Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-
220572

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated October 5, 2017)

 

 

ATOSSA THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

Up to $5,000,000

 

Common Stock

 

We have entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement, dated February 7, 2020, or the Distribution Agreement, with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., or Oppenheimer, relating to shares of our common stock, par value $0.18 per share, offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the Distribution Agreement, we may offer and sell our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $5,000,000 from time to time through Oppenheimer acting as our sales agent, at our discretion.

 

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ATOS.” On February 6, 2020, the last reported sale price of our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $1.50 per share.

 

Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement may be made in sales deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, or in privately negotiated transactions. Subject to terms of the Distribution Agreement, Oppenheimer is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of securities but will act as our sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices, on mutually agreed terms between Oppenheimer and us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

 

Oppenheimer will be entitled to a commission of 3.0% of the gross sales price per share sold under the Distribution Agreement. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page S-12 for additional information regarding Oppenheimer’s compensation. In connection with the sale of our common stock on our behalf, Oppenheimer will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of Oppenheimer will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have also agreed to provide indemnification and contributions to Oppenheimer against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

The aggregate market value of our outstanding shares of common stock held by non-affiliates was $15,156,360, based on 9,130,984 shares of common stock outstanding as of February 6, 2020, of which 9,102,919 shares were held by non-affiliates, and a per share price of $1.665 based on the closing sale price of our common stock on December 27, 2019, as reported by Nasdaq. During the prior 12 calendar month period that ends on, and includes, the date of this prospectus supplement, we have offered and sold securities with an aggregate market value of $0 pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell securities registered on this registration statement in a public primary offering with a value exceeding more than one-third of our public float in any 12-month period so long as our public float remains below $75.0 million.

 

INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. YOU SHOULD REVIEW CAREFULLY THE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES DESCRIBED UNDER THE HEADING “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE S- OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, AND UNDER SIMILAR HEADINGS IN THE DOCUMENTS THAT ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS.

 

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

 

Oppenheimer & Co. 

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is February 7, 2020

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Prospectus Supplement

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

S-3

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

S-4

THE OFFERING

S-6

RISK FACTORS

S-7

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

S-9

USE OF PROCEEDS

S-10

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

S-11

LEGAL MATTERS

S-12

EXPERTS

S-12

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

S-13

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

S-14

 

Prospectus

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

OUR COMPANY

RISK FACTORS

USE OF PROCEEDS

SECURITIES TO BE OFFERED

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES PURCHASE CONTRACTS

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

LEGAL MATTERS

EXPERTS

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to an offering of shares of our common stock. Before buying any of the common stock that we are offering, we urge you to carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with the information incorporated by reference as described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus supplement. These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision.

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering of common stock and also adds to, updates and changes information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information. Generally, when we refer to this prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from or conflicts with the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated by reference, the information in this prospectus supplement will control. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date—for example, a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus—the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.

 

We have not, and the sales agent has not, authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that which is contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give to you. No one is making offers to sell or seeking offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement only and that any information we have incorporated by reference or included in the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date given in the document incorporated by reference or as of the date of the prospectus, as applicable, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

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 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.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus supplement to “Atossa,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “ours” refer to Atossa Therapeutics, Inc., and include its consolidated subsidiaries where the context so requires. Furthermore, on January 6, 2020 we changed the name of our company from Atossa Genetic Inc. to Atossa Therapeutics, Inc. Accordingly, any reference to Atossa Genetics Inc. in the accompanying prospectus means Atossa Therapeutics, Inc.

 

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated herein and therein by reference include trademarks, servicemarks and tradenames owned by us or other companies. All trademarks, servicemarks and tradenames included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus are the property of their respective owners.

 

S-3

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY 

 

This summary highlights certain information about us and this offering and selected information contained elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding whether to invest in our common stock. For a more complete understanding of our company and this offering, we encourage you to read and consider carefully the more detailed information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the information included in any free writing prospectus that we authorize for use in connection with this offering, including the information contained in and incorporated by reference under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S- of this prospectus supplement, and under similar headings in the other documents that are filed after the date hereof and incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

Overview

 

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel proprietary therapeutics and delivery methods for the treatment of breast cancer and other breast conditions. Our lead program is the development of Endoxifen, an active metabolite of tamoxifen which is an FDA-approved drug to treat and prevent breast cancer in high risk women. Our primary goal is to develop our proprietary oral Endoxifen to reduce mammographic breast density (or, MBD), which is an emerging public health issue affecting over 10 million women in the United States. Studies conducted by others have shown that MBD increases the risk of developing breast cancer and that reducing MBD can reduce the incidence of breast cancer. In December 2019, we contracted with Stockholm South General Hospital to conduct at Phase 2 study of our oral Endoxifen in approximately 1,000 pre-menopausal women with MBD.

 

We are also developing Endoxifen to potentially treat breast cancer in the “window of opportunity” between diagnosis of breast cancer and surgery, as well as for gynecomastia, which is male breast enlargement. We are also developing our proprietary intraductal delivery technology to potentially target the delivery of therapies, including fulvestrant, immunotherapies and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapies (CAR-T therapies), directly to the site of breast cancer. We are currently conducting a Phase 2 study of oral Endoxifen in the “window of opportunity” and a Phase 2 study using our intraductal technology to deliver fulvestrant.

 

In 2017, we successfully completed our initial Phase 1 placebo-controlled clinical study of our proprietary oral and topical formulations of Endoxifen in 48 healthy women, supporting the continued development of this drug. There were no clinically significant safety signals and no clinically significant adverse events, and both the oral and topical Endoxifen were well tolerated. In the topical arm of the study, low but measurable Endoxifen levels were detected in the blood in a dose-dependent fashion. In the oral arm of the study, participants exhibited dose-dependent Endoxifen levels that met or exceeded the published therapeutic level. The median time for patients in the study who took daily doses of oral Endoxifen to reach steady-state serum levels of Endoxifen was approximately 7 days. Published literature indicates that it can take approximately 50 to 200 days for patients to reach steady-state Endoxifen levels from daily doses of oral tamoxifen.

 

In September 2018, we completed a Phase 1 placebo-controlled clinical study of our proprietary topical Endoxifen in 24 healthy men. All of our objectives of safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics were successfully met.

 

In December 2018, we began providing our oral Endoxifen to a pre-menopausal, estrogen-receptor positive (ER+), lacking CYP2D6 function, breast cancer patient under an FDA-approved "expanded access, single patient" program. The purpose of this therapeutic approach was to reduce activity of the cancer cells prior to surgery. The patient received daily doses of our oral Endoxifen for approximately three weeks prior to surgery. There were no safety or tolerability issues and her surgery was successfully completed. The cancer cell biological activity was reduced, based on the estrogen receptor activity of the tumor cells and a 50% reduction in Ki-67. The FDA has also permitted use of our Endoxifen for this patient following her surgery, under the FDA expanded access IND program, as part of her long-term breast cancer treatment regimen. The use of our proprietary oral Endoxifen is restricted solely to this patient.

 

S-4

 

 

In June 2019, we reported preliminary analysis from our Phase 2 study of proprietary daily topical Endoxifen to reduce MBD, showing significant p=0.02) and rapid reduction in MBD at the 20mg daily dose level. MBD was reduced by an average of 14.3% in the group applying 20mg daily topical Endoxifen, which was statistically significant (p = 0.02). In the lower dose group (10mg), MBD was reduced by an average of 9.0%, but was not statistically significant. Approximately 70% of participants receiving 20mg topical Endoxifen experienced a reduction in MBD, and of those, the mean reduction in MBD was 27%. There were no significant differences in systemic endocrine or vascular side effects (for example, hot flashes) in the placebo versus active groups. Systemic side effects were measured using a modified validated symptom questionnaire. Approximately 72 participants eventually developed skin rashes and local irritation and did not complete a full six months of dosing. However, these results which are based on MBD measurements at the time of enrollment in the study and again at the time dosing ended, show that Endoxifen reduced MBD even in those participants who dropped out of the study due to skin reactions, which was a mean of 55 and 88 days for the 20mg and 10mg groups, respectively. We plan to reevaluate our development strategy for the topical form of Endoxifen, as well as the opportunity to treat gynecomastia with Endoxifen, once we complete the Phase 2 study of oral Endoxifen to reduce MBD.

 

In December 2019, we contracted with Stockholm South General Hospital in Sweden to conduct a Phase 2 study of our oral Endoxifen to reduce MBD. The primary objective of this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study is to determine if Endoxifen changes MBD compared to placebo and among different doses, with secondary endpoints to assess and characterize safety and tolerability. The study is being led by principal Investigator Dr. Per Hall, M.D., Ph.D., Head of the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Karolinska Institutet. We expect to enroll approximately 1,000 pre-menopausal participants in four groups who will be dosed for six months. We anticipate receiving approval to open the study from the Institutional Review Board and Medical Products Authority in the first quarter of 2020. We will then begin enrolling participants in the first half of 2020 and we expect to periodically report progress with enrollment.

 

A Phase 2 study of our proprietary oral Endoxifen continues to be conducted in Australia for patients in the window of opportunity between diagnosis of breast cancer and surgery.

 

We are currently conducting a Phase 2 study using our intraductal technology to deliver fulvestrant directly to the site of the tumor via the breast ducts. We are migrating this study from Montefiore Medical Center (NY) to Johns Hopkins (MD).

 

We are regulated by the FDA under the Federal Drug and Cosmetics Act, as well as by other federal, state and local agencies. We hold several FDA product approvals including for both drugs and medical devices.

 

Corporate Information

 

We were incorporated in the state of Delaware in 2009. On January 6, 2020, we changed our corporate name from Atossa Genetics Inc. to Atossa Therapeutics, Inc. Our corporate headquarters are located at 107 Spring Street, Seattle, Washington 98104. Our telephone number is (206) 588-0256 and our Internet website address is www.atossatherapeutics.com. We do not incorporate the information on our website into this prospectus supplement, and you should not consider it part of this prospectus supplement.

 

S-5

 

 

THE OFFERING 

 

Common stock offered by us

Shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $5.0 million.

   

Common stock to be outstanding after the offering

Up to 12,464,317 shares of our common stock, assuming sales of 3,333,333 shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed offering price of $1.50 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on February 6, 2020. The actual number of shares issued will vary depending on the sales prices at which our common stock is sold under this offering.

   

Plan of Distribution

“At the market offering” that may be made from time to time through our sales agent, Oppenheimer. See “Plan of Distribution” on page S-12 of this prospectus supplement.

   

Use of Proceeds

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” on page S- of this prospectus supplement.

   

Risk Factors

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See the information contained in or incorporated by reference under the heading “Risk Factors” on page S- of this prospectus supplement, in the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we authorize for use in connection with this offering.

   

Nasdaq Capital Market symbol

“ATOS”

 

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 9,130,984 shares of our common stock outstanding as of February 6, 2020 and excludes:

 

1,070,028 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants as of September 30, 2019, at an exercise price of $4.05 per share;

4,348,383 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options issued under the Company’s 2010 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”) at a weighted average exercise price of $3.43 per share as of September 30, 2019;

190,625 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of outstanding Series B Convertible preferred stock as of September 30, 2019; and

271,430 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to future equity awards in the under our 2010 Plan as of September 30, 2019, as well as any future increases in the number of shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under this plan.

 

S-6

 

 

RISK FACTORS 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. In particular, you should consider the risk factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be revised or supplemented by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports of Form 8-K, each of which are on file with the SEC and are incorporated herein by reference, and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. In addition to those risk factors, there may be additional risks and uncertainties of which are not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities.

 

Risks Related to This Offering

 

You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings.

 

In order to raise additional capital, we may at any time, including during the pendency of this offering, offer additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock at prices that may not be the same as the price per share in this offering. We may sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is less than the price per share paid by investors in this offering, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock, or securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock, in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share paid by investors in this offering

 

We have broad discretion in the use of our cash and cash equivalents, including the net proceeds we receive in this offering, and may not use them effectively.

 

Our management has broad discretion to use our cash and cash equivalents, including the net proceeds we receive in this offering, to fund our operations and could spend these funds in ways that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our common stock, and you will not have the opportunity as part of your investment decision to assess whether the net proceeds are being used appropriately. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, cause the price of our common stock to decline and delay the development of our product candidates. Pending their use to fund our operations, we may invest our cash and cash equivalents, including the net proceeds from this offering, in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value.

 

S-7

 

 

Sales of our common stock in this offering, or the perception that such sales may occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to fall.

 

We may issue and sell shares of our common stock for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $5.0 million from time to time in connection with this offering. The actual number of shares of common stock that may be issued and sold in this offering, as well as the timing of any such sales, will depend on a number of factors, including, among others, the prices at which any shares are actually sold this offering (which may be influenced by market conditions, the trading price of our common stock and other factors) and our determinations as to the appropriate timing, sources and amounts of funding we need. The issuance and sale from time to time of these new shares of common stock, or the mere fact that we are able to issue and sell these shares in this offering, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

 

Because we do not intend to declare cash dividends on our shares of common stock in the foreseeable future, stockholders must rely on appreciation of the value of our common stock for any return on their investment.

 

We have never declared or paid 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 in the foreseeable future. In addition, the terms of any existing or future debt agreements may preclude us from paying dividends. As a result, we expect that only appreciation of the price of our common stock, if any, will provide a return to investors in this offering for the foreseeable future.

 

It is not possible to predict the actual number of shares of common stock we will sell under the Distribution Agreement, or the gross proceeds resulting from those sales.

 

Subject to certain limitations in the Distribution Agreement and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver a placement notice to Oppenheimer at any time throughout the term of the Distribution Agreement. The number of shares that are sold through Oppenheimer after delivering a placement notice will fluctuate based on a number of factors, including the market price of our shares during the sales period, the limits we set with Oppenheimer in any applicable placement notice, and the demand for our shares during the sales period. Because the price per share of each share sold will fluctuate during this offering, it is not currently possible to predict the number of shares that will be sold or the gross proceeds to be raised in connection with those sales.

 

S-8

 

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus contains certain information, assumptions and discussions that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We have made these statements in reliance on the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Although we believe our assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date of this prospectus, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements herein will prove to be accurate. We typically identify these forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words such as “expect,” “potential,” “continue,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words. Forward-looking statements contained in this report include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

whether we can obtain approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, or foreign regulatory health bodies, to commence our clinical studies and to sell, market and distribute our therapeutics under development;

 

our ability to successfully initiate and complete clinical trials of our pharmaceutical candidates under development, including our oral and topical Endoxifen (an active metabolite of tamoxifen) and our intraductal technologies to administer therapeutics, including our study using fulvestrant;

 

the success, cost and timing of our product and drug development activities and clinical trials, including whether the ongoing clinical study using our intraductal technologies to administer fulvestrant and our study using our oral Endoxifen in the window of opportunity prior to surgery, will enroll a sufficient number of subjects or be completed in a timely fashion or at all;

 

our ability to contract with third-party suppliers, manufacturers and service providers, including clinical research organizations, and their ability to perform adequately;

 

our ability to successfully develop and ultimately commercialize new therapeutics that are currently in development or that we might identify in the future and within the currently anticipated time frames;

 

our ability to successfully defend litigation and other similar complaints that may be brought in the future, in a timely manner and within the coverage, scope and limits of our insurance policies;

 

our ability to establish and maintain intellectual property rights covering our products and technologies;

 

our expectations regarding, and our ability to satisfy, federal, state and foreign regulatory requirements;

 

the accuracy of our estimates of the size and characteristics of the markets that our products may address;

 

whether the final study results will vary from preliminary study results that we may announce;

 

our expectations as to future financial performance, expense levels and capital sources;

 

our ability to attract and retain key personnel;

 

our ability to raise capital; and

 

other risks more fully discussed in the “Risk Factors” section in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the risk factors and cautionary statements described in other documents that we file from time to time with the SEC, specifically under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

 

Other factors not currently anticipated may also materially and adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial position. We do not undertake any obligation to update or alter any statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

S-9

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We may issue and sell up to $5.0 million of our common stock from time to time. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. There can be no assurance that we will sell any shares under or fully utilize the Distribution Agreement with Oppenheimer as a source of financing.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes.

 

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses of the proceeds, if any, from this offering. Accordingly, we will retain broad discretion over the use of any such proceeds. Pending the use of the net proceeds, from this offering as described above, we intend to invest the net proceeds in investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments.

 

S-10

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We have entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement, dated February 7, 2020, or the Distribution Agreement, with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., or Oppenheimer, relating to shares of our common stock, par value $0.18 per share, offered by this prospectus supplement. In accordance with the terms of the Distribution Agreement, we may offer and sell our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $5,000,000 from time to time through Oppenheimer acting as our sales agent. The Distribution Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

Upon delivery of a placement notice and subject to the terms and conditions of the Distribution Agreement, Oppenheimer may offer and sell shares of our common stock by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act, or in privately negotiated transactions. We may instruct Oppenheimer not to sell common stock if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us from time to time. We or Oppenheimer may suspend the offering of common stock upon notice and subject to other conditions.

 

We will pay Oppenheimer commissions, in cash, for its services in acting as agent in the sale of our common stock. Oppenheimer is entitled to compensation at a commission rate of 3.0% of the gross sales price per share sold under the Distribution Agreement. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. We have also agreed to reimburse Oppenheimer for certain specified expenses, including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of its legal counsel in an amount not to exceed (a) $40,000 in connection with the establishment of this at-the-market offering, and (b) thereafter, $2,500 on a quarterly basis (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). We estimate that the total expenses for the offering under this prospectus supplement, excluding compensation and reimbursements payable to Oppenheimer under the terms of the Distribution Agreement, will be approximately $123,500.

 

Settlement for sales of shares of common stock will occur on the second business day following the date on which any sales are made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by us and Oppenheimer in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. Sales of our common stock as contemplated in this prospectus supplement will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and Oppenheimer may agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

 

Oppenheimer will use its commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with its sales and trading practices, to solicit offers to purchase the shares of common stock under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Distribution Agreement. In connection with the sale of the shares of common stock on our behalf, Oppenheimer will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of Oppenheimer will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to Oppenheimer (and its partners, members, directors, officers, employees and agents) against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

We will report, consistent with our obligations under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, the number of shares of common stock sold under the Distribution Agreement, the net proceeds to us and the compensation paid by us to Oppenheimer in connection with the sales of our shares of common stock.

 

The offering of shares of our common stock pursuant to the Distribution Agreement will terminate upon the termination of the Distribution Agreement as permitted therein. We and Oppenheimer may each terminate the Distribution Agreement at any time upon ten days’ prior notice.

 

Oppenheimer and its affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services for us, our subsidiaries and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive customary fees. To the extent required by Regulation M, Oppenheimer will not engage in any market making activities involving our common stock while the offering is ongoing under this prospectus supplement.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by Oppenheimer and Oppenheimer may distribute this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus electronically.

 

S-11

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS 

 

The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP. Certain legal matters relating to this offering will be passed upon for Oppenheimer by Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky, and Popeo, P.C., New York, New York.

 

EXPERTS 

 

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

S-12

 

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We also filed a registration statement on Form S-3, including exhibits, under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are a part of that registration statement, but do not contain all of the information included in the registration statement or the exhibits. You can find our public filings with the SEC on the internet at a web site maintained by the SEC located at www.sec.gov.

 

S-13

 

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE 

 

The SEC allows the Company to “incorporate by reference” the information that is filed by the Company with the SEC, which means that the Company can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The documents incorporated by reference are:

 

 

1.

The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018;

 

2.

The Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019, and September 30, 2019;

 

3.

The Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 12, 2019;

 

4.

The Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 7, 2020, and in 2019 on the following dates: January 15, March 28, May 13, May 17, June 27, August 13, October 15, and November 13;

 

5.

The description of the Company’s Common Stock contained in the registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2012 pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating that description; and

 

6.

All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of the original Registration Statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, provided that all documents “furnished” by the Company to the SEC and not “filed” are not deemed incorporated by reference herein.

 

Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement. Under no circumstances will any information filed under items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K be deemed to be incorporated by reference unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary.

 

The Company will provide, without charge, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon such person’s written or oral request, a copy of any and all of the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the information that this prospectus incorporates. Requests should be directed to the Secretary at Atossa Therapeutics, Inc., 107 Spring Street, Seattle, Washington, 98104, phone (866) 893-4927. You may also find these documents in the “Investor Relations” section of our website, www.atossatherapeutics.com. The information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus.

 

S-14

 

 

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

 

Subject to Completion, dated September 22, 2017

 

PROSPECTUS

 

$50,000,000

 

ATOSSA GENETICS INC.

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

 

We may offer and sell an indeterminate number of shares of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and warrants from time to time under this prospectus. We may offer these securities separately or together in combination with other securities registered by this prospectus. We will describe in a prospectus supplement the securities we are offering and selling, as well as the specific terms of the securities.

 

We may offer these securities in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering. We may sell the securities directly to you, through agents we select, or through underwriters and dealers we select. If we use agents, underwriters or dealers to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement or sales agreement prospectus.

 

Our Common Stock is currently quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “ATOS”. On September 21, 2017, the last reported sale price per share of our Common Stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market was $0.52.

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 107 Spring Street, Seattle, Washington 98104. 

 

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. YOU SHOULD REVIEW CAREFULLY THE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES DESCRIBED HEREIN UNDER THE HEADING “RISK FACTORS” AND UNDER THE HEADING “RISK FACTORS” CONTAINED IN THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND ANY RELATED FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS, AND UNDER SIMILAR HEADINGS IN THE OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS.

 

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

 

The date of this prospectus is                 , 2017

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a shelf registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may offer shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and warrants to purchase any of such securities with a total value of up to $50,000,000 from time to time under this prospectus at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement (which term includes, as applicable, the sales agreement prospectus filed with the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part) that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

 

 

Page

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

1

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

2

ABOUT THE COMPANY

3

RISK FACTORS

4

USE OF PROCEEDS

4

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

4

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

5

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED

7

EXPERTS

24

LEGAL MATTERS

24

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

24

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

24

 

A prospectus supplement may include a discussion of risks or other special considerations applicable to us or the offered securities. A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you must rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. Please carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

The registration statement containing this prospectus, including exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. The registration statement can be read on the SEC’s website or at the SEC’s public reading room mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus.

 

We have not authorized any broker-dealer, salesperson or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the accompanying supplement to this prospectus. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement. This prospectus and the accompanying supplement to this prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor do this prospectus and the accompanying supplement to this prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. The information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement speaks only as of the date set forth on the cover page and may not reflect subsequent changes in our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects even though this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is delivered or securities are sold on a later date.

 

1

 

 

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into it contain, in addition to historical information, certain information, assumptions and discussions that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We have made these statements in reliance on the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Although we believe our assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date of this prospectus, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements set out in this prospectus will prove to be accurate. We typically identify these forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words such as “expect,” “potential,” “continue,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words. Forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

 

whether we can obtain approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, and foreign regulatory bodies, to sell, market and distribute our therapeutics and devices under development;

 

 

the success, cost and timing of our product and drug development activities and clinical trials, including whether the ongoing clinical study using our intraductal microcatheters to administer fulvestrant will enroll a sufficient number of subjects or be completed in a timely fashion or at all;

 

 

whether final clinical data will vary from any preliminary clinical data we may announce from time to time;

 

 

our ability to contract with third-party suppliers, manufacturers and service providers, including clinical research organizations, and their ability to perform adequately;

 

 

our ability to successfully develop and commercialize new therapeutics currently in development or that we might identify in the future and in the time frames currently expected;

 

 

our ability to successfully defend ongoing litigation, including the November 3, 2014 appeal of a dismissal of a securities class action law suit filed against us, and other similar complaints that may be brought in the future, in a timely manner and within the coverage, scope and limits of our insurance policies;

 

 

our ability to establish and maintain intellectual property rights covering our products;

 

 

our expectations regarding, and our ability to satisfy, federal, state and foreign regulatory requirements;

 

 

the accuracy of our estimates of the size and characteristics of the markets that our products and services may address;

 

 

our expectations as to future financial performance, expense levels and capital sources;

 

 

our ability to attract and retain key personnel; and

 

 

our ability to raise capital, including our ability to sell shares of common stock to Aspire Capital under the terms of the May 25, 2016 common stock purchase agreement with Aspire Capital.

 

This prospectus also contains estimates and other statistical data provided by independent parties and by us relating to market size and growth and other industry data. These and other forward-looking statements made in this prospectus are presented as of the date on which the statements are made. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements included in this prospectus, particularly in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” that we believe could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any new information, future events or circumstances that may affect our business after the date of this prospectus. Except as required by law, we do not intend to update any forward-looking statements after the date on which the statement is made, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

 

2

 

 

ABOUT THE COMPANY 

 

We are a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing novel, proprietary therapeutics and delivery methods for the treatment of breast cancer and other breast conditions. We currently have three programs underway: two using our proprietary Endoxifen (oral and topical formulations) and the other using our patented microcatheter technology. We have completed a comprehensive Phase 1 dose-escalation study in healthy women in Australia using both the topical and oral formulations of our proprietary Endoxifen and we are planning to commence one or more Phase 2 studies of Endoxifen in the fourth quarter of 2017. Our patented microcatheter technology is in a Phase 2 clinical study at Montefiore Medical Center in New York.

 

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that in 2017 250,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States. Every two minutes an American woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,000 die each year. Although about 100 times less common than women, breast cancer also affects men. The ACS estimates that the lifetime risk of men getting breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000; 2,470 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed; and 460 men will die from breast cancer in 2017.

 

Tamoxifen has been widely used for over 30 years to both treat and prevent breast cancer. Tamoxifen, however, has serious drawbacks: although approximately one million breast cancer survivors take tamoxifen to prevent recurrence and new breast cancer, up to 50% of those patients do not benefit from tamoxifen (meaning they are “refractory”) for a number of reasons including that they do not properly metabolize tamoxifen. Additionally, because of the serious side effects of tamoxifen, it is estimated that only about 2% of the approximately 10 million American women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer will take tamoxifen as a preventative measure.

 

Additional research has shown that it is the metabolites of tamoxifen and not tamoxifen itself, of which Endoxifen is the most active, that have potential therapeutic value.

 

We are developing two different presentations of proprietary Endoxifen for two different potential treatment settings: Frist, topical Endoxifen is under development for women with a condition called mammographic breast density, or MBD. Studies conducted by other have shown that women with MBD have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Second, we are developing oral Endoxifen for breast cancer survivors who are refractory to tamoxifen.

 

We have completed a Phase 1 dose-escalation study of topical and oral Endoxifen. The study was a placebo-controlled, repeat dose study of 48 healthy female volunteers over a 28-day dosing period. In September 2017, we reported preliminary results for the topical arm of the study with all objectives (safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics) successfully met. Results from the oral arm of the Phase 1 study are expected to be reported before November 15, 2017. We are planning one or more Phase 2 studies of the topical and/or oral dosage forms of Endoxifen to commence in the fourth quarter 2017.

 

We are currently conducting a Phase 2 study using our microcatheter technology to deliver fulvestrant at Montefiore Medical Center. This trial is a Phase 2 study in women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or Stage 1 or 2 breast cancer (invasive ductal carcinoma) scheduled for mastectomy or lumpectomy within 30 to 45 days. This study is assessing the safety, tolerability, cellular activity and distribution of fulvestrant when delivered directly into breast milk ducts of these patients compared to those who receive the same drug by injection. Of the 30 patients required for full enrollment, six will receive the standard intramuscular injection of fulvestrant and 24 will receive fulvestrant with our microcatheter device.

 

The primary endpoint of the clinical trial is to compare the safety, tolerability and distribution of fulvestrant between the two routes of administration (intramuscular injection or through our microcatheters). The secondary endpoint of the study is to determine if there are changes in the expression of Ki67 (a measure of cellular proliferation that correlates with tumor growth) as well as estrogen and progesterone receptors between a pre-fulvestrant biopsy and post-fulvestrant surgical specimens. Digital breast imaging before and after drug administration in both groups will also be performed to determine the effect of fulvestrant on any lesions as well as breast density of the participant.

 

Our key objectives are to advance our programs through Phase 2 trials and then evaluate further development independently or with partners.

 

Our common stock is currently quoted on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “ATOS.”

 

3

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Investors should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties and all other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the risks and uncertainties discussed under “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be amended from time to time, and in subsequent filings, including our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, that are incorporated herein by reference. All of these “Risk Factors” are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones facing us. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. 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 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 in this prospectus.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of our securities offered hereby. Except as described in any prospectus supplement, we currently anticipate using the net proceeds from the sale of our securities offered hereby primarily for general corporate purposes, which include, but are not limited to, funding our ongoing and future development of our drugs and devices under development, and for general and administrative expenses. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to pay off outstanding indebtedness, if any, and/or acquire or invest in complementary businesses, products and technologies. Further, from time to time we may evaluate acquisition opportunities and engage in related discussions with other companies. Pending the use of the net proceeds, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade securities.

 

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

If we offer debt securities and/or preference equity securities under this prospectus, then we will, if required at that time, provide a ratio of earnings to fixed charges and/or ratio of combined fixed charges and preference dividends to earnings, respectively, in the applicable prospectus supplement for such offering.

 

4

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may sell the securities covered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more offerings. Registration of the securities covered by this prospectus does not mean, however, that those securities will necessarily be offered or sold.

 

We may sell the securities separately or together:

 

● through one or more underwriters or dealers in a public offering and sale by them; 

● directly to investors; or 

● through agents.

 

We may sell the securities from time to time:

 

● in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed from time to time; 

● at market prices prevailing at the times of sale; 

● at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or 

● at negotiated prices.

 

We will describe the method of distribution of the securities and the terms of the offering in the prospectus supplement. Any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

 

If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions described above. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter, the nature of any such relationship.

 

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitation of these contracts.

 

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or in a post-effective amendment.

 

Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments made by the underwriters, dealers or agents, under agreements between us and the underwriters, dealers and agents.

 

We may grant underwriters who participate in the distribution of securities an option to purchase additional securities to cover over-allotments, if any, in connection with the distribution.

 

Underwriters, dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from us or our purchasers, as their agents in connection with the sale of securities. These underwriters, dealers or agents may be considered to be underwriters under the Securities Act. As a result, discounts, commissions or profits on resale received by the underwriters, dealers or agents may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions. The prospectus supplement will identify any such underwriter, dealer or agent and describe any compensation received by them from us. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

 

5

 

 

Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, all securities we offer, other than common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed for trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market or other principal market for our common stock. We may apply to list any series of debt securities, preferred stock or warrants on an exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. Therefore, there may not be liquidity or a trading market for any series of securities.

 

Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment transactions, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time. We make no representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that such transactions may have on the price of the securities. For a description of these activities, see the information under the heading “Underwriting” or “Plan of Distribution” in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Underwriters, broker-dealers or agents who may become involved in the sale of the common stock may engage in transactions with and perform other services for us in the ordinary course of their business for which they receive compensation.

 

6

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED

 

We may offer shares of our common stock, preferred stock, various series of debt securities and warrants to purchase any such securities with a total value of up to $50,000,000 from time to time under this prospectus at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of offering. Each time we offer a type or series of securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities.

 

Common Stock

 

Holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably dividends out of funds legally available, if and when declared from time to time by our Board of Directors. We have never paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock and our Board of Directors does not anticipate that we will pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The future payment of dividends, if any, on our Common Stock is within the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other relevant factors. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on each matter to be voted on by stockholders. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of us, holders of Common Stock are to share in all assets remaining after the payment of liabilities and any preferential distributions payable to preferred stockholders, if any. The holders of Common Stock have no preemptive or conversion rights and are not subject to further calls or assessments. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock. The rights of the holders of the Common Stock are subject to any rights that may be fixed for holders of preferred stock, if any. All of the outstanding shares of Common Stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Certificate of Incorporation

 

Under our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, our Board of Directors, without further action by our stockholders, currently has the authority to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock and to fix the rights (including voting rights), preferences and privileges of these “blank check” preferred shares. Such preferred stock may have rights, including economic rights, senior to our Common Stock. As a result, the issuance of the preferred stock could have a material adverse effect on the price of our Common Stock and could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding Common Stock.

 

Anti-Takeover Devices

 

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws include a number of provisions that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing another party from acquiring control of us and encouraging persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals to negotiate with our Board of Directors rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts. These provisions include the items described below.

 

Board Composition and Filling Vacancies.   In accordance with our certificate of incorporation, our Board of Directors is divided into three classes serving staggered three-year terms, with one class being elected each year. Our certificate of incorporation also provides that directors may only be removed from office for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of 75% or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Furthermore, any vacancy on our Board of Directors, however occurring, including any vacancy resulting from an increase in the size of the board, may only be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of our directors then in office even if less than a quorum. The classification of directors, together with the limitations on removal of directors and treatment of vacancies, has the effect of making it more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of our Board of Directors.

 

Undesignated Preferred Stock.   Our certificate of incorporation authorizes “blank-check” preferred stock, which means that our Board of Directors has the authority to designate one or more series of preferred stock without stockholder approval. These series of preferred stock may have superior rights, preferences and privileges over our Common Stock, including dividend rights, voting rights and liquidation preferences. The ability of our Board of Directors to issue shares of our preferred stock without stockholder approval could deter takeover offers and make it more difficult or costly for a third party to acquire us without the consent of our Board of Directors.

 

7

 

 

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.   In addition, our certificate of incorporation does not opt out of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which protects a corporation against an unapproved takeover by prohibiting a company from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder (defined as a stockholder owning more than 15% of the outstanding shares) for a period of three years from the time such stockholder became a 15% holder unless approved by our Board of Directors.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our Common Stock is VStock Transfer, LLC, 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, New York 11598 (Telephone: (212) 828-8436; Facsimile (646) 536-3179).

 

Quotation

 

Our Common Stock is currently quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “ATOS”.

 

Preferred Stock

 

We may issue shares of our preferred stock from time to time, in one or more series. Under our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by stockholders, to designate up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and restrictions granted to or imposed upon the preferred stock, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, liquidation preference and sinking fund terms, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common stock.

 

If we issue preferred stock, we will fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series that we sell under this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements in the certificate of designations relating to that series. If we issue preferred stock, we will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of any certificate of designations that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred stock. We urge you to read the prospectus supplement related to any series of preferred stock we may offer, as well as the complete certificate of designations that contains the terms of the applicable series of preferred stock.

 

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. In connection with our May 19, 2014 Shareholder Rights Plan, discussed below, the Company has designated 750,000 shares of Series-A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share through the filing of a certificate of designation with the Delaware Secretary of State. The shareholder rights agreement provides that all stockholders of record on May 26, 2014 received a non-taxable distribution of one preferred stock purchase right for each share of our Common Stock held by such stockholder. Each right is attached to and trades with the associated share of Common Stock. The rights will become exercisable only if one of the following occurs: (1) a person becomes an “Acquiring Person” by acquiring beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our Common Stock (or, in the case of a person who beneficially owned 15% or more of our Common Stock on the date the stockholder rights agreement was executed, by acquiring beneficial ownership of additional shares representing 2.0% of our Common Stock then outstanding (excluding compensatory arrangements)); or (2) a person commences a tender offer that, if consummated, would result in such person becoming an Acquiring Person. If a person becomes an Acquiring Person, each right will entitle the holder, other than the Acquiring Person and certain related parties, to purchase a number of shares of our Common Stock with a market value that equals twice the exercise price of the right. The initial exercise price of each right is $15.00, so each holder (other than the Acquiring Person and certain related parties) exercising a right would be entitled to receive $30.00 worth of our Common Stock. If the Company is acquired in a merger or similar business combination transaction at any time after a person has become an Acquiring Person, each holder of a right (other than the Acquiring Person and certain related parties) will be entitled to purchase a similar amount of stock of the acquiring entity.

 

8

 

 

Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. In connection with our April 2017 financing, we designated 4,000 shares of the 10,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock as Series A Convertible Preferred. As of the date of this prospectus, no shares of Series A Convertible Preferred are outstanding.

 

Debt Securities

 

The paragraphs below describe the general terms and provisions of the debt securities we may issue. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the securities in a supplement to this prospectus, including any additional covenants or changes to existing covenants relating to such series. The prospectus supplement also will indicate whether the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities. You should read the actual indenture if you do not fully understand a term or the way we use it in this prospectus.

 

We may offer senior or subordinated debt securities. Each series of debt securities may have different terms. The senior debt securities will be issued under one or more senior indentures, dated as of a date prior to such issuance, between us and a trustee, as amended or supplemented from time to time. We will refer to any such indenture throughout this prospectus as a “senior indenture.” Any subordinated debt securities will be issued under one or more separate indentures, dated as of a date prior to such issuance, between us and a trustee, as amended or supplemented from time to time. We will refer to any such indenture throughout this prospectus as a “subordinated indenture” and to the trustee under any senior or subordinated indenture as the “trustee.” The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are sometimes collectively referred to in this prospectus as the “indentures.” The indentures will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. We included copies of the forms of the indentures as exhibits to our registration statement and they are incorporated into this prospectus by reference.

 

If we issue debt securities at a discount from their principal amount, then, for purposes of calculating the aggregate initial offering price of the offered securities issued under this prospectus, we will include only the initial offering price of the debt securities and not the principal amount of the debt securities.

 

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. The prospectus supplement relating to any particular securities offered will describe the specific terms of the securities, which may be in addition to or different from the general terms summarized in this prospectus. Because the summary in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement does not contain all of the information that you may find useful, you should read the documents relating to the securities that are described in this prospectus or in any applicable prospectus supplement. Please read “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus to find out how you can obtain a copy of those documents. Except as otherwise indicated, the terms of the indentures are identical. As used under this caption, the term “debt securities” includes the debt securities being offered by this prospectus and all other debt securities issued by us under the indentures.

 

General

 

The indentures:

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

provide that the debt securities will be unsecured, except as may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

9

 

 

Unless we give you different information in the applicable prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities will be unsubordinated obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. Payments on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness, as described under “Description of the Debt Securities—Subordination” and in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities outstanding as of the most recent practicable date and any limit on their aggregate principal amount, including the aggregate principal amount of debt securities authorized;

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

if convertible, the terms on which such debt securities are convertible, including the initial conversion price or rate and the conversion period and any applicable limitations on the ownership or transferability of common stock or preferred stock received on conversion;

 

 

 

 

the date or dates, or the method for determining the date or dates, on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable;

 

 

 

 

the fixed or variable interest rate or rates of the debt securities, or the method by which the interest rate or rates is determined;

 

 

 

 

the date or dates, or the method for determining the date or dates, from which interest will accrue;

 

 

 

 

the dates on which interest will be payable;

 

 

 

 

the record dates for interest payment dates, or the method by which we will determine those dates;

 

 

 

 

the persons to whom interest will be payable;

 

 

 

 

the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

 

 

 

any make-whole amount, which is the amount in addition to principal and interest that is required to be paid to the holder of a debt security as a result of any optional redemption or accelerated payment of such debt security, or the method for determining the make-whole amount;

 

 

 

 

the place or places where the principal of, and any premium, or make-whole amount, and interest on, the debt securities will be payable;

 

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where the debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or conversion or exchange;

 

 

 

 

where notices or demands to or upon us in respect of the debt securities and the applicable indenture may be served;

 

 

 

 

the times, prices and other terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities;

 

 

 

 

any obligation we have to redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of holders of the debt securities, and the times and prices at which we must redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities as a result of such an obligation;

 

 

 

 

the currency or currencies in which the debt securities are denominated and payable if other than United States dollars, which may be a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or a composite currency or currencies and the terms and conditions relating thereto, and the manner of determining the equivalent of such foreign currency in United States dollars;

 

 

 

 

whether the principal of, and any premium, or make-whole amount, or interest on, the debt securities of the series are to be payable, at our election or at the election of a holder, in a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or stated to be payable, and other related terms and conditions;

 

 

 

 

whether the amount of payments of principal of, and any premium, or make-whole amount, or interest on, the debt securities may be determined according to an index, formula or other method and how such amounts will be determined;

 

 

 

 

whether the debt securities will be in registered form, bearer form or both and: (1) if in registered form, the person to whom any interest shall be payable, if other than the person in whose name the security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest; or (2) if in bearer form, the manner in which, or the person to whom, any interest on the security shall be payable if otherwise than upon presentation and surrender upon maturity;

 

 

 

 

any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of securities in bearer form and the terms upon which securities in bearer form of the series may be exchanged for securities in registered form of the series and vice versa if permitted by applicable laws and regulations;

 

 

 

 

whether any debt securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any debt securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form with or without coupons and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global security may or shall be required to exchange their interests for other debt securities of the series, and the manner in which interest shall be paid;

 

 

 

 

the identity of the depository for securities in registered form, if such series are to be issuable as a global security;

 

 

 

 

the date as of which any debt securities in bearer form or in temporary global form shall be dated if other than the original issuance date of the first security of the series to be issued;

 

 

 

 

the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions described in this prospectus or in the applicable indenture;

 

 

 

 

whether and under what circumstances we will pay any additional amounts on the debt securities in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities in lieu of making such a payment;

 

 

 

 

whether and under what circumstances the debt securities being offered are convertible into common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, including the conversion price or rate or manner or calculation thereof;

 

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the circumstances, if any, specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, under which beneficial owners of interests in the global security may obtain definitive debt securities and the manner in which payments on a permanent global debt security will be made if any debt securities are issuable in temporary or permanent global form;

 

 

 

 

any provisions granting special rights to holders of securities upon the occurrence of such events as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement;

 

 

 

 

if the debt securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and/or terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

 

 

 

 

the name of the applicable trustee and the nature of any material relationship with us or any of our affiliates, and the percentage of debt securities of the class necessary to require the trustee to take action;

 

 

 

 

any deletions from, modifications of, or additions to our events of default or covenants and any change in the right of any trustee or any of the holders to declare the principal amount of any of such debt securities due and payable;

 

 

 

 

applicable CUSIP numbers; and

 

 

 

 

any other terms of such debt securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the applicable indenture.

 

We may issue debt securities at a discount below their principal amount and provide for less than the entire principal amount thereof to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities. We refer to any such debt securities throughout this prospectus as “original issue discount securities.” The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the United States federal income tax consequences and other relevant considerations applicable to original issue discount securities.

 

We also may issue indexed debt securities. Payments of principal of and premium and interest on, indexed debt securities are determined with reference to the rate of exchange between the currency or currency unit in which the debt security is denominated and any other currency or currency unit specified by us, to the relationship between two or more currencies or currency units or by other similar methods or formulas specified in the prospectus supplement.

 

Except as described under “—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets” or as may be set forth in any prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that: (1) would limit our ability to incur indebtedness; or (2) would afford holders of debt securities protection in the event of (a) a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving us, or (b) a change of control or reorganization, restructuring, merger or similar transaction involving us that may adversely affect the holders of the debt securities. In the future, we may enter into transactions, such as the sale of all or substantially all of our assets or a merger or consolidation, that may have an adverse effect on our ability to service our indebtedness, including the debt securities, by, among other things, substantially reducing or eliminating our assets.

 

Neither the Delaware General Corporation Law nor our governing instruments define the term “substantially all” as it relates to the sale of assets. Additionally, Delaware cases interpreting the term “substantially all” rely upon the facts and circumstances of each particular case. Consequently, to determine whether a sale of “substantially all” of our assets has occurred, a holder of debt securities must review the financial and other information that we have disclosed to the public.

 

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

 

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Payment

 

Unless we give you different information in the applicable prospectus supplement, the principal of, and any premium, or make-whole amount, and interest on, any series of the debt securities will be payable at the corporate trust office of the trustee. We will provide you with the address of the trustee in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may also pay interest by mailing a check to the address of the person entitled to it as it appears in the applicable register for the debt securities or by wire transfer of funds to that person at an account maintained within the United States.

 

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

 

Denomination, Interest, Registration and Transfer

 

Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of any series will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

 

Subject to the limitations imposed upon debt securities that are evidenced by a computerized entry in the records of a depository company rather than by physical delivery of a note, a holder of debt securities of any series may:  

 

 

exchange them for any authorized denomination of other debt securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal amount and kind upon surrender of such debt securities at the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee or at the office of any transfer agent that we designate for such purpose; and

 

 

 

 

surrender them for registration of transfer or exchange at the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee or at the office of any transfer agent that we designate for such purpose.

 

Every debt security surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange must be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer satisfactory to the applicable trustee or transfer agent. Payment of a service charge will not be required for any registration of transfer or exchange of any debt securities, but we or the trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. If in addition to the applicable trustee, the applicable prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agent initially designated by us for any series of debt securities, we may at any time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which any such transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for such series. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents for any series of debt securities.

 

Neither we, nor any trustee, will be required to:

 

 

issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day that the notice of redemption of any debt securities selected for redemption is mailed and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing;

 

 

 

 

register the transfer of or exchange any debt security, or portion thereof, so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security being redeemed in part; and

 

 

 

 

issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt security that has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the holder, except the portion, if any, of such debt security not to be so repaid.

 

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Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

 

The indentures provide that we may, without the consent of the holders of any outstanding debt securities: (1) consolidate with; (2) sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of our assets to; or (3) merge with or into, any other entity provided that:

 

 

either we are the continuing entity, or the successor entity, if other than us, assumes the obligations: (A) to pay the principal of, and any premium (or make-whole amount) and interest on, all of the debt securities; and (B) to duly perform and observe all of the covenants and conditions contained in each indenture;

 

 

 

 

after giving effect to the transaction, there is no event of default under the indentures and no event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become such an event of default, occurs and continues; and

 

 

 

 

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

 

Covenants

 

Existence. Except as permitted under “—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets,” the indentures require us to do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect our existence, rights and franchises. However, the indentures do not require us to preserve any right or franchise if we determine that any right or franchise is no longer desirable in the conduct of our business.

 

Provision of financial information. The indentures require us to: (1) within 15 days of each of the respective dates by which we are required to file our annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents with the SEC, file with the trustee copies of the annual report, quarterly report and other documents that we file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act; (2) file with the trustee and the SEC any additional information, documents and reports regarding compliance by us with the conditions and covenants of the indentures, as required; (3) within 30 days after the filing with the trustee, mail to all holders of debt securities, as their names and addresses appear in the applicable register for such debt securities, without cost to such holders, summaries of any documents and reports required to be filed by us pursuant to (1) and (2) above; and (4) supply, promptly upon written request and payment of the reasonable cost of duplication and delivery, copies of such documents to any prospective holder.

 

Additional covenants. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any additional covenants of the Company relating to any series of debt securities.

 

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

 

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

 

 

default in the payment of any installment of interest on any debt security of such series continuing for 30 days;

 

 

 

 

default in the payment of principal of, or any premium, or make-whole amount, on any debt security of such series for five business days at its stated maturity;

 

 

 

 

default in making any sinking fund payment as required for any debt security of such series for five business days;

 

 

 

 

default in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty in the debt securities or in the indenture by the Company continuing for 60 days after written notice as provided in the applicable indenture, but not of a covenant added to the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities issued thereunder other than such series;

 

 

 

 

bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver, liquidator or trustee of the Company or any significant subsidiary of the Company; and

 

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

 

When we use the term “significant subsidiary,” we refer to the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Securities Act.

 

If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to debt securities of any series outstanding, then the applicable trustee or the holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the debt securities of that series will have the right to declare the principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable. If the debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities or indexed securities, then the applicable trustee or the holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the debt securities of that series will have the right to declare the portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof to be due and payable.

 

However, at any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the applicable trustee, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of such series or of all debt securities then outstanding under the applicable indenture may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

The indentures also provide that the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series or of all debt securities then outstanding under the applicable indenture may, on behalf of all holders, waive any past default with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default:

 

 

in the payment of the principal, any premium, or make-whole amount, or interest;

 

 

 

 

in respect of a covenant or provision contained in the applicable indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of the outstanding debt security that is affected by the default; or

 

 

 

 

in respect of a covenant or provision for the benefit or protection of the trustee, without its express written consent.

 

The indentures require each trustee to give notice to the holders of debt securities within 90 days of a default unless such default has been cured or waived. However, the trustee may withhold notice if specified persons of such trustee consider such withholding to be in the interest of the holders of debt securities. The trustee may not withhold notice of a default in the payment of principal, any premium or interest on any debt security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment in respect of any debt security of such series.

 

The indentures provide that holders of debt securities of any series may not institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to such indenture or for any remedy under the indenture, unless the trustee fails to act for a period of 60 days after the trustee has received a written request to institute proceedings in respect of an event of default from the holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series, as well as an offer of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee. However, this provision will not prevent any holder of debt securities from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment of the principal of, and any premium, or make-whole amount, and interest on, such debt securities at the respective due dates thereof. 

 

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

 

 

is in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture;

 

 

 

 

upon a good faith determination of a responsible officer of the trustee, may involve the trustee in personal liability; or

 

 

 

 

upon a good faith determination of a responsible officer of the trustee, may be unduly prejudicial to the holders of debt securities of the series not joining the proceeding.

 

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

 

Modification of the Indentures

 

The indentures provide that modifications and amendments may be made only with the consent of the affected holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities issued under that indenture. However, no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of all of the holders of the debt securities affected by the modification or amendment:

 

 

change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any premium, or make-whole amount, on, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any such debt security;

 

 

 

 

reduce the principal amount of, the rate or amount of interest on or any premium, or make-whole amount, payable on redemption of any such debt security;

 

 

 

 

reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount security that would be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or would be provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the holder of any such debt security;

 

 

 

 

change the place of payment or the coin or currency for payment of principal of, or any premium, or make-whole amount, or interest on, any such debt security;

 

 

 

 

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any such debt security;

 

 

 

 

reduce the percentage in principal amount of any outstanding debt securities necessary to modify or amend the applicable indenture with respect to such debt securities, to waive compliance with particular provisions thereof or defaults and consequences thereunder or to reduce the quorum or voting requirements set forth in the applicable indenture; and

 

 

 

 

modify any of the foregoing provisions or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of particular past defaults or covenants, except to increase the required percentage to effect such action or to provide that some of the other provisions may not be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of such debt security.

 

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series may, on behalf of all holders of debt securities of that series, waive, insofar as that series is concerned, our compliance with material restrictive covenants of the applicable indenture.

 

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

 

 

to evidence the succession of another person to us as obligor under such indenture;

 

 

 

 

to add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in such indenture;

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

to add or change any provisions of an indenture: (1) to change or eliminate restrictions on the payment of principal of, or premium, or make-whole amount, or interest on, debt securities in bearer form; or (2) to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in uncertificated form, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the debt securities of any series in any material respect;

 

 

 

 

to change or eliminate any provisions of an indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there are no debt securities outstanding of any series created prior thereto which are entitled to the benefit of such provision;

 

 

 

 

to secure the debt securities;

 

 

 

 

to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series;

 

 

 

 

to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under an indenture by more than one trustee;

 

 

 

 

to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in an indenture, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of holders of debt securities of any series issued under such indenture; and

 

 

 

 

to supplement any of the provisions of an indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any series of such debt securities, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of any series.

 

Voting

 

The indentures provide that in determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding debt securities of a series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under the indentures or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of holders of debt securities:

 

 

the principal amount of an original issue discount security that shall be deemed to be outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;

 

 

 

 

the principal amount of any debt security denominated in a foreign currency that shall be deemed outstanding shall be the United States dollar equivalent, determined on the issue date for such debt security, of the principal amount or, in the case of an original issue discount security, the United States dollar equivalent on the issue date of such debt security of the amount determined as provided in the preceding bullet point;

 

 

 

 

the principal amount of an indexed security that shall be deemed outstanding shall be the principal face amount of such indexed security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided for such indexed security under such indenture; and

 

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debt securities owned by us or any other obligor upon the debt securities or by any affiliate of ours or of such other obligor shall be disregarded.


The indentures contain provisions for convening meetings of the holders of debt securities of a series. A meeting will be permitted to be called at any time by the applicable trustee, and also, upon request, by us or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series, in any such case upon notice given as provided in such indenture. Except for any consent that must be given by the holder of each debt security affected by the modifications and amendments of an indenture described above, any resolution presented at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series represented at such meeting.

 

Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, except as referred to above, any resolution relating to a request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that may be made, given or taken by the holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series, may be adopted at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of such specified percentage.

 

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any properly held meeting of holders of debt securities of any series will be binding on all holders of such series. The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution, and at any reconvened meeting, will be persons holding or representing a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series. However, if any action is to be taken relating to a consent or waiver which may be given by the holders of at least a specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series, the persons holding such percentage will constitute a quorum.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the indentures provide that if any action is to be taken at a meeting with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that such indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities affected by such action, or of the holders of such series and one or more additional series:

 

 

there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and

 

 

the principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under such indenture.

 

Subordination

 

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, subordinated securities will be subject to the following subordination provisions.

 

Upon any distribution to our creditors in a liquidation, dissolution or reorganization, the payment of the principal of and interest on any subordinated securities will be subordinated to the extent provided in the applicable indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all senior debt. However, our obligation to make payments of the principal of and interest on such subordinated securities otherwise will not be affected. No payment of principal or interest will be permitted to be made on subordinated securities at any time if a default on senior debt exists that permits the holders of such senior debt to accelerate its maturity and the default is the subject of judicial proceedings or we receive notice of the default. After all senior debt is paid in full and until the subordinated securities are paid in full, holders of subordinated securities will be subrogated to the rights of holders of senior debt to the extent that distributions otherwise payable to holders of subordinated securities have been applied to the payment of senior debt. The subordinated indenture will not restrict the amount of senior debt or other indebtedness of the Company and its subsidiaries. As a result of these subordination provisions, in the event of a distribution of assets upon insolvency, holders of subordinated securities may recover less, ratably, than our general creditors.

 

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The term “senior debt” will be defined in the applicable indenture as the principal of and interest on, or substantially similar payments to be made by us in respect of, other outstanding indebtedness, whether outstanding at the date of execution of the applicable indenture or subsequently incurred, created or assumed. The prospectus supplement may include a description of additional terms implementing the subordination feature.

 

No restrictions will be included in any indenture relating to subordinated securities upon the creation of additional senior debt.

 

If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with the offering of a series of subordinated securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the information incorporated in this prospectus by reference will set forth the approximate amount of senior debt outstanding as of the end of our most recent fiscal quarter.

 

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

 

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

 

 

either: (1) all securities of such series have already been delivered to the applicable trustee for cancellation; or (2) all securities of such series have not already been delivered to the applicable trustee for cancellation but (A) have become due and payable, (B) will become due and payable within one year, or (C) if redeemable at our option, are to be redeemed within one year, and we have irrevocably deposited with the applicable trustee, in trust, funds in such currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such debt securities are payable, an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on such debt securities in respect of principal and any premium, or make-whole amount, and interest to the date of such deposit if such debt securities have become due and payable or, if they have not, to the stated maturity or redemption date;

 

 

we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable; and

 

 

an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel stating the conditions to discharging the debt securities have been satisfied has been delivered to the trustee. 

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indentures provide that, upon our irrevocable deposit with the applicable trustee, in trust, of an amount, in such currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such debt securities are payable at stated maturity, or government obligations, or both, applicable to such debt securities, which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of, and any premium, or make-whole amount, and interest on, such debt securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor, the issuing company may elect either:

 

 

to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to such debt securities; or

 

 

to be released from its obligations with respect to such debt securities under the applicable indenture or, if provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, its obligations with respect to any other covenant, and any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute an event of default with respect to such debt securities.

 

Notwithstanding the above, we may not elect to defease and be discharged from the obligation to pay any additional amounts upon the occurrence of particular events of tax, assessment or governmental charge with respect to payments on such debt securities and the obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such debt securities, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to maintain an office or agency in respect of such debt securities, or to hold monies for payment in trust.

 

The indentures only permit us to establish the trust described in the paragraph above if, among other things, it has delivered to the applicable trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of such debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such opinion of counsel, in the case of defeasance, will be required to refer to and be based upon a ruling received from or published by the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable United States federal income tax law occurring after the date of the indenture. In the event of such defeasance, the holders of such debt securities would be able to look only to such trust fund for payment of principal, any premium, or make-whole amount, and interest.

 

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When we use the term “government obligations,” we mean securities that are:

 

 

direct obligations of the United States or the government that issued the foreign currency in which the debt securities of a particular series are payable, for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged; or

 

 

obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States or other government that issued the foreign currency in which the debt securities of such series are payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States or such other government, which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such government obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such government obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt. However, except as required by law, such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the government obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the government obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, if after we have deposited funds and/or government obligations to effect defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to debt securities of any series, (1) the holder of a debt security of such series is entitled to, and does, elect under the terms of the applicable indenture or the terms of such debt security to receive payment in a currency, currency unit or composite currency other than that in which such deposit has been made in respect of such debt security, or (2) a conversion event occurs in respect of the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such deposit has been made, the indebtedness represented by such debt security will be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of, and premium, or make whole amount, and interest on, such debt security as they become due out of the proceeds yielded by converting the amount so deposited in respect of such debt security into the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such debt security becomes payable as a result of such election or such cessation of usage based on the applicable market exchange rate.

 

When we use the term “conversion event,” we mean the cessation of use of:

 

 

a currency, currency unit or composite currency both by the government of the country that issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community;

 

 

 

 

the European Currency Unit both within the European Monetary System and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European Communities; or

 

 

 

 

any currency unit or composite currency other than the European Currency Unit for the purposes for which it was established. 

 

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, all payments of principal of, and any premium, or make-whole amount, and interest on, any debt security that is payable in a foreign currency that ceases to be used by its government of issuance shall be made in United States dollars.

 

In the event that (1) we effect covenant defeasance with respect to any debt securities and (2) those debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amount in the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such debt securities are payable, and government obligations on deposit with the applicable trustee, will be sufficient to pay amounts due on such debt securities at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on such debt securities at the time of the acceleration resulting from such event of default. However, the issuing company would remain liable to make payments of any amounts due at the time of acceleration.

 

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If a trustee or paying agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with the foregoing paragraphs describing discharge and defeasance by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under the indentures and such securities from which the Company has been discharged or released pursuant to the foregoing shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred with respect to such securities, until such time as the trustee or paying agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust with respect to such securities in accordance with the foregoing; provided, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such security following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the holders of such securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust.

 

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

 

Conversion Rights

 

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

 

Global Securities

 

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such series. Global securities, if any, issued in the United States are expected to be deposited with The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, as depository. We may issue global securities in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. We will describe the specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such series. We expect that unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the following provisions will apply to depository arrangements.

 

All interests in global securities will be subject to the operations and procedures of the depository for such global securities or its nominee. We provide the following summaries of those operations and procedures solely for the convenience of investors. Once a global security is issued, we expect that the depository for such global security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the respective principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by such global security to the accounts of participants that have accounts with such depository. Such accounts shall be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to such debt securities or by us if we offer such debt securities directly. Ownership of beneficial interests in such global security will be limited to participants with the depository or persons that may hold interests through those participants.

 

We expect that, under procedures established by DTC, ownership of beneficial interests in any global security for which DTC is the depository will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee, with respect to beneficial interests of participants with the depository, and records of participants, with respect to beneficial interests of persons who hold through participants with the depository. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records of DTC or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC or any of its participants relating to beneficial ownership interests in the debt securities.

 

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So long as the depository for a global security or its nominee is the registered owner of such global security, such depository or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as described below or in the applicable prospectus supplement, owners of beneficial interest in a global security will not be entitled to have any of the individual debt securities represented by such global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable indenture. Beneficial owners of debt securities evidenced by a global security will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instructions or approvals to the trustee under the indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security with respect to which DTC is the depository must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if such person is not a participant with the depository, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interests, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture.

 

Payments of principal of, and any premium, or make-whole amount, and interest on, individual debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made to or at the direction of the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security under the applicable indenture. Under the terms of the applicable indenture, we and the trustee may treat the persons in whose name debt securities, including a global security, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments. Consequently, neither we nor the trustee have or will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of such amounts to beneficial owners of debt securities including principal, any premium, or make-whole amount, or interest. We believe, however, that it is currently the policy of DTC to immediately credit the accounts of relevant participants with such payments, in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the relevant global security as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in street name, and will be the responsibility of such participants. Redemption notices with respect to any debt securities represented by a global security will be sent to the depository or its nominee. If less than all of the debt securities of any series are to be redeemed, we expect the depository to determine the amount of the interest of each participant in such debt securities to be redeemed to be determined by lot. Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent nor the security registrar for such debt securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global security for such debt securities or for maintaining any records with respect thereto.

 

Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by the holders of a global security or the depository in identifying the beneficial owners of debt securities, and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the holder of a global security or the depository for all purposes. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

 

If a depository for any debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and we do not appoint a successor depository within 90 days, we will issue individual debt securities in exchange for the global security representing such debt securities. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities, determine not to have any of such debt securities represented by one or more global securities and in such event will issue individual debt securities in exchange for the global security or securities representing such debt securities. Individual debt securities so issued will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

 

The debt securities of a series may also be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more bearer global securities that will be deposited with a depository, or with a nominee for such depository, identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any such bearer global securities may be issued in temporary or permanent form. The specific terms and procedures, including the specific terms of the depositary arrangement, with respect to any portion of a series of debt securities to be represented by one or more bearer global securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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No Recourse

 

There is no recourse under any obligation, covenant or agreement in the applicable indenture or with respect to any security against any of our or our successor’s past, present or future stockholders, employees, officers or directors.

 

Warrants

 

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series, from time to time. We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from those securities.

 

If we issue warrants, they will be evidenced by warrant agreements or warrant certificates issued under one or more warrant agreements, which are contracts between us and an agent for the holders of the warrants. We urge you to read the prospectus supplement related to any series of warrants we may offer, as well as the complete warrant agreement and warrant certificate that contain the terms of the warrants. If we issue warrants, forms of warrant agreements and warrant certificates relating to warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and debt securities will be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part from reports we would subsequently file with the SEC.

 

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EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2016 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm (the report on the consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern) which is incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Certain legal matters relating to the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, San Francisco, California.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

The Company files annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document filed by the Company at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. The Company’s filings with the SEC are also available to the public at the SEC’s Internet web site at http://www.sec.gov.

 

Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance we refer you to the copy of the contract or document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

 

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows the Company to “incorporate by reference” the information that is filed by the Company with the SEC, which means that the Company can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The documents incorporated by reference are:

 

1.         The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2017 (as amended on March 21, 2017);

 

2.          The Company’s Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on May 11, 2017, and June 30, 2017 filed with the SEC on August 14, 2017, and amendments to the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2016, June 30, 2016, and September 30, 2016 each filed with the SEC on March 21, 2017;

 

3.          The Company’s Current Reports on Forms 8-K filed with the SEC on April 4, 2017, May 11, 2017, June 2, 2017, June 30, 2017, August 14, 2017 and September 14, 2017;

 

4.          The description of the Company’s Common Stock contained in the registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2012 pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating that description; and

 

5.          All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of the original Registration Statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, provided that all documents “furnished” by the Company to the SEC and not “filed” are not deemed incorporated by reference herein.

 

Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement. Under no circumstances will any information filed under items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K be deemed to be incorporated by reference unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary.

 

The Company will provide, without charge, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon such person’s written or oral request, a copy of any and all of the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the information that this prospectus incorporates. Requests should be directed to the Secretary at Atossa Genetics Inc., 107 Spring Street, Seattle, Washington, 98104, phone (866) 893-4927. You may also find these documents in the “Investor Relations” section of our website, www.atossagenetics.com. The information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus.

 

24

 

 

 

Up to $5,000,000

 

Common Stock

 

 


 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 


 

 

Oppenheimer & Co.

 

 


 

February 7, 2020