PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated December 29, 2020)

 

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration No. 333-251406

 

 

3,660,000 Shares of Common Stock

Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase up to 1,340,000 Shares of Common Stock

1,340,000 Shares of Common Stock Underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants

 

We are offering 3,660,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), in this offering. Each share of Common Stock is being sold at a price of $0.45.

 

We are also offering pre-funded warrants (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”) to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,340,000 shares of Common Stock underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants to investors whose purchase of Common Stock in this offering would otherwise result in such purchaser, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 9.99% of our Common Stock immediately following the closing of this offering. Subject to limited exceptions, the holder of Pre-Funded Warrants will not have the right to exercise any portion of its Pre-Funded Warrants if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the number of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise. This offering also relates to the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants sold in this offering. Each Pre-Funded Warrant is being sold at a price of $0.4499. Each Pre-Funded Warrant will have an exercise price per share of Common Stock equal to $0.0001 and is exercisable at any time after its original issuance until exercised in full.

 

In a concurrent private placement, we are also selling to the purchasers of our Common Stock and Pre-Funded Warrants in this offering, warrants to purchase an aggregate of 5,000,000 share of Common Stock (the “Private Placement Warrants”). Each Private Placement Warrant will have an exercise price of $0.6749 per share of Common Stock and is exercisable as of December 30, 2023 for a term of three and one-half years. The Private Placement Warrants and Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants are not being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), are not being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and are being offered pursuant to the exemption from registration provided in Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act and/or Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder.

 

Our Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “SONN”. On June 27, 2023, the last reported sale prices of our Common Stock on Nasdaq was $0.6749. There is no established trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not intend to apply for a listing for any such warrants on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Pre-Funded Warrants will be limited.

 

We have retained Chardan Capital Markets, LLC, referred to herein as Chardan or the placement agent, to act as our exclusive placement agent in connection with the securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The placement agent has no obligation to buy any of the securities from us or to arrange for the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of securities. We have agreed to pay the placement agent the placement agent fees set forth in the table below, which assumes that we sell all of the securities we are offering. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page S-11 of this prospectus supplement for more information regarding these arrangements.

 

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, the aggregate market value of our outstanding shares of Common Stock held by non-affiliates was $30,438,197 based on 33,389,648 shares of Common Stock outstanding, of which 32,729,244 shares were held by non-affiliates, based on a price of $0.93 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our Common Stock on Nasdaq on June 15, 2023. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we have sold an aggregate of $7,750,000 of securities 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 supplement.

 

 

 

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making any decision to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the information disclosed in this this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information under “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement, as well as the information, including the risk factors contained or incorporated by reference to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

There is no arrangement for funds to be received in escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

 

  

Per share of Common Stock

  

Per Pre-Funded

Warrant

   Total 
Offering Price  $0.450   $0.4499   $2,249,866 
Placement Agent Fees (1)  $0.036   $0.0360   $180,000 
Proceeds, before expenses, to us (2)  $0.414   $0.4139   $2,069,866 

 

(1)

We have also agreed: (i) to pay a cash fee to the placement agent equal to 8% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in this offering; (ii) to reimburse certain expenses of the placement agent in connection with this offering; (iii) and to issue to the placement agent, or its designees, warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock equal to 3% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued in this offering (including the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants). See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page S-11 of this prospectus supplement for additional information regarding compensation paid to the placement agent.

   
(2) The amount of the offering proceeds to us as presented in this table does not give effect to any exercise of the Private Placement Warrants or the warrants to be issued to the placement agent.

 

We expect that delivery of the shares of Common Stock and Pre-Funded Warrants being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus will be made on or about June 30, 2023, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

 

Chardan

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is June 28, 2023

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
   
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT  
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT S-1
CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS S-2
SUMMARY S-3
THE OFFERING S-4
RISK FACTORS S-5
USE OF PROCEEDS S-7
DIVIDEND POLICY S-7
DILUTION S-7
CONCURRENT PRIVATE PLACEMENT OF WARRANTS S-8
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES WE ARE OFFERING S-9
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION S-11
LEGAL MATTERS S-12
EXPERTS S-12
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION S-12
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE S-13

 

PROSPECTUS: DATED DECEMBER 29, 2020  
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 1
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 2
RISK FACTORS 3
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 4
USE OF PROCEEDS 5
THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER 6
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK 6
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK WARRANTS 9
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 10
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS 16
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 17
FORMS OF SECURITIES 17
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 19
LEGAL MATTERS 22
EXPERTS 22
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES 23
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 24
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE 25

 

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the placement agent has not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the placement agent is not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or in any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate only as of the date of the applicable document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

 

This prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is illegal.

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

All references to the terms the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” in this prospectus supplement refer to Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, unless the context requires otherwise.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus are part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Form S-3 (File No. 333-251406) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Each time we conduct an offering to sell securities under the accompanying base prospectus we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering, including the price, the amount of securities being offered and the plan of distribution. The shelf registration statement was initially filed with the SEC on December 17, 2020, and was declared effective on December 29, 2020. This prospectus supplement describes the specific details regarding this offering and may add, update or change information contained in the accompanying base prospectus. The accompanying base prospectus provides general information about us and our securities, some of which, such as the section entitled “Plan of Distribution,” may not apply to this offering. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus are an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. We are not making offers to sell or solicitations to buy our securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making that offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.

 

If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying base prospectus or the information incorporated by reference with an earlier date, you should rely on this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement, together with the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, include all material information relating to this offering. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus is accurate only as of the respective dates of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the information and documents incorporated by reference herein and therein before making an investment decision. See “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying base prospectus.

 

We have not, and the placement agent has not, authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from that contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or in any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. When you make a decision about whether to invest in our securities, you should not rely upon any information other than the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. Neither the delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus nor the sale of our securities means that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or any free writing prospectus is correct after the date of the respective dates of such documents.

 

For investors outside the United States: We have not, and the placement agent has not, taken any action that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the securities covered hereby and the distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus outside the United States.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus contain summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the full text of the actual documents, some of which have been filed or will be filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference herein. See “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus supplement. We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus contain and incorporate by reference certain market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on studies sponsored by us, independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe these sources are reliable, estimates as they relate to projections involve numerous assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.

 

S-1

 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Except for historical information, this prospectus supplement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control, and which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such as “may,” “can,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “should,” “indicate,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “expect,” “seek,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “point to,” “project,” “predict,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “potential” and other similar words and expressions of the future.

 

There are a number of important factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by us. These factors include, but are not limited to:

 

our lack of operating history and history of operating losses;
   
our need for significant additional capital and our ability to satisfy our capital needs;
   
our ability to complete required clinical trials of our products and obtain approval from the FDA or other regulatory agents in different jurisdictions;
   
the potential impact of the recent 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;
   
interpretations of current laws and the passages of future laws;
   
acceptance of our business model by investors;
   
the accuracy of our estimates regarding expenses and capital requirements;
   
our ability to adequately support growth; and
   
other factors discussed under the section “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The foregoing does not represent an exhaustive list of matters that may be covered by the forward-looking statements contained herein or risk factors that we are faced with that may cause our actual results to differ from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The events and circumstances reflected in our forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. You should refer to the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus supplement for a discussion of important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. You should review the factors and risks and other information we describe in the reports we will file from time to time with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement.

 

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary note. You are cautioned to not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus supplement or the date of the document incorporated by reference herein. You should read this prospectus supplement and the documents that we reference and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus supplement is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We have no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We have expressed our expectations, beliefs and projections in good faith and believe they have a reasonable basis. However, we cannot assure you that our expectations, beliefs or projections will result or be achieved or accomplished.

 

S-2

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

 

The following summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our securities. You should read the entire prospectus supplement and accompany prospectus, the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement in their entirety, including the “Risk Factors” and our financial statements and the related notes incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before purchasing our securities in this offering. See the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus supplement beginning on page S-5 for a discussion of the risks involved in investing in our securities. Except as otherwise indicated herein or as the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus supplement to the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.

 

Corporate Overview

 

Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”), is a clinical stage, oncology-focused biotechnology company with a proprietary platform for innovating biologic medicines of single- or bi-specific action. Known as FHAB™ (Fully Human Albumin Binding), the technology utilizes a fully human single chain antibody fragment that binds to and “hitch-hikes” on human serum albumin for transport to target tissues. 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, for which we received a U.S. patent in June 2021, is a distinguishing feature of our biopharmaceutical platform that is well suited for future drug development across a range of human disease areas, including in oncology, autoimmune, pathogenic, inflammatory, and hematological conditions.

 

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”). Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, we issued shares of common stock to Sonnet’s stockholders at an exchange rate of 0.106572 shares for each share of Sonnet common stock outstanding immediately prior to the Merger. 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.

 

On September 16, 2022, the Company effected a reverse stock split of its issued and outstanding Common Stock at a ratio of 1-for-14 (the “2022 Reverse Stock Split”). Shares of Common Stock underlying outstanding stock options and other equity instruments convertible into Common Stock were proportionately reduced and the respective exercise prices, if applicable, were proportionately increased in accordance with the terms of the agreements governing such securities. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the 2022 Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders who would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share of Common Stock instead receive a proportional cash payment. All of the Company’s historical share and per share information related to issued and outstanding Common Stock and outstanding options and warrants exercisable for Common Stock included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement have been adjusted, on a retroactive basis, to reflect the 2022 Reverse Stock Split.

 

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:   3,660,000 shares.
     
Pre-Funded Warrants offered by us:   Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase up to 1,340,000 shares. This offering also relates to the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants sold in this offering.
     
Common Stock outstanding before this offering:   33,389,648 shares(1).
     
Common Stock outstanding after this offering:   38,389,648 shares, assuming all of the Pre-Funded Warrants issued in this offering are exercised (1).
     
Use of proceeds:   We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes. Please see the section entitled “Use of Proceeds” on page S-7 of this prospectus supplement for a more detailed discussion.
     
Risk factors:   An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Please see the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement as well as the other information included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of factors that you should consider carefully before making an investment decision.
     
Dividend policy:   We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
     
National Securities Exchange Listing:   Our Common Stock is currently listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “SONN”. There is no established public trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list the Pre-Funded Warrants on any national securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Pre-Funded Warrants will be limited.
     
Concurrent private placement:   In a concurrent private placement, we are selling to the purchasers the Private Placement Warrants to purchase 100% of the number of our Common Stock and Pre-Funded Warrants purchased by such investors in this offering, equal to up to 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock. We will receive proceeds from the concurrent private placement transaction of the Private Placement Warrants solely to the extent such warrants are exercised for cash. The Private Placement Warrants are exercisable as of December 30, 2023 at an exercise price of $0.6749  per share and will expire on December 30, 2026. The Private Placement Warrants and Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants are not being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and are being offered pursuant to the exemption from registration provided in Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder. There is no established public trading market for the Private Placement Warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not intend to apply for listing of the Private Placement Warrants on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Private Placement Warrants will be limited. See “Concurrent Private Placement of Warrants.”

 

(1) The number of our Common Stock to be outstanding after the offering is based on 33,389,648 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of June 27, 2023 and excludes, as of that date, the following:

 

● 52,099 shares of Common Stock underlying unvested restricted stock units outstanding as of June 27, 2023;

 

● 121,366 shares of Common Stock subject to restricted stock awards granted as of June 27, 2023 but not yet issued;

 

● 318,561 shares of Common Stock reserved for future issuance under the 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan as of June 27, 2023;

 

● 10,918,478 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of June 27, 2023, with a weighted average exercise price of $7.42 per share;

 

● the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants issued in this offering;

 

● the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants issued in this offering; and

 

● the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants to be issued to the placement agent or its designees in connection with this offering.

 

S-4

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described in this prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the risks described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, including our audited consolidated financial statements and corresponding management’s discussion and analysis. The risks mentioned below are presented as of the date of this prospectus supplement and we expect that these will be updated from time to time in our periodic and current reports filed with or furnished to the SEC, as applicable, which are incorporated herein by reference. Please refer to these subsequent reports for additional information relating to the risks associated with investing in our securities.

 

Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. The trading price of our Common Stock could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the incorporated documents also contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks mentioned below. Forward-looking statements included in this prospectus supplement are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and all forward-looking statements in documents incorporated by reference are based on information available to us as of the date of each such document. We are under no obligation to update or alter such forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities legislation.

 

Risks Relating to This Offering

 

Sales of our Common Stock by stockholders may have an adverse effect on the then prevailing market price of our Common Stock.

 

Sales of a substantial number of our Common Stock in the public market following this offering could cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our Common Stock or other equity or equity-related securities would have on the market price of our Common Stock.

 

Management will have broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering, and we may not use the proceeds effectively.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities by us in this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes. Our management will have broad discretion as to the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of this offering, as described below in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds,” or in ways that do not necessarily improve our operating results or enhance the value of our Common Stock. Our stockholders may not agree with the manner in which our management chooses to allocate and spend the net proceeds. Our failure to use these funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business and could cause the price of our securities to decline.

 

Investors in this offering will suffer immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per Common Stock.

 

A purchaser of securities in this offering will experience immediate and substantial dilution. Please see the section entitled “Dilution” for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur in this offering.

 

We may require additional funding through further issuances of our Common Stock or other securities, which may negatively affect the market price of our Common Stock.

 

To operate our business, we may need to raise additional capital through sales of our Common Stock, securities exercisable for or convertible into our Common Stock or debt securities pursuant to which interest and/or principal payments may be satisfied through the issuance of our Common Stock. Future sales of such securities or our Common Stock could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our Common Stock and our ability to raise capital in the future, and may cause you to incur additional dilution.

 

S-5

 

 

We do not intend to pay dividends on our Common Stock so any returns will depend on appreciation in the price of our Common Stock.

 

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock. We currently anticipate that we will retain future earnings, if any, for the development, operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Any return to stockholders will, therefore, be limited to the appreciation of their respective shares. There is no guarantee that our Common Stock will appreciate in value or maintain the price at which you purchased them.

 

There is no public market for the Pre-Funded Warrants being offered by us in this offering.

 

There is no established public trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list the Pre-Funded Warrants on any national securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active market, the liquidity of the Pre-Funded Warrants will be limited.

 

The Pre-Funded Warrants are speculative in nature.

 

The Pre-Funded Warrants offered hereby do not confer any rights of share of Common Stock ownership on their holders, such as voting rights or the right to receive dividends, but rather merely represent the right to acquire shares of common stock at a fixed price. Specifically, commencing on the date of issuance, holders of the Pre-Funded Warrants may acquire the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants at an exercise price of $0.0001 per share of Common Stock. Moreover, following this offering, the market value of the Pre-Funded Warrants is uncertain and there can be no assurance that the market value of the Pre-Funded Warrants will equal or exceed their public offering prices. There can be no assurance that the market price of the shares of Common Stock will ever equal or exceed the exercise price of the Pre-Funded Warrants, and consequently, whether it will ever be profitable for holders of the Pre-Funded Warrants to exercise the Pre-Funded Warrants.

 

Holders of the Pre-Funded Warrants offered hereby will have no rights as common stockholders with respect to the shares of our Common Stock underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants until such holders exercise their Pre-Funded Warrants and acquire our Common Stock, except as otherwise provided in the Pre-Funded Warrants.

 

Until holders of the Pre-Funded Warrants acquire shares of our Common Stock upon exercise thereof, such holders will have no rights with respect to the shares of our Common Stock underlying such warrants, except to the extent that holders of such Pre-Funded Warrants will have certain rights to participate in distributions or dividends paid on our Common Stock as set forth in the Pre-Funded Warrants. Upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants, the holders will be entitled to exercise the rights of a common stockholder only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the exercise date.

 

S-6

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement will be approximately $2.0 million, after deducting the placement agent fees and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and excluding the proceeds we may receive from the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants issued in the concurrent private placement and the warrants to be issued to the placement agent or its designees in connection with this offering. We currently expect to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.

 

This expected use of the net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based upon our current plans and business conditions, and our management will retain broad discretion as to the ultimate allocation of the proceeds. We may temporarily invest funds that we do not immediately need for these purposes in investment securities or use them to make payments on our borrowings.

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We have never declared nor paid dividends on our securities. We currently expect to retain future earnings, if any, for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay dividends on our securities is subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon various factors, including, without limitation, our results of operations and financial condition.

 

DILUTION

 

If you invest in our securities in this offering, your interest will be diluted immediately to the extent of the difference between the effective offering price per share and the as-adjusted net tangible book value per share of Common Stock after this offering.

 

The net tangible book value of our Common Stock as of March 31, 2023 was approximately $5.4 million, or approximately $0.26 per share of Common Stock. Net tangible book value per share represents the amount of our total tangible assets less total liabilities divided by the total number of our Common Stock outstanding as of March 31, 2023.

 

After giving effect to the sale of 3,660,000 shares of Common Stock in this offering at an offering price of $0.45 per share and accompanying Private Placement Warrant, and Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase 1,340,000 shares of Common Stock in this offering at a price of $0.4499 per Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying Private Placement Warrant, and after deducting placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us, assuming the exercise of all Pre-Funded Warrants at the exercise price of $0.0001 per share of Common Stock, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of March 31, 2023 would have been approximately $7.3 million, or approximately $0.29 per share of Common Stock. This represents an immediate decrease in as adjusted net tangible book value of approximately $0.03 per share of Common Stock to our existing security holders and an immediate dilution in as adjusted net tangible book value of approximately $0.16 per share of Common Stock to the purchaser of securities in this offering, as illustrated by the following table:

 

Offering price per share Common Stock and accompanying Private Placement Warrant       $0.45 
Net tangible book value per share of Common Stock as of March 31, 2023  $0.26      
Decrease in as adjusted net tangible book value per share of Common Stock attributable to the offering  $0.03      
As adjusted net tangible book value per share of Common Stock as of March 31, 2023 after giving effect to this offering       $0.29 
Dilution per share Common Stock to new investors participating in this offering        $0.16 

 

S-7

 

 

The table and discussion above are based on 20,498,370 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and exclude, as of such date, the following:

 

● 52,099 shares of Common Stock underlying unvested restricted stock units outstanding as of March 31, 2023;

 

● 121,366 shares of Common Stock subject to restricted stock awards granted as of March 31, 2023 but not yet issued;

 

● 318,561 shares of Common Stock reserved for future issuance under the 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan as of March 31, 2023;

 

● 34,475,810 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2023, with a weighted average exercise price of $3.02 per share;

 

To the extent that outstanding exercisable options or warrants are exercised, you may experience further dilution. In addition, we may need to raise additional capital and to the extent that we raise additional capital by issuing equity or convertible debt securities your ownership will be further diluted.

 

CONCURRENT PRIVATE PLACEMENT OF WARRANTS

 

Concurrently with the closing of the sale of Common Stock and Pre-Funded Warrants in this offering, we also expect to issue and sell to the investors the Private Placement Warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock at an initial exercise price equal to $0.6749 per share.

 

The Private Placement Warrants and the Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants are not being registered under the Securities Act, are not being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and are being offered pursuant to the exemption provided in Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder. Accordingly, the purchasers may only sell Common Stock issued upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the resale of those shares, an exemption under Rule 144 under the Securities Act or another applicable exemption under the Securities Act.

 

Exercisability. The Private Placement Warrants are exercisable as of December 30, 2023 and expire on December 30, 2026. The Private Placement Warrants are exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice and, at any time a registration statement registering the issuance of the Common Stock underlying the Private Placement Warrants under the Securities Act is effective and available for the issuance of such shares, or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act is available for the issuance of such shares, by payment in full in immediately available funds for the number of Common Stock purchased upon such exercise. If at the time of exercise there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the Common Stock underlying the Private Placement Warrants, then the Private Placement Warrants may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a cashless exercise, in which case the holder would receive upon such exercise the net number of common shares determined according to the formula set forth in the Private Placement Warrant.

 

Exercise Limitation. A holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the Private Placement Warrant if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or 9.99% upon the request of the investor) of the number of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the Private Placement Warrants. However, any holder may increase or decrease such percentage, provided that any increase will not be effective until the 61st day after such election.

 

Exercise Price. The Private Placement Warrants will have an exercise price of $0.6749 per share. The exercise price is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common shares and also upon any distributions of assets, including cash, stock or other property to our stockholders.

 

Transferability. Subject to applicable laws, the Private Placement Warrants may be offered for sale, sold, transferred or assigned without our consent.

 

S-8

 

 

Exchange Listing. There is no established public trading market for the Private Placement Warrants being issued in the concurrent private placement, and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not intend to apply for listing of the Private Placement Warrants on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Private Placement Warrants will be limited.

 

Fundamental Transactions. In the event of any fundamental transaction, as described in the Private Placement Warrants and generally including any merger with or into another entity, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, tender offer or exchange offer, or reclassification of our Common Stock, then upon any subsequent exercise of a Private Placement Warrant, the holder will have the right to receive as alternative consideration, for each Common Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such fundamental transaction, the number of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of our company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration receivable upon or as a result of such transaction by a holder of the number of Common Stock for which the Private Placement Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such event. In the event of a Change of Control (as defined in each Private Placement Warrant) approved by our Board of Directors, the holders of the Private Placement Warrant have the right to require us or a successor entity to redeem the Private Placement Warrant for cash in the amount of the Black-Scholes Value (as defined in each Private Placement Warrant) of the unexercised portion of the Private Placement Warrant on the date of the consummation of the Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control which is not approved by our Board of Directors, the holders of the Private Placement Warrant have the right to require us or a successor entity to redeem the Private Placement Warrant for the consideration paid in the Change of Control in the amount of the Black-Scholes Value of the unexercised portion of the Private Placement Warrant on the date of the consummation of the Change of Control

 

Rights as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the Private Placement Warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of our common shares, the holder of a Private Placement Warrant does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our common shares, including any voting rights, until the holder exercises the Private Placement Warrant.

 

Registration Rights. We have agreed to file a registration statement covering of the resale of the shares issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants (the “Private Placement Warrant Shares”) within 45 days of the date of the securities purchase agreement entered into between the purchasers and us. We must use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective within 181 days following the closing date of the offering and to keep such registration statement effective at all times until the purchasers no longer own any Private Placement Warrants or Private Placement Warrant Shares.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES WE ARE OFFERING

 

We are offering 3,660,000 shares of Common Stock at an offering price of $0.45 per share and Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase up to 1,340,000 shares of Common Stock at an offering price of $0.4499 per Pre-Funded Warrant (exercisable for Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.0001 per share of Common Stock).

 

Common Stock

 

The material terms and provisions of our Common Stock and each other class of our securities that qualifies or limits our Common Stock are described under the caption “Description of Capital Stock” starting on page 6 of the accompanying prospectus.

 

Pre-Funded Warrants

 

The following is a summary of the material terms and provisions of the Pre-Funded Warrants that are being offered hereby. This summary is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the form of Pre-Funded Warrant, which has been provided to the investors in this offering and which will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with this offering and incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part. Prospective investors should carefully review the terms and provisions of the form of Pre-Funded Warrants for a complete description of the terms and conditions of the Pre-Funded Warrants.

 

S-9

 

 

Duration and Exercise Price

 

The Pre-Funded Warrants offered hereby will have an exercise price of $0.0001 per share. The Pre-Funded Warrants will be immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time after their original issuance until such Pre-Funded Warrants are exercised in full. The exercise price and number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise are subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of share dividends, share splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our Common Stock. Pre-Funded Warrants will be issued in certificated form only.

 

Exercisability

 

The Pre-Funded Warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of Common Stock purchased upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below). A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of such holder’s warrants to the extent that the holder would own more than 9.99% of our outstanding Common Stock immediately after exercise, except that upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase the amount of ownership of outstanding Common Stock after exercising the holder’s Pre-Funded Warrants up to 9.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the Pre-Funded Warrants.

 

Cashless Exercise

 

In lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon the exercise of a Pre-Funded Warrant in payment of the aggregate exercise price, the holder may elect instead to receive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) the net number of Common Stock shall be determined according to the formula set forth in the Pre-Funded Warrants.

 

Fundamental Transactions

 

In the event of any fundamental transaction, as described in the Pre-Funded Warrants and generally including any merger with or into another entity, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, tender offer or exchange offer, or reclassification of our Common Stock, then upon any subsequent exercise of a Pre-Funded Warrant, the holder will have the right to receive as alternative consideration, for each Common Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such fundamental transaction, the number of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of our company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration receivable upon or as a result of such transaction by a holder of the number of Common Stock for which the Pre-Funded Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such event.

 

Transferability

 

In accordance with its terms and subject to applicable laws, a Pre-Funded Warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the Pre-Funded Warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer and payment of funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes (if applicable).

 

Fractional Shares

 

No fractional Common Stock will be issued upon the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants. Rather, the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued will, at our election, either be rounded up to the next whole share or we will pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the exercise price.

 

Trading Market

 

There is no established trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not intend to apply for a listing for the Pre-Funded Warrants on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Pre-Funded Warrants will be limited.

 

Rights as a Stockholder

 

Except as otherwise provided in the Pre-Funded Warrants or by virtue of the holders’ ownership of shares of our Common Stock, the holders of Pre-Funded Warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our shares of common stock, including any voting rights, until such Pre-Funded Warrant holders exercise their warrants.

 

S-10

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Pursuant to a placement agency agreement dated June 28, 2023 (the “Placement Agency Agreement”), we have engaged the placement agent to act as our exclusive placement agent in connection with this offering. Under the terms of the Placement Agency Agreement, Chardan is not purchasing the securities offered by us in this offering, and is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of securities, but will assist us in this offering on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The terms of this offering were subject to market conditions and negotiations between us, Chardan and prospective investors. Chardan will have no authority to bind us by virtue of the Placement Agency Agreement. Chardan may engage sub-agents or selected dealers to assist with this offering. We may not sell the entire amount of the share of our Common Stock offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement.

 

The placement agent proposes to arrange for the sale of the securities we are offering pursuant to this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus to one or more institutional or accredited investors through securities purchase agreements directly between the purchaser and us. We will only sell to such investors who have entered into the securities purchase agreement with us.

 

We expect to deliver the shares of our Common Stock and Pre-Funded Warrants being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement on or about June 30, 2023.

 

We have agreed to pay the placement agent a total cash fee equal to 8% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in this offering. We have also agreed to reimburse the placement agent a non-accountable expense allowance of 0.5% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in this offering and the fees and expenses of its legal counsel in respect of the offering of $35,000. We estimate the total offering expenses that will be payable by us, excluding the placement agent’s fees and expenses, will be approximately $64,000.

 

In addition, we have agreed to issue to the placement agent warrants to purchase up to 3% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock (including the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants) sold in this offering. The placement agent warrants will have an exercise price equal to $0.6749 per share, or 100% of the exercise price of the Private Placement Warrants and will have a term of three and one-half years from their original issuance date, exercisable as of December 30, 2023.

 

We have also agreed in the purchase agreement, subject to certain exceptions, to a restriction on the issuance of any variable priced securities for 60 days following the closing date of this offering. We have also agreed to a lock-up provision that prevents us from issuing, subject to certain exceptions, any Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable into Common Stock for a period of 60 days after the closing date of this offering.

 

We have agreed to indemnify the placement agent and specified other persons against certain liabilities relating to or arising out of the placement agent’s activities under the placement agency agreement and to contribute to payments that the placement agent may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.

 

The placement agent may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, and any commissions received by it and any profit realized on the resale of the securities sold by it while acting as principal might be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. As an underwriter, the placement agent would be required to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 and Regulation M under the Exchange Act. These rules and regulations may limit the timing of purchases and sales of shares of common stock and warrants by the placement agent acting as principal. Under these rules and regulations, the placement agent:

 

may not engage in any stabilization activity in connection with our securities; and

 

may not bid for or purchase any of our securities or attempt to induce any person to purchase any of our securities, other than as permitted under the Exchange Act, until it has completed its participation in the distribution.

 

From time to time, Chardan may provide in the future various advisory, investment and commercial banking and other services to us in the ordinary course of business, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. Chardan served as our underwriter in connection with the underwritten public offering of our securities in February 2023 and received cash fees and warrants to purchase Common Stock in connection therewith. However, except as disclosed in this prospectus supplement, we have no present arrangements with Chardan for any further services.

 

S-11

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Certain legal matters relating to the offering of the securities under this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for us by Lowenstein Sandler LLP, New York, New York. Lucosky Brookman LLP, Woodbridge, New Jersey is acting as counsel to the placement agent in connection with this offering.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. as of September 30, 2022 and 2021 for the years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 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, 2022 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 adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The materials we file with or furnish to the SEC are available to the public on the SEC’s Internet website at www.sec.gov. Those filings are also available to the public on our corporate website at www.sonnetbio.com. Information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus supplement and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus supplement is an inactive textual reference only.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus forms part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. The registration statement contains more information than this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus regarding us and our securities, including certain exhibits and schedules. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC at www.sec.gov.

 

S-12

 

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement on Form S-3 filed by us with the SEC. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. Statements contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of that contract or other document filed with the SEC. For further information about us and the securities offered by this prospectus supplement, we refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules which may be obtained as described herein.

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information contained in documents that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and information in documents that we subsequently file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below into this prospectus supplement, and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the offering of all the securities by this prospectus supplement is completed, including all filings made after the date of this prospectus supplement. We hereby incorporate by reference the documents listed below:

 

· Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 (filed with the SEC on December 15, 2022);
   
· Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for our quarter ended December 31, 2022 (filed with the SEC on February 13, 2023) and for our quarter ended March 31, 2023 (filed with the SEC on May 10, 2023);
   
· Our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on October 4, 2022, October 17, 2022, October 31, 2022, November 2, 2022, November 9, 2022, January 9, 2023, January 19, 2023, February 13, 2023, March 24, 2023, and April 18, 2023; 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.

 

Notwithstanding the statements in the preceding paragraphs, no document, report or exhibit (or portion of any of the foregoing) or any other information that we have “furnished” to the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, as amended shall be incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

We will provide each person to whom this prospectus supplement is delivered a copy of all of the information that has been incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, but not delivered with this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You may obtain copies of these filings, at no cost, by contacting us at:

 

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 contained in this prospectus supplement, including information incorporated by reference as described above. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume the information in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents or that any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than its filing date. You should not consider this prospectus supplement to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation relating to the securities is not authorized. Furthermore, you should not consider this prospectus supplement to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities if the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or if it is unlawful for you to receive such an offer or solicitation.

 

S-13

 

 

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         , 2020.

 

   

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 1
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 2
RISK FACTORS 3
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 4
USE OF PROCEEDS 5
THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER 6
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK 6
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK WARRANTS 9
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 10
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS 16
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 17
FORMS OF SECURITIES 17
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 19
LEGAL MATTERS 22
EXPERTS 22
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES 23
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 24
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE 25

 

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

 

   

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

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.”

 

 -1- 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

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.

 

 -2- 

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

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.

 

 -3- 

 

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

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.

 

 -4- 

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

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.

 

 -5- 

 

 

THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

 

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.

 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

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.

 

 -6- 

 

 

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;

 

 -7- 

 

 

  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.

 

 -8- 

 

 

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.

 

DESCRIPTION OF STOCK WARRANTS

 

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.

 

 -9- 

 

 

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.

 

 -10- 

 

 

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.

 

 -11- 

 

 

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.

 

 -12- 

 

 

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.

 

 -13- 

 

 

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.

 

 -14- 

 

 

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.

 

 -15- 

 

 

“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.

 

 -16- 

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

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.

 

FORMS OF SECURITIES

 

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.

 

 -17- 

 

 

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.

 

 -18- 

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

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.

 

 -19- 

 

 

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.

 

 -20- 

 

 

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.

 

 -21- 

 

 

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.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

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.

 

EXPERTS

 

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.

 

 -22- 

 

 

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.

 

 -23- 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

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.

 

 -24- 

 

 

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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Description automatically generated with low confidence

 

3,660,000 Shares of Common Stock

Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase up to 1,340,000 shares of Common Stock

1,340,000 Shares of Common Stock Underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

Chardan

 

June 28, 2023