S-3/A 1 forms-3a.htm

 

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2021

Registration No. 333- 252823

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Amendment No. 1
to
 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   20-5137161

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1540 Drew Avenue

Davis, California 95618

(530) 750-2800

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

 

Kevin Helash

Chief Executive Officer

Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.

1540 Drew Avenue

Davis, California 95618

(530) 750-2800

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

 

Copy to:

Alfredo B.D. Silva

Morrison & Foerster LLP

425 Market Street

San Francisco, CA 95105

(415) 268-7000

 

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

 

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: [  ]

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer   [  ]   Accelerated filer   [  ]
             
Non-accelerated filer   [X]   Smaller reporting company   [X]
             
        Emerging growth company   [  ]

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 26, 2021

 

$90,000,000

 

LOGO

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Rights

Units

 

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ AND CONSIDER THE RISK FACTORS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND IN THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS. SEE “RISK FACTORS” BEGINNING ON PAGE 2.

 

From time to time, we may offer and sell, in one or more offerings, in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of any such offering, common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights to purchase such securities, either individually or in units, with a total value of up to $90,000,000.

 

Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “MBII.” On March 24, 2021, the last reported sale price of the common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $2.08 per share.

 

We will provide specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will also describe the specific manner in which we will offer the securities and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this document. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you purchase any of our securities.

 

THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO OFFER AND SELL SECURITIES UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.

 

We may offer the 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.

 

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

 

The date of this prospectus is                 , 2021

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
About This Prospectus 1
   
About MBI 1
   
Risk Factors 2
   
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information 2
   
Use of Proceeds 3
   
Description of Capital Stock 3
   
Additional Information Concerning Our Capital Stock 6
   
Description of Debt Securities 9
   
Description of Warrants 16
   
Description of Rights 18
   
Description of Units 19
   
Legal Ownership of Securities 20
   
Plan of Distribution 23
   
Legal Matters 25
   
Experts 25
   
Where You Can Find More Information 25
   
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference 26

 

No person has been authorized to give any information or make any representations in connection with this offering other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement in connection with the offering described in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us. Neither this prospectus nor any prospectus supplement shall constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy offered securities in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offering or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement nor any sale made hereunder shall under any circumstances imply that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement is correct as of any date subsequent to the date of this prospectus supplement or of any prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, issue and sell to the public any part of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $90,000,000.

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell the securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information in this prospectus or in documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. To the extent that any statement that we make in a prospectus supplement is inconsistent with statements made in this prospectus or in documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the statements made or incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed modified or superseded by those made in the prospectus supplement. You should carefully read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” before buying any securities offered in this offering.

 

THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO OFFER AND SELL SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.

 

For purposes of this prospectus, references to the terms “MBI,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc., unless the context otherwise requires.

 

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 at the SEC’s website or at the SEC offices mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

ABOUT MBI

 

We strive to lead the sustainable agriculture movement through the discovery, development, production and promotion of effective, efficient and environmentally responsible biological products for pest management, plant nutrition and plant health. We target the major markets that use conventional chemical pesticides and fertilizers, where our biological products are used as alternatives for, or mixed with, conventional products. We also target new markets for which there are no available conventional chemical products or where the use of conventional chemical products may not be desirable (including for organically certified crops) or permissible either because of health and environmental concerns, or because the development of pest resistance has reduced the efficacy of conventional chemical pesticides.

 

Our corporate headquarters are located at 1540 Drew Avenue in Davis, California 95618. Our telephone number is (530) 750-2800 and our website address is www.marronebioinnovations.com. The information on or accessible through our website does not constitute part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement and should not be relied upon in connection with making any investment in our securities. We make our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file these reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be found on our website.

 

Securities We Are Offering

 

We may offer shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights to purchase such securities, either individually or in units, with a total value of up to $90,000,000 from time to time under this prospectus at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of the offering. Our common stock currently is quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “MBII.” Shares of common stock that may be offered in this offering will, when issued and paid for, be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

We refer to our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights and units in this prospectus as “securities.” 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 that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, as described below under “Plan of Distribution.”

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Before you invest in our securities, in addition to the other information, documents or reports incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or other offering materials, you should carefully consider the risk factors in this section, the section entitled “Risk Factors” in any prospectus supplement as well as our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed subsequent to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement in their entirety, as the same may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. Each of the risks described in these sections and documents could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment.

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

 

This prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus contain forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated in this prospectus regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of the words “would”, “could”, “will”, “may”, “expect”, “believe”, “should”, “anticipate”, “outlook”, “if”, “future”, “intend”, “plan”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “targets”, “seek” or “continue” and similar words and phrases, including the negatives of these terms, or other variations of these terms, that denote future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those risks described or incorporated by reference in this prospectus under “Risk Factors” above.

 

These forward-looking statements include: our plans to target our existing products or product variations for new markets and for new uses and applications; our plans and expectations with respect to growth in sales of our product lines; our ability and plans to develop, register and commercialize additional new product candidates and bring new products to market across multiple categories faster and at a lower cost than other developers of pest management products, including research, development and field trial plans; our expectations regarding registering new products and new formulations and expanded use labels for existing products; our belief that challenges facing the use of conventional chemical pesticides will continue to grow; our beliefs regarding the growth of markets for, and unmet demand for, bio-based products; our beliefs regarding market adoption of our products and our ability to compete in our target markets; our intention to maintain existing, and develop new, supply, sales and distribution channels and extend market access; expectations regarding potential future payments under strategic collaboration and development agreements; our plans and expectations relating to our debt agreements; management’s belief regarding our access to capital resources through equity offerings, debt financings, strategic collaborations or other means; our plans to grow our business while improving efficiency, including by focusing on a limited number of product candidates, taking measures to reduce expenses and expanding our sales and marketing team; our plans and expectations with respect to manufacturing and production; our plans to seek third-party collaborations to develop and commercialize more early stage product candidates; our intention to continue to devote significant resources toward our proprietary technology and research and development; our expectations that sales will be seasonal and the impact of weather-related conditions; our ability to protect our intellectual property in the United States and abroad; our beliefs regarding the effects of the outcome of certain legal matters; our anticipated impact of certain accounting pronouncements; our ability to use carryforwards; our expectations regarding market risk, including interest rate changes, foreign currency fluctuations and commodity price changes; our expectations with respect to future regulatory restrictions on competing products or product ingredients and our future expenditures, available cash and other financial and operating results. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and our potential financial performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial position to differ materially and adversely from what is projected or implied in any forward-looking statements incorporated by reference.

 

Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statements. You should also carefully consider other information set forth in reports or other documents that we file with the Commission.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of securities offered by this prospectus will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include operating expenses, working capital to improve and promote our commercially available products, advance product candidates, expand international presence and commercialization, general capital expenditures and satisfaction of debt obligations.

 

The amounts actually expended for each purpose may vary significantly depending upon numerous factors, including the amount and timing of our future revenues and our future expenses. Pending any use, as described above, we may invest the net proceeds in a variety of capital preservation instruments, including short- and long-term interest-bearing investments, direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government, certificates of deposit and money market funds. We cannot predict whether the proceeds invested will yield a favorable return for us.

 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

The following description of our common stock and preferred stock, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the common stock and preferred stock that we may offer under this prospectus. It may not contain all the information that is important to you. For the complete terms of our common stock and preferred stock, please refer to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, which are incorporated by reference into the registration statement which includes this prospectus. The Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) may also affect the terms of these securities. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future common stock and preferred stock that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of these securities in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we so indicate in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any security we offer under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below.

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for one class of common stock. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes shares of undesignated preferred stock, the rights, preferences and privileges of which may be designated from time to time by our board of directors.

 

Our authorized capital stock consists of 270,000,000 shares, all with a par value of $0.00001 per share, of which:

 

  250,000,000 shares are designated as common stock; and
  20,000,000 shares are designated as preferred stock.

 

Common Stock

 

As of December 31, 2020 we had outstanding 167,478,302 shares of common stock, held by 70 stockholders of record. As of December 31, 2020 we also had outstanding options to acquire 13,379,809 shares of our common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $2.32 per share as well as restricted stock units outstanding for the issuance of an aggregate of 4,587,819 shares upon settlement held by current and former employees, directors and consultants. In addition, as of December 31, 2020 there were warrants outstanding for the purchase of an aggregate of 14,534,538 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $0.85 per share.

 

Voting Rights. Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, each share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote with respect to each matter presented to our stockholders on which the holders of common stock are entitled to vote. Subject to any rights that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock, our common stock votes as a single class on all matters relating to the election and removal of directors on our board of directors and as provided by law. Holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights. Except in respect of matters relating to the election and removal of directors on our board of directors and as otherwise provided in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or required by law, all matters to be voted on by our stockholders must be approved by a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter. In the case of election of directors, all matters to be voted on by our stockholders must be approved by a plurality of the votes entitled to be cast by all shares of common stock.

 

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Dividends. Subject to preferences that may apply to any shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share equally, identically and ratably in any dividends that the board of directors may determine to issue from time to time out of legally available funds. We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying periodic cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Any future determination about the payment of dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our earnings, if any, capital requirements, operating and financial conditions and on such other factors as the board of directors deems relevant.

 

Liquidation Rights. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, holders of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in our assets that are legally available for distribution to stockholders after payment of our debts and other liabilities. If we have any preferred stock outstanding at such time, holders of the preferred stock may be entitled to distribution and/or liquidation preferences. In either such case, we must pay the applicable distribution to the holders of our preferred stock before we may pay distributions to the holders of our common stock.

 

Other Rights. Our stockholders have no preemptive, conversion or other rights to subscribe for additional shares. All outstanding shares are, and all shares offered by this prospectus will be, when sold, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

 

Listing. Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “MBII.”

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent for our common stock is American Stock Transfer and Trust Company. Its address is 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, we have authority, subject to any limitations prescribed by law and without further stockholder approval, to issue from time to time up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.00001 per share, in one or more series. As of December 31, 2020, no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding.

 

Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, we are authorized to issue “blank check” preferred stock, which may be issued from time to time in one or more series upon authorization by our board of directors. Our board of directors, without further approval of the stockholders, is authorized to fix the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions applicable to each series of the preferred stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with capital raising and other corporate purposes could, among other things, adversely affect the voting power or rights of the holders of our common stock and, under certain circumstances, make it more difficult for a third party to gain control of us, discourage bids for our common stock at a premium or otherwise adversely affect the market price of the common stock.

 

The preferred stock will have the terms described below unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of the preferred stock. You should read the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of the preferred stock being offered for specific terms, including:

 

  the designation and stated value per share of the preferred stock and the number of shares offered;
     
  the amount of liquidation preference per share;
     
  the price at which the preferred stock will be issued;

 

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  the dividend rate, or method of calculation of any dividend, the dates on which dividends will be payable, whether dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends will accumulate;
     
  any redemption or sinking fund provisions;
     
  if other than the currency of the United States, the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the preferred stock is denominated and/or in which payments will or may be payable;
     
  any conversion provisions; and
     
  any other rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, limitations and restrictions on the preferred stock.

 

The preferred stock will, when issued, be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, each series of the preferred stock will rank equally as to dividends and liquidation rights in all respects with any other series of preferred stock. The rights of holders of shares of each series of preferred stock will be subordinate to those of our general creditors.

 

Rank. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, rank:

 

  senior to all classes or series of our common stock and to all equity securities ranking junior to such preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;
     
  on a parity with all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank on a parity with the preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and
     
  junior to all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to the preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs.

 

The term “equity securities” does not include convertible debt securities.

 

Dividends. Holders of the preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors, cash dividends at such rates and on such dates described in the prospectus supplement. Different series of preferred stock may be entitled to dividends at different rates or based on different methods of calculation. The dividend rate may be fixed or variable or both. Dividends will be payable to the holders of record as they appear on our stock books on record dates fixed by our board of directors, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Dividends on any series of the preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If our board of directors does not declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of noncumulative preferred stock, then the holders of that noncumulative preferred stock will have no right to receive a dividend for that dividend payment date, and we will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for that period, whether or not dividends on that series are declared payable on any future dividend payment dates. Dividends on any series of cumulative preferred stock will accrue from the date we initially issue shares of such series or such other date specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Liquidation Preference. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, before we make any distribution or payment to the holders of any common stock or any other class or series of our capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of each series of preferred stock shall be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference per share set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon. Such dividends will not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid noncumulative dividends for prior dividend periods. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, after payment of the full amount of their liquidating distributions, the holders of preferred stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. Upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, if our available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding preferred stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all other classes or series of our capital stock ranking on parity with the preferred stock and all other such classes or series of shares of capital stock ranking on parity with the preferred stock in the distribution of assets, then the holders of the preferred stock and all other such classes or series of capital stock will share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be entitled.

 

Redemption. If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at our option, as a whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in such prospectus supplement.

 

Voting Rights. Except as otherwise required by law, or as otherwise fixed by resolution or resolutions of the board of directors with respect to one or more series of preferred stock and indicated in the applicable prospective supplement, the entire voting power and all voting rights shall be vested exclusively in the common stock.

 

Conversion Rights. The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of preferred stock is convertible into common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the number of shares of common stock into which the shares of preferred stock are convertible, the conversion price, rate or manner of calculation thereof, the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at our option or at the option of the holders of the preferred stock, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar. Any transfer agent and registrar for the preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Certain Effects of Authorized but Unissued Stock

 

We have shares of common stock and preferred stock available for future issuance without stockholder approval. We may issue these additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public or private offerings to raise additional capital or to facilitate corporate acquisitions or for payment as a dividend on our capital stock. The existence of unissued and unreserved preferred stock may enable our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock with terms that could render more difficult or discourage a third-party attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, thereby protecting the continuity of our management. In addition, if we issue preferred stock, the issuance could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock and the likelihood that holders of common stock will receive dividend payments or payments upon liquidation.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING OUR CAPITAL STOCK

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Charter Documents

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for our board of directors to be divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors will be elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms. Because our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights, our stockholders holding a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding will be able to elect all of our directors. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that all stockholder actions must be effected at a duly called meeting of stockholders and not by a consent in writing, and that only our board of directors, chairman of the board, chief executive officer or president (in the absence of a chief executive officer) may call a special meeting of stockholders.

 

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Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws require a 66 2/3% stockholder vote for the removal of a director without cause or the rescission, alteration, amendment or repeal of the bylaws by stockholders, and our amended and restated bylaws require an 80% stockholder vote to amend the provisions of our bylaws relating to the election and classification of directors. The combination of the classification of our board of directors, the lack of cumulative voting and the 66 2/3% and 80% stockholder voting requirements will make it more difficult for our existing stockholders to replace our board of directors as well as for another party to obtain control of us by replacing our board of directors. Since our board of directors has the power to retain and discharge our officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for existing stockholders or another party to effect a change in management. In addition, the authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change our control.

 

Our amended and restated bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual stockholders meeting, including proposed nominations of persons for election to our board of directors. At an annual stockholders meeting, stockholders may only consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or otherwise properly brought before the meeting by our board of directors. Stockholders may also consider a proposal or nomination by a person who was a stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has given to the Secretary of the Company timely written notice, in proper form, of his or her intention to bring that business before the annual stockholders meeting. The amended and restated bylaws do not give our board of directors the power to approve or disapprove stockholder nominations of candidates or proposals regarding other business to be conducted at a special or annual meeting of the stockholders. However our amended and restated bylaws may have the effect of precluding the conduct of business at a meeting if the proper procedures are not followed.

 

Our amended and restated bylaws also provide that only our board of directors, the chairperson of the board or the President or Chief Executive Officer may call a special meeting of stockholders. Because our stockholders do not have the right to call a special meeting, a stockholder could not force stockholder consideration of a proposal over the opposition of our board of directors by calling a special meeting of stockholders prior to such time as a majority of our board of directors, the chairperson of the board or the President believed the matter should be considered or until the next annual meeting provided that the requestor met the notice requirements. The restriction on the ability of stockholders to call a special meeting means that a proposal to replace the board also could be delayed until the next annual stockholders meeting.

 

These provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in our control or management. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of our board of directors and its policies and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened acquisition of us. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions also are intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts.

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Delaware Law

 

We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years after the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, with the following exceptions:

 

  before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
  upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction began, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or
  on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

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In general, Section 203 defines business combination to include the following:

 

  any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;
  any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;
  subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;
  any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or
  the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation.

 

In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as an entity or person who, together with the person’s affiliates and associates, beneficially owns, or within three years prior to the time of determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

 

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

 

We have adopted provisions in our certificate of incorporation that limit or eliminate the liability of our directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties, except for liability that cannot be eliminated under the DGCL. Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, provides that a corporation may, in its original certificate of incorporation or an amendment thereto, eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director for violations of the director’s fiduciary duty, except (1) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, which provides for liability of directors for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions or (4) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit. Accordingly, our directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except with respect to the following:

 

  any breach of their duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;
  acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
  unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the DGCL; or
  any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

This limitation of liability does not apply to liabilities arising under the federal securities laws and does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission. If Delaware law is amended to authorize the further elimination or limiting of director liability, then the liability of our directors will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law as so amended.

 

Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify any person, including an officer or director, who is, or is threatened to be made, party to any threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, other than an action by or in the right of such corporation, by reason of the fact that such person was an officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as an officer, director, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided such officer, director, employee or agent acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the corporation’s best interest and, for criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. A Delaware corporation may indemnify any officer or director in an action by or in the right of the corporation under the same conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him against the expenses that such officer or director actually and reasonably incurred.

 

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Our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws provide that we shall indemnify our directors and executive officers and shall indemnify our other officers and employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by law. We believe that indemnification under our bylaws covers at least negligence and gross negligence on the part of indemnified parties. Our bylaws also permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in this capacity, regardless of whether our bylaws would permit indemnification.

 

In addition, we have entered and intend to continue to enter into separate indemnification agreements with certain of our directors and executive officers that are, in some cases, broader than the specific indemnification provisions provided by Delaware law and our charter documents, and may provide additional procedural protection. These agreements will require us, among other things, to:

 

  indemnify officers and directors against certain liabilities that may arise because of their status as officers and directors;
  advance expenses, as incurred, to officers and directors in connection with a legal proceeding subject to limited exceptions; and
  cover officers and directors under any general or directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy maintained by us.

 

We believe that these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and executive officers. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling our company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission is that such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

In addition, we maintain standard policies of insurance under which coverage is provided to our directors and officers against loss arising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act, and to us with respect to payments which may be made by us to such directors and officers pursuant to the above indemnification provisions or otherwise as a matter of law. We also make available standard life insurance and accidental death and disability insurance policies to our employees.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future debt securities we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below.

 

The following summary description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the indenture, any indenture supplement and the terms of the debt securities, including, in each case, the definitions therein of certain terms. We will file each of these documents, as applicable, with the SEC and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part on or before the time we issue a series of debt securities. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” below for information on how to obtain a copy of a document when it is filed. The specific terms of the debt securities as described in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section.

 

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The indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. We use the term “debenture trustee” to refer to either the trustee under the senior indenture or the trustee under the subordinated indenture, as applicable.

 

The following summaries of material provisions of the senior debt securities, the subordinated debt securities and the indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the debt securities that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the indenture that would contain the terms of the debt securities. Except as we may otherwise indicate, the terms of the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture would be identical.

 

General

 

We will describe in each prospectus supplement the following terms relating to a series of debt securities:

 

  the title;
     
  the principal amount being offered, and if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding;
     
  any limit on the amount that may be issued;
     
  whether or not we will issue the series of debt securities in global form, the terms and who the depositary will be;
     
  the maturity date;
     
  whether and under what circumstances, if any, we will pay additional amounts on any debt securities held by a person who is not a U.S. person for tax purposes, and whether we can redeem the debt securities if we have to pay such additional amounts;
     
  the annual interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;
     
  whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;
     
  the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt;
     
  the place where payments will be payable;
     
  restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;
     
  our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;
     
  the date, if any, after which, and the price at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemptions provisions;
     
  the date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable;

 

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  whether the indenture will restrict our ability and/or the ability of our subsidiaries to:

 

  incur additional indebtedness;
     
  issue additional securities;
     
  create liens;
     
  pay dividends and make distributions in respect of our capital stock and the capital stock of our subsidiaries;
     
  redeem capital stock;
     
  place restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make distributions or transfer assets;
     
  make investments or other restricted payments;
     
  sell or otherwise dispose of assets;
     
  enter into sale-leaseback transactions;
     
  engage in transactions with stockholders and affiliates;
     
  issue or sell stock of our subsidiaries; or
     
  effect a consolidation or merger;

 

  whether the indenture will require us to maintain any interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios;
     
  a discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities;
     
  information describing any book-entry features;
     
  provisions for a sinking fund purchase or other analogous fund, if any;
     
  whether the debt securities are to be offered at a price such that they will be deemed to be offered at an “original issue discount” as defined in paragraph (a) of Section 1273 of the Internal Revenue Code;
     
  the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; and
     
  any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, including any additional events of default or covenants provided with respect to the debt securities, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.

 

Conversion or Exchange Rights

 

We will set forth in the prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities. We will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.

 

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Consolidation, Merger or Sale

 

Any successor to or acquiror of the indentures must assume all of our obligations under the indentures or the debt securities, as appropriate. If the debt securities are convertible for our other securities or securities of other entities, the person with whom we consolidate or merge or to whom we sell all of our property must make provisions for the conversion of the debt securities into securities that the holders of the debt securities would have received if they had converted the debt securities before the consolidation, merger or sale.

 

Events of Default Under the Indenture

 

Unless otherwise provided in any applicable prospectus supplement, documents incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus, the following will be events of default under the indenture with respect to each series of debt securities issued thereunder:

 

  (a) if we fail to pay interest when due and payable and our failure continues for 30 days, or within such other time period as may be specified in the applicable indenture, and the time for payment has not been extended or deferred;
     
  (b) if we fail to pay the principal, premium or sinking fund payment, if any, when due and payable and the time for payment has not been extended or delayed;
     
  (c) if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur; and
     
  (d) if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant contained in the debt securities or the indentures, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 60 days, or within such other time period as may be specified in the applicable indenture, after we receive notice from the debenture trustee or holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series, or such other percentage as may be specified in the applicable indenture, in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series.

 

If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the debenture trustee or the holders of at least 25%, or such other percentage as may be specified in the applicable indenture, in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the debenture trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the debenture trustee or any holder.

 

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.

 

Subject to the terms of the indentures, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the debenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the debenture trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the debenture trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the debenture trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:

 

  the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and
     
  subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the debenture trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.

 

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A holder of the debt securities of any series will only have the right to institute a proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies if:

 

  the holder has given written notice to the debenture trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;
     
  the holders of at least 25% (or, in the case of a default of the type described under subsection (d), above, a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series), or such other percentage as may be specified in the applicable indenture, in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and such holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the debenture trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee; and
     
  the debenture trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 60 days, or within such other time period as may be specified in the applicable indenture, after the notice, request and offer of indemnity.

 

These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.

 

We will periodically file statements with the debenture trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indentures.

 

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

 

We and the debenture trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:

 

  to evidence the succession of another corporation to us and the assumption by any such successor of our covenants in such indenture and in the debt securities issued thereunder;
     
  to add to our covenants or to surrender any right or power conferred on us pursuant to the indenture;
     
  to establish the form and terms of debt securities issued thereunder;
     
  to evidence and provide for a successor trustee under such indenture with respect to one or more series of debt securities issued thereunder or to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts under such indenture by more than one trustee;
     
  to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision in the indenture that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision of the indenture or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under such indenture; provided that no such action adversely affects the interests of the holders of any series of debt securities issued thereunder in any material respect;
     
  to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of securities under the indenture;
     
  to add any additional events of default with respect to all or any series of debt securities;
     
  to supplement any of the provisions of the indenture as may be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities, provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of an outstanding debt security of such series or any other security in any material respect;

 

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  to make provisions with respect to the conversion or exchange rights of holders of debt securities of any series;
     
  to pledge to the trustee as security for the debt securities of any series any property or assets;
     
  to add guarantees in respect of the debt securities of one or more series;
     
  to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture, provided that any such change or elimination becomes effective only when there is no security of any series outstanding created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision;
     
  to provide for certificated securities in addition to or in place of global securities;
     
  to qualify such indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended;
     
  with respect to the debt securities of any series, to conform the text of the indenture or the debt securities of such series to any provision of the description thereof in our offering memorandum or prospectus relating to the initial offering of such debt securities, to the extent that such provision, in our good faith judgment, was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the indenture or such securities; or
     
  to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of holders of any series of debt securities issued thereunder in any material respect.

 

In addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the debenture trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, we and the debenture trustee may only make the following changes with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:

 

  extending the fixed maturity of the series of debt securities; or
     
  reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or reducing any premium payable upon the redemption of any debt securities; or
     
  reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver; or
     
  make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any security into or for common stock or other securities, cash or other property in accordance with the terms of the applicable debt security.

 

Each indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:

 

  register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;
     
  replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series;
     
  maintain paying agencies;
     
  hold monies for payment in trust;

 

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  recover excess money held by the debenture trustee;
     
  compensate and indemnify the debenture trustee; and
     
  appoint any successor trustee.

 

In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the debenture trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.

 

Form, Exchange and Transfer

 

We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indentures provide that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC or another depositary named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement with respect to that series. See “Legal Ownership of Securities” for a further description of the terms relating to any book-entry securities.

 

At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

 

Subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will make no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.

 

We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

 

If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

 

  issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days, or within such other time period as may be specified in the applicable indenture, before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or
     
  register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.

 

Repurchases on the Open Market

 

We, or an affiliate of ours, may at any time or from time to time repurchase any debt security in the open market or otherwise. Such debt securities may, at our option (or our affiliate’s option), be held, resold or surrendered to the trustee for cancellation.

 

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Information Concerning the Debenture Trustee

 

The debenture trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the debenture trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the debenture trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given him or her by the indentures at the request of any holder of debt securities unless he or she is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that he or she might incur.

 

Payment and Paying Agents

 

Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

 

We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in a prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the debenture trustee in the City of New York as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

 

All money we pay to a paying agent or the debenture trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

 

Governing Law

 

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is applicable.

 

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

 

The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement. The subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of subordinated debt securities that we may issue. It also does not limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.

 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus and the related warrant agreements and warrant certificates. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any warrants offered under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.

 

The following summary description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the form of warrant agreement and form of warrant certificate relating to each series of warrants that will be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus or as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K if we offer warrants.

 

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General

 

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants, including:

 

  the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;
     
  the currency for which the warrants may be purchased;
     
  if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;
     
  if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;
     
  in the case of warrants to purchase common stock, the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;
     
  the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreements and the warrants;
     
  the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;
     
  any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;
     
  the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;
     
  the manner in which the warrant agreements and warrants may be modified;
     
  federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants;
     
  the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and
     
  any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.

 

Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.

 

Exercise of Warrants

 

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

 

Holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required amount to the warrant agent in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will set forth on the reverse side of the warrant certificate and in the applicable prospectus supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to deliver to the warrant agent.

 

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Upon receipt of the required payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, then we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.

 

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants

 

Any warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.

 

Outstanding Warrants

 

As of December 31, 2020, warrants to purchase an aggregate of 14,534,538 shares of our common stock are issued and outstanding, of which warrants to purchase 26,786 shares of common stock have an exercise price of $8.40 per share and expire in June of 2023, warrants to purchase 124,500 shares of common stock have an exercise price of $2.38 per share and expire in November of 2026, warrants to purchase 80,000 shares have an exercise price of $1.10 and expire in June of 2027, warrants to purchase 1,777,778 shares have an exercise price of $1.04 per share and expire in March of 2021, warrants to purchase 5,862,380 shares of common stock have an exercise price of $0.75 per share and expire in March of 2021, warrants to purchase 1,777,777 shares of common stock have an exercise price of $1.00 per share and expire in December of 2021, unless the March 2021 warrants are not exercised upon which the warrants expire March of 2021, warrants to purchase 4,885,316 shares of common stock have an exercise price of $0.75 per share and expire in December of 2021.

 

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

 

We may issue rights to purchase our debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or other securities. These rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of such rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.

 

Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement which we will enter into with a bank or trust company, as rights agent, all which will be set forth in the relevant offering material. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.

 

The following description is a summary of selected provisions relating to rights that we may offer. The summary is not complete. When rights are offered in the future, a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or a free writing prospectus, as applicable, will explain the particular terms of those securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. The specific terms of the rights as described in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section.

 

This summary and any description of rights in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the rights agreement and the rights certificates. We will file each of these documents, as applicable, with the SEC and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part on or before the time we issue a series of rights. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” below for information on how to obtain a copy of a document when it is filed.

 

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The applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus may describe:

 

  in the case of a distribution of rights to our stockholders, the date of determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution;
  in the case of a distribution of rights to our stockholders, the number of rights issued or to be issued to each stockholder;
  the exercise price payable for the underlying debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or other securities upon the exercise of the rights;
  the number and terms of the underlying debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or other securities which may be purchased per each right;
  the extent to which the rights are transferable;
  the date on which the holder’s ability to exercise the rights shall commence, and the date on which the rights shall expire;
  the extent to which the rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities;
  if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of such rights; and
  any other terms of the rights, including, but not limited to, the terms, procedures, conditions and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights.

 

The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Debt Securities” and “Description of Capital Stock” above, will apply, as applicable, to any rights we offer.

 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus.

While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any units offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.

 

The following summary description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the form of unit agreement and form of unit certificate relating to each series of units that will be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus or as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K if we offer units.

 

General

 

We may issue units comprised of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, warrants or any combination thereof. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.

 

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of units, including:

 

  the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;
     
  any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described below; and
     
  any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units.

 

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The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Capital Stock,” “Description of Debt Securities” and “Description of Warrants” will apply to each unit and to any common stock, preferred stock, debt security or warrants included in each unit, respectively.

 

Issuance in Series

 

We may issue units in such amounts and in such numerous distinct series as we determine.

 

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Units

 

Any unit agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable unit agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any unit. A single bank or trust company may act as unit agent for more than one series of units. A unit agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable unit agreement or unit, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a unit may, without the consent of the related unit agent or the holder of any other unit, enforce by appropriate legal action its rights as holder under any security included in the unit.

 

Title

 

We, any unit agents and any of their agents may treat the registered holder of any unit certificate as an absolute owner of the units evidenced by that certificate for any purpose and as the person entitled to exercise the rights attaching to the units so requested, despite any notice to the contrary. See “Legal Ownership of Securities” below.

 

LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

 

We can issue securities in registered form or in the form of one or more global securities. We describe global securities in greater detail below. We refer to those persons who have securities registered in their own names on the books that we or any applicable trustee, depositary or warrant agent maintain for this purpose as the “holders” of those securities. These persons are the legal holders of the securities. We refer to those persons who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their own names, as “indirect holders” of those securities. As we discuss below, indirect holders are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect holders.

 

Book-Entry Holders

 

We may issue securities in book-entry form only, as we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means securities may be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating institutions, which are referred to as participants, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.

 

Only the person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security. Securities issued in global form will be registered in the name of the depositary or its participants. Consequently, for securities issued in global form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities, and we will make all payments on the securities to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.

 

As a result, investors in a book-entry security will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the securities.

 

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Street Name Holders

 

We may terminate a global security or issue securities in non-global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in “street name.” Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.

 

For securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities, and we will make all payments on those securities to them. These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect holders, not holders, of those securities.

 

Legal Holders

 

Our obligations, as well as the obligations of any applicable trustee and of any third parties employed by us or a trustee, run only to the legal holders of the securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.

 

For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, we may want to obtain the approval of the holders to amend an indenture, to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of the indenture or for other purposes. In such an event, we would seek approval only from the holders, and not the indirect holders, of the securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the holders.

 

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

 

If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:

 

  how it handles securities payments and notices;
     
  whether it imposes fees or charges;
     
  how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required;
     
  whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future;
     
  how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and
     
  if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.

 

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Global Securities

 

A global security is a security that represents one or any other number of individual securities held by a depositary. Generally, all securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.

 

Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC, New York, New York, will be the depositary for all securities issued in book-entry form.

 

A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

 

If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued in global form only, then the security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.

 

Special Considerations for Global Securities

 

As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize an indirect holder as a holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.

 

If securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:

 

  An investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her name, and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except in the special situations we describe below;
     
  An investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe above;
     
  An investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance companies and to other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form;
     
  An investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective;
     
  The depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in a global security. We and any applicable trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in a global security. We and the trustee also do not supervise the depositary in any way;
     
  The depositary may, and we understand that AST will, require that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security within its book-entry system use immediately available funds, and your broker or bank may require you to do so as well; and
     

  Financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in a global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the securities.

 

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There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.

 

Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated

 

In a few special situations described below, the global security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those interests. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities transferred to their own name, so that they will be direct holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above.

 

The global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:

 

  if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days;
     
  if we notify any applicable trustee that we wish to terminate that global security; or
     
  if an event of default has occurred with regard to securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived.

 

The prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the depositary, and not we or any applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may sell the securities being offered by this prospectus separately or together through any of the following methods:

 

 

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

     
  directly to investors;
     
  through agents;
     
  through block trades in which the broker or dealer engaged to handle the block trade will attempt to sell the securities as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
     
  through any combination if these methods of sale; or
     
  in any manner, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

We may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

  at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;
     
  at market prices prevailing at the times of sale;
     
  at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or
     
  at negotiated prices.

 

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We will describe the method of distribution of the securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may also determine the price or other terms of the securities offered under this prospectus by use of an electronic auction. We will describe how any auction will determine the price or any other terms, how potential investors may participate in the auction and the nature of the obligations of the underwriter, dealer or agent in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our common stock, which is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

 

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 the securities). In addition, underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they act as agent. 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. Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement are underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

 

We may sell the securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

 

We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase 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. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.

 

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.

 

Any person participating in the distribution of common stock registered under the registration statement that includes this prospectus will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act, and the applicable SEC rules and regulations, including, among others, Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of our common stock by any such person. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of our common stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to our common stock. These restrictions may affect the marketability of our common stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to our common stock.

 

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We may grant underwriters who participate in the distribution of the securities an option to purchase additional securities to cover overallotments, if any, in connection with the distribution. Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the offered securities. Overallotment 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 common stock 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 common stock originally sold by the dealer is purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the common stock to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time. If any such activities will occur, they will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Underwriters or agents and their associates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business and any such relationships will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

If more than 10% of the net proceeds of any offering of securities made under this prospectus will be received by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) members participating in the offering or affiliates or associated persons of such FINRA members, the offering will be conducted in accordance with FINRA Conduct Rule 5110(h).

 

To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus will be passed upon by Morrison & Foerster LLP of San Francisco, CA. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in an applicable prospectus supplement.

 

EXPERTS

 

Marcum LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, which is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and incorporated by reference in this registration statement. Our consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Marcum LLP's reports given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We file annual, quarterly and other reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, including any amendments to those reports, and other information that we file with or furnish to the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act can also be accessed free of charge through the Internet by visiting our website at www.marronebio.com. These filings will be available as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Information and materials contained on our website, except for our SEC filings expressly described below, are not part of this prospectus and are not incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC relating to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement and does not contain all of the information in the registration statement. You may review a copy of the registration statement through the SEC’s website, as provided above.

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC, which means we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and certain information that we will later file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below as well as any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus until we sell all of the securities under this prospectus, except that we do not incorporate any document or portion of a document that is “furnished” to the SEC, but not deemed “filed.” The following documents filed with the SEC are incorporated by reference in this prospectus:

 

  our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on March 23, 2021 and amended on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on March 26, 2021;
     
  our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 5, 2021, January 29, 2021 and February 25, 2021 respectively; and
     
  the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on July 29, 2013, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, excluding, in each case, information deemed furnished and not filed until we sell all of the securities we are offering. Any statements contained in a previously filed document incorporated by reference into this prospectus is deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, or in a subsequently filed document also incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes that statement.

 

We will provide to you at no cost a copy of any and all of the information incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You may make a request for copies of this information in writing or by telephone. Requests should be directed to:

 

Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.

1540 Drew Avenue

Davis, California 95618

Attn: Kevin Helash, Chief Executive Officer

(530) 750-2800

 

Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other expenses of issuance and distribution

 

The following table sets forth all expenses, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by us in connection with this offering. All the amounts shown are estimates except for the registration fee.

 

SEC registration fee  $9,819 
FINRA fee   14,000 
Accounting fees and expenses   20,000*
Legal fees and expenses   40,000*
Transfer agent and registrar fees   5,000*
Printing expenses   5,000*
Miscellaneous   1,181*
Total  $95,000*

 

* Estimated solely for purposes of this Item. Actual expenses may vary.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

  

Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, provides that a corporation may, in its original certificate of incorporation or an amendment thereto, eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director for violations of the director’s fiduciary duty, except (1) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, which provides for liability of directors for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions or (4) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify any person, including an officer or director, who is, or is threatened to be made, party to any threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, other than an action by or in the right of such corporation, by reason of the fact that such person was an officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as an officer, director, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided such officer, director, employee or agent acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the corporation’s best interest and, for criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. A Delaware corporation may indemnify any officer or director in an action by or in the right of the corporation under the same conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him against the expenses that such officer or director actually and reasonably incurred.

 

Our certificate of incorporation as currently in effect provides for the indemnification of directors to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware law.

 

Our bylaws as currently in effect provide for the indemnification of officers and directors acting on our behalf if this person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in and not opposed to our best interest, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the indemnified party had no reason to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

In addition, we have entered into separate indemnification agreements with certain of our executive officers and directors. Such agreements may require us, among other things, to advance expenses and otherwise indemnify our executive officers and directors against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as executive officers or directors, to the fullest extent permitted by law. We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with any new directors and executive officers in the future.

II-1
 

  

We have purchased and intend to maintain insurance on behalf of us and any person who is or was a director or officer against any loss arising from any claim asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in that capacity, subject to certain exclusions and limits of the amount of coverage.

 

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

See the Exhibit Index included immediately prior to the signature page of this registration statement, which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 17. Undertakings

 

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
   
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

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

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

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

Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the Registration Statement.

 

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
   
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
   
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

 

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

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

II-2
 

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
   
(7) That, insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
   
(8) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

II-3
 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  Description
   
1.2   Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Common Stock)*
   
1.3   Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Preferred Stock)*
   
1.4   Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Debt Securities)*
   
1.5   Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Warrants)*
   
1.6   Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Units)*
   
3.1   Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2020)
   
3.2   Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2020)
   
4.1   Form of Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.’s common stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form S-1/A, as filed with the SEC on July 22, 2013)
 
4.2   Form of Senior Secured Promissory Notes issued by Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. to Ivy Science & Technology Fund, Waddell & Reed Advisors Science & Technology Fund and Ivy Funds VIP Science & Technology dated August 20, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on August 25, 2015)
   
4.3   Form of Warrants issued by Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. to Ivy Science & Technology Fund, Waddell & Reed Advisors Science & Technology Fund and Ivy Funds VIP Science & Technology dated August 20, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on August 25, 2015)
   
4.4   Form of Warrants issued by Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. pursuant to the Third Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of November 11, 2016, by and between Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. and Gordon Snyder, as agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on April 5, 2018)
   
4.5   Warrant issued by Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. to MZHCI, LLC, dated June 6, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC on August 14, 2017)
     
4.6   Form of Warrants issued by Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. on February 5, 2018 to the Buyers listed in that certain Securities Purchase Agreement dated December 15, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on December 18, 2017)
     
4.7   Form of Warrants issued by Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. on February 5, 2018 to Ivy Science & Technology Fund, Waddell & Reed Advisors Science & Technology Fund and Ivy VIP Science & Technology (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on December 18, 2017)
     
4.8   Form of Warrants issued by Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. on February 5, 2018 to Gordon Snyder, as agent, and certain of its affiliates to that certain Loan Agreement, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on December 18, 2017)
     
4.9   Form of Warrants issued by Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. on February 5, 2018 to National Securities Corporation and certain of its affiliates (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on December 18, 2017)
     
4.10   Form of Warrants issued by Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. in connection with June 2013 Credit Facility (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company’s Form S-1, as filed with the SEC on July 1, 2013)
     
4.11   Form of Warrants issued by Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. in connection with June 2017 Consulting Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2020)
     
4.12   Warrant Amendment and Plan of Reorganization Agreement, dated August 6, 2019, by and among Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc., Ospraie AG Science LLC, Ardsley Partners Renewable Energy Fund, L.P. and Ivan Saval (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on August 8, 2019)
     
4.13   Form of Warrant issued by Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. in connection with the August 6, 2019 Warrant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on August 8, 2019)
     
4.14   Description of Registrant’s Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2020)
   
4.15   Form of Warrant issuable pursuant to the Warrant Exchange Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on April 30, 2020)
   
4.16   Form of Common Stock Certificate*
     
4.17   Form of Preferred Stock Certificate*
     
4.18   Form of Designation of Preferred Stock*
     
4.19   Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement (including warrant certificate)*
     
4.20   Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement (including warrant certificate)*
     
4.21   Form of Unit Agreement (including form of unit certificate)*
     
4.22   Form of Rights Agreement (including form of rights certificate)*
   
4.23   Form of Indenture †
   
5.1   Opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP †
   
23.1   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
   
23.2   Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1) †
   
24.1   Power of Attorney (included on signature page) †
   
25.1   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Debt Trustee (to be filed prior to any issuance of Debt Securities) (1)

 

 

* To be filed by amendment or by a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

† Previously filed with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-252823) on February 8, 2021.

(1) To be filed in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. 

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Davis, State of California, on the 26th day of March, 2021.

 

  Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.
     
  By: /s/ Kevin Helash
    Kevin Helash
    Chief Executive Officer

 

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

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ Kevin Helash    Chief Executive Officer and Director   March 26, 2021
Kevin Helash   (Principal Executive Officer)  
         
/s/ Suping (Sue) Cheung   Chief Financial Officer   March 26, 2021
Suping (Sue) Cheung   (Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer)  
         
*   Chair of the Board   March 26, 2021
Robert A. Woods      
         
*   Director   March 26, 2021
Lara L. Lee      
         
*   Director   March 26, 2021
Yogesh Mago      
         
*   Director   March 26, 2021
Pamela G. Marrone      
         
*   Director   March 26, 2021
Keith McGovern      
         
*   Director   March 26, 2021
Zachary Wochok      
       
*   Director   March 26, 2021
Stuart Woolf        

  

* By:

/s/ Kevin Helash

 
  Kevin Helash  
  Attorney-in-Fact