per share of our common stock to new investors. The following table illustrates per share dilution:
Assumed public offering price per share | $ | 2.83 | ||
Net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2020 | $ | 0.21 | ||
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering | $ | 0.68 | ||
Adjusted net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2020, after giving effect to this offering | $ | 0.89 | ||
Dilution per share to new investors purchasing shares in this offering | $ | 1.94 |
The table above assumes for illustrative purposes that an aggregate of 5,609,540 shares of our common stock are sold at a price of $2.83 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on February 2, 2021, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $15.9 million. The shares sold in this offering, if any, will be sold from time to time at various prices. An increase of $0.50 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $2.83 per share shown in the table above, assuming all of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $15.9 million is sold at that price, would increase our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering by $0.04 per share and would increase the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering by $0.46 per share, after deducting estimated offering expenses and commissions payable by us. A decrease of $0.50 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $2.83 per share shown in the table above, assuming all of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $15.9 million is sold at that price, would decrease our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering by $0.05 per share and would decrease the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering by $0.45 per share, after deducting estimated offering expenses and commissions payable by us. This information is supplied for illustrative purposes only.
The information above is based on 14,724,105 shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020, and excludes:
● | 13,950,279 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $3.20 per share, of which 2,620,816 warrants were exercisable as of September 30, 2020; and | |
● | 653,845 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of outstanding restricted stock units as of as of September 30, 2020. |
To the extent that outstanding options or warrants are exercised, or we issue other shares, investors purchasing shares in this offering could experience further dilution. In addition, to the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of those securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.
S-8 |
We have entered into the sales agreement with BTIG under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $15,875,000 from time to time through BTIG, acting as our sales agent. Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus may be made in negotiated transactions, which may include block trades, or by any method that is deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the Nasdaq Capital Market or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.
Each time that we wish to issue and sell shares of our common stock under the sales agreement, we will provide BTIG with a placement notice describing the amount of shares to be sold, the time period during which sales are requested to be made, any limitation on the amount of shares of common stock that may be sold in any single day, any minimum price below which sales may not be made or any minimum price requested for sales in a given time period and any other instructions relevant to such requested sales. Upon receipt of a placement notice, BTIG, acting as our sales agent, will use commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations and the rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market, to sell shares of our common stock under the terms and subject to the conditions of the placement notice and the sales agreement. We or BTIG may suspend the offering of common stock pursuant to a placement notice upon notice and subject to other conditions. BTIG, in its sole discretion, may decline to accept any placement notice.
BTIG will provide written confirmation to us no later than the opening of the trading day on the Nasdaq Capital Market following the trading day on which shares of our common stock are sold through BTIG as sales agent under the sales agreement. Each confirmation will include the number of shares sold on the preceding day, the net proceeds to us and the commissions payable by us to BTIG in connection with the sales.
Settlement for sales of common stock under the sales agreement will occur on the second trading day following the date on which such sales are made (or on such other date as is industry practice for regular-way trading), unless otherwise specified in the applicable placement notice, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. There are no arrangements to place any of the proceeds of this offering in an escrow, trust or similar account. Sales of our common stock as contemplated in this prospectus supplement will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and BTIG may agree upon.
We will pay BTIG commissions for its services in acting as our sales agent in the sale of our common stock pursuant to the sales agreement. BTIG will be entitled to compensation at a fixed commission rate of 3.0% of the gross proceeds from the sale of our common stock on our behalf pursuant to the sales agreement. We also have agreed to reimburse BTIG for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including the fees and disbursements of BTIG’s counsel, incurred in connection with entering into the sales agreement, in an amount not to exceed $65,000, and fees and disbursements of BTIG’s counsel on a quarterly basis not to exceed $7,500.
We estimate that the total expenses for this offering, excluding compensation payable to BTIG and certain expenses reimbursable to BTIG under the terms of the sales agreement, will be approximately $175,000. The remaining sales proceeds, after deducting any expenses payable by us and any transaction fees imposed by any governmental, regulatory, or self-regulatory organization in connection with the sales, will equal our net proceeds for the sale of such common stock.
Because there are no minimum sale requirements as a condition to this offering, the actual total public offering price, commissions and net proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. The actual dollar amount and number of shares of common stock we sell through this prospectus supplement will be dependent, among other things, on market conditions and our capital raising requirements.
We will report at least quarterly the number of shares of common stock sold through BTIG under the sales agreement, the net proceeds to us and the compensation paid by us to BTIG in connection with the sales of common stock.
In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, BTIG will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of BTIG will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to BTIG against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
BTIG will not engage in any market making activities involving our common stock while the offering is ongoing under this prospectus supplement if such activity would be prohibited under Regulation M or other anti-manipulation rules under the Securities Act. As our sales agent, BTIG will not engage in any transactions that stabilizes our common stock.
The offering pursuant to the sales agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of all shares of common stock subject to the sales agreement and (ii) termination of the sales agreement as permitted therein. We may terminate the sales agreement in our sole discretion at any time by giving 10 days’ prior notice to BTIG. BTIG may terminate the sales agreement under the circumstances specified in the sales agreement and in its sole discretion at any time by giving 10 days’ prior notice to us.
The sales agreement has been filed as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K that we filed with the SEC in connection with this offering and is incorporated into this prospectus supplement by reference.
BTIG and/or its affiliates may in the future provide, various investment banking and other financial services for us, for which services may in the future receive customary fees.
S-9 |
The validity of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus were passed upon by Lowenstein Sandler LLP, New York, New York. Certain matters will be passed upon for BTIG by DLA Piper LLP (US), New York, New York.
The consolidated financial statements of Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. as of September 30, 2020 and 2019 and for the years then ended have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The audit report covering the September 30, 2020 consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph that states that Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. has incurred recurring losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception and will require substantial additional financing to continue to fund its research and development activities that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustment that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
The financial statements of Relief Therapeutics SA as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 incorporated herein have been audited by Mazars SA, an independent public accounting firm, as stated in its report dated March 20, 2020, incorporated by reference herein, and have been so included in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The report on the financial statements of Relief Therapeutics SA includes an explanatory paragraph about the existence of substantial doubt concerning its ability to continue as a going concern.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus supplement is part of the registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act, and does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus supplement to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the reference may not be complete, and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement or the exhibits to the reports or other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus for a copy of such contract, agreement or other document. You may inspect a copy of the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules, without charge, at the SEC’s public reference room mentioned below, or obtain a copy from the SEC upon payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC.
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can request copies of these documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at no cost from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
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INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with it into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC:
● | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2020, filed with the SEC on December 17, 2020; | |
● | our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on April 3, 2020 (as amended by Form 8-K/A on June 26, 2020) and May 18, 2020 (other than any portions thereof deemed furnished and not filed); and | |
● | the description of our Common Stock contained in the prospectus, constituting part of our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-230857) filed with the SEC on April 15, 2019, and subsequently amended on May 28, 2019 and June 7, 2019. |
All reports and other documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement and after the date of this prospectus but before the termination of the offering of the securities hereunder will also be considered to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus from the date of the filing of these reports and documents, and will supersede the information herein; provided, however, that all reports, exhibits and other information that we “furnish” to the SEC will not be considered incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We undertake to provide without charge to each person (including any beneficial owner) who receives a copy of this prospectus, upon written or oral request, a copy of all of the preceding documents that are incorporated by reference (other than exhibits, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into these documents). You may request a copy of these materials in the manner set forth under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” above.
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PROSPECTUS
Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.
$100,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Debt Securities
Subscription Rights
Units
We may offer, issue and sell from time to time together or separately, in one or more offerings, any combination of (i) our common stock, (ii) our preferred stock, which we may issue in one or more series, (iii) warrants, (iv) senior or subordinated debt securities, (v) subscription rights and (vi) units. The debt securities may consist of debentures, notes, or other types of debt. The debt securities, preferred stock, warrants and subscription rights may be convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, common or preferred stock or other securities of ours. The units may consist of any combination of the securities listed above.
The aggregate public offering price of the securities that we may offer will not exceed $100,000,000. We will offer the securities in an amount and on terms that market conditions will determine at the time of the offering. Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SONN.” The last reported sale price for our common stock on December 16, 2020 as quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $2.49 per share. You are urged to obtain current market quotations of our common stock. We have no preferred stock, warrants, debt securities, subscription rights or units listed on any market. Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange.
Investing in our securities involves risk. You should carefully consider the risks that we refer you to under the section captioned “Risk Factors” in this prospectus on page 3 before buying our securities.
Should we offer any of the securities described in this prospectus, we will provide you with the specific terms of the particular securities being offered in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplement, together with additional information described under the headings “Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
We may sell these securities directly to our stockholders or to other purchasers or through agents on our behalf or through underwriters or dealers as designated from time to time. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of these securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will provide the names of the agents or underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions or discounts.
The aggregate market value of the shares of our common stock held by non-affiliates pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 is approximately $47,633,333, which was calculated based on 15,984,340 shares of our common stock outstanding and held by non-affiliates as of the date of this Prospectus and a price of $2.98 per share, the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on December 7, 2020. We have not sold any securities of the types listed above pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the prior 12 calendar month period that ends on, and includes the date of 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 December 29, 2020.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries are referred to herein as “Sonnet,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our,” unless the context indicates otherwise.
You may only rely on the information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement or that we have referred you to. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. This prospectus and any prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities offered by this prospectus and the prospectus supplement. This prospectus and any prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. Neither the delivery of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date of this prospectus or such prospectus supplement or that the information contained by reference to this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is correct as of any time after its date
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time offer and sell, in one or more offerings, any or all of the securities described in this prospectus, separately or together, up to an aggregate offering price of $100,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of our securities being offered. When we issue the securities being offered by this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement (which term includes, as applicable, the at-the-market sale agreement prospectus filed with the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part) that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”
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The following summary highlights some information from this prospectus. It is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before making an investment decision. You should read this entire prospectus, including the “Risk Factors” section on page 3 and the disclosures to which that section refers you, the financial statements and related notes and the other more detailed information appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference into this prospectus before investing in any of the securities described in this prospectus.
Overview
We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a proprietary technology for developing novel biologic medicines we refer to as FHAB (Fully Human Albumin Binding). FHAB utilizes a fully human single chain antibody fragment (scFv) linked to either one or two therapeutic molecules capable of affecting single or bispecific mechanisms of action. The FHAB construct contains a domain that is designed to bind to and “hitch hike” on human serum albumin (HSA) for transport to targets such as solid tumors or to the lymphatic system for antiviral applications. We designed the construct to improve drug accumulation in specific tissues, as well as to extend the duration of activity in the body. FHAB development candidates are produced in a mammalian cell culture, which enables glycosylation, thereby reducing the risk of immunogenicity. We believe our FHAB technology is well suited for future drug development across a range of human disease areas, including in oncology, autoimmune, pathogenic, inflammatory, and hematological conditions.
Our current internal pipeline development activities are focused on cytokines, a class of cell signaling peptides that, among other important functions, serve as potent immunomodulatory agents. Working both independently and synergistically, specific cytokines have shown the ability to modulate the activation and maturation of immune cells that fight cancer and pathogens. However, because they do not preferentially accumulate in specific tissues and are quickly eliminated from the body, the conventional approach to achieving a treatment effect with cytokine therapy typically requires the administration of high and frequent doses. This can result in a reduced treatment effect accompanied by the potential for systemic toxicity, which poses challenges to the therapeutic application of this class of drugs.
Corporate Information
We were organized on October 21, 1999, under the name Tulvine Systems, Inc., under the laws of the State of Delaware. On April 25, 2005, Tulvine Systems, Inc. formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Chanticleer Holdings, Inc., and on May 2, 2005, Tulvine Systems, Inc. merged with, and changed its name to, Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. On April 1, 2020, we completed our business combination with Sonnet BioTherapeutics, Inc. (“Sonnet”), in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 10, 2019, as amended, by and among us, Sonnet and Biosub Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”) (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which Merger Sub merged with and into Sonnet, with Sonnet surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of us (the “Merger”). In connection with, and immediately prior to the completion of, the Merger, we effected a reverse stock split of our common stock, at a ratio of 1-for-26 (the “Reverse Stock Split”). In connection with the Merger, we changed our name from “Chanticleer Holdings, Inc.” to “Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.,” and the business conducted by us became the business conducted by Sonnet.
Our principal offices are located at 100 Overlook Center, Suite 102, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, and our telephone number is (609) 375-2227. Our website address is www.sonnetbio.com. Our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and are not considered part of, this prospectus. You should not rely on any such information in making your decision whether to purchase our securities.
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Before purchasing any of the securities you should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference in this prospectus from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 and any subsequent updates described in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as the risks, uncertainties and additional information set forth in our SEC reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K and in the other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. For a description of these reports and documents, and information about where you can find them, see “Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information By Reference.” Additional risks not presently known or that we presently consider to be immaterial could subsequently materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, business and prospects.
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This prospectus, including the documents that we incorporate by reference, contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the federal securities laws. The events described in forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, including the documents that we incorporate by reference, may not occur. Generally, these statements relate to our business plans or strategies, projected or anticipated benefits or other consequences of our plans or strategies, financing plans, projected or anticipated benefits from acquisitions that we may make, or projections involving anticipated revenues, earnings or other aspects of our operating results or financial position, and the outcome of any contingencies. Any such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of management. We intend for these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions for forward-looking statements. Words such as “may,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” and “continue,” and their opposites and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks and other influences, many of which are beyond our control that may influence the accuracy of the statements and the projections upon which the statements are based. Factors that may affect our results include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed in the “Risk Factors” section on page 3 of this prospectus, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 or in other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Any one or more of these uncertainties, risks and other influences could materially affect our results of operations and whether forward-looking statements made by us ultimately prove to be accurate. Our actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether from new information, future events or otherwise.
You should rely only on the information in this prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely upon it.
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Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering of securities, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus and the exercise price from the exercise of any convertible securities, if any, for working capital and other general corporate purposes, which may include funding acquisitions or investments in businesses, products or technologies that are complementary to our own and reducing indebtedness.
When particular securities are offered, the prospectus supplement relating to that offering will set forth our intended use of the net proceeds received from the sale of those securities we sell. Pending the application of the net proceeds for these purposes, we expect to invest the proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing instruments or other investment-grade securities.
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General
The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements, summarize all of the material terms and provisions of the various types of securities that we may offer. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any securities the particular terms of the securities offered by that prospectus supplement. If we indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of the securities may differ from the terms we have summarized below. We may also include in the prospectus supplement information about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities, and the securities exchange, if any, on which the securities will be listed.
We may sell from time to time, in one or more offerings:
● | common stock; | |
● | preferred stock; | |
● | warrants to purchase shares of common stock or preferred stock; | |
● | debt securities; | |
● | subscription rights to purchase shares of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities; and | |
● | units consisting of any combination of the securities listed above. |
In this prospectus, we refer to the common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities, subscription rights and units collectively as “securities.” The total dollar amount of all securities that we may sell pursuant to this prospectus will not exceed $100,000,000.
If we issue debt securities at a discount from their original stated principal amount, then, for purposes of calculating the total dollar amount of all securities issued under this prospectus, we will treat the initial offering price of the debt securities as the total original principal amount of the debt securities.
This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
General
Our authorized capital stock consists of:
● | 125,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share; and | |
● | 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of which, as of the date of this prospectus, none of which shares have been designated. |
As of close of business on December 15, 2020, 17,175,729 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding.
The additional shares of our authorized stock available for issuance may be issued at times and under circumstances so as to have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and on the equity ownership of the holders of our common stock. The ability of our board of directors to issue additional shares of stock could enhance the board’s ability to negotiate on behalf of the stockholders in a takeover situation but could also be used by the board to make a change-in-control more difficult, thereby denying stockholders the potential to sell their shares at a premium and entrenching current management. The following description is a summary of the material provisions of our capital stock. You should refer to our certificate of incorporation, as amended and bylaws, both of which are on file with the SEC as exhibits to previous SEC filings, for additional information. The summary below is qualified by provisions of applicable law.
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Common Stock
Holders of our common stock are each entitled to cast one vote for each share held of record on all matters presented to stockholders. Cumulative voting is not allowed; the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock may elect all directors. Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by our board out of funds legally available and, in the event of liquidation, to share pro rata in any distribution of our assets after payment of liabilities. Our directors are not obligated to declare a dividend. It is not anticipated that we will pau dividends in the foreseeable future. Holders of our do not have preemptive rights to subscribe to any additional shares we may issue in the future. There are no conversion, redemption, sinking fund or similar provisions regarding the common stock. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.
The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Securities Transfer Corporation. The transfer agent address is Securities Transfer Corporation, 2901 N Dallas Parkway, Suite 380, Plano, TX 75093, (469) 633-0101.
Preferred Stock
We are authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, all of which are undesignated. Our board of directors has the authority to issue preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion right, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any class or series, without further vote or action by the stockholders. Although we have no present plans to issue any other shares of preferred stock, the issuance of shares of preferred stock, or the issuance of rights to purchase such shares, could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to the holders of common stock, could adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of the common stock, and could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change of control of us or an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The preferred stock may provide for an adjustment of the conversion price in the event of an issuance or deemed issuance at a price less than the applicable conversion price, subject to certain exceptions.
If we offer a specific series of preferred stock under this prospectus, we will describe the terms of the preferred stock in the prospectus supplement for such offering and will file a copy of the certificate establishing the terms of the preferred stock with the SEC. To the extent required, this description will include:
● | the title and stated value; | |
● | the number of shares offered, the liquidation preference per share and the purchase price; | |
● | the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s), or method(s) of calculation for such 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; |
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● | the provisions for redemption, if applicable; | |
● | any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market; | |
● | whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, and, if applicable, the conversion price (or how it will be calculated) and conversion period; | |
● | whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange price (or how it will be calculated) and exchange period; | |
● | voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock; | |
● | a discussion of any material and/or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock; | |
● | the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and | |
● | any material limitations on 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 upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs. |
Transfer Agent and Registrar for Preferred Stock
The transfer agent and registrar for any series or class of preferred stock will be set forth in each applicable prospectus supplement.
Anti-takeover Effects of Delaware Law and our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Bylaws, as amended contain provisions that could have the effect of discouraging potential acquisition proposals or tender offers or delaying or preventing a change of control. These provisions are as follows:
● | they provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called by the President, the board of directors or at the request by stockholders of record owning at least thirty-three and one-third (33 1/3%) percent of the issued and outstanding voting shares of our common stock; | |
● | they do not include a provision for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Under cumulative voting, a minority stockholder holding a sufficient number of shares may be able to ensure the election of one or more directors. The absence of cumulative voting may have the effect of limiting the ability of minority stockholders to effect changes in our board of directors; and | |
● | they allow us to issue, without stockholder approval, up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock that could adversely affect the rights and powers of the holders of our common stock. |
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, an anti-takeover law. Subject to certain exceptions, the statute prohibits a publicly held 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:
● | prior to such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; | |
● | upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least eighty-five percent 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned (1) by persons who are directors and also officers and (2) by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or | |
● | on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
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Generally, for purposes of Section 203, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns or, within three (3) years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, owned fifteen percent (15%) or more of a corporation’s outstanding voting securities.
Potential Effects of Authorized but Unissued Stock
We have shares of common stock and preferred stock available for future issuance without stockholder approval. We may utilize these additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, to facilitate corporate acquisitions or payment as a dividend on the capital stock.
The existence of unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock may enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management or to issue preferred stock with terms that could render more difficult or discourage a third-party attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, thereby protecting the continuity of our management. In addition, the board of directors has the discretion to determine designations, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences of each series of preferred stock, all to the fullest extent permissible under the DGCL and subject to any limitations set forth in our Certificate of Incorporation. The purpose of authorizing the board of directors to issue preferred stock and to determine the rights and preferences applicable to such preferred stock is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible financings, acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third-party to acquire, or could discourage a third-party from acquiring, a majority of our outstanding voting stock.
We summarize below some of the provisions that will apply to the warrants unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise. This summary may not contain all information that is important to you. The complete terms of the warrants will be contained in the applicable warrant certificate and warrant agreement. These documents have been or will be included or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should read the warrant certificate and the warrant agreement. You should also read the prospectus supplement, which will contain additional information and which may update or change some of the information below.
General
We may issue, together with common or preferred stock as units or separately, warrants for the purchase of shares of our common or preferred stock. The terms of each warrant will be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of warrants. The form(s) of certificate representing the warrants and/or the warrant agreement will be, in each case, filed with the SEC as an exhibit to a document incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part on or prior to the date of any prospectus supplement relating to an offering of the particular warrant. The following summary of material provisions of the warrants and the warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement and warrant certificate applicable to a particular series of warrants.
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The prospectus supplement relating to any series of warrants that are offered by this prospectus will describe, among other things, the following terms to the extent they are applicable to that series of warrants:
● | the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants; | |
● | the number of shares of our common or preferred stock, if any, issued with the warrants; | |
● | the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and any related shares of our common or preferred stock will be separately transferable; | |
● | the offering price of the warrants, if any; | |
● | the number of shares of our common or preferred stock which may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants and the price or prices at which the shares may be purchased upon exercise; | |
● | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which the right will expire; | |
● | a discussion of the material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants; | |
● | anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any; | |
● | call provisions of the warrants, if any; and | |
● | any other material terms of the warrants. |
Each warrant may entitle the holder to purchase for cash, or, in limited circumstances, by effecting a cashless exercise for, the number of shares of our common or preferred stock at the exercise price that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Warrants will be exercisable during the period of time described in the applicable prospectus supplement. After that period, unexercised warrants will be void. Warrants may be exercised in the manner described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
A holder of a warrant will not have any of the rights of a holder of our common or preferred stock before the stock is purchased upon exercise of the warrant. Therefore, before a warrant is exercised, the holder of the warrant will not be entitled to receive any dividend payments or exercise any voting or other rights associated with shares of our common or preferred stock which may be purchased when the warrant is exercised.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar, if any, for any warrants will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
This prospectus describes certain general terms and provisions of debt securities that we may offer. The debt securities may be issued pursuant to, in the case of senior debt securities, a senior indenture, and in the case of subordinated debt securities, a subordinated indenture, in each case in the forms filed as exhibits to this registration statement, which we refer to as the “indentures.” The indentures will be entered into between us and a trustee to be named prior to the issuance of any debt securities, which we refer to as the “trustee.” The indentures will not limit the amount of debt securities that can be issued thereunder and will provide that the debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series pursuant to the terms of one or more securities resolutions or supplemental indentures creating such series.
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We have summarized below the material provisions of the indentures and the debt securities or indicated which material provisions will be described in the related prospectus supplement for any offering of debt securities. These descriptions are only summaries, and you should refer to the relevant indenture for the particular offering of debt securities itself which will describe completely the terms and definitions of the offered debt securities and contain additional information about the debt securities.
Terms
When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the securities in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will set forth the following terms, as applicable, of the debt securities offered thereby:
● | the designation, aggregate principal amount, currency or composite currency and denominations; | |
● | the price at which such debt securities will be issued and, if an index formula or other method is used, the method for determining amounts of principal or interest; | |
● | the maturity date and other dates, if any, on which principal will be payable; | |
● | whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt; | |
● | whether the debt securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt, subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of any subordination; | |
● | the interest rate (which may be fixed or variable), if any; | |
● | the date or dates from which interest will accrue and on which interest will be payable, and the record dates for the payment of interest; | |
● | the manner of paying principal and interest; | |
● | the place or places where principal and interest will be payable; | |
● | the terms of any mandatory or optional redemption by us or any third party including any sinking fund; | |
● | the terms of any conversion or exchange; | |
● | the terms of any redemption at the option of holders or put by the holders; | |
● | any tax indemnity provisions; |
● | if the debt securities provide that payments of principal or interest may be made in a currency other than that in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner for determining such payments; | |
● | the portion of principal payable upon acceleration of a Discounted Debt Security (as defined below); | |
● | whether and upon what terms debt securities may be defeased; | |
● | any events of default or covenants in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in the indentures; | |
● | provisions for electronic issuance of debt securities or for the issuance of debt securities in uncertificated form; and | |
● | any additional provisions or other special terms not inconsistent with the provisions of the indentures, including any terms that may be required or advisable under United States or other applicable laws or regulations, or advisable in connection with the marketing of the debt securities. |
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Debt securities of any series may be issued as registered debt securities or uncertificated debt securities, in such denominations as specified in the terms of the series.
Securities may be issued under the indentures as Discounted Debt Securities to be offered and sold at a substantial discount from the principal amount thereof. Special United States federal income tax and other considerations applicable thereto will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such Discounted Debt Securities. “Discounted Debt Security” means a security where the amount of principal due upon acceleration is less than the stated principal amount.
We are not obligated to issue all debt securities of one series at the same time and, unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of that series, for the issuance of additional debt securities of that series. Additional debt securities of a particular series will have the same terms and conditions as outstanding debt securities of such series, except for the date of original issuance and the offering price, and will be consolidated with, and form a single series with, such outstanding debt securities.
Ranking
The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. Our secured debt, if any, will be effectively senior to the senior debt securities to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our present and future senior indebtedness to the extent and in the manner described in the prospectus supplement and as set forth in the board resolution, officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture relating to such offering.
We have only a stockholder’s claim on the assets of our subsidiaries. This stockholder’s claim is junior to the claims that creditors of our subsidiaries have against our subsidiaries. Holders of our debt securities will be our creditors and not creditors of any of our subsidiaries. As a result, all the existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries, including any claims of their creditors, will effectively be senior to the debt securities with respect to the assets of our subsidiaries. In addition, to the extent that we issue any secured debt, the debt securities will be effectively subordinated to such secured debt to the extent of the value of the assets securing such secured debt.
The debt securities will be obligations exclusively of Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. To the extent that our ability to service our debt, including the debt securities, may be dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries, our ability to do so will be dependent on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute those earnings to us as dividends, loans or other payments.
Certain Covenants
Any covenants that may apply to a particular series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.
Successor Obligor
The indentures will provide that, unless otherwise specified in the securities resolution or supplemental indenture establishing a series of debt securities, we shall not consolidate with or merge into, or transfer all or substantially all of our assets to, any person in any transaction in which we are not the survivor, unless:
● | the person is organized under the laws of the United States or a jurisdiction within the United States; | |
● | the person assumes by supplemental indenture all of our obligations under the relevant indenture, the debt securities and any coupons; | |
● | immediately after the transaction no Default (as defined below) exists; and | |
● | we deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate and opinion of counsel stating that the transaction complies with the foregoing requirements and that all conditions precedent provided for in the indenture relating to the transaction have been complied with. |
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In such event, the successor will be substituted for us, and thereafter all of our obligations under the relevant indenture, the debt securities and any coupons will terminate.
The indentures will provide that these limitations shall not apply if our board of directors makes a good faith determination that the principal purpose of the transaction is to change our state of incorporation.
Exchange of Debt Securities
Registered debt securities may be exchanged for an equal aggregate principal amount of registered debt securities of the same series and date of maturity in such authorized denominations as may be requested upon surrender of the registered debt securities at an agency of the Company maintained for such purpose and upon fulfillment of all other requirements of such agent.
Default and Remedies
Unless the securities resolution or supplemental indenture establishing the series otherwise provides (in which event the prospectus supplement will so state), an “Event of Default” with respect to a series of debt securities will occur if:
(1) | we default in any payment of interest on any debt securities of such series when the same becomes due and payable and the default continues for a period of 30 days; | |
(2) | we default in the payment of all or any part of the principal and premium, if any, of any debt securities of such series when the same becomes due and payable at maturity or upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise and such default shall continue for five or more days; | |
(3) | we default in the performance of any of our other agreements applicable to the series and the default continues for 30 days after the notice specified below; |
(4) | a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law (as defined below) that: |
(A) | is for relief against us in an involuntary case, | ||
(B) | appoints a Custodian (as defined below) for us or for any substantial part of our property, or | ||
(C) | orders the winding up or liquidation of us, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days; |
(5) | we, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law: |
(A) | commence a voluntary case, | ||
(B) | consent to the entry of an order for relief against us in an involuntary case, | ||
(C) | consent to the appointment of a Custodian for us or for any substantial part of our property, or | ||
(D) | make a general assignment for the benefit of our creditors; or |
(6) | there occurs any other Event of Default provided for in such series. |
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The term “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or a similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time would be, an Event of Default. A Default under subparagraph (3) above is not an Event of Default until the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the series notify us of the Default and we do not cure the Default within the time specified after receipt of the notice.
The trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the indentures or the debt securities of the series. Subject to certain limitations, holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the series may direct the trustee in its exercise of any trust or power with respect to such series. Except in the case of Default in payment on a series, the trustee may withhold from securityholders of such series notice of any continuing Default if the trustee determines that withholding notice is in the interest of such securityholders. We are required to furnish the trustee annually a brief certificate as to our compliance with all conditions and covenants under the indentures.
The indentures will not have cross-default provisions. Thus, a default by us on any other debt, including any other series of debt securities, would not constitute an Event of Default.
Amendments and Waivers
The indentures and the debt securities or any coupons of the series may be amended, and any Default may be waived as follows:
Unless the securities resolution or supplemental indenture otherwise provides (in which event the applicable prospectus supplement will so state), the debt securities and the indentures may be amended with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of all series affected voting as one class. Unless the securities resolution or supplemental indenture otherwise provides (in which event the applicable prospectus supplement will so state), a Default other than a Default in payment on a particular series may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the series. However, without the consent of each securityholder affected, no amendment or waiver may:
● | change the fixed maturity of or the time for payment of interest on any debt security; |
● | reduce the principal, premium or interest payable with respect to any debt security; | |
● | change the place of payment of a debt security or the currency in which the principal or interest on a debt security is payable; | |
● | change the provisions for calculating any redemption or repurchase price with respect to any debt security; | |
● | adversely affect any holder’s right to receive payment of principal and interest or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment; | |
● | reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment or waiver; | |
● | make any change that materially adversely affects the right to convert any debt security; | |
● | waive any Default in payment of principal of or interest on a debt security; or | |
● | adversely affect any holder’s rights with respect to redemption or repurchase of a debt security. |
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Without the consent of any securityholder, the indentures or the debt securities may be amended to:
● | provide for assumption of our obligations to securityholders in the event of a merger or consolidation requiring such assumption; | |
● | cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; | |
● | conform the terms of the debt securities to the description thereof in the prospectus and prospectus supplement offering such debt securities; | |
● | create a series and establish its terms; | |
● | provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee or to facilitate the administration of the trusts by more than one trustee; | |
● | provide for uncertificated or unregistered securities; | |
● | make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any securityholder; | |
● | add to our covenants; or | |
● | make any other change to the indentures so long as no debt securities are outstanding. |
Conversion Rights
Any securities resolution or supplemental indenture establishing a series of debt securities may provide that the debt securities of such series will be convertible at the option of the holders thereof into or for our common stock or other equity or debt instruments. The securities resolution or supplemental indenture may establish, among other things, (1) the number or amount of shares of common stock or other equity or debt instruments for which $1,000 aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series is convertible, as may be adjusted pursuant to the terms of the relevant indenture and the securities resolution; and (2) provisions for adjustments to the conversion rate and limitations upon exercise of the conversion right. The indentures provide that we will not be required to make an adjustment in the conversion rate unless the adjustment would require a cumulative change of at least 1% in the conversion rate. However, we will carry forward any adjustments that are less than 1% of the conversion rate and take them into account in any subsequent adjustment of the conversion rate.
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Debt securities of a series may be defeased in accordance with their terms and, unless the securities resolution or supplemental indenture establishing the terms of the series otherwise provides, as set forth below. We at any time may terminate as to a series all of our obligations (except for certain obligations, including obligations with respect to the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of a debt security, to replace destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities and coupons and to maintain paying agencies in respect of the debt securities) with respect to the debt securities of the series and any related coupons and the relevant indenture, which we refer to as legal defeasance. We at any time may terminate as to a series our obligations with respect to any restrictive covenants which may be applicable to a particular series, which we refer to as covenant defeasance.
We may exercise our legal defeasance option notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option. If we exercise our legal defeasance option, a series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option, a series may not be accelerated by reference to any covenant which may be applicable to a series.
To exercise either defeasance option as to a series, we must (1) irrevocably deposit in trust with the trustee (or another trustee) money or U.S. Government Obligations (as defined below), deliver a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations, without reinvestment, plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal and interest when due on all debt securities of such series to maturity or redemption, as the case may be; and (2) comply with certain other conditions. In particular, we must obtain an opinion of tax counsel that the defeasance will not result in recognition of any gain or loss to holders for federal income tax purposes.
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“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations of the United States or any agency or instrumentality of the United States, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed by the United States, which, in either case, have the full faith and credit of the United States pledged for payment and which are not callable at the issuer’s option, or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations.
Regarding the Trustee
Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the trustee will also act as depository of funds, transfer agent, paying agent and conversion agent, as applicable, with respect to the debt securities. In certain circumstances, we or the securityholders may remove the trustee as the trustee under a given indenture. The indenture trustee may also provide additional unrelated services to us as a depository of funds, registrar, trustee and similar services.
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by New York law, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is applicable.
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
We may issue subscription rights to purchase our common stock or debt securities. These subscription rights may be offered independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.
The prospectus supplement relating to any subscription rights we offer, if any, will, to the extent applicable, include specific terms relating to the offering, including some or all of the following:
● | the price, if any, for the subscription rights; | |
● | the exercise price payable for our common stock or debt securities upon the exercise of the subscription rights; | |
● | the number of subscription rights to be issued to each stockholder; | |
● | the number and terms of our common stock or debt securities which may be purchased per each subscription right; | |
● | the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable; | |
● | any other terms of the subscription rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights; | |
● | the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which the subscription rights shall expire; | |
● | the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities or an over-allotment privilege to the extent the securities are fully subscribed; and | |
● | if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement which may be entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights. |
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We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other 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 (but, to the extent convertible securities are included in the units, the holder of the units will be deemed the holder of the convertible securities and not the holder of the underlying securities). The unit agreement under which a unit is issued, if any, may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date. The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:
● | the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; | |
● | any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; | |
● | the terms of the unit agreement governing the units; | |
● | United States federal income tax considerations relevant to the units; and | |
● | whether the units will be issued in fully registered global form. |
This summary of certain general terms of units and any summary description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to all provisions of the applicable unit agreement and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such units. The forms of the unit agreements and other documents relating to a particular issue of units will be filed with the SEC each time we issue units, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you.
Each debt security and, to the extent applicable, warrant, subscription right and unit, will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. Certificated securities in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities or warrants represented by these global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.
Global Securities
Registered Global Securities. We may issue the registered debt securities and, to the extent applicable, warrants, subscription rights and units, in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the registered global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.
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If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.
So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture or warrant agreement. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the registered global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the applicable indenture or warrant agreement. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that registered global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture or warrant agreement. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture or warrant agreement, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.
Principal, premium, if any, interest payments on debt securities and any payments to holders with respect to warrants represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. None of the Company, the trustees, the warrant agents or any other agent of the Company, the trustees or the warrant agents will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property to holders on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.
If the depositary for any of these securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the relevant trustee or warrant agent or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the depositary.
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Initial Offering and Sale of Securities
Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we may sell the securities being offered hereby, from time to time, by one or more of the following methods:
● | to or through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters; | |
● | through one or more underwriters without a syndicate for them to offer and sell to the public; | |
● | through dealers or agents; and | |
● | to investors directly in negotiated sales or in competitively bid transactions. |
Offerings of securities covered by this prospectus also may be made into an existing trading market for those securities in transactions at other than a fixed price, either:
● | on or through the facilities of the Nasdaq Capital Market or any other securities exchange or quotation or trading service on which those securities may be listed, quoted, or traded at the time of sale; and/or | |
● | to or through a market maker other than on the securities exchanges or quotation or trading services set forth above. |
Those at-the-market offerings, if any, will be conducted by underwriters acting as principal or agent of the Company, who may also be third-party sellers of securities as described above. The prospectus supplement with respect to the offered securities will set forth the terms of the offering of the offered securities, including:
● | the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents; | |
● | the purchase price of the offered securities and the proceeds to us from such sale; | |
● | any underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation; | |
● | any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; | |
● | any securities exchange on which such offered securities may be listed; and | |
● | any underwriter, agent or dealer involved in the offer and sale of any series of the securities. |
The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:
● | at fixed prices, which may be changed; | |
● | at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale; | |
● | at varying prices determined at the time of sale; or | |
● | at negotiated prices. |
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Each prospectus supplement will set forth the manner and terms of an offering of securities including:
● | whether that offering is being made to underwriters, through agents or directly to the public; | |
● | the rules and procedures for any auction or bidding process, if used; | |
● | the securities’ purchase price or initial public offering price; and | |
● | the proceeds we anticipate from the sale of the securities, if any. |
In addition, we may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. The applicable prospectus supplement may indicate, in connection with such a transaction, that the third parties may sell securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.
Sales Through Underwriters
If underwriters are used in the sale of some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities, either directly to the public or to securities dealers, at various times in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions. Unless indicated otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities of the series offered if any of the securities are purchased.
Any initial public offering price and any concessions allowed or reallowed to dealers may be changed intermittently.
Sales Through Agents
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, when securities are sold through an agent, the designated agent will agree, for the period of its appointment as agent, to use specified efforts to sell the securities for our account and will receive commissions from us as will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Securities bought in accordance with a redemption or repayment under their terms also may be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing by one or more firms acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities remarketed by them.
If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain specified institutions to purchase securities at a price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date specified in the prospectus supplement. These contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commissions payable for solicitation of these contracts.
Direct Sales
We may also sell offered securities directly to institutional investors or others. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. The terms of such sales will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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General Information
Broker-dealers, agents or underwriters may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from us and/or the purchasers of securities for whom such broker-dealers, agents or underwriters may act as agents or to whom they sell as principal, or both. This compensation to a particular broker-dealer might be in excess of customary commissions.
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in any distribution of the offered securities may be deemed “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, so any discounts or commissions they receive in connection with the distribution may be deemed to be underwriting compensation. Those underwriters and agents may be entitled, under their agreements with us, to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments that they may be required to make in respect of those civil liabilities. Certain of those underwriters or agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business. We will identify any underwriters or agents, and describe their compensation, in a prospectus supplement. Any institutional investors or others that purchase offered securities directly, and then resell the securities, may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit on the resale of the securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
We will file a supplement to this prospectus, if required, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, if we enter into any material arrangement with a broker, dealer, agent or underwriter for the sale of securities through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or dealer. Such prospectus supplement will disclose:
● | the name of any participating broker, dealer, agent or underwriter; | |
● | the number and type of securities involved; | |
● | the price at which such securities were sold; | |
● | any securities exchanges on which such securities may be listed; | |
● | the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to any such broker, dealer, agent or underwriter, where applicable; and | |
● | other facts material to the transaction. |
In order to facilitate the offering of certain securities under this prospectus or an applicable prospectus supplement, certain persons participating in the offering of those securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of those securities during and after the offering of those securities. Specifically, if the applicable prospectus supplement permits, the underwriters of those securities may over-allot or otherwise create a short position in those securities for their own account by selling more of those securities than have been sold to them by us and may elect to cover any such short position by purchasing those securities in the open market.
In addition, the underwriters may stabilize or maintain the price of those securities by bidding for or purchasing those securities in the open market and may impose penalty bids, under which selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers participating in the offering are reclaimed if securities previously distributed in the offering are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions or otherwise. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. The imposition of a penalty bid may also affect the price of securities to the extent that it discourages resales of the securities. No representation is made as to the magnitude or effect of any such stabilization or other transactions. Such transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
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In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities must be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act generally requires that trades in the secondary market settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Your prospectus supplement may provide that the original issue date for your securities may be more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities. Accordingly, in such a case, if you wish to trade securities on any date prior to the second business day before the original issue date for your securities, you will be required, by virtue of the fact that your securities initially are expected to settle in more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities, to make alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
This prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable pricing supplement in electronic format may be made available on the Internet sites of, or through other online services maintained by, us and/or one or more of the agents and/or dealers participating in an offering of securities, or by their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may be able to view offering terms online and, depending upon the particular agent or dealer, prospective investors may be allowed to place orders online.
Other than this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable pricing supplement in electronic format, the information on our website or the website of any agent or dealer, and any information contained in any other website maintained by any agent or dealer:
● | is not part of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any applicable pricing supplement or the registration statement of which they form a part; | |
● | has not been approved or endorsed by us or by any agent or dealer in its capacity as an agent or dealer, except, in each case, with respect to the respective website maintained by such entity; and | |
● | should not be relied upon by investors. |
There can be no assurance that we will sell all or any of the securities offered by this prospectus.
This prospectus may also be used in connection with any issuance of common stock or preferred stock upon exercise of a warrant if such issuance is not exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing securityholders. In some cases, we or dealers acting with us or on our behalf may also purchase securities and reoffer them to the public by one or more of the methods described above. This prospectus may be used in connection with any offering of our securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Lowenstein Sandler LLP, New York, New York. If the validity of the securities offered hereby in connection with offerings made pursuant to this prospectus are passed upon by counsel for the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, such counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering.
The consolidated financial statements of Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. as of September 30, 2020 and 2019 and for the years then ended have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The audit report covering the September 30, 2020 consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph that states that Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. has incurred recurring losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception and will require substantial additional financing to continue to fund its research and development activities that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustment that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
The financial statements of Relief Therapeutics SA as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 incorporated herein have been audited by Mazars SA, an independent public accounting firm, as stated in its report dated March 20, 2020, incorporated by reference herein, and have been so included in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The report on the financial statements of Relief Therapeutics SA includes an explanatory paragraph about the existence of substantial doubt concerning its ability to continue as a going concern.
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DISCLOSURE
OF COMMISSION POSITION
ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) provides, in general, that a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, as we are, may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than a derivative action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. In the case of a derivative action, a Delaware corporation may indemnify any such person against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification will be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person will have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or any other court in which such action was brought determines such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses.
Article X of our certificate of incorporation, as amended, states that to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, a director of the corporation shall not be liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.
Under Article XI of our bylaws, any person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is in any way involved in any threatened, pending or completed action suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including any appeal therefrom, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of ours or was serving at our request as a director or officer of another entity or enterprise (including any subsidiary), may be indemnified and held harmless by us, and we may advance all expenses incurred by such person in defense of any such proceeding prior to its final determination, if this person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in and not opposed to our best interest, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the indemnified party had no reason to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The indemnification provided in our bylaws is not exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may otherwise be entitled.
We maintain a general liability insurance policy that covers certain liabilities of directors and officers of our corporation arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
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This prospectus is part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the SEC relating to the shares of our securities being offered hereby. This prospectus does not contain all of the information in the Registration Statement and its exhibits. The Registration Statement, its exhibits and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and their exhibits, all contain information that is material to the offering of the securities hereby. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to any of our contracts or other documents, the reference may not be complete. You should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the Registration Statement in order to review a copy of the contract or documents. The Registration Statement and the exhibits are available at the SEC’s Public Reference Room or through its website.
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, such as us, that file electronically with the SEC. Additionally, you may access our filings with the SEC through our website at www.sonnetbio.com. We have included our website address as an inactive textual reference only and our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and are not considered part of, this prospectus.
We will provide you without charge, upon your oral or written request, with an electronic or paper copy of any or all reports, proxy statements and other documents we file with the SEC, as well as any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus (other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents). Requests for such copies should be directed to:
Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.
Attn: Pankaj Mohan, Ph.D., CEO and Chairman
100 Overlook Center, Suite 102
Princeton, New Jersey 08540
(609) 375-2227
You should rely only on the information in this prospectus and the additional information described above and under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” below. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely upon it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information in this prospectus was accurate on the date of the front cover of this prospectus only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with it into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC:
● | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2020, filed with the SEC on December 17, 2020; |
● | our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 3, 2020 and May 18, 2020 (other than any portions thereof deemed furnished and not filed); and |
● | the description of our common stock contained in the prospectus, constituting part of our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-230857) filed with the SEC on April 15, 2019, and subsequently amended on May 28, 2019 and June 7, 2019. |
All reports and other documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement, and after the date of this prospectus but before the termination of the offering of the securities hereunder will also be considered to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus from the date of the filing of these reports and documents, and will supersede the information herein; provided, however, that all reports, exhibits and other information that we “furnish” to the SEC will not be considered incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We undertake to provide without charge to each person (including any beneficial owner) who receives a copy of this prospectus, upon written or oral request, a copy of all of the preceding documents that are incorporated by reference (other than exhibits, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into these documents). You may request a copy of these materials in the manner set forth under the heading “Additional Information,” above.
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Up to $15,875,000
Common Stock
PROSPECTUS
BTIG
February 5, 2020